Looking for Straight Talk on Streamlight

fenix-store
A quick search on the US Patent and Trademark Office website revealed 120 issued patents and 8 published applications (some of which may now be issued patents). That is hardly a sign of a company that is not innovating.
 
This has been very helpful. My takeaways from all of your thoughtful comments:
Streamlights are reliable, but not particularly sexy or cutting edge, therefore they are practical for work in the field, but not attractive to hobbyists.

At least I now know I'm not on the wrong track by keeping them in the comparative testing process.

Got it, thanks to all!!!
 
880arm said:
The ProTac HL can be programmed for high mode only. But I'm still like you, a little surprised it was purchased for weapon mounting.
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Which makes me very curious about the approval process and what, if any, field testing was involved.
 
I agree with Bullzeyebill, this has been a great thread, and also Monocrom , that in the years I've been here, I have never seen a thread about Streamlight like this. Made me go into my "flashlight box" and pull out and admire some of my "old, retired" Streamlights. Lot's of memories there! Thanks!
 
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RWT1405 said:
I agree with Bullzeyebill, this has been a great thread, and also Monocrom , that in the years I've been here, I have never seen a thread about Streamlight like this. Made me go into my "flashlight box" and pull out and admire some of my "old, retired" Streamlights. Lot's of memories there! Thanks!
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I think I'm enjoying this topic even more than you are. :)
 
Monocrom said:
A little surprised to hear that a multi-mode flashlight model was adopted as weapon-mounted lights.
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It was a choice made earlier by someone else before i got more involved. I have since switched the weapons lights for the ARs to the Fenix PD 35. Of all the lights i tested in the 18650/c123 category, this was the brightest and lightest. Only a Zebralight 600 can compare, but that has no tail cap and the Fenix does. And yes, the Fenix is a multi-mode light as well, but that's not a bad thing depending on functionality. The Fenix has a barrel-mounted mode adjustment button which can easily be manipulated to lower levels with the same hand that's on the AR foregrip. This is useful for building slow searches where there are times a dimmer beam is desired.
 
A real simple answer like others have said,they are not hobby lights but professional users lights.My first edc was a single cell Microstream,still going strong and gets its turn still as a user for a bit.
 
historyfuzz said:
It was a choice made earlier by someone else before i got more involved. I have since switched the weapons lights for the ARs to the Fenix PD 35. Of all the lights i tested in the 18650/c123 category, this was the brightest and lightest. Only a Zebralight 600 can compare, but that has no tail cap and the Fenix does. And yes, the Fenix is a multi-mode light as well, but that's not a bad thing depending on functionality. The Fenix has a barrel-mounted mode adjustment button which can easily be manipulated to lower levels with the same hand that's on the AR foregrip. This is useful for building slow searches where there are times a dimmer beam is desired.
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Just a different perspective, but I've noticed that departments in general tend to prefer very simple lights for weapon-mounting. The more complicated, the more likely something will break or go wrong. I've used multi-mode lights myself in which something unexpected went wrong. Thankfully not in a situation where my Life depended on a functioning flashlight that was also on the right mode. The last was on a 3-mode Dereelight CL1H v.4 (most comfortable 2xCR123 I've ever handled). That light convinced me that forward-clicky switches and multi-mode settings just don't go well together.

Regarding the PD35, it's a very good light. Though its complex U.I. and multi-mode set-up is going to be a little off-putting for some. Output and weight are very important. But with quality and all other things being equal, a one-mode light with a simple momentary push-button tailcap is going to be more reliable than a multi-mode light with a more complicated U.I.
 
Monocrom said:
Just a different perspective, but I've noticed that departments in general tend to prefer very simple lights for weapon-mounting. The more complicated, the more likely something will break or go wrong. I've used multi-mode lights myself in which something unexpected went wrong. Thankfully not in a situation where my Life depended on a functioning flashlight that was also on the right mode. The last was on a 3-mode Dereelight CL1H v.4 (most comfortable 2xCR123 I've ever handled). That light convinced me that forward-clicky switches and multi-mode settings just don't go well together.

Regarding the PD35, it's a very good light. Though its complex U.I. and multi-mode set-up is going to be a little off-putting for some. Output and weight are very important. But with quality and all other things being equal, a one-mode light with a simple momentary push-button tailcap is going to be more reliable than a multi-mode light with a more complicated U.I.
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Sound logic all around. Thanks for the perspective. We'll soon find out if indeed the PD35 is too prone to unintended outcomes. If so, it'll be fun to search for the next appropriate gun light.
 
Does anyone have a listing of all the possible mods for Streamlights?

Personally looking to revive/mod my SL-20x.....Stinger XT HP......Stinger.....Strion....TL-2......
 
Be good if you did some research here on CPF for Streamlight mods. Keep on digging, and look at CPFMP also.

Bill
 
I love my little multi ops triple a with uv, a laser and a flashlight.

No mods available to speak of. Yet I never would've imagined how far the 50 lumen rated flashlight throws. So no need, unless you prefer a green laser or different uv tones.

Found it in an auto parts store in a 1 horse town where fixing farm tractors is the cash cow. Pun intended?
I suppose it's a mechanics light. My buddy the ac guy uses his for the uv light. Says the flashlight part is too bright in close quarters. I agree. It's a typical streamlight blinder.

Maybe if somebody started a 'why does streamlight get so much hate' thread they'd get more attention.
 
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I had the same question about Streamlight when i first joined CPF but then i realized this was more than just buying flashlights and talking about it. It was about modding them, just like a car forum. I do love the Streamlight flashlights that i have but they are not modded in any way and i don't think i will be modding them either till i know exactly what I'm doing. I also discovered there's a lot more to a flashlight than just incandescent or led.
 
I still have a good but beat up 3C Hazlo Streamlight. I used to have to inspect passing trains while waiting in a siding at night on CN. Sometimes reliable is more important than anything, I mean anything else. Try to imagine walking towards a derailment with a flashlight that will blow you to kingdom come in a gas leak..

That was new 12 years ago, and it is still tight, and in good working order.
 
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The current line of Streamlight AAA lights are reliable performers. I have owned several. They provide forward clicky switches with momentary mode, a niche neglected by other companies selling AAA lights.

You can find Streamlight Stylus Pro, Microstream, and Protac AAA and 2AAA lights cited frequently as EDC companions if you search Youtube videos and various EDC and multitool web sites.

In olden times (e.g., pre-2005), the original LED AAAA Streamlight Stylus penlights were popular.
 
My goal for 016 collection is a few Stream Lights added.

But I needed to see what all the sure fire hub-bub was about, which lead to elzetta and Malkoffs, which will lead to Stream Lights at some point.
 
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