Why a Streamlight Scorpion?

[this_is_nascar]

With all due respect to the folks that own the Scorpion, I have a question. Why the Scorpion? With the E2E, G2Z and LX on the market, what attracts you to the Scorpion. I ask this question because (again, this is my opinion only and is not meant to start a flame-war), I think the Scorpion is a pretty unattractive light. It looks even worse when someone goes and puts a KL-1 on that sucker.

So, explain to me why you'd choose the Scorpion over the other compatable lights that I listed above.

 

[GJW]

Well today I probably wouldn't but the Scorpion pre-dates all of those that you mentioned.
If I remember the only real competition when I bought mine was the 6P.
$80 for the 6P -- $29 for the Scorpion with batteries and spare bulb.
My limited college funds made the decision for me.

And aesthetics aside, the built-in clickie and the rubber are big pluses.
How did any of you feel first time you scratched your SureFire?

 

[Size15's]

The built-in clickie and the rubber are two reasons why I can't stand the Scorpion. And it defocuses and the bulbs don't last very long. It isn't very water-resistant, the rubber makes it difficult to remove from pockets or pouches. People complain that they melt the lens far too easily.

Oh, and nobody ever show me a Scorpion with a KL1 on it. I think its a crime against the KL1.

All that said, I understand that for a long time until the last year or so, the Scorpion was the only real alternative to SureFire's Classic 6P.

If you have to justify a Scorpion because you can't afford to invest in a SureFire, then it does make a far better flashlight then many others.

Al

 

[Roy]

Well, let's see:

E2E..Scorpion is brighter and cost half as much.

G2Z..Don't know anything abvout this light but I do have a 6P and dthe Scorpion is the same size and brightness and cost over half as much.

LX...I have one of these and don't like all the gee wizz chrome and rubber strips on the LX. The LX also (IMHO) doesn't carry well on the belt.

I carry the Scorpion in the holster from Streamlight.

I had a E2 but gave it to my Son as I found I was using the Scorpion more than any other light. I also carry the ARC LS/123 in my pants pocket most of the time.

 

[Ratso]

I like the clickie switch, and find it easier than turn the bezel. The rubber, I could do without but it is a nice addition in the winter time. My Scorpion is kept in the car as a back up, so I have no problems with the rubber sticking to your pocket (it really is a nuisance sometimes!). I actually like the focus unlike most people here, and find that the beam is pretty decent in different focuses too.

I have not tried a KL1 but me thinks it looks awfully like a Yawara stick!

 

[webley445]

Lower price was the main attraction. But it is bright, has a spare bulb and does the job. I like it. And as I've found with all the forum members here, different strokes for different folks. Hey, lookit Mr. Playboy Joe who is thrilled when he finds a good light that costs under 5 bucks! I've tried out some of the stuff he has found and it works great. They all serve a different purpose and the Scorpion suits me fine. As postes above, I can take my Scorp and drop it or carry under any condition and not worry. Couldn't say that about my E1 GM. It may not be the one for you, but we are all entitled to our opinions and thats what makes this forum so kewl, its diversity.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

t.i.nascar, if you put a high premium on looks, and don't like the Scorpion's "aesthetics", then that would be a clincher. I like a flashlight that looks nice, but frankly, if a light performs well, I don't care what it looks like.

For me, price would be the main reason to buy a Scorpion. Clickie cap, cheap bulbs, spare bulb in cap, and focusing might be supporting reasons, but it's the price that's the real clincher for most people, IMO.

At this point, given the fact that we're seeing G2s for $29.99 (okay, it's Botach, but you get the point: there are quality SF products in the price range of the Scorpion), I don't see any reason to send anyone to the Scorpion anymore.

Joe

 

[this_is_nascar]

All great feedback guys. Again, this wasn't meant to spark ill-felt emotions or anything, but moreso a topic of dicussion and to see if the majority of the folks only picked the Scorpion because of it's price compared to the other lights.

 

[Sean]

The Scorpion is cheaper, as bright as a P60, whiter than my P60 or P61, round body makes it easy to handle and hold. Replacement bulbs <$4.

Weaknesses:
Not water proof
Momentary on activates to easily
Rubber body can wear out

 

[TheMechanic]

I have a Scorpion, a 6P, an LX, and an ASP Triad (external focus type.) The one I usually carry is the Scorpion.

1) Brighter than the 6P, and has a perfectly round beam (the 6P is slightly banana-shaped.)

2) Rubber body is easier to hold (I carry it in a custom sheath, so no worry about pocket "sticking".)

3) Switch doesn't activate accidentally as easily as the 6P (mine is the original without the "lock out" tailcap.)

4) Ability to switch to constant on without switching grip or using two hands.

5) Bulbs are cheaper; though life isn't as long as the 6Ps, they are a TON more resistant to abuse (I've blown almost as many bulbs in my 6P as sets of batteries!) Yes, they have 1/4 the life of the 6P, but then again they're almost 1/4 the cost - pretty much a wash.

6) Easier/safer to hold between teeth when you need both hands.

7) And yes, it's cheaper!

 

[lemlux]

Agree with Sean and TheMechanic (except that I don't yet have an ASP Triad -- I have an E2, a 6P, and and my son's and wife's cars each have an LX). I use my 6P extravagantly with the P61 which I like better than the more economical P90 with my 9P.

