The Streamlight TLR RM1 and RM2 are very interesting new designs that have quickly made their homes on my weapons. The new RM series from Streamlight premiered at SHOT Show 2020 and is unlike any other Streamlight design.
Streamlight has always been my favorite weapon light company. From a civilian standpoint, I don’t necessarily need a 350 dollar weapon light for home and self-defense. I’m not chasing bad guys across the world. I also don’t want a total piece of crap that costs 30 bucks off Amazon or Wish.
I want a durable, bright, ergonomic weapon light and that is exactly what Streamlight offers me. Streamlight used to make very basic, but perfectly acceptable lights. Sometime in the last few years, Streamlight has started being a bit more innovative.
The New Guys – RM1 and RM2
The TLR RM1 and RM2 are an excellent example of Streamlight’s new innovative approach to weapon light design. These lights have a low profile design that is much different than your traditional Streamlight ProTac rifle light. The design is sloping and clings tight to the body. It’s not a handheld flashlight that’s fitted with a ring-based mount.
The RM1 is the smaller variant that seems to be a perfect PCC companion. It packs 500 lumens of light and is powered by a single CR123. The RM1 weighs less than 3 ounces and is only 3.2 inches long.
The RM2 is the more powerful, full-sized model that features a 1,000-lumen beam and runs off of two CR123 batteries. It’s 4.55 inches long and weighs a little less than 5 ounces. This bigger light is perfect for your standard carbine.
Both lights come with a manual push-button control that is positioned on the section of the light that ramps upward. The manual push-button is massive and easy to engage when gripping the weapon. The RM1 and RM2 also come with a port to attach an included pressure switch. The pressure switch exits the weapon at 90 degrees for easy wire routing.
Both lights are made from machine aircraft-grade aluminum with an anodized finish. They feel and look very rugged and seem to be quite durable. Both lights are waterproof up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Tossing it On
The RM1 and RM2 both come with Streamlight Universal rail adapter kit so you can adapt the weapon to any particular rail system. The included mount is short and blends in perfectly with the body of the light. It’s a simple design and it does follow their standard pistol style rail mount design. These lights attach nice and tight with ease.
What I like about the RM1 and RM2 design is how low profile they are. They blend in effortlessly to a rail system and appear to be part of the gun more than simply attached to the gun. It doesn’t stick off, and if you are picky about aesthetics it’s rather nice. If you wanted to mount one to a top rail then these new Streamlights would a perfect choice.
How They Shine
The LED emitted lights are both quite bright and very clear. They provide a bright white center with excellent illumination to either side of the light. The RM1’s 500 lumens seem perfect inside the home. It lights up the biggest open areas in my home and provides enough peripheral light to see 180 degrees.
The RM2 is extremely bright and allows you to move from indoors to outdoors and cast a wide and bright net of light. In a nice dark night, I can easily see out to 200 yards. Your peripheral vision is also quite bright and lights up your entire peripheral vision. You’ll be more prepared for Snake than all the other MGS goons.
The battery life is a short 1.5 hours for both the RM1 and RM2. It’s not super long so if your pistol grip or stock has storage shove some extra CR123s in there. For home defense, I don’t see myself needing 1.5 hours of constant light. 60 to 90 Minutes is a safe standard on most lights of quality these days
The ergonomics are spot on and engaging the constant or momentary modes is quick and simple. That big thumb lever is perfect, and the pressure pad is also nice and large. You can’t miss the light if you need it in action. That big thumb switch much better than a traditional tailcap and more ergonomic on modern weapons. There is less movement to activate the light and using the momentary mode feels more natural.
The TLR RM1 and RM2 are both very ergonomic lights that are a welcome change to the traditional tube style light. They function brilliantly, and best of all they won’t break the bank. They also won’t break when you need them most.
