Streamlight TLR-1 HL-X USB Rechargeable Handgun Light

Streamlight’s newest gun light, the TLR-1 HL-X USB ($395), is a USB-C rechargeable light that gives serious power to the defensive handgunner. With the supplied SL-B9 batteries, you’re getting 1,500 lumens, 20,000 candela and a beam distance of 283 meters—with a run time of one hour. It’s a dual-fuel light, and if you opt for readily available CR123A lithiums, which are not included, the output drops to 1,000, 15,000 and 245 meters respectively, but runtime bumps up to 1.5 hours.

The body and face cap are made of 6000-series machined aircraft aluminum with a black anodized finish. It’s IPX-7 rated—waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes. The lens is made of impact-resistant Borofloat glass, and the white LED light source is impervious to shock and has a 50,000-hour lifespan.

The light will fit a wide variety of pistols via interchangeable rail keys: two Picatinny, one Glock and one for the Beretta 92. Changing rail keys (one of the Picatinnies comes installed) requires a bit of care. Screw in the rail’s clamp tension bolt using the provided multitool or a coin. You’ll see an e-clip on the opposite side. Position the clip so the open end faces the rear of the light. Take the multitool and push on the open end of the e-clip until it dislodges.

And here’s where the care comes in. The clip is tiny and under some tension, so watch that you don’t lose it. Reverse the process to reinstall a different rail.

Charge Batteries Before Use

The supplied SL-B9 batteries need to be charged before you can use the light. Streamlight thoughtfully provides a two-headed USB-C cable for juicing up both batteries simultaneously. From dead to fully charged takes about 2.5 hours. Note the battery insertion diagrams on the sides of the light, as both have to be positioned differently.

The light ships with high and extended-high tail switches. Because they can be installed and removed independently of one another, you can mix and match.

For example, I installed the light on a Springfield Echelon 4.5F, and I found what worked best for me was the high switch on the right/trigger-finger side and the extended high on the left for my support-hand thumb.

Press and hold either switch for momentary on; tap either one for constant on. The TLR-1 HL-X has a strobe mode, which is disabled as it comes from the factory. To enable, from the off position press either switch 10 times quickly, holding down on the 10th press. To activate the strobe, press/release/press either switch within a quarter-second.

Compatibility

Streamlight says the light will fit full-size and compact guns and work with standard light-bearing holsters. I’d caution, though, that because the light will likely extend beyond the muzzle you should check the fit before buying a holster.

The TLR-1 HL-X USB’s beam has a strong center and an extremely large peripheral portion. In my garage and basement, the peripheral was enough to light up entire walls, and even in small bedrooms there was little area you couldn’t illuminate with short movements of the light. And that powerful center will help you identify threats—whether in the home, in larger commercial buildings or outdoors.

I’m totally sold on rechargeable lights. It’s so handy to bring a light to full power simply by plugging it in instead of guessing how run down a battery might be. At a 500-cycle life span, you could charge the SL-B9 batteries once a week for almost 10 years before you’d have to look at replacing them.

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