When it comes to weapon lights, I’m a big Streamlight fan. They present features, functions, and designs that fulfill the roles I need while not breaking the bank. To me, they are the perfect mix and compromise between what I need a weapon light to do and their price point. The new Streamlight TLR RM 2 is a unique long gun light that packs 1,000 lumens in a very modern package.
The TLR RM 2 is modeled like an Inforce rifle light. It has a ramp-like design, and there is a large button at the bottom for activation. The button itself spans the width of the light. Under the button is a port for a pressure switch.
This design is unique for Streamlight and is an evolution of the TLR 7 series of lights. The switch to a rifle light meant an increase in power and an increase in size. The TLR RM 2 uses two CR123 batteries and has a runtime of 1.5 hours. The RM 2 is 4.55 inches long and coincidentally weighs 4.55 ounces. It’s relatively compact and includes an integrated mount.
It clings tight to the rail on your weapon and sticks out a good bit less than my Streamlight ProTac WML. The ramp style design and the integral mount allow you to mount the light any which way you desire. Want a traditional 3 or 9 o’clock position? Go for it. Want a 12 or 6 o’clock position? Why not? Want to do offset designs in various angles and configurations? Go crazy.
I’ve seen a lot of guys mounting Inforce lights in the 12 o’clock position, and the TLR RM 2 can undoubtedly do that, too. It’s made of aluminum versus the polymer body of the Inforce so it can take a beating and keep on ticking.
The included pressure switch has a 90 degree offset port that allows you to mount it at a multitude of angles. The cord is also quite long and gives you plenty of room to stretch things out. The pressure switch comes with a 3M sticky pad, as well as plastic rail attachments, and even zip ties to secure it. You also get Streamlight’s universal rail key kit to ensure it fits on whatever you choose to attach it.
Casting Light With the TLR RM 2
A 1,000 lumens dose of light is a healthy amount of power for a weapon light and is often the power level of choice for long gun lights. While a lot of focus is put on the lumens a weapon light can produce, we don’t place enough emphasis on the candela power (the visual intensity in a particular direction) of a light. A lot of lumens are great, but without the candela, it’s not going far enough to matter. Candela and lumens work together to create a bright beam that reaches out nice and far.
The TLR RM 2 packs 10,000 candela, which isn’t bad by any means, but some may find it lacking for serious outdoor use. The TLR RM 2 is descended from the compact TLR 7 and therefore shares the smaller head design. This limits the size of the reflector and the candela number the light can throw out. For a comparison, the TLR 1HL has 1,000 lumens backed by 20,000 candela, making it a better light for use at longer ranges.
For inside the home or the yard, though the TLR RM 2 is an excellent option. It casts a beautiful, bright beam that eats up the darkness from one side of your field of vision to the other. I can sweep my 2-acre homestead from side to side and feel confident I could establish PID.
The TLR RM 2 is ergonomically sound, and both the body switch and pressure switch are reactive and tactile. If you hold either switch down for more than a second, the light is in momentary mode. A quick click puts it in constant mode.
I like the design and versatility of the TLR RM 2 as well its unique low profile design. I think it’s an excellent light for home defense, and night time predator elimination. The effective range of the TLR RM 2 is shorter than other long gun lights, but the design is also more compact and versatile than most. If I were a LEO or in the military, I’d like a more powerful light, but for the other 99% of us, the TLR RM 2 is an excellent design. It’s smooth, ergonomic, and robust.
Specifications: Streamlight TLR RM 2 Weapon Light
Lumens: 1000
Candela: 10,000
Weight: 4.55 ounces
Length: 4.55 inches
Batteries: CR 123
Battery Life: 1.5 hours
MSRP: $179.00 ($170 street price for this package)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Power: * * * *
Powerful enough for most of us, but duty users may find it a little lacking for rifle range accuracy and positive target identification. One thousand lumens and 10,000 candela eats through two CR 123s in about 90 minutes.
Ergonomics: * * * * *
Light and compact, the TLR RM 2 is an excellent light ergonomically. The TLR RM 2 has ideal button placement and the addition of a remote pressure switch makes it easy to use on any weapon platform.
Bang For Your Buck: * * * *
This package comes with everything you need to run the gun, including the batteries. The $170-ish street price for this package might be a bit much when similar ProTac models are available with more power for less money.
Overall: * * * *
The Streamlight TLR RM 2 is a well-made, ergonomic weapon light that is well suited for home defense long guns. It’s an exciting light design that’s very versatile at a reasonable price.
call me a dim bulb, but i don’t want a light.
if i did, this looks like it.
Hmm this might work for someone I know who’s looking
I use a TLR HPL on my carbines. I mount them on the light rail of my Grip Pods which I have on ALL of my carbines.
750 Lumens and WOW from this oversize reflector. Strobe feature as well.
This does look like a really innovative package and I like my TLR HL better than my Surefire X-300B.
I’ve been happy with the Inforce products on my AR and SUB2K. Not a fan of pressure switches, seems like one more potential point of failure, although I know lots of people that work with them very successfully in some challenging conditions.
