Rechargeable (UltraStinger) Questions

[BugLightGeek]

I'm considering a purcase of a rechargeable light and had a couple questions:


Is the UltraStinger the brightest/longest throwing light for right around $100 or am I missing out on a better one?

Can you leave the light permanently in the rapid charger or do you need a slow/standard charger to leave the light in all the time?

 

[Francois1]

I think that the new magcharger throws farther than the ultrastinger. Of course, it's heavier than the ultrastinger, but I prefer it's form factor, and you have 2 hours runtime with it.
You could also look for a 9nt on the b/s/t forum. It is pretty rare, but in my experience, it's the longest throwing light for it's size. It throws even farther than the macharger with the new bulb. My 9nt's have a rapid charger (2-3 hours) and you can leave the light in it as long as you want, it simply switches to trickle mode when the battery is full.

 

[Size15's]

My UltraStinger was a real letdown for me. The TigerLight 8" was the same price and so much better. If I could make the choice again I would get a MagCharger instead of the UltraStinger.

The 9NT is a great flashlight (but it's discontinued) and I think it's a lot more than $100.

I seriously suggest you consider the TigerLight 8".

Al

 

[this_is_nascar]

I already own an UltraStinger and I have a MagCharger on the way. I'll be able to comment a bit better in a few days.

 

[Stingray]

My current rechargables are a Surefire 8X and an 11" Tigerlight right now. Both of them are really good lights IMHO.

I use the Tigerlight when I need a really bright light to check out noises in the house or the yard at night, or when I just need a really powerful light. It has a nice bright white beam for most of the run time.

I use the 8X with a flip up beamshaper for most of my tasks around the house, car and bike maintenance, walks at night etc. The 8X is nice because you can slip it into your back pocket when you need both hands. You can also keep a number of batteries charged and just swap them out when you need to, or to start off with a full charge when you need it.

I got an email ad a little while ago from Botach with a Surefire 8NX with a smart charger on sale for $110. Don't know if it's still good or not.

The new Streamlight Strion might be worth waiting for. It's compact and should be within your budget.

 

[Size15's]

The Strion is not a long throw flashlight like the UltraStinger, TigerLight, MagCharger etc type ~$100 lights.

Al

 

[Josey]

Size15s: What about the UltraStinger didn't you like. I had been considering one, too.

 

[jtivat]

The Mag is better and only $89.95 at Brightguy plus better runtime.

 

[brightnorm]

The Ultrastinger is an excellent long throw light which I have often enjoyed using. However, the Tigerlight is a genuinely innovative light that combines long throw with a brilliant unusually broad beam in a relatively small, extremely tough body. I think of it as a pint-sized Magcharger with a supercharged beam. The Magcharger will outthrow it but cannot match its total output.

When I want to carry a very bright light in a small, very light package and don't need the Tigerlight's massive beam or OC option I now reach for my "Mini Ultra", a Stinger HP using an Ultrastinger lamp, powered for 40 minutes by Ginseng's remarkable 6v mini Stinger Stick. It has replaced my ultrastinger and if I feel like putting my Tigerlight in its place I load the Mini Ultra with a WA 01160 and watch it sear pigeon retinas for 25+ minutes.

Brightnorm

 

[Size15's]

I didn't like the UltraStinger because:

1) It's far too long and thin to be able to be carried and held (unlike the TigerLight that fits is compact and fits in a BlackHawk M6 pouch)

2) It's switch is in the wrong place. Granted it would be too long to have it as a TailCap switch but putting the switch near the bezel means I have to pick it up upside down compared to the TigerLight and SureFires. Granted the TigerLight's switch is also on the side but at least it's on the right end of the body!

3) The "knurling" is pathetic. For a flashlight that long and thin it's really hard to maintain a grip on it - especially whilst in the cold and wet, or wearing gloves (basically using it at night conditions). The TigerLight finish is better but SureFire knurling and styling help enhance the ability to grip and retain the flashlight.

4) The charger grip on the flashlight is weak compared to the vice-like grip of the TigerLight's charger. I don't think I would consider mounting the UltraStinger in a car.
Also, neither chargers have "green for go" LED indicators for charged and ready for use like SureFire's chargers do.

5) The UltraStinger's beam can be defocused by rotating the bezel! That's really annoying for me as it never seems to be focused. The TigerLight's beam is pre-focused and fixed like SureFires are.

I guess the UltraStinger is about the opposite of everything I need from a flashlight. The TigerLight is crude and powerful and fills a gap in SureFire's product range that the M1000 should be filling but isn't (so way to go TigerLight for filling the gap!)

Al

 

[fivemega]

I got both, UltraStinger and Magcharger. Don't like neither. Too big, too heavy, poor charging system and poor beam pattern.
I am waiting for Strion.

 

[Stingray]

Brightnorm, tell us more about this pidgeon retina searing setup you've got. Does it put out more lumens than a Tigerlight?

 

[chrisn1niq]

[ QUOTE ]
brightnorm said:
The Ultrastinger is an excellent long throw light which I have often enjoyed using. However, the Tigerlight is a genuinely innovative light that combines long throw with a brilliant unusually broad beam in a relatively small, extremely tough body. I think of it as a pint-sized Magcharger with a supercharged beam.

[/ QUOTE ]

This sums up my view as well. I wish I had got the TL first /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mecry.gif

 

[brightnorm]

[ QUOTE ]
Stingray said:
Brightnorm, tell us more about this pidgeon retina searing setup you've got. Does it put out more lumens than a Tigerlight?

[/ QUOTE ]
Try this:

* BRIGHTEST *

BN

 

[Owen]

Just to show how personal preference plays into this, I like the US for many of the reasons that Al doesn't.
1) I like how slim the body is, and prefer it to a shorter bulkier one. Feels better in my hand, and points more naturally. "Bulky" is relative, I suppose, as I'm a size 9, not 15 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
2) I like the switch where it is, being accustomed to a regular Stinger, and a 3D Mag that I had for 10+ years before discovering the newer and better stuff available.
3) No argument that more aggressive knurling would be nice.
4) No problem with the charger on my end. I charge it overnight-it's charged. A green light (go!) would be nice, though.
5) I love the ability to defocus the beam. Not for flood, but because I can take it from a tiny spot that throws and throws, to a wider one that still lights up objects a couple of hundred yards away, and lights up a larger area than when set on the tightest spot.
I also like the ready availability of batteries, bulbs, etc, and can order them online, or buy them at many places locally if I need them "right now".
I don't have a Tigerlight, MagCharger, or other similar light, so can't compare them, but I can tell you that I like my UltraStinger, and that I'm very satisfied with it.

 

[Size15's]

Owen makes a very important point I think -
What you like depends on what you've had.

My first real flashlight was a SureFire 12PM. Therefore my whole perspective on what I'm used to, and what I expect is based on harking back to the 12PM.

What we can draw from CPF is two points of consideration:

1) The quantity of brands and models that CPF as a collective has experience of makes it an important resource.

2) The reviews and preferences shown by CPF members are based on each person's experiences and requirements etc. The value of a review or opinion comes from working out whether you can see from the reviewer's perspective. CPF has a large membership and you are bound to get reviews from a wide cross section of people - some are bound to be in a similar situation as you.

So CPF gives you "if you liked that, you'll like this" as well as the foundation "Flashaholic" nature of "you must have "this" and you must have "that" because that's what being a Flashaholic is all about.

The key I guess is deciding whether you need a tool or a toy and CPF can help spend your money on both!!

Worst case is if you are happy with a flashlight but get a different one hoping it will be better, but you end up seeing faults in both and finding you want a flashlight that has not been made.

This scares me.

Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif