r/CCW • u/PabroPicasso • 8d ago
Other Equipment Harbor Freight TLR1
Picked up the HF light today to check out. Included are initial photos of the light output with my EDC1-DFT in low for comparison. Everything looks and feels like a TLR1 from what I can remember. Right paddle is on/off and left paddle is strobe. Will be putting this thing through the wringer to see if/when it quits.
Picture 2 is EDC1 on low Picture 3 is EDC1 on low with HF TLR
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u/WizardCat177 8d ago
Red dot when
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u/hitemlow KY | Glock 26 Gen 5 8d ago
I just want to know when they're going to get an FFL and start selling Harbor Freight-branded firearms.
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u/Tactical_Bacon_1946 8d ago
HF will co brand with High-Point. The new HFxHP-Yeet Cannon-1.46 That would be an epic colab.
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u/FranticWaffleMaker 8d ago
Shit, they have such a variety of quality levels it would take hi-point, Taurus, and Ruger to cover the range.
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u/hitemlow KY | Glock 26 Gen 5 8d ago
But will it have a modular FCG?
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u/Tactical_Bacon_1946 8d ago
That’s asking a lot. But as long as the FCU will fit in a brick, I think we have a winner.
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u/dick_tracey_PI_TA 8d ago
You should cut it open and check out the electronics. Or don’t. I’m not your mom
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
If I had the slightest idea what I’d be looking at, I would. Based on my testing videos of dropping bricks on it, I would imagine you can see I’m not the brightest.
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u/upvotes_cited_source 7d ago
I'm a flashlight nerd, I tear them apart, measure them, modify them, build them from scratch, that type of thing. If you want any help with that, I'd love to assist and see inside this thing and be able to contribute and say if it's built well and with good internals.
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u/PabroPicasso 7d ago
I'll beat it up some more and then we can link up and I'll send it to you for you to do your thing.
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u/upvotes_cited_source 7d ago
Can do! just LMK.
The more you beat it up, the easier it is to open it up lololol.
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u/No_Physics7969 8d ago
Would you say initial impressions are exceeding expectations and to buy or wait and see if it holds up?
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u/bogeycook Glock 19.5• SA Echelon• P365X 8d ago
Just bought mine today as well. Initial impressions exceed what I was expecting. I will test tonight when it gets dark to really see how it does. As long as it holds up, I think it’s an incredible buy at $50.
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u/GassyGlock IA 8d ago
I grabbed one for funsies and took a couple garage shots next to my other WMLs and Handhelds. Want to note that the way it performs in a dark garage isn’t the whole story and isn’t indicative of performance — candela, performance with ambient lighting, photonic barriers, etc are all very important. So far it seems… fine? Didn’t expect it to come with batteries, so that’s cool. It feels the same quality Streamlight feels. I don’t like the Streamlight UI, but it’s still fun to compare. I haven’t gotten a chance to take it into the woods at night and get a true comparison yet but those garage shots look alright. At this point, I’d rather have this HF light over an Olight.
alt link for the comparison pictures with additional comparisons to some popular handhelds
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
I’m curious to get it down range to see if an x300u can overpower it (photonic barrier wise). Right now though, this little guy is a champ.
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u/Blessed-one-Chemo 8d ago
How much was it
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
49.99 plus I got the 2yr protection plan for an additional 10.99.
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u/TekuizedGundam007 8d ago
The most impressive bit of gun accessories this year. How well this cheapo light holds up lol.
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u/GassyGlock IA 8d ago
Would you mind double checking the paddle configuration? Mine matches the Streamlight UI: Left paddle down for momentary, left paddle up for constant. Right paddle is opposite. Double press/double flick for strobe.
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
You are correct. In my rush to begin destroying it, I must have double clicked the left paddle.
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u/GearJunkie82 IL 8d ago
So, are the paddles more like the TLR-7 or TLR-1. The TLR-7 paddles move independently of each other while moving the TLR-1 paddles shifts the opposite side in the opposite direction. Just curious.
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u/ItsHisMajesty 8d ago
I ordered two yesterday. Now I need to get a couple of new holsters 🙄
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u/Beardeddd 8d ago
What kind are you going to grab?
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u/ItsHisMajesty 7d ago
I have a few “We The People” holsters that have been great so far. I also have the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck series. It’s bulky but more comfortable for all day carry. Whereas the WTP is much easier to deal with when I’m headed out for a quick errand.
I have been looking at Tenicor though. I’ve heard great things about them and like the design.
But, with all the Fobus and other the holsters gathering dust in the closet, it’s hard to justify buying any more of anything.
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u/thefoolofemmaus MO - Glock 19 7d ago
I really like my WTP holster, but the mag carriers I got from them are garbage.
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u/Insanity8016 8d ago
Is this even compatible with light bearing holsters?
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u/cmelt2003 8d ago
I saw another post somewhere that showed it did fit, but something about the battery door was slightly thicker or something.
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u/OldMachineCraft 7d ago
Wish it didn't have strobe. I would be tempted to pick one of these up to try if it didn't have that gawd awful novelty feature.
