Harbor Freight’s $50 Tactical Weapon Light – Streamlight Clone? [Video Review]

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share something I recently picked up from Harbor Freight — the Braun 1000 Lumen Tactical Rail-Mount LED Light. At a glance, it looks like a budget clone of the Streamlight TLR-1 HL, but with a price tag of only $50, I figured it was worth checking out.

I made a quick open box and initial impressions video where I cover:

- What comes in the Packaging

- Build quality and materials

- Weight and size compared to standard WMLs

- Brightness demonstration in a dark room

- My overall thoughts on its potential use

If you've been curious about this light or are looking for a budget option to test out, this might be worth a look.



Let me know what you think — and if anyone else has hands-on experience with this light, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Tenbore]

I just want a nice bright flashight with an on and off. Not have to go through 67 settings to turn it off!!!!! And a switch that is not on the damn butt of the thing!

 

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

I just want a nice bright flashight with an on and off. Not have to go through 67 settings to turn it off!!!!! And a switch that is not on the damn butt of the thing!

Welp your in luck only 3 settings on, strobe, and momentary lol

 

[Delbert]

I just want a nice bright flashight with an on and off. Not have to go through 67 settings to turn it off!!!!! And a switch that is not on the damn butt of the thing!

Go to Amazon and check out the ADE weapons light. It only has 400 lumens w/side switch, but at night it lights up the trees real well for pests. Great center spot with small outer ring cast. I have one mounted to the barrel of my Rossi 410 break action by 3-slot barrel clamp for about 3-4yrs on same original battery, but not used much at night. Maybe only full 20-30 minutes total power draw. Done very well so far. Takes a CR2 battery and screw off the front lens housing to replace. No remote switch. Simple and very effective. It is all aluminum with only rubber weather cover over switch.

 

[Jack Ryan]

Spam.

 

[Actnbill]

I prefer my 18 million candlepower Cyclops Light that I put down on my railing while I take a whizz off my deck at night....

https://www.amazon.com/Cyclops-C18MIL-Colossus-Rechargable-Spotlight/dp/B0018F1CJ4/ref=sr_1_31?crid=3FWWM0Z5OTMRA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.20YlZF8ROeDD20K62EL41IR08b70LijyfJG7xS2P1DcFcqSxTq-vwd8L5OQXQHCqqYk7LSCJVPgnIDT1cV_LL6yxDAZL9B9AYO6GAw_onvf1K3OqaKecNFgLpc_0M9yY5sMnZbpcYdfeMN4IbQrpVU_seV-AfTHbaVclxBJ-8gndKIW4Lkx8hH5sUT6sYfrOkN74-OCg5vhkWbvHvmgUmA1oQzeprXb8wUtKIV6eAk3OwCIs4JE5RxwcmKkGR_5BKcJGzPS1lr54m4_ZG6XacK0gRtmnpthTFOjclsNtVeI.eVNgorTYVgz5a0pHdcXS2Kh5brDKl5bZFNmo8Nke95g&dib_tag=se&keywords=cyclops+light&qid=1750350258&sprefix=cyclops+light%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-31

 

[WAYNO]

One word immediately comes to mind.

NO.

 

[blume357]

I will check out the you tube video to give you another # for their ratings... but as for a light... I guess I'm not in the game because I don't think the average gun owner should have a light on a weapon... on top of that, I agree with Tenbore.... and this goes for all lights like this, and I have to use one for work constantly... on and off and that is it... and I also agree.. don't put the switch on the butt of it.

 

[Randyzzz]

Interesting. I do like a weapon light. We live on property and a weapon light is handy for investigating strange noises on the property at night.

A recommendation in the video- what battery does it use, how long does said battery last, or is it rechargeable (doubtful).

Lastly- did the strobe function seem to be irregular and a bit too fast for defensive purposes?

 

[tazbigdog]

Once my local HF gets one in, I'll check it out.Thanks

 

[Mike J]

Interesting. I do like a weapon light. We live on property and a weapon light is handy for investigating strange noises on the property at night.

