Streamlight?

[mrlysle]

Well, I guess what prompted my original question, was the Strion LED I picked up at Bass Pro one day while passing through an area that had one. It seemed like a pretty decent light and I really liked the "leave it in the charging cradle until you need it" feature. I was playing around one evening and comparing it's beam profile and throw against some of my other (different brands) lights, and I thought, wow, this really is a nice light. The "C4" led is bright, and it throws as well as some of the others. It's just a little bigger than I'd prefer it to be, but that Li-ion rechargeable battery in it gives some pretty decent runtimes. And the UI is really nice for one handed operation. The beam profile isn't the prettiest, but neither was my Fenix PD31. It appears to be built like a tank, and I'm sure it will work admirably for years, especially with Streamlights warranty. I don't EDC it just because I have so many smaller, brighter lights, but all in all, I thought it was a pretty decent light. I've never got into emitter swaps and stuff like that, and never really thought about that aspect of it when I asked the question. Now that I've got so many hours under my belt on CPF, I've learned a ton, and understand much better what prompts certain lights to be discussed more than others. Thanks to all for your replies and insight! (I'd forgot I even started this thread before the "crash")

 

[MIKENC]

Anyone tried out the Super Tac I was looking at that light its not bad size Was wondering if it has good throw with the deep reflector it has I ordered the Microstream for the wife to carry in her purse its a fantastic little light.

Yes, the Super Tac is a light saber! Very good throw, not quite as much light as A9 or DBS but in that category. It's nice. The newer version has even more output (Super Tac X).


Joe

 

[afdk]

:shakehead I have Underwater kinetics and Pelican lights, you don't see too much talk on them either! A lot of enthusiast's on this site don't seem to think polymer housed lights look as sexy as metal lights. Some seem to think they are of lesser quality, they are wrong!

I'm sure Streamlight are great lights, lots of companys use them.

 

[LazyJ]

My Polytac resides in my toolbag and performs mechanic duty. It has been dropped on concrete so many times it ain't even funny. It recently took a 30 ft fall down my chimney while I was sweeping it out. I heard it bounce on the firebricks a couple of times and when I looked down the pipe it was still shining. That's why I bought the ugly, lack-lumen light and why I'd replace it immediately if I ever lost it.

 

[KLowD9x]

I like their toughness and their tailcap switches, alot

I wish someone would put some RCR123's in a Protac or Polytac and let us know if it survives

I use Tenergy 900mAh RCR123s in my PT2L. It works perfectly. However, they have a system in the cells that drops the working voltage to 3.0 volts.

 

[LazyJ]

Thank you KLow, excellent information

 

[nfetterly]

I had a bunch of streamlights a few years ago - still have a polystinger & a modded LED stinger as well as a strion. Streamlights don't seem to take to modding well - the polystinger, stinger & stinger XT appeared to be all just a little bit different such that one "drop-in" wouldn't fit them all. Compare that to surefire where the G, C, P, Z series all take the same drop in and can share many of the same parts. That's what led me over to the Surefire world....

 

[Throwjunkie]

Yes, the Super Tac is a light saber! Very good throw, not quite as much light as A9 or DBS but in that category. It's nice. The newer version has even more output (Super Tac X).

Mike thanx for the input I can get that model from my work so I'm gonna grab one as a throw in tool bag light.

Joe

 

[KLowD9x]

Mike thanx for the input I can get that model from my work so I'm gonna grab one as a throw in tool bag light.

Joe

It's not a very good work light as it has a VERY tight hot spot. I recommend something with a bit more flood for up close work. Even the PT2L has a really tight beam for the size that can be a pain to work with. The super floody XML is great for up close work.

 

[Throwjunkie]

some of the stuff I work on requires a tight beam to put light rite on the spot I need to work. I wear glasses so having stray light reflections is bad for me. I figured the Streamlight for its reliability, durability and good run time. I have several small lights with MC E, XM L but they reflect off objects to brightly even in the spill areas. I have been using my DBS V3 R2 for work but its getting beat up.


Joe

 

[LEDninja]

Streamlight makes lights for specialists. The most common of their lights are for hazardous locations. Their lights have to be rigorously tested to be approved to meet safety standards - a lot of time and money. So Streamlight comes out with a light once every 3 years or so. Meanwhile the new breed of CPF members like the flavour of the month.

Another interesting thing is intrinsically safe circuits have to be under 24V AND UNDER 1A. Practically all lights under discussion today run at over 1A with the exception of keychain and some pocket lights.

 

[mrlysle]

Interesting info! Makes you see things in a different perspective. At least for me it does. It seems that for Streamlight to come out with the "latest and greatest" would really mess up their corner of the flashlight market. Thanks LEDninja!

 

[afdk]

Streamlight makes lights for specialists. The most common of their lights are for hazardous locations. Their lights have to be rigorously tested to be approved to meet safety standards - a lot of time and money. So Streamlight comes out with a light once every 3 years or so. Meanwhile the new breed of CPF members like the flavour of the month.

Another interesting thing is intrinsically safe circuits have to be under 24V AND UNDER 1A. Practically all lights under discussion today run at over 1A with the exception of keychain and some pocket lights.

You can say the same thing concerning these companies....Surefire.....Pelican....Underwater Kinetics, they really test their lights!

 

[Snowman_ski]

Streamlight was the first "good" flashlight I ever saw, I have a handfull of them, but, like everbody else says, there are brighter, better things out there.