Which one should I get?

[Kanai]

I have a X5T and an PT Attitude. I want another LED light that runs on AA batteries. I want it to be at least as bright as my X5T. This is what i've narrowed it dwn to. Reactor 3, PT Impact, Stream light 4AA ProPolymer. These choices are based on the price range that I can afford at this moment. Your comments would be greatly appreciated. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif

 

[FalconFX]

From those 3 selections, you might want to go the route of the Reactor 3 (LS based)... I don't think the PT Impact is brighter than the X5T... I have an Impact II, and it's definately not as bright as my X5T. I can't speak for the SL ProPoly though...

 

[Rothrandir]

first of all, read my sig line /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i think i'd have to go with the reactor also for now...

but in a little while when streamlight comes out with their new luxeons...! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JohnK]

I have the 4AA Streamlight 7LED and it is bright, overdriven a bit. Nice. I like it. Carries well also.

The June release of the Streamlight 3AA Luxeon Aluminum light looks great; I have pre-ordered one from Brightguy ($ 32.95).

 

[robk]

The Streamlight 7LED 4AA is an excellent light. I do a lot of work on computers (seems always tucked under desks or in closets) and it gives me a nice broad flood to see what I'm doing inside the case. Runs a little hot, but run time is decent on NiMH cells. I've tried using one of my 3 BB400 Mags - hot spot in center of beam is too bright for close work in a darkened area. But they work great when I'm running cat5 cable above a suspended ceiling and need to see what's up there. So, I guess it depends on what you need it for! I have found (over the past 2 months) that there is an ideal light for each task, sort of like using the right tool for a repair.
Rob

ARC AAA & LE, Lightwave2000, AT-100, Rebel 2D 4LED, ShoreLight VX-2, 2 MiniMag w/ BB400, ZLT homemade mini-mag
LS mod, Princeton Tec 40 w/EverLed, Princeton Tec 20, SL4AA7LED, Energizer 2AA with versalux PR2 white, various
homemade single and double AA lights with Nichia 9600mcd lamps, and now a Mag2D/ZLT/LS & Mag2C/ZLT/LS.

 

[ikendu]

robk said:...Streamlight 7LED 4AA...run time is decent on NiMH...over the past 2 months

Have you been running the Streamlight on NiMH for this two month period? I was originally REALLY interested in this light until I started reading about people burning them out on NiMHs. I went with a MagLite w/BB400 instead. I know the more recent Streamlights have been "tuned down" with resistors and I wonder if they are now safe for NiMHs?

 

[robk]

ikendu,
I have been using the older Streamlight for at least 2 months on NiMH cells for normal uses. I use NiMH AA's on all my lights except a 3 cell lightwave (I bought 50 of them from MCM). After reading about the "overdrive" problem, I let the Streamlight go til near dead (overnight) on a set of freshly charged NiMH, and nothing melted. I still like my BB400/Mags for their "wow" factor when I show someone how bright they are (a lot of people are familiar with stock mini-mags), but the Streamlight is a better close range work light - and it's almost indestructible. I worry about the glass lenses and the Kroll switches I put in my Mags. Conclusion: you need both, and then some!!
Rob

 

[BuddTX]

Read elsewhere on here where SL has upgraded the SL 7AA light.

Just make sure you get a new improved model.

 

[ikendu]

robk said: ...Streamlight is a better close range work light

Actually, later when I got the MiniMag w/BB400, it ended up in a drawer most of the time. A very fine light, but I found my PT Attitude to be a better balance of "bright enough for most work but not too bright to be a good task light". The Attitude went with me on my daily walks. I needed something then that was QUITE bright with good throw to light up items of interest at a distance...the BB400 just wasn't enough so I ended up with a UK4AA AS2 in my pocket for those few times I really need something bright.

It could be that SL 4AA 7LED would fit somewhere in the middle of these two balance points (just like the BB400).

 

[robk]

The one annoying thing on the Streamlight is the cells rattle around a bit. Could just be my "cheapo" NiMH's are smaller in diameter than standard. I get around it by wrapping an Avery address label around each cell. There must be a more elegant way, but it works. My PT40 (same 4 cell format) rattles also.
Rob

 

[RichardMT]

I have a Streamlight 7LED and like it very much. I bought it a few weeks ago, but have no idea if this particular one if an older one, or a new version...either way I dont think it matters since although it gets used a lot, it is never on for more than 30 seconds to a minute at a time, but several times a day.

For anything I am doing that requires a light to be on for extended periods I generally use my little CMG Ultra or PT Attitude....for really bright light for extended periods I use a Streamlight 10 LED 3C.

While we are discussing SL 7LEDs, how can I tell if mine is a new version (simple curiosity).

 

[eluminator]

NIMH isn't a problem with the Streamlight 4AA. They run a little cooler and dimmer with NIMH than with alkaline. The problem with the original SL 4AA was the resistors. There wasn't enough resistance. Apparently they fixed the problem in the current ones.