STREAMLIGHT TL-2 LS FLASHLIGHT

Streamlight TL-2 LS Flashlight, retail $89.00 (www.streamlight.com)
Manufactured by Streamlight (www.streamlight.com)
BUY IT AT THELEDLIGHT.COM
Last updated 03-08-07




The Streamlight TL-2 LED flashlight is an all-metal, Luxeon Star based flashlight that uses a pair of CR123A cells for power.

You can adjust the focus a bit by unscrewing or screwing in the head. The TL-2 comes with the head all the way tightened, and pretty much at its tightest focus.

It comes with a long, springy pocket clip, so you can clip it to your pants or coat pocket and have it stay put. This is probably where the included lanyard goes too, as there is no hole or other opening on the flashlight body to put it. The lanyard is the kind with a thin loop in the end, like you might find with digital cameras and other high-end electronics.


SIZE



The Streamlight TL-2 comes ready to use right out of the package, so you don't have to run out and buy batteries for it right away. Use a knife or razor blade to slit open the top of the package; you can then pull the package open at one side and get to the goodies inside that way.

To get a shot of light anytime, press the button on the tailcap; let the button go to plunge yourself back in darkness.

To get continuous light, twist the tailcap clockwise (as if tightening) and the TL-2 will blaze to life, spewing forth a bountifully overflowing cornucopia of photons without your having to push or hold anything. Twist the tailcap counterclockwise (as if loosening) and the TL-2 will turn off.

The instructions say that loosening the tailcap an additional 1/8 of a turn will engage the LOTC (lock out tailcap) function, but that didn't seem to do anything with the sample I have.

A generously sized, adjustable wrist lanyard is included with your TL-2. By affixing the thin loop at one end of the lanyard to the TL-2's belt clip, you can then loop the other end around your wrist or arm. A pair of semi-locking slide clips along the length of the lanyard allows you to tighten or loosen the lanyard around your wrist.

The TL-2 has a somewhat focusable beam, which you can adjust by turning the head one way or other. If you turn the head counterclockwise (as if loosening it), the beam will become a bit wider. If you keep unscrewing it, the beam will get a doughnut shape to it, then it will go out. This is your signal that you unscrewed the head too far - screwing it back in will turn the TL-2 back on, and tighten the beam back up.



A pair of Streamlight brand CR123A cells is included with the TL-2, so you don't need to run to the store before you can use your new flashlight.

To change the batteries in your TL-2, unscrew & remove the tailcap, and set it aside. Dump the dead batteries in the garbage can, and place two new ones in the barrel, button (+) positive end first, then screw the tailcap back on. Back the tailcap off a bit when the TL-2 comes on. There. All done.

Current was measured at 500mA (0.5 amps).
Advertised run time per set of batteries is 20 hours. The website says it can run for up to 54 hours; though I assume this figure is until the flashlight is so dim you couldn't find a keyhole in a sunlit room with it.



The Streamlight TL-2 appears to be a very sturdy light. It is made of aluminum, and the head, body, and tailcap are textured to help you keep a grip on things. The finish appears to be a type II black anodize (I tried to scratch it with the blade of a swiss army knife, but couldn't), so it shouldn't become scratched or defaced very easily from day-to-day use.

If you unscrew the head all the way until it comes off, you'll find the LS LED mounted to a large metal and plastic stud with a thick spring surrounding it. Don't try to remove the LS because you'll probably break it and then you'll be S.O.L. If you took the LS out of one of these, you might as well go buy a box of tampons...according to the side of the box, you can go swimming, you can go horseback riding, etc.

You can take the clip off the flashlight with a small allen wrench if you want. Otherwise, you can leave it in place to hook it to your belt, pocket, backpack strap, or other location. An adjustable wrist lanyard is included with the TL-2 which you can hook up to a closed loop near the end of the clip if you want.

The brightness appears to be very good (it's even brighter than a SureFire KL4 but that's because the TL-2 has a tighter beam) and it produces plenty enough corona (side) light to be truly useful.

The tailcap switch has a collar around it so it doesn't stick up. This collar should help prevent unwanted activation, such as when the flashlight is in a box in the back of the car or stuffed in your camping bag. As I said earlier, the instructions say that unscrewing the tailcap 1/8 of a turn more will engage the LOTC (lock out tailcap) function, but I found I could still easily turn my TL-2 in this condition. I could still press the tailcap button and get light 3 full turns counterclockwise; beyond that the tailcap comes completely off. But that collar around the switch should be pretty effective at preventing unwanted activation, so I think I'll let this one go.

I think I neglected to mention this earlier, but the TL-2 LED has a glass lens to protect the LED and reflector. I don't know if it's user-replaceable or not because I haven't broken mine yet.



Beam photo at ~12".
Measures 792,000mcd.



Beam photo on a wall at about 5'


Spectrographic plot
Spectrometer plot of the LED in this flashlight.
Ocean Optics USB2000 Spectrometer on loan from TWO-CUBED.


ProMetric analysis
Beam cross-sectional analysis.
Image made using the ProMetric System by Radiant Imaging.



TEST NOTES:
Test unit was received on 07-29-03 and is in the initial stages of testing.
According to the Streamlight website, the TL-2 is available in black and olive drab green.


UPDATE: 08-03-03
Here is a beam picture comparing the Streamlight TL-2 with the SureFire KL4. The Streamlight is the smaller beam on the left. Both lights were about 5 feet from a wall for this picture.




PROS:
Small, somewhat pocketable size
Bright
Beam can be adjusted somewhat


CONS:
No LOTC
Uses batteries that may be expensive or hard to find in an emergency


    MANUFACTURER: Streamlight
    PRODUCT TYPE: Small Luxeon Star LED Flashlight
    LAMP TYPE: White Luxeon Star LED
    No. OF LAMPS: 1
    BEAM TYPE: Adjustable; central hotspot with wide corona
    SWITCH TYPE: Push tailcap intermittent, twist tailcap on/off
    BEZEL: Stippled reflector, clear window over the end
    BATTERY: 2x CR123A lithium
    CURRENT CONSUMPTION: 500mA
    WATER RESISTANT: Yes
    SUBMERSIBLE: TBA
    ACCESSORIES: Streamlight CR123A cells, lanyard
    WARRANTY: Lifetime

    PRODUCT RATING:

    Star RatingStar Rating





Streamlight TL-2 LS LED Flashlight * THELEDLIGHT.COM







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