Streamlight ProPolymer 4AA vs. PT Impact

Bill.H · Feb 16, 2003

I've checked a few review sites but haven't found one that has both these lights. I can see from the specs and pics that they're roughly the same size/shape/weight/price, the major difference seems to be the # of LEDs. And both come from reputable companies and are non-regulated.
Can anyone who has both give me a comparison of brightness, run life, and anything else on these two lights? I'm looking for something with a more brightness than an Opalec, but with comparable runtime on alkalines. I've done a search but didn't find a thread with this info.
Thanx!

PlayboyJoeShmoe · Feb 16, 2003

I don't have an SL4AA LED or Incandescent, but do have an Impact 4AA. I don't really dig the beam shape of the Impact, and if I put my TEC 40 head on it I'm not pleased because it gets ringy with a dark middle.

It does however run a long time on Batteries. I once turned it on to compare it for a post on here. Some two or three days later I noticed it on facing down on my Headboard with light spilling out. Maybe not as bright as new batts, but not bad at all. I can't say if it was on the entire time, but I think it must have been.

RossB · Feb 16, 2003

I have both.

The Atttitude's small and bright enough for the size. You could carry it in a shirt pocket, almost. Unobtrusive and useful.

The ST's about twice as big. or still small enough for a coat pocket, and bright enough that you have to go for an LS product to get noticeably more output. I dunno what ST did with the reflector, but on center, it's about the same as the 3C 10 LED. The 3C has wider coverage, however.

I believe both PrincetonTec and Streamlight use the figure "155 hours" to describe useful battery life. Meaning, at about 150 hours, there's still enough left to be useful if you're trapped in a coal mine (remember that? I wonder what lights those miners had with them.}

About $5 difference in price. Your choice is: smaller/handier or bigger/brighter. As are so many choices in life...

RossB

KDC · Feb 18, 2003

I have both. The Impact has a nice beam, but the StreamLight has a more diffuse and brighter light. Also, the StreamLight has a handy clickie tailswitch, while the Impact turns on by turning the front lens holder. Both are rugged and well made. I prefer the StreamLight for indoor use and as a general task light, while the Impact gives a narrow beam for longer "throw" outdoors. Were I choosing one, the StreamLight 4AA is probably the best 4-AA or multiple LED light I have found.

Bill.H · Feb 18, 2003

KDC -

Thanx! That's just the kind of info I was hoping for. If I may ask another.... how long before they get noticeably dimmer - starting with fresh batteries, and are both about equal on battery life?

KDC · Feb 19, 2003

Well, I can't give a good runtime comparison, since my use is very intermittent and low total time. I haven't yet completely used a set of batteries in either. However, guessing from the total light output, the Impact will probably give a longer run time.
I've had my Impact over a year, still gives resonable light, and I can't remember if it was brighter when the batteries were new. The StreamLight is only a few weeks old and hasn't seen much use yet; does not appear to get any dimmer in the first hour's battery time.
Your original question was to find something "brighter than Opalec, with comprable runtime" -- the StreamLight 4AA would best satisfy this. The main reason to choose the Impact is if you want a narrow defined beam for longer distance illumination -- it provides similar illumination to an Opalec from twice as far away, due to its narrower beam.