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 – why is
green the best.
By: Sal Palma
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.
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
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G 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?
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.
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.

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.
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.
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
Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved
STREAMLIGHT’S TLR-8 G 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.
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 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.
 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:

 Features white LED and green laser

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.
 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

Copyright 2019, Twobirds Flying Publications, All Rights Reserved