Doesn’t look $70 better than a Protac HL. At that price I’d go $60 more for a Surefire. Or even wait for a used Surefire to show up on Amazon closer to the price of this.
Also never buy first gen anything if you can avoid it. You’re just paying to do their QA and testing.
Streamlight does a far better than average job of having new products ready before the start shipping. Not unfrequently they are late getting new products out as a result. And 100% stand behind their screwups and problems.
And US made not chicom shit (unlike most LED lights).
I got a Seige lantern and HLx USB from them right at product launch and theyve been flawless for 6 or 7 years now. But for a weapon light in the same config as the Inforce WML I’ll wait.
They’re assembled in the US which is ok. Not sure if every Surefire component is made here. Leatherman’s German made LED Lenser are good too. Not a big chicom fan.
I like and trust Streamlight except for their CR123 batteries. They haven’t lasted as long as Surefires have for me and the cost is identical.
Streamlight has never had those issues. Not saying it can’t happen. But more than likely, it wont. Also, ProTac is terrible. I had one for my G22 and it wobbled itself into the gravel multiple times before I finally left it there.
You said Streamlight doesn’t have problems then say their mounts are trash? I think maybe youre thinking of a different brand. Im talking about the Streamlight Protac Railmount weapon lights that are for rifles and shotguns. Havent seen one for a pistol.
All my Streamlight products have been flawless knock-on wood. You should try a different mount or loctite unless you somehow stripped some part. Their mount specs are the same as Surefire scouts. Some scout mounts may not work well with where the mount legs attach to the light body.
No problems for me with the stock Protac mount but have one using a IWC Thorntail and another on an Arisaka mlok inline mount. Both are rock solid and I dont use locktite.
I have a Protac Railmount HLx 1k lumen, a smaller Protac Railmount 350lumen, 2 TLR-1 HLs the 1k lumen, a Polytac(better than my Surefire G2Xs), a ProtacHLX usb 1k, a Seige and a nano.
Are those cheap lights cdnn is always trying to sell a brand called Protac?
Got the Olight Odin from the special flash sale last week, Impressive light. Not bad for $115. Wish it had a variable zoom feature though. Easily rechargable battery, easy click on switch pad, and handy mount. I was game for it.
chicom. NOGO
Olight no-go. Cheap junk with very little QC, and as others said, made in China. We might not be able to get everything made in the US, but if you can, why not? Streamlight is where it’s at.
I’m going to sell my Olight mini Valkyries. One needs warranty repair. Decent customer service but after the first one failed with a defective switch I replaced it with a TLR-1. Lots of people are happy with them though.
I’ve seen Surefire lights put up with more abuse than most other lights out there. The only thing Streamlight has on Surefire is cost, and only because Streamlight is Made in China. Just put a Surefire M300C on the wife’s trunk gun. It would seem I value her more than most of you seem to values your own lives.
Streamlight weaponlights are not made in China. Some of their cheaper lights including the little keychain lights, and pen lights are made in China.
My USMC issued Streamlight sidewinder is going on 10 years strong and has crossed the world multiple times and keeps on keeping on.
You guys really should read the packaging on the TLR, Protac Stinger etc. Made in China. I own a gun store. I’m literally looking at the packages. Not sure on the Sidewinder, I think they may be USA.
Surefire, Made in USA.
Take a look at the Documentation section on the Streamlight website for any product they make. You’ll see exactly where it is made. They provide a fantastic amount of detail on their products.
And next time you won’t look like so much of an ass if you do a little research before running your mouth.
Don’t have to, I own a gun store and sell this stuff. The packages are right in front of me. Surefire = USA. Streamlight = China.
You think Surefire charges 2x what Steamlight does for the hell of it? Or because making things in the USA costs more than China?
Are you this much of an ass in person?
My WMLs say “assembled in the USA.”
And in real life I would have slapped the shit out of you by now.
I apologize. I can’t stand it when people open up an argument by insulting everyone. I reacted poorly. Yes, in real life I probably would have slapped the shit out of you by now, but that wouldn’t have been right either.
Porque no los dos?
Streamlight: “Assembled in USA” seems to indicate just what it says, but leaves open where the components come from.
Surefire: “Many SureFire products are completely made in the USA. Some are almost completely made in the USA, but have imported components” Same thing, really. Put another way: “none are made completely in the USA.”
Take your pick, but let’s not get our panties in a wad over this. Show me any electronic thing that is 100% USA made from raw materials to the packaging.
“I own a gun store. . .” Yeah, so you’re the expert. Like I’ve never run into misinformation at a gun store!
Surefire was good back in the early iraq days when the gubberment issued it to me, since then, it’s been streamlight everything because it’s made in USA, and not overpriced.
Yup. I like my SF M600df but a tape switch can cost more than Streamlight protac Railmount weapon light. Feels weird dropping Glock money on a light, switch and mount.
First time I am hearing about new Streamlight products. There goes my wallet. I don’t NEED new WML’s, but I want them… TLR-9 Looking pretty snazzy too.
I bought the TLR -4 H&K USP Compact mounted light and it would not stay on my HK 45 it would fly off before i finished shooting an 8 round clip
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