Weapon lights are pretty standard these days, right? Pack in a lot of lumens and candela, use a 18650 or a couple of 123s, and call it a day, right? Well, that’s mostly fine, but it’s always nice to see a company do something a little different. Streamlight did just that with the latest in their lineup, the TLR RM 2.
Streamlight’s clung to the TLR 7’s compact emitter and formed an entire family of lights around it. The TLR RM2 is one such design. These are long gun lights designed to be compact and lightweight. They ditch the tubular design we see with the vast majority of lights. Instead, they use a ramping style design that is vaguely Inforce like.
This includes the rear design, which incorporates a large button for quick and easy use. Below the button sits a pressure switch which makes the design depart from the Inforce design. The TLR RM2 is one of two lights in the series and is the larger, more powerful option. Let’s take a look at the specs of this bad boy before we dive any deeper.
Streamlight TLR RM2 Specs
Lumens – 1,000
Candela – 10,000
Length – 4.55 inches
Weight – 4.55 Ounces
Battery Life – 1.5 Hours
Breaking Down the Design
What’s the point of a ramp-style design over a tubular light? Well, the ramp style designs are lower profile and offer an ergonomic rifle setup for those who might not be running a pressure switch. It integrates seamlessly onto a rail system and provides a great big button for easy access.
It can be run at any rail position, and these tend to work very well on guns with limited rail space. On micro PDWs, subguns. braced pistols, and shotguns, these lights excel. Many people might opt for a pistol light on these weapons but no longer have to with the TLR RM2.
At the same time, the pressure switch makes it easy to use on a standard rifle or carbine design. The TLR RM2 offers a very versatile option for a wide variety of weapons. I might stick to my Cloud Defensive lights for a proper rifle, but for a sub-gun or shotgun, the TLR RM2 shines bright. (Excuse the pun.)
Night Time Fight Time
Light nerds will recognize the small emitter and instantly see the limitations the light offers. A small emitter will limit the output and power the light can put out. 1,000 lumens and 10,000 candela are decidedly average for a rifle light when you look at options for Cloud Defensive and Modlite.
However, the TLR RM2 is much lighter, slimmer, and more affordable for those options. For its small size, it is plenty efficient and capable for home defense and close-range use. It’s no searchlight, and the listed effective range of 200 meters is optimistic. The light might reach that far, but you won’t see that far.
I took the light out to multiple distances at the range and tried to make positive identification with the light. At 100 yards, I could see the target rather well, and when combined with a lightly magnified optic, I’d feel confident in my ability to identify a threat.
Let’s scoot a little close. At 50 yards, I’m lighting the poor guy up, and he stands out exceptionally well. At 25 yards, I’m blinding the poor guy and seeing everything around him as well. Inside a dark home, I’m filling the largest rooms up with white light. I’m talking living rooms and kitchens. I see the TLR RM2 as a capable home defense option for those with limited rail estate.
Got the Beam
Beam wise we get a rather neutral color white light from the TLR RM2. It’s slightly on the cooler light of light temperatures in terms of tone and hue. It’s bright and fills the gaps. Like a pistol light, it casts a beam wider rather than further.
The TLR RM2 provides plenty of spill and does well inside a building. Most long gun lights act more like spotlights with a focused beam that increases the range. That isn’t the focus of this beam, and that’s why I think it’s best suited for home defense in terms of tactical use. Not only home defense, but mounted on PCCs, subguns, SBRs, and shotguns rather than proper carbines.
A carbine’s extra range allows it to benefit from those more powerful lights on the market. Plus, weight savings is rarely the goal of a fighting rifle anyway, and that’s one of the biggest strengths of the TLR RM2.
Durability Testing
The light works. It’s bright and functions well. However, can it take abuse? I set out to find out by tossing the TLR RM2 on an ASP red gun and giving it the drop treatment. I dropped it half a dozen times and tested the light.
It worked! So I dropped it a half dozen more times. Surprise, surprise, it worked without issue once more. I then used a Century Bob punching bag as a test dummy to strike with the light. I drove the light into the target to test the front strength of the light. Again it clicked back on, casting light far and wide.
Next, Streamlight says the light is IPX7 rated. That means it should be able to be submerged up to a meter for half an hour. I don’t have a meter of water, but I can duct in my wife’s Tupperware! I filled one up, turned the light on, and tossed it in.
I then sat back, popped open a soda, and watched the first half-hour of Aliens. Right about the time the Marines and Ripley are loading up for their drop, I gave the light a peak. Boom, without issue, the light remained on and didn’t seem to mind its bath.
Over and Out
Streamlight’s little TLR RM2 provides a light for a specific niche of users. Those who need something short and light are already dealing with reduced rail space. It doesn’t pack a blistering amount of power but packs enough for 99% of users. For use inside the home, the TLR RM2 provides more than enough light. It’s good to see a little innovation in a crowded and somewhat stale market.
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Amazon Prime price $155. not wonder the article left this detail out.
Imagine thinking $155 dollars is expensive