First Look: Streamlight TLR-8 G

In 2019, Streamlight expanded its lineup of weaponlights to include its new TLR-8 G, offering a bright-green aiming laser in conjunction with an easily activated illumination tool mounted just in front of your firearm's trigger guard. Rather than sticking with traditional red-laser designs, the new green laser is more-easily seen by human eyes, giving owners an enhanced aiming aid.

“Concealed carry, law enforcement, military and home defense users alike can benefit from the TLR-8 G’s targeted bright light, as well as its powerful green laser,” Streamlight President and Chief Executive Officer Ray Sharrah said. “The laser improves users’ ability to focus on targets during daylight hours, when the color green appears brighter to the human eye than other colored lasers. The light also can be stored on a handgun so that users can more readily identify a potential threat before taking any action.”

Each Streamlight TLR-8 G is constructed with an impact-resistant, 6000-Series aluminum housing treated with an all-black anodized finish. The sealed, IPX-4 water-resistant housing measures 2.15 inches long and weighs only 2.64 ounces. Inside the unit, consumers will find a white LED that provides 500 lumens of illumination reaching out to a maximum distance of 140 meters. Powered by a single CR123A battery, the light can run continuously for 1.5 hours. A laser-only mode is also available, with a maximum battery life of 11 hours. With the light on, a special lens design concentrates the beam into a narrow cone of light surrounded by a peripheral halo that offers increased situational awareness. A user-activated strobe function is also available.

To activate the light, users will find an abidextrous switch with a low-profile push-button design located at the rear of the TLR-8's aluminum housing. Windage- and elevation-adjustment screws are located on the side of the housing, and an easily accessible battery door on the left side of the light allows users to swap batteries without removing the unit from their gun. To attach the TLR-8 to a Picatinny frame rail, Streamlight incorporated a snap-and-tighten attachment mechanism that allows users to add the unit to a gun with a single hand. Each TLR-8 G is covered under the company's limited lifetime warranty, and the suggested retail price is $450.