Streamlight has a tendency to upgrade existing lights without making it completely clear what exactly their changes/upgrades do in the way of performance. Earlier this year, Streamlight phased out the TLR-7A and replaced it with the TLR-7X, which they refer to as a "multi-fuel" version of the 7A.

At first glance, it would appear that all Streamlight has done is to include their SL-B9 rechargeable battery with this WML. This battery has a USB-C charging port. The new 7X, thankfully, has no external charging port in the light body.

So, the 7X is the same light as the 7A, right? Not exactly. Apparently, the 7A cannot be used with the SL-B9 (or other rechargeable 123A batteries either, I assume). The difference between these two WMLs is a change in the circuitry.

So what? According to the video below, using the SL-B9 battery gives the 7X a higher initial output (620 lumens versus 500 lumens) than a standard 123A battery, with a shorter runtime of about an hour. Typical of Streamlight, they fail to mention this on their TLR7-X product page. When using standard 123A batteries, the 7A and 7X are identical in output, factoring in, of course, the minor variations of beam shape which are present from light to light in different examples of a given model. If you own multiple copies of a manufacturer's given model of WML, you'll know what I mean. It's not a big deal, but in my experience, there are always slight differences.

Take a look

There's also the new TLR-7 HL-X version, which offers a 1k lumen output using their SL-B9 rechargeable.

It comes with a SL-B9 battery included, unlike the standard TLR-7X where it's sold separately.

However, the HL-X has a longer lens body, so isn't compatible with all/most standard TLR-7 holsters.

And it only runs for 30 minutes at 1k, compared to 60-90 minutes at 500.

https://www.streamlight.com/pr...etail/tlr-7-hl-x-usb

An hour of runtime on a carry pistol is acceptable, but 30 minutes is- to me- a no-go.

According to Streamlight, you can top off the SL-B9 without any danger of overcharging it, so you can be assured of having a fresh battery for carry.

As for the higher output HL-X- well, the beauty of the 7A/7X is that the front of the light sits flush with the muzzle of the G19. I'm satisfied with 500 lumens.

On some other pistols, though, the additional length of the HL-X will not be a problem.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
An hour of runtime on a carry pistol is acceptable, but 30 minutes is- to me- a no-go.

According to Streamlight, you can top off the SL-B9 without any danger of overcharging it, so you can be assured of having a fresh battery for carry.

As for the higher output HL-X- well, the beauty of the 7A/7X is that the front of the light sits flush with the muzzle of the G19. I'm satisfied with 500 lumens.

On some other pistols, though, the additional length of the HL-X will not be a problem.

Streamlight is playing the lumens game. Most of their lights are regulated but they only stay at peak lumens for a very short period of time, usually a few minutes. Then it's regulated for that hour or 90 mins until it tapers off.

To a large degree, they stopped using run charts and only give overall runtime down to 10% of initial output.

quote:

Streamlight is playing the lumens game.

The VAST majority of light makers do SUREFIRE is pretty notorious for it over the last decade or more. Honestly Malkoff, Elzetta and maybe Modlight are the few that really pop to mind that are both “duty grade” and publish real runtimes at rated levels/have levels and or lights setup to run fairly regulated.

At the end of the day the heat a 800-1000+ lumen light puts out has to be dealt with either mechanically or electronically by throttling.

Now all that said all the TLR lights are still fantastic and more than capable weapon lights and the newer releases let you tailer what you want based on battery choice.

NOTE-I wasn’t throwing SUREFIRE under the bus as they still make helluva good lights in general terms especially most of their weapon lights.

As for the 500 lumen TLR7 for my largely indoor use or close range “yard” type needs the 500ish lumens and more diffuse wall of light works well for me. If I was a cop on duty I’d want something with more candela for several reasons but for my low speed, high drag needs the TLR7A is just about perfect, especially on the guns I tend to favor (Glock 19 sized firearms).

Yes to all of that. Surefire does indeed play the same numbers game, but even taking this into consideration, bother Surefire and Streamlight produce excellent lights, with Streamlight being the best value for your dollar.

I can't speak to Elzetta and Modlight, but Malkoff doesn't try to make their lights look good on paper and they make superb lights.

And 500 lumens is more than enough for the average homeowner. On my primary house gun, I use an early Surefire X300, rated at 170 lumens (the very first version of the X300 is rated at 110 lumens) and even though I have newer versions of the X300, rated at 650 and 1000 lumens, I use a version with a lower-rated output by choice. Even the first version of the X300, rated at 110 lumens, works quite well for home defense. As a matter of fact, I didn't bother to upgrade to 170 lumens on my house gun until quite recently, and only did so in order to mount the 110 lumen version on a G17 for auxiliary use in my home.

Once we get off of the homestead, though, WMLs with 500 or 1000 lumens or more begin to make a lot of sense. Illuminating threats on the other side of a parking lot is something different than working in your kitchen or garage. The G17 I call my "traveling pistol" has a 1000 lumen X300 mounted.

Be careful when ordering the 7X. Streamlight is selling the light both with and without the rechargeable SL-B9 battery. They refer to the 7X with the rechargeable battery as the "USB" model, which is a bit less than clear, as is often the case with Streamlight.

Model numbers for the 7X:

69424 - CR123 Battery - Black

69429 - CR123 Battery - FDE

69455 - Rechargeable Battery - Black

69456 - Rechargeable Battery - FDE

Yes, took a while for it to be clear that the "USB" models include the rechargeable battery. It's a pain to try to figure out what online vendors have, but Midway makes it pretty clear now.

I got a couple 7X USB's first, and an HL-X USB to try, some 7X-SUB USB's for the P365's, and most recently two TLR-1 HL-X USB's which are outstanding for a full size light and put the Surefire X300 to shame. And now they have TLR-7 SUB HL-X models with more light but no increase in length.

For WMLs on fullsize pistols, I still prefer Surefire- the X-300, from the original 110 lumen version, all the way up to the 1000 lumen version. For my rifles, I use Surefire Scout lights exclusively- either the M300 or the M600.

But for my G19s, I use the TLR-7 and on one of my G26s I use a TLR-6. I also use a TLR-7 on a Walther PPQ, which have always been somewhat awkward when it comes to attaching lights.