I prefer the ease of using the Scorpion wide focus to the hassle of using the beam shapers on either my E3 or my 6P. Although splotchy, the wide flood of the Scorpion is as good as that on any focusable flashlight I own. It also provides my widest useable flood for inside room use.

I've been scooping up Scorpions from disenchanted CPF'ers for $30 each shipped. One of my 3 Scorpions will be the normal platform for my KL1 when it arrives. One of the other two lives in my glove box and the other is inside my briefcase with lots of small powerful incandescent and luxeon lights reflective of a CPF'er who has trouble chosing an EDC. These lights live are in individual zipper pockets of three separate 3-pocket Goretex carriers private labeled by Adventure 16. (The largest zipper pocket of each just barely holds a Legend 2aa Luxeon mod diagonally.)

When my

 

[Ratso]

Wow!! Gore-Tex carriers?!?! You must take great care of your lights! Waterproof AND breathable.

 

[lemlux]

Ratso:

I bought these carriers 5 to 10 years ago (along with some larger ones that will hold 8 1/2" by 11 " documents because they seemed so potentially useful. I gave them to wife and kids for Christmas, but they never used them. Go figure.

They've become much more used now that I insist upon lugging an ARC LS, E2, 6P, Scorpion, X5, X5T, modded DB4AAA, Legend 2AA BB400, and Legend 2AA Lambda Safety Illuminator around every day. This keeps them from scratching the 9P with 3" Turbohead and, regular 9P that are usually loose in the briefcase.

 

[jtivat]

I have a Scorpion in the glove box of both my vehicles. It is in my opinion a much more reliable light than a LX and a much cheaper alternative to sit there doing nothing most of the time than the rest.

 

[freewheelin']

I'm a wheelchair and much prefer the scorpions rubber to my SF C3 Centurion HA (Ihold it in my teeth)and the Scorpions light output can be flood or spot. My G2's not bad but I like the clickie switch. That why they make so many, I love choices.

 

[FNG]

Ive had my Scorpion for a couple months and it has been through 5 sets of batteries and still on the original bulb. Not unless youre wearing cowboy pants, its not hard to take out of my pocket. Id rather have the look of the Scorpion than the E2. I dont understand how it can go on momentarily without you pressing it. It has NEVER happened to me.

Pros:
I like the way it looks.
Performs really well.
Rubber aids in grip.
Inexpensive.
Ive held it with my teeth while working on something thanks to the rubber.

Cons:
Cant be left on for too long because the head gets hot.
People always try to turn the head to turn off the light.

 

[Harri]

Like so many others have said:
1) Looks like a flashlight - not a part of a gun like some SF's (That said, now I'd like to get a E2E+KL1)
2) was reported to be brighter than comparable SF's.
3) even though not as tight focus as some lights - tight enough. And perfect spot.
4) focusable - I do not always need a small bright spot - like when changing a tyre on my car or generally inside to light up the room.
5) has spare bulb - Why doesn't SF have spares?
6) rubber is great in cold conditions. I do not need gloves each time I use it.
7) tail switch is great. One hand operation, and no changing grip.
8) was definitely cheaper than SF. Light+1 set of batteries + spare bulb... And spare bulbs are still much cheaper.

Cons: no lanyard attachment. Rubber feels like it has slided a bit.

But, now that I have it... I feel like I should get one SF: E2E+KL1... but I'd rather have something like Arc LS if it was as good and as cheap as the SF alternative.

Harri

 

[Wits' End]

Originally posted by Harri:
as cheap as the SF alternative.
Harri

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Don't see this phrase very often

I agree with your points and the other points above. No question (I think) that SF is overall better quality but is that better quality worth the extra dollars. I didn't think so when I bought my Scorpion. Depends on your use. I will pay top dollar for a better tool that my abusive use won't destroy. But I don't use my flashlights like that. That said my Arc AAA has a better quality feel to it than my CMG Ultra. I find that I use the Ultra more but I like my Arc better, no question that quality has a wow factor in adition to the obvious benefits.

 

[Wolfen]

The Scorpions a great light. I carried way more Surefires, but decided to carry the Scorp. Because of the clickie tail cap, the good beam and the spare bulb.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I've come across 3 situations in my work where the Scorpion had an advantage over the 6P.

1) Searching for items in a grass field:

By turning the Scorpion to wide beam and holding it high above my head, I had a sufficiently bright beam that lit up an area on the ground the size of a car. Quite frequently, I've located items within seconds, where my colleagues using 6Ps took minutes. I attribute this to the reduced need to sweep the wide-beam around;it's easier to locate items when the beam is stationary.

2) Near range work:

At wide beam, the reduced light intensity of the Scorpion does not hurt the eyes as much as a 6P. It also enhances recovery from night blindness after the light is switched off. I retain the range capability of the narrow beam when needed; a single dual purpose light instead of having to carry two lights.

3) Helmet/headband mounted:

The 6P is less easy to activate(constant beam) using one hand due to the following reasons:

- thumb-and-finger twist instead of the Scorpion's thumb-push; slower, and need to think which direction to twist.

- the main light body rotates in the headband when the tailcap is rotated, due to the smoother metal surface; makes grabbing the light body necessary.

In contrast, the grip between the Scorpion's rubber sleeve and the headband even enables one-handed focussing of the beam.

I would agree with earliers posts that different users have different needs, and that the 6P would have advantages over the Scorpion in other situations.