Holosun P.ID vs Streamlight TLR-1 HL: Weapon Light Showdown

If you’re searching for a handgun weapon light, you may be looking at one of these two lights. The Holosun P.ID and the Streamlight TLR-1 HL are both LED lights for handguns. Both lights are what I would call full-size weapons lights and work best on large to medium frame guns. Lights and optics have become a common accessory for modern day handguns and there’s good reason for it. They improve the accuracy and performance of the shooter. In my opinion, weapon mounted lights are more important than an optic.

Optics help with faster acquisition and accuracy over distance, but lights help you see in the dark. Most self-defense situations take place at relatively close distances. However, even at a close distance, a light can make all the difference. You need to see what you’re shooting, which makes a weapon mounted light extremely important. However, finding the right one is not as easy as it sounds. Holster compatibility, method of power (rechargeable vs traditional battery), and activation style are all things to consider.

A rechargeable battery is handy and saves a little money over time, but they’re also no good if they go dead while you still need it. Replaceable batteries can be changed whenever needed, but you must buy batteries and keep them on hand. Determining if one or the other is better really depends on the handgun’s planed use(s). I’ve been using both for a while and there are pros and cons to each. Here are some quick details about the Holosun P.ID and Streamlight TLR-1 so you can decide which one is better for you.

Holosun P.ID

A powerhouse in the optics world, Holosun is known for quality at an affordable price. I’ve used Holosun optics for years and I can say from experience that they make a great product. However, they’re not known for their lights and don’t have a million options like other companies. But, that doesn’t mean their light is inferior. I bought the Holosun P.ID (positive identification device) a while back and carried it on a few of my handguns and PCCs. It has held up very well and it’s nice and bright.

Like I mentioned above, the first thing that stands out with the P.ID is it uses a rechargeable battery. With the provided 1830 lithium battery, you get 1,000 lumens for up to an hour of constant run time. If you want a lower setting, the P.ID can be switched to 500 lumens as well. Just press both activation paddles at the same time to switch back and forth. The light will stay on the desired setting until you change it back. I used both settings but prefer the higher setting for most applications.

As referenced above, the Holosun P.ID uses an activation paddle on each side of the light. This allows the shooter to press on the side of the paddle with the support-hand thumb for left and right-handed shooters. This is different than Streamlight’s toggle switch, but I find it easy to use. A fast click of the button turns the light on until you click it again. Push and hold for a couple of seconds and the light turns off when you let go.

Pros and cons

Mounting the P.ID is not as convenient as the Streamlight and is one of my only complaints with the light. A small Allen wrench (which Holosun provides) is required to tighten the light to a picatinny rail. This isn’t as important if you plan to leave the light mounted on the same gun. However, I find myself using the Streamlight on multiple guns because it’s so easy to pop on and off. Whether this is a pro or con depends on what you need it for. I would have preferred the P.ID included a quick release mount.

One thing that makes up for the P.ID being harder to take on and off your weapon is that it’s charged without needing to be removed. Just attach the magnetic cord to the power port on the bottom of the light. For someone who wants a light on a home defense pistol, this is a great option.

Holosun P.ID Specs:

• Lumen output: 1,000 on high and 500 on low
• Candela output: 23,000
• Run time: Up to one hour on high
• Battery type: 18350 rechargeable lithium battery
• Housing material: 7075 T6 aircraft aluminum
• Water resistance: IP68

Streamlight TLR-1 HL

Streamlight is a legend in the flashlight world. Since my first day in the police academy, I’ve carried a Streamlight flashlight on my belt, in my patrol car, and, eventually, my gun. The TLR-1 is one of the most popular weapon mounted lights for duty handguns in the country. And now, you can buy the TLR-1 HL. While more expensive, the TLR-1 HL is a lot brighter. Just like the P.ID, you get 1,000 lumens of light for a total run time of 1.5 hours. The run time is a little longer than the P.ID, but the batteries are not rechargeable so that’s something to consider.

Instead of activation paddles, Streamlight uses a toggle switch that pivots up and down. For left-handed shooters, push down on the toggle switch to temporarily activate the light. It turns off when you let go. Push up on the switch and it clicks on and stays on until you turn it back off. I’m used to this method because I’ve used the TLR-1 for so long, but I honestly don’t mind either style of switch.

Streamlight uses a quick detach mounting system, or at least one you can tighten and loosen with your hands. This is ‘handy’ if you have several handguns and only want to buy one good light. They are also durable and, over the years, I’ve seen them go through some unbelievable abuse and keep running. Another good benefit of Streamlight is the number of holsters made for their lights. When you start looking at combat/duty holsters, there are more options for the TLR-1 than just about any other light.

Pros and Cons

A rechargeable battery is great for those who plan to keep it around the house or use it on a limited basis. If you plan to use your light in areas where you won’t have time to recharge it, replaceable batteries are better. CR123 batteries are easy to find and hold power very well. I’ve tried rechargeable CR123 batteries in the TLR-1 HL before, but they ran down so fast I stopped using them. The Streamlight TLR-1 HL is more expensive than the P.ID but you also get that proven reliability and compatibility.

Streamlight TLR-1 HL specs:

• Lumen output: 1,000
• Candela output: 20,000
• Run time: 1.5 hours
• Battery type: two 3-volt CR123A lithium batteries
• Rail grip clamp system securely attaches/detaches quickly and safely with no tools and without putting your hands in front of the muzzle
• Includes keys for GLOCK®-style rails, MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rails, Beretta® 90two, Smith & Wesson® SW99, Smith & Wesson® TSW, and SIG SAUER® P320® rails

Is there a winner?

I don’t like reading a long-winded article that ends with “it’s all personal preference” even though sometimes that is the case. So, I would select Streamlight as the winner between the two because of reputation and the ease of moving the light to other platforms. However, I also own the P.ID and love that light too. So, this doesn’t mean it’s not a good choice. If you want a cheaper option or rechargeable battery, it is a great weapon-mounted light.

The P.ID runs about $115 while the TLR-1 HL retails in the $150 range, so there is a price gap there. I also found the P.ID will fit in most of my leather holsters made for the Glock 17 or 19. This included a Galco and Gould and Goodrich leather shoulder holster made for a Glock 17 with a TLR-1 light. Falco makes a leather belt holster for a G19 with a TLR-1 light that fit the P.ID perfectly. When selecting, decide what you want the light for and what holster you need for your weapon. Both are great lights for their price range.