Timothybil
Flashlight Enthusiast
Finally received my SL ProTac EMS about a week and a half ago, and have been busy getting familiar with it. So far, I really like it and consider it money well spent. I bought it to replace my Microstream (which is currently hiding from me somewhere around here). I selected it instead of another Microstream because I was interested in the tri-level output, and especially what those levels are. They are ~4 lm, 10 lm, and 50lm, in that order. I especially like the in that order, since as an EDC, I don't usually need all 50 lumens initially. It took me about two minutes to get used to the UI. First on, either momentary or click, is the low ~4 lm level. This actually works great for most of the times I have been using it so far. Second level is 10 lm, reached by two MOMENTARY taps before holding or clicking on. Great next step up. Finally is the 50 lm high level, reached by three MOMENTARY taps.
Next, the beam. There is a very nice smallish hot spot, surrounded by a spill area several times larger in diameter. The spill has about three distinct bands of brightness that are very close together in output, but noticeable. There are no artifacts visible, and the color is a very pleasing neutral to just slightly warm white. When used close up - like under a foot - the bands in the spill are almost invisible. Since this is the range the light is designed for, the bands are not really an issue as far as I am concerned. What really surprised me as the amount of throw the two lower levels produce. That 4 lumens does a real good job of illuminating things 20 or more feet away. As an example, I was waiting for son outside of his work one night, and had gotten out of the car to stretch and walk around. Being the flashaholic that I am, I got out my new EDC and started playing with it. Picture this environment - city street with nose-in parking on both side. I am next to the sidewalk on one side. On the other is a large steel-sided building with a side people door. I am guessing that the distance involved was on the order of 50 ft or so. At that distance, with the typical urban light pollution, I was barely able to make out the hot spot when using the low level. When I switched to higher levels, I could see that the diameter of the hot spot was about the height of the people door, or about 7 ft. The spill area was about three times that size, but still visible. That is a lot of range for what is basically designed to be a close-in floody light!
I am still using the Energizer alkaline AA that came with the light. Whenever that dies or I run out of patience I will pop in one of my Energizer Ultimate Lithiums and see what difference that makes, if any. I also have some rechargeable AAs around here somewhere (they may be hiding with the Microstream
) that I may try for a while as well.
The light is very well built. There is a single O-ring on the tail cap. It tries to tail-stand, but the rubber cover on the rear clicky protrudes just a little too far to be successful. The reflector is very deep and narrow, with an extremely shiny surface. The included clip is a two-way, with a small loop for the attachment of a keyring or laynard. I haven't done much with the clip so will say no more about it.
Today I EDCed it in my scrubs with the very small front pocket, and didn't even really notice that it was there. So even if it is about half again larger than my beloved Microstream, it still works well as a loose-in-pocket EDC. Next week I will probably try it clipped into one of the thigh pockets to see how that works.
I may try for some beam shots, but I will have to find someplace with less light pollution, since I have at least five night fixtures withing viewing distance of my unit. The night is never truly dark around here unless the power is off, which very rarely happens. I am also going to show it to a couple of the nurses where I work to get there opinions - I may even loan it out for a night or two! More later.
Next, the beam. There is a very nice smallish hot spot, surrounded by a spill area several times larger in diameter. The spill has about three distinct bands of brightness that are very close together in output, but noticeable. There are no artifacts visible, and the color is a very pleasing neutral to just slightly warm white. When used close up - like under a foot - the bands in the spill are almost invisible. Since this is the range the light is designed for, the bands are not really an issue as far as I am concerned. What really surprised me as the amount of throw the two lower levels produce. That 4 lumens does a real good job of illuminating things 20 or more feet away. As an example, I was waiting for son outside of his work one night, and had gotten out of the car to stretch and walk around. Being the flashaholic that I am, I got out my new EDC and started playing with it. Picture this environment - city street with nose-in parking on both side. I am next to the sidewalk on one side. On the other is a large steel-sided building with a side people door. I am guessing that the distance involved was on the order of 50 ft or so. At that distance, with the typical urban light pollution, I was barely able to make out the hot spot when using the low level. When I switched to higher levels, I could see that the diameter of the hot spot was about the height of the people door, or about 7 ft. The spill area was about three times that size, but still visible. That is a lot of range for what is basically designed to be a close-in floody light!
I am still using the Energizer alkaline AA that came with the light. Whenever that dies or I run out of patience I will pop in one of my Energizer Ultimate Lithiums and see what difference that makes, if any. I also have some rechargeable AAs around here somewhere (they may be hiding with the Microstream
) that I may try for a while as well.The light is very well built. There is a single O-ring on the tail cap. It tries to tail-stand, but the rubber cover on the rear clicky protrudes just a little too far to be successful. The reflector is very deep and narrow, with an extremely shiny surface. The included clip is a two-way, with a small loop for the attachment of a keyring or laynard. I haven't done much with the clip so will say no more about it.
Today I EDCed it in my scrubs with the very small front pocket, and didn't even really notice that it was there. So even if it is about half again larger than my beloved Microstream, it still works well as a loose-in-pocket EDC. Next week I will probably try it clipped into one of the thigh pockets to see how that works.
I may try for some beam shots, but I will have to find someplace with less light pollution, since I have at least five night fixtures withing viewing distance of my unit. The night is never truly dark around here unless the power is off, which very rarely happens.
I am also going to show it to a couple of the nurses where I work to get there opinions - I may even loan it out for a night or two! More later.
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