Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X: Bright Light, Small Package

In 1879, Thomas Edison patented the first commercially successful light bulb. Lighting technology has undeniably come a long way in the last 145 years. However, we should be equally impressed at the advancements in the last 20 years with handheld and weapon lights. While several companies drove development, Streamlight notably stood at the forefront, with products like the TLR-1 HL, which is the unofficial handgun weapon light for law enforcement. Not to be outdone, Streamlight introduced the compact 500-lumen TLR-7 in 2018. They haven’t been satisfied with the status quo and introduced the 1,000-lumen TLR-7 HL-X compact weapon light at the 2024 NRA Show. After recently getting my hands on one for a little testing, this potent little light left me impressed and excited about what Streamlight has planned for the future. Let’s dig into what makes this light, quite simply, awesome.

1,000 Lumens on a Compact

At 1.5 ounces lighter and almost half an inch shorter than the Streamlight TLR-1 HL, I didn’t expect the TLR-7 HL-X to compete with a full-size, duty weapon light. After all, the TLR-1 HL produces 1,000 lumens and 20,000 candelas, with a 283-meter beam distance. After nearly a decade in law enforcement, I’ve seen firsthand how well this light performs and somewhat doubted the advertised performance of the TLR-7 HL-X. Streamlight says the TLR-7 HL-X produces 1,000 lumens and 22,000 candelas with a 297-meter beam distance. Numbers on paper look cool, but seeing it in person converts skeptics into believers.

On a particularly dark night, I set up my camera about 40 yards from a nearby tree line. I took turns shining the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X and TLR-1 HL into the woods. While expecting a subtle difference between these lights, the results surprised me. The side-by-side comparison put the TLR-7 HL-X clearly ahead of the TLR-1 HL. The TLR-7 HL-X’s beam was noticeably brighter and slightly wider. Simply, this light’s brightness and throw aren’t in question when it exceeds the performance of America’s most popular duty weapon light.

Compact Light on a Compact Handgun

While I touched on the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X’s compact size and weight earlier, let’s delve a little deeper into that topic. The TLR-7 HL-X weighs 2.88 ounces and measures 2-7/8 inches from the lens to the tip of the rear switches. At barely two-tenths of an inch longer than its 500-lumen TLR-7 counterparts, the increased brightness is a tradeoff I’m willing to accept. With this light outfitted on a Glock 19, it barely protruded past the muzzle.

I’ve long embraced carrying a light on my person while off duty. If possible, I carry a handheld light and complement it with a weapon light on my concealed carry handgun. Traditionally, the options were to sacrifice lumens in exchange for a more compact weapon light or uncomfortably run a full-size weapon light. With the TLR-7 HL-X, that tradeoff wasn’t just acceptable; it was realistic. Furthermore, I could carry a smaller handgun and weapon light, making discreet concealed carry more manageable without significant wardrobe or holster adjustments.

I showcased the TLR-7 HL-X to some law enforcement peers working in a plain clothes capacity. Several of them currently run TLR-7 variants and showed immediate intrigue at the mention of the HL-X. When compared alongside older variants, almost all of them wanted to switch over to the new HL-X for their on- and off-duty setups. I’d say that’s a ringing endorsement for concealed carry use.

Recharging the TLR-7 HL-X

One of the biggest pains with weapon lights is the batteries. For years, I carefully managed my stash of CR123 batteries to ensure I never ran dry. In recent years, the proliferation of rechargeable batteries eliminated the massive headache accompanying the power management of my weapon lights. While I’ve predominantly referred to this little powerhouse as the TLR-7 HL-X, it technically has “USB” after its name. While shortened for brevity’s sake, the USB part is probably the best feature of the HL-X. The TLR-7 HL-X USB includes one Streamlight SL-B9 USB rechargeable battery and a USB-C to USB charging cord. With the ability to recharge virtually anywhere or keep a spare SL-B9 on standby, the HL-X features another layer of convenience and confidence.

The Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X runs at 1,000 lumens for 0.5 hours on a single CR123 battery. With Streamlight’s TEN-TAP technology, you can also program the TLR-7 HL-X to run at 500 lumens for one hour of battery life. While I feel 30 minutes is a sufficient amount of battery on a weapon light like this, you can still get 500 lumens and 11,000 candelas for an hour if you desire. Something also noteworthy: That’s still twice the TLR-7 X’s candela!

The TLR-7 HL-X also includes a “safe” mode to prevent accidental activation. To activate safe mode, unscrew the light head one-quarter turn. Streamlight added a detent for a positive index point when the light is on safe mode. While simple, details like this take the guesswork out of things. While I haven’t used it much, safe mode was exceptionally convenient for daytime range trips where the light wasn’t used, but I wanted it on the gun for training consistency.

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X Additional Specs

The Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X attaches to virtually any modern, rail-equipped handgun. The HL-X includes six rail adaptors to fit most current production firearms. To attach the HL-X, ensure the screw is backed out and press it in. Press the rail adaptor into the slotted handgun rail, release the screw, and tighten. While a screwdriver is convenient for installation and removal, the slotted screw head also accommodates a coin or case rim. However, since battery removal doesn’t require removing the light, loosening or tightening the screw shouldn’t be necessary unless inspecting the tension or swapping between guns.

Admittedly, I’ve run Surefire weapon lights for years, with Streamlight being my choice for handheld lights. My decision to use them has nothing to do with Streamlight’s performance. Rather, it has more to do with early exposure and training with Surefire’s manual of arms. By the time I discovered the TLR-1, it was late in the game, and I hesitated to switch to the TLR-1’s toggle switch after so many years on a different platform. However, the activation switches on the TLR-7 HL-X quickly eliminated that excuse.

The HL-X uses two independent activation switches for operation. A quick tap of the switch turns the light on continuously, while holding the switch down activates the momentary on. Frankly, I love the intuitive design and hope Streamlight integrates it into future generations of their full-size, duty weapon lights. If they do, my duty belt might end up monogamously Streamlight for illumination devices. I’ll change my Facebook status accordingly when that happens.

The HL-X includes two styles of switches — low and high. I toyed a little with my setup, and it’s a toss-up as to which I prefer. While the firearm, hand size, and grip style dictate preference, I tried the high switch for my non-dominant thumb with the low switch set up for my trigger finger. The jury’s still out, but that configuration proved extremely convenient with my grip. Nonetheless, swapping the switches takes seconds with the included tools.

The Future with the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X USB

Any time I review a product, I focus on its application. Where does it work best? Where does it not work well? The Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X has a lot of potential applications beyond adorning a day-to-day concealed carry handgun. With its brightness and respectable runtime, this light may end up on an SBR or pistol-caliber carbine. At less than three ounces, that’s a lot of light for little weight on a CQB rifle. While I’ve never seen a Streamlight weapon light fail, the HL-X carries a limited lifetime warranty. And Streamlight has excellent customer service.

Streamlight continues to set the standard with its expanding lineup of illumination products. If the TLR-7 HL-X serves as any indication of future offerings, I’m admittedly excited. Available in flat dark earth and black, the Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X is currently available from GunMag Warehouse for $186.99 and $177.99. At under $200, the price just sweetens the deal on this quality weapon light.