Streamlight ProTac 2AAA Flashlight - REVIEW

Specifications:
- C4 LED technology, impervious to shock with a 50,000 hour lifetime
- LED Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
3 light output levels:
- High: 80 Lumens, 1550 candela peak beam intensity, 80 meter beam distance, 1.5 hours runtime
- Low: 10 Lumens, 200 candela peak beam intensity, 28 meter beam distance, 30 hours runtime
- Strobe: 5 hours runtime
- Multi-function, push-button tail switch for one-handed operation
- Optimized electronics provides regulated intensity
- Uses two AAA alkaline batteries (included)
- Durable and abrasion-resistant machined aluminum construction with Type II Mil-Spec anodized finish
- Anti-roll head prevents the light from rolling away when you set it down
- Removable pocket clip for easy access
- O-ring sealed glass lens
- IPX7; waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes
- Length: 5.62" (14.27 cm)
- Weight: 2 oz. (57g) with batteries
Limited lifetime warranty


Today I am reviewing the Streamlight ProTac 2AAA penlight flashlight. Immediately taking it out of the package I get what everyone was saying - Boy is this thing light! Two ounces with batteries! This would be a great light for someone who is very weight sensitive when choosing their gear. Whether you're shopping for a light to put in your EDC bag or a light for hiking or cycling, this would be a great choice. Or in my case I clip mine to my Zulu molle visor panel. Being as light as it is, it doesn't even budge the visor even with all my other paper and crap in it. Working under the hood of my Jeep or under the dash is a lot easier with the smaller light than using my Nitecore MH25.



Here you can see the sleek mil-spec constructed aluminum body. Towards the head of the light you have some machined cooling fins which also serve as anti-roll stops. So no more having to worry about your light rolling off your work bench or table top. You can also use these fins to get a real good solid purchase on the light without having to worry about it slipping out of the hand.



Around the front bezel of the head there is some machined out grooves which could be used as a non-lethal blunt object. You may say non-lethal blunt object?!? Don't let those small machined grooves fool you. There actually pretty blunt and I can guarantee would definitely stun someone in a self defense role.



Here we'll take a closer look at the bulb and bulb housing. The Streamlight ProTac 2AAA light uses a C4 LED with a smooth reflector which produces a astounding 80 lumens on high, and 10 lumens on low. Streamlight claims the run time on high is 1.5 hours and while on low 30 hours. This light also has a strobe mode which is very bright!






Another shot of the mil-spec machined aluminum body and the pocket clip. The tension on the clip is great! It's not excessive to the point where it's a challenge sometimes to clip it back onto something. In the pants or in my case on my visor panel it doesn't move around at all. In the background you see the UZI tactical pen I just got from BladeHQ. It would be neat if this light had some diamond cut knurling around the body line the UZI pen does. But that's just my personal opinion.



Here you can see the multi-function push-button tail switch. The switch can be manipulated using one hand. To switch between Low, High and Strobe all you do is simply double-tap the switch to go through the modes. Streamlight made operating this light super easy.



The shot above is on the Low 10 lumens mode. The light is approx 5-6ft away from the pen and knife. Even on low is has a real nice bright center with a good amount of outer flood.



Here is a shot from the same distance, instead it was on High 80 lumens mode. It's definitely a night and day difference. For being a small penlight it's pretty dang bright!



Streamlight ProTac 2AAA next to the UZI tactical pen and the Kershaw Cryo for size reference.



And here you can see how ergonomic it is in the hand. Very easy to get a secure grip.


My final conclusion on the Streamlight ProTac 2AAA Flashlight: I got this light a couple of weeks ago and love it. Pushing the button can be a little tough at first but once it's broken in it's silky smooth. My only dislikes on the light is I wish the clip was more towards the end of the light so it would sit in a pant pocket better. And my other dislike is you have to go through strobe to get to low. Other than that, this light rocks! And I really look forward to checking out other streamlight penlights and maybe even some competitors as well.


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Thanks
- Scott

Good review! 1) Yup, my switch is stiff as well, but sturdy 2) Having strobe in 2nd mode after high, makes getting to low a pain as you have no night vision left by the time you get there. strobe should have been last, but I do understand the high mode being first. Sidenote: If you want a low mode first Protac, try the EMS (blue). I think having the 10-tap programming (a la HL model) would have been good for the entire Protac line. The light is a tad long for my tastes, but very compact otherwise. Clip was well done too IMO

Just another light in a crowded market,does nothing for me.This type of light is best bought by trade users in my opinion.

mcnair55 said:

Just another light in a crowded market,does nothing for me.This type of light is best bought by trade users in my opinion.

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+ 1

i don't know what trade users are but i agree anyway

mcnair55 said:

Just another light in a crowded market,does nothing for me.This type of light is best bought by trade users in my opinion.

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I would have thought this would be an excellent flashlight if I never heard of CPF. My vendors generally sells Streamlight, Coast, LED Lenser, Inova, and Pelican. But for an EDC, I would rather buy and trash this flashlight than my Higher end brands.

Raiden said:

I would have thought this would be an excellent flashlight if I never heard of CPF. My vendors generally sells Streamlight, Coast, LED Lenser, Inova, and Pelican. But for an EDC, I would rather buy and trash this flashlight than my Higher end brands.

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There is nothing at all wrong with the light but it is nothing special either and like i say a tradesman like a plumber electrician etc would find this a good edc work light.I have the Streamlight Microstream which is a good solid light but again nothing special.

Yuck. PDF with output curve:

Link

Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of Streamlight flashlights (microstream, ProTac HL, StylusPro, Waypoint) just to name a few. I do like them but it's nothing special. I use them for work since I'm a Heavy Truck Technician, I need expendable flashlights. Meaning I wont get upset if/when I drop or break them.

I think Streamlights are good work lights. While they aren't top-of-the-line or at the cutting edge of technology, they are durable and Streamlight customer service is great! Having carried many different lights, I find the small double AAA lights to be almost ideal to be carried anywhere in any clothing and still retain some tactical practicality. I look forward to receiving my Protac 2AAA. Thanks for the review... Even though "nothing special" it fits a need.

Just curious, but does anyone know if the tail switch is interchangeable with the Stylus Pro? They look exactly alike.

T45 said:

Just curious, but does anyone know if the tail switch is interchangeable with the Stylus Pro? They look exactly alike.

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I believe so. I do know that the cap for the PT 2AAA will fit and work on the stylus pro. The PT 2AAA has its clip in the way so you will have to remove it to put the stylus cap on, which is what I think you have in mind

You guys really seem to know your stuff. This is a small light - good for Medic, EMTs etc. I see no value as a weapon - too light weight, thrusting with would just cause it to slip through your hand. Just a thought but maybe the scallops on the lighted end of the flashlight are there so if you set it down vertically, light will escape to show you where you set it down. Just saying.

T45 said:

Just curious, but does anyone know if the tail switch is interchangeable with the Stylus Pro? They look exactly alike.

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The tailcaps from the ProTac AAA, MicroStream, and Stylus Pro are all interchangeable. Since the electronics are in the head, not the tailcap, you keep your modes intact. Also, if the low clip position bothers you, you can just yank it off and place it to where it is in the Stylus Pro.