FOG HORN
October 2019 Twobirds Flying Publications
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G
Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G – why is green the best. By: Sal Palma
2019
conditions or where picking up my weapon sights is more difficult or not possible. An aiming laser, red or green, provides you with a tactical advantage; aiding in fast and accurate engagements. The human eye has a light sensitivity that falls in the spectral range of 380 nm (nano meters) to 740 nm. So, why is a green laser more visible than a red laser?
At Shot Show 2018 Streamlight Inc. introduced the TLR-7 and TLR-8 weapon mounted light and light/laser accessories. The new members of the company’s very successful TLR line delivered 500 lumens of well collimated brilliant light, in a reduced footprint, to meet the needs of the compact sized pistol frames. The TLR-8, a light laser combination, offered a fully adjustable red diode laser. Another extremely nice feature found on both offerings was its safe-off feature, rotating the bezel counterclockwise breaks the battery circuit preventing accidental activation.
The graphs answer that question. The x-axis is wave length expressed in nano meters and the y-axis is the eye’s relative sensitivity. Green light falls within the visible spectrum of 500nm 565nm. Red light falls within the visible spectrum of 635nm – 700nm. The TLR-8’s red laser operates in the spectral range of 640-660nm and the TLR-8G operates in the range of 510-520nm.
At Shot Show 2019, Streamlight introduced the TLR-8G. This new offering retains all of the excellent performance features of the TLR-8 but with a green laser; hence, the “G” designation. The red vs. green laser argument usually revolves around the what’s more visible in day light argument. Personally speaking, I’ve never used a laser in broad daylight, simply because the weapon’s iron sights are visible. However, I will use a laser in less than optimal lighting
As you can see, eye sensitivity to the green laser light is significantly higher than the red diode lasers. This is the reason that green class 3B
Copyright 2019, Towbirds Flying Publications. All Rights Reserved.
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G lasers are used as disruptors. One highly regarded disruptor is B.E. Meyer’s GLARE® Mount, which operates in the 500nm to 550nm range at 125mW. Although this is not a lethal weapon, a class 3B green laser can cause eye damage, especially at higher power levels. The chart below compares the risk of eye injury to laser power output.
2019
a very compact form factor making it ideally suited for the stingier accessory rails of today’s compact pistol frames, the TLR-8G is a mere 2.15” in length and weighs only 2.64 oz. The TLR-8 family of laser/lights offers the best mounting mechanics in the industry. The snap on mount along with the appropriate key installed makes installation and removal a snap, no pun intended.
The TLR8G uses a class 2 laser, operating at less than or equal to 1mW so it’s completely eye safe. In general, green lasers are correspondingly higher in price than their red diode laser counterpart, but performance is not cheap.
I hate dealing with small aluminum machine screws that you can lose or destroy the heads on, after one or two installations.
The TLR-8G is a rail mounted 500 lumen tactical illumination tool with a green aiming laser. Unlike the ubiquitous TLR-1 and TLR-2, this latest addition to Streamlight’s tactical line has
The TLR-8G is powered by a single CR123A lithium battery which delivers 1.5 hours of continuous light and laser use. In laser only mode runtime is expanded to 11 hours. Ladies, you won’t break your finger nails changing this battery. You simply rotate the facecap counterclockwise to access the battery compartment – far better than the spring steel clip found on the older TLR models.
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G
2019
You’ll get a superbly designed and robust accessory that delivers a brilliant well collimated light beam along with an adjustable aiming laser that will hold zero under recoil. -SP Manufacturer Specifications:
Operating the TLR-8G is straight forward, and accessing its three modes is accomplished by pressing left and right side switches simultaneously from the “ON” position to toggle between modes.
The three modes: 1. Laser only 2. Light only 3. Light/Laser If enabled, a strobe function is also included and accessible by double tapping either side switch within a ¼ second, the TLR-8G ships from Streamlight with strobing disabled. To enable strobing, you quickly tap either side switch 9 times, holding the switch down on the 10th tap. The light will strobe and turn itself off a process that takes about a second or less. Performance has its price and the TLR-8G comes in at an M.S.R.P of $450, but it’s readily available at a much better street price. You’ll still pay a higher price for the green laser but if you require that level of performance Streamlight’s TLR-8G delivers it in a lightweight and compact package that is at home on your AR pistol, full sized and compact handgun.
Features white LED and green laser 500 lumens; 140m beam; runs 1.5 hours Laser only runs 11 hours Custom optic produces a concentrated beam with optimum peripheral illumination Low-profile ambidextrous on/off switch Uses one CR123A lithium battery (included) Safe off feature on bezel prevents accidental activation; saves batteries Rail grip clamp system securely attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no tools and without putting your hands in front of muzzle Securely fits a broad range of full-sized and compact guns Durable, anodized machined aluminum construction User enabled strobe function 2.15” (5.46 cm); 2.64 oz. (75g) IPX4 water-resistant Limited lifetime warranty Assembled in USA
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