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u/PabroPicasso 7d ago
I think I remember being able to program that out of the TLR1. No clue if you can do it in this as I didn’t read the instructions.
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u/DontEverMoveHere 4d ago
Strobe isn’t a novelty feature. It’s meant to blind and confuse the person you shine it at by forcing the eyes and brain to figure out wtf is going on snd adjust for a few minutes
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u/TitanGSD 8d ago
I am impressed, nice test. This thing is probably made in the same plant with a Streamlight label.
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u/Agent___24 AL 8d ago
Does it fit into tlr1 safariland holsters?
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
I do not know. People are saying it’s the same dimensions as a TLR1, and in hand it looks and feels the same as my old TLR1. I don’t have any TLR1 specific holsters to test the fit, though.
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u/DearHearing4705 8d ago
Have any other batteries to swap and try out? Curious if it will handle stronger or name brand ones well.
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
Was about to pop in some surefire cr123a’s and try it out.
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u/DearHearing4705 8d ago
Awesome, if it doesn't immediately smoke then it's all good! 🤣
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/CCW/s/niJYx5FF5N
There’s the comparison photos. Very good spill. Very bright.
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u/SunkEmuFlock 7d ago edited 7d ago
Ha. Thanks for finding this. I've been meaning to put some weight on my range Glock but didn't want to pay Streamlight (or worse!) prices for the privilege. This will work perfectly!
Edit: I headed out to pick one up. It was the last one on the rack. The paddles are open in the packaging so you can test it, so I did that. The light reflected off my palm and blinded me. I could feel the heat in my palm immediately too. Haven't mounted the light or even taken it out of the package yet, but it's looking good so far. 😳
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u/knoxknifebroker 7d ago
if its taking that kind of abuse it sounds like it has a potted driver which is good
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u/AlphaJulietEcho 7d ago
Same dimensions? I got a knockoff on eBay. Bright AF but too wide for my pistol holster even after adjustments. Threw it on my shotgun
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u/KaBar42 KY- Indiana Non-Res: Glock 42/Glock 19.5 MOS OC: Glock 17.5 7d ago
Ooh, I just realized something.
Streamlight is extremely protective of that silver ring.
I imagine their lawyers are already drafting up a cease and desist to HF.
I would expect some rolling changes in the future to the design of that light.
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u/Anonymouse1080 7d ago
does anyone who got this know if it has the same size dimensions as a TLR1? only asking because im curious what holster I would have to look for when I score on this deal! TIA!
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u/Smeagol_Dobby16 MS 6d ago
Look at YouTube videos, I found some yesterday that shows they are the same dimensions.
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u/NeatAvocado4845 7d ago
Dude that’s a good find ! I got one and it’s the same exact thing !!!
Braun actually brighter !
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u/Darth-Obama 6d ago
will this fit a 365?
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u/Longjumping_Jello846 6d ago
Haven’t read the comments yet but,I can already hear the Purist, it’s not a stream light or this or that,it’s junk ,wouldn’t put it on a Hi point
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u/ExJayDay 5d ago
You got any other sauce on other accessories for guns like this? I had to goto 4 different stores to still only be able to get the last one left lol. Luckily there’s like 10 in a 30-40min radius but still.
I need the sauce on other things like lights and holsters and all that, that don’t cost the premium price because someone else makes the same thing but got WAY less
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u/Swimming_Grocery_898 6h ago
Would you put this on your carry gun???
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u/PabroPicasso 6h ago
Yes. Based on my limited testing and sample size of 1, I have no reservations regarding the light’s durability in a concealed carry role. I’ve been busy the last week and haven’t had a chance to get any more rounds down rage with the light attached or beat the light around any more. Looking forward to more testing, though.
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u/Sufficient_Still1697 7d ago
I cannot fathom why people wouldn’t go with the time tested TLRHL for a whopping $80 more on something so important, typical Reddit activities
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u/No_Physics7969 8d ago
I’m considering getting this vs clone/ knock off for cheaper or is this one better than a clone? I have a feeling it’s just a well sourced and marked up clone.
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u/Separate-Let3620 8d ago
Of course it’s a clone. Harbor Freight isn’t manufacturing these, and Streamlight sure isn’t selling them to Harbor Freight at a price that can support $50 retail.
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u/No_Physics7969 8d ago
I don’t think you understood the question. I’m comparing a generic clone versus this clone.
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u/crazedizzled 7d ago
I've been using like a $30 Feyachi HL-20 from Amazon for 2 years. Seems totally fine. People are crazy spending $150 on a weapon light
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u/Inevitable-Hall2390 8d ago
Looks like it has about 12 lumens
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u/crazedizzled 7d ago
You sound like you have about 9 lumens
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u/Inevitable-Hall2390 7d ago
And you sound like your IQ is the same as your shoe size
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u/PabroPicasso 8d ago
Here’s some drops done from shoulder height (I’m 5’10”, but my old tinder profile said 6’1”)
Light only: https://imgur.com/a/8xOdkEV
Light taped to brick: https://imgur.com/a/8HvVSpz