Streamlight stinger 2020s

[Subliminal87]

Saw there is a new stinger listed.

Streamlight Stinger 2020 S Rechargeable Flashlight | 78200 78201 78202

Streamlight Stinger® 2020 S rechargeable flashlight is the newest model in the Stinger lineup. The Stinger 2020 S is powered by Streamlight's proprietary 78118 Li-ion battery pack and is available with a PiggyBack charger option. The PiggyBack charger charges the light plus a spare battery...

brightguy.com

No switch on the tail cap.

Reached out to streamlight cause I was curious if the new battery would fit in the regular 2020 version. It will not.

Debating if getting the older 800lm version stinger or getting the new 2020s just a spare for around the house.

 

[Unicorn]

The 2020 (without the S) does have a tailcap push button if you want that.
I like mine, though the 2000 lumens is short lived, I think 30 seconds continuous before it drops. But it's good for short term blasts of light, and I like the selector switch. The advantages over the older models are that it has the high beam, and the very load beam.
I'm not sure if the 2020S is using different batteries than the 2020, but it would be odd of them to do that. The 2020 uses two of their B26 batteries, which are just 18650s. You can charge them in the light, use the USB C connector on each battery, or use any 18650 charger. And you can use other 18650s. I keep a couple extra in case I need to increase run time.

 

[ABTOMAT]

I don't really understand the 2020S. Seems like a 2020 that's been gimped so you can't use common batteries (the Stinger 2020 uses two 18650s in a carrier) and no tail switch. Maybe they wanted to make a piggyback charger that people couldn't put sketchy generic unprotected 18650s in. The only possible way I could see the 2020S as a good idea is if the new battery let them dramatically thicken the body's walls. The 2020 has problems with getting bent up around the tailcap. Streamlight said that was one reason the Strion 2020 didn't switch to a similar oblong body.

 

[Subliminal87]

According to the email I got from streamlight when I asked about the battery.

“Thanks for your inquiry. Unfortunately, the Stinger 2020 S battery pack will not work in the original Stinger 2020 due to the removal and redesign of the Tail cap switch.

The do use the same standard Stinger charging cradle. But they cannot use the same piggyback charging cradle due to the different battery.“

 

[Subliminal87]

I don't really understand the 2020S. Seems like a 2020 that's been gimped so you can't use common batteries (the Stinger 2020 uses two 18650s in a carrier) and no tail switch. Maybe they wanted to make a piggyback charger that people couldn't put sketchy generic unprotected 18650s in. The only possible way I could see the 2020S as a good idea is if the new battery let them dramatically thicken the body's walls. The 2020 has problems with getting bent up around the tailcap. Streamlight said that was one reason the Strion 2020 didn't switch to a similar oblong body.

Yeah the metal near the tail cap makes me be gentle with it and the reason why I might grab the older style that’s 800lm instead.

 

[ABTOMAT]

If you bend one they'll try to hammer it out. If that doesn't succeed they'll re-body the light at no charge. The clip and hinge can also fail. Good customer service; bit of a mixed design. But I still really love the 2020. Use mine a lot more than the regular Stinger LED or Stinger HL. I don't think I'd be adding another battery type if I already had a 2020 and no round Stingers.

If you want any spares I have extras of most Streamlight flashlights. Used but working.

 

[Johns957]

I purchased two of the Streamlight 2020 lights last year prior to hurricane season.
We like them that they had a switch for the different settings. And they tail stand so they could do lantern duty too.
And I could use regular 18650 batteries if needed.
I checked out the newer 2020S when they came out. Saw no advantage in them. In fact with their new proprietary battery
I saw it as a dis-advatange. And maybe a gimmick to get me to invest in yet a new type of batteries for backup.
Plus, I like tail switches on my flashlights too. I will not be investing in the 2020S system.

John

 

[dano]

the 78118 (2020S) battery will fit a non S, but you'll lose the tailcap switch, as the 78118 doesnt have a switch, at all. The 2020 cradle contains a switch.

 

[Robin24k]

According to the email I got from streamlight when I asked about the battery.

"Thanks for your inquiry. Unfortunately, the Stinger 2020 S battery pack will not work in the original Stinger 2020 due to the removal and redesign of the Tail cap switch.

The do use the same standard Stinger charging cradle. But they cannot use the same piggyback charging cradle due to the different battery."

I have some doubts about the latter statement, it looks like the PiggyBack cradle has a cutout for the tail switch and the Stinger 2020 S battery still has a notch there too:

the 78118 (2020S) battery will fit a non S, but you'll lose the tailcap switch, as the 78118 doesnt have a switch, at all. The 2020 cradle contains a switch.

That's probably why it's not "officially" compatible as some functionality (tail switch) will be lost.

As a side note, the MegaStream USB introduced the new SL-B34 with USB C charging. I wonder if it'll work on the Stinger 2020 battery holder?