Streamlight Jr Repair?

[scalpel_ninja]

Greetings Everyone!

I've recently come into possession of this older incandescent Streamlight Jr. with a Kroll switch. Unfortunately the bulb and whatever held it in place is missing.

I've called Streamlight and spoke with a service tech. He said if it isn't repairable, it'll be replaced with a modern LED version.

My question is: is this older model worth keeping to seek out parts or modify to keep a legacy body working? Or should I send it in with a high likelihood of getting it replaced with a modern model?

 

[ABTOMAT]

I'm not aware of these having any real monetary value, so fixing it's a judgement call. New Jr. is a nice light if you're not trying to collect. Any chance the bulb holder slipped down into the tube? I don't think they were fixed at the end like Mini-Mags. If you did want to fix it I'd wait around until you found another in worse cosmetic condition as a parts donor.

That model seems to be the last incan version before the LED model, so 1990s-2000s. The earlier SL Jr. looked like a squared-off Mini-Mag, and the original version was an outright knockoff called the "Mini-Mitelite." I assume that was part of the lawsuit better known for the Excalibre bezel markings but I've never been able to find actual court documents.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

I'm not aware of these having any real monetary value, so fixing it's a judgement call. New Jr. is a nice light if you're not trying to collect. Any chance the bulb holder slipped down into the tube? I don't think they were fixed at the end like Mini-Mags. If you did want to fix it I'd wait around until you found another in worse cosmetic condition as a parts donor.

That model seems to be the last incan version before the LED model, so 1990s-2000s. The earlier SL Jr. looked like a squared-off Mini-Mag, and the original version was an outright knockoff called the "Mini-Mitelite." I assume that was part of the lawsuit better known for the Excalibre bezel markings but I've never been able to find actual court documents.

Thanks for the input. The bulb holder is completely gone. So it's essentially an empty host. I heard the bulbs are also difficult to source.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I don't think it's a very good design compared to the Mini-Mag. The bulbs are weird and you have to take the holder apart to replace them. Not something I'd pick as a user. I think you can still find brand new incan Jrs (the whole lights) for sale cheap from wholesale dealers. One of those things where there's still a pile in a warehouse somewhere.

 

[aznsx]

This is a light I regret not buying when they were 'current', and thus would still like to have a working copy of today just for grins, if nothing else. If I had yours, I would consider it worth keeping just in case a 'donor' came along, (perhaps in junky condition, with a bad swtich, etc.), and I'd snag that cheap and fix this one. I wouldn't spend much to do it as it would get little use, but I certainly wouldn't throw it away, as I could get lucky finding a replacement for the missing part(s).

I always wanted a nice 2xAA with a proper tailswitch, and this is the one I missed buying, as in its day I unfortunately was so distracted from flashlights I was not even aware it existed. In short, this is a light that would have 'historical value' to me (the one that got away;-). What other similar format lights had a proper tailswitch in its day? I suspect few, if any, although I've not reasearched that. That, along with being a Streamlight, carries some value to me.

EDIT: Bulbs are another matter of course, but if I ended up w/ a nice, functional copy of that light, I'd find a couple of bulbs for it somewhere. It would be like 'full circle' back to the type of light that, arguably made me a flashaholic back in the late '50s, similar to this. My EDC as a kid

 

[ABTOMAT]

Back in the '80s the Sigmalite and Legend had tailcap switches. Don Keller was responsible for those and wanted to add one to the Mini-Mag, but the story is Tony refused. Code-4 Jr. had a side switch in the '80s as well. Streamlight didn't add a switch to the Jr. until much later.

 

[bykfixer]

Trade it for a modern one.
The incan version was not very bright and was not user friendly to change the bulb. That and the keymate were not some of Streamlight's better ideas.

If it has sentimental value then you can monitor eBay for another one for parts.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I've sent the light out for repairs. I'll report back once Streamlight updates.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

Talk about a quick turnaround! The light was marked received by Streamlight on Monday; I received a notification yesterday that it was shipped out. In reality the package went out on Wednesday, the email was generated yesterday.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Streamlight's CS has been fantastic every time I've needed it. Just as fast as Surefire and a lot more helpful.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

Package received yesterday. They sent a brand new Junior.

 

[Monocrom]

Package received yesterday. They sent a brand new Junior.

I kinda had a feeling they might do that. Enjoy your new light.

 

[aznsx]

Package received yesterday. They sent a brand new Junior.

Whatever your opinion regarding the overall scenario, please offer an opinion of the light itself after you check it out, as I'd be interested in hearing it. Thanx!