Streamlight TLR-8 AG Light/Laser Combo Review: A Big Plus In Low-Light Conflicts
The Streamlight TLR-8 AG light/laser combo is going to find a regular home on one of my guns. This latest Streamlight offering is a compact, versatile weapon light with green laser and two interchangeable switch modules to match your style of shooting.
Streamlight TLR-8 AG Has A Powerful Light
The white light on the Streamlight TLR-8 AG provides up to 500 lumens and 5,000 candela to light up your target. The beam reaches out to about 140 meters. A quick downward touch and release to either of the bilateral switches turns the power on or off.
Holding one of the switches down provides momentary lighting that extinguishes upon release. With the unit installed on a handgun, the switches will be positioned alongside your trigger guard.
Like the earlier models, this TLR-8 AG gives you the option of three modes: light only, laser only or light and laser together. To switch modes, you hold either one of the switches down while tapping the other.
There’s a strobe mode you can program into the unit too. Once activated, two quick presses of either button will turn on the strobe.
Backing the bezel out slightly counter-clockwise puts the light in “safe mode” so that the light will not operate if a button is pressed accidentally.
TLR-8 AG's Green Laser Is Highly Visible
The Streamlight TLR-8 AG features a 510-520nm green laser that’s safe on the eyes.
Green lasers are known for being more visible in a greater range of lighting conditions, especially better than red lasers in daylight.
If you prefer a red laser (which offers better battery life), Streamlight offers it as simply the TLR-8 A (without the “G” for “green.”)
The laser is easily adjusted for windage and elevation using the included hex wrench in the keyholes on the left side of the unit.
Choose From Two TLR-8 AG Switch Modules
The TLR-8 AG comes with high switches already installed on the back of the light. A second switch module, with ambidextrous low switches is included. Find which one you prefer. The modules are swapped by using the included hex wrench on the four small bolts holding the module in place.
Streamlight TLR-8 AG Is Easy To Mount
The unit comes with six adaptor plates (including the one that’s pre-installed.)
That allows the unit to be mounted in an optimal position for a wide variety of accessory rails from different manufacturers.
Streamlight includes a guide sheet to the plate needed for your particular firearm.
A small E-clip holds the securing bolt that tightens the mounting clamp.
That’s a good idea so you don’t lose any small pieces of the mount when removing it from your gun. Streamlight includes a small tool that makes removing the clip easy.
After removing the clip, the bolt and one side of the mounting clamp can be removed. Drop in the correct adaptor plate for your gun and reassemble. The whole operation takes but a couple of minutes.
You can tighten the clamp bolt using a flat-head screwdriver. I usually use the screwdriver on the Swiss Army Knife that’s always in my pocket. Or you can use the mouth of a spent cartridge casing. The bolt is knurled too, so you could finger-tighten the unit on your gun if you’re in a hurry.
Finding The Right Holster Can Be A Challenge
I have a few holsters that will accommodate handguns with a light or laser attached. But not many.
Alien Gear Holsters and White Hat Holsters are two good options.
Often, I’ll carry a handgun without a weapon light and then attach it when I get home or to another destination.
So, being able to mount or detach this unit quickly and easily is a big plus.
One CR123A Battery Powers The TLR-8 AG
You don’t need to track down expensive button batteries for this light. The TLR-8 AG runs on one CR123A lithium battery. These once illusive batteries can be found just about anywhere these days.
The TLR-8 AG will run for 11 hours when using the laser only. That’s compared to the 60 hours you’d get with the red laser model. Using the white LED light, the runtime is about 1.5 hours.
The TLR-8 AG housing is sturdy, lightweight aluminum. The unit weighs 2.64 ounces and is just 2.58 inches long. It’s small enough that I’ve used one on a FN 509 Compact 9mm.
The light/laser is rated as being waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes. I don’t know about you, but I can’t hold my breath that long. And I try not to drop too many of my good guns in the lake.
Train With Whichever Switch You Choose
Once you choose between the high or low switch modules you’ll have to train with it on your firearm. You don’t have to fish around for the switch when you need the light or laser.
That will mean an adjustment period for me as my earlier model TLR-8 has switches you push to the side to activate the light.
And I’ll have to decide which handgun gets to carry the new light. I’m thinking this one might go on a carbine.
The MSRP for the TLR-8 AG is $450. If you want a light, but no laser, Streamlight offers the TLR-7 A with the same switch options. For more information, go to www.Streamlight.com.
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.