A recommendation in the video- what battery does it use, how long does said battery last, or is it rechargeable (doubtful).

Lastly- did the strobe function seem to be irregular and a bit too fast for defensive purposes?

Looking at the specifications I think it is rechargeable. Here is a link. Maybe it will answer some of your questions.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lumen-tactical-rail-mount-led-light-70460.html

 

[The Hobby Gunsmith]

Interesting. I do like a weapon light. We live on property and a weapon light is handy for investigating strange noises on the property at night.

A recommendation in the video- what battery does it use, how long does said battery last, or is it rechargeable (doubtful).

Lastly- did the strobe function seem to be irregular and a bit too fast for defensive purposes?

The batteries i did notice where some generic cheap batteries, which i plan on switching out for rechargeable once these give out. as for battery life no idea yet and packaging really does not state that info.

As for the strobe function it seemed standard really did not notice for it to be faster nor slower than normal.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

The use of a WML is scoffed at here because so many don't know the difference between a general use flashlight and a light designed to be mounted on a weapon. Hence those who don't want a power switch on the butt of the light, which it only makes sense to have it on the rear wear it can be accessed and activated/deactivated with a finger. Check out the various threads here about them. Good for a chuckle or two IMO.

what battery does it use

It takes two (02) CR123A batteries.

 

[Yaworski]

and this goes for all lights like this, and I have to use one for work constantly... on and off and that is it...

I know what you mean. I bought a nice powerful flashlight to keep in the kitchen and it has high, low, and strobe and I have to step through all three to turn it off. It would be easy to have a "hold for 1 second for off" feature.

 

[Yaworski]

I put a light on one of my ARs to be tacticool. It has a corded pressure switch that I put on the forend. A thousand years ago, I had a light on a pistol which also had a tape switch (?) that went on the grip which I liked because it made for easy on/off of the light.

 

[s4s4u]

I just want a nice bright flashight with an on and off. Not have to go through 67 settings to turn it off!!!!! And a switch that is not on the damn butt of the thing!

Depends on the switch. A push button tailcap, I agree, not the best. But a toggle like the TLR-1 makes perfect sense.

 

[Danjet500]

Stream Light has filed suit against HF.

Harbor Freight Tools was hit with a trademark and patent infringement lawsuit on June 26 in Delaware District Court over allegations it copied Streamlight's distinctive 'Ring Mark' design for gun-mounted lights. The complaint, filed by Connolly Gallagher, claims Harbor Freight willfully infringed Streamlight's trademark and patent, which has been in continuous use since 2006. The suit seeks injunctive relief, damages, profits and attorneys' fees, alleging the defendant's actions have caused consumer confusion and violated multiple state and federal laws. The case is 1:25-cv-00795, Streamlight, Inc. v. Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. https://www.law.com/radar/card/pm-58737271-streamlight-inc-v-harbor-freight-tools-usa-inc/ If I had to guess, Harbor Freight will settle and will have to make changes to their lights. ​

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Damn. I meant to pick a few up last weekend and didn't get to that end of town. Probably pulled from shelves by now. My procrastination has become to common lately.....

 

[Yaworski]

I'm not sure what is the patented and trademarked part. It's a freaking flashlight.

 

[Delbert]

Maybe Thomas Edison's family should sue Stream Light for patent stealing, since Edison invented the light bulb, or there would be no flashlights. We'd still be using torches that would now be lit with a BIC. Oops, there's another lawsuit, but now from Zippo. What about battery lawsuits that Stream Light uses? Does Sure Fire now sue for infringement of your battery design was stolen from us, and on and on.

Maybe gun manufacturers should sue each other for all the clones out there. Take 1911's. There's probably what, 50 different manufacturers of the same gun that everyone makes when a 1911 is made? Even the internal parts are interchangeable if the clone is of a 1911 gov'mt.