I work the midnight shift in an urban area - while there are plenty of streetlights, there are also a seemingly endless supply of pitch black basements and darkened backyards that would benefit with a good bit of light!
I'm in the process of looking for a new duty light so I can relegate my Streamlight Stinger LED HL to backup work. I've been having a few issues with it going dim abruptly and after only a few minutes of continuous usage (I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a new battery to see if that mitigates the trouble I've been having with it, and if not I'll send it in for repair), but I'd like to see what other options are available. I previously carried a Maglite ML150LR, and while I liked it, I found that the side switch was so shallow that it would accidentally turn on constantly and it was hard to find with gloves, and that the head loosened to the point that attempting to hold it in a tactical fashion would always throw its spot/flood focus off. (I'm waiting for Maglite to get back to me to see if that latter issue can be helped at all.) The Streamlight ProTac HL-5X seems like a good option, but I've been somewhat hesitant as I've heard mixed things about the reliability of early units.
With that said, let's move on to the template.
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1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $200
3) Format:
Handheld
4) Size:
Small to Medium (4-12 inches). As long as I can tuck it under my arm if I need to write something down or handle documents it'll be fine.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED
6) Manufacturer:
Traditional manufacturer, ready to go out of the box
7) What power source do you want to use?
Rechargeable batteries.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
Wall cradle, standalone charger, or removable batteries. As long as the batteries can be recharged, it's not too big of an issue.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
The brighter the better, though multi-brightness modes are appreciated. The Stinger and Maglite I was using up until now seemed to be fine, but more illumination on the high setting never hurts.
Burst/Turbo mode Category
Prefer to avoid
9) Flood vs Throw
Wide throw or adjustable would probably be best. While I'll mostly be using the light for fairly close subjects (backyards, rooms, sheds, etc), there are times that being able to illuminate the address of a house at the end of a block or a license plate of a faraway car can be handy.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
[X] Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
[X] Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
[X] 5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
[X] 30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
[Not a must but would be nice] 50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
[ ] 150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime
The longer the better. I'll probably pick up a spare battery or two to keep in my bag in case though.
11) Durability/Usage
Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I'd like a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only), and I definitely prefer a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anything that isn't plastic.
15) Water resistance
As long as it holds up while standing out in the pouring rain/snow I'll be happy with it. I'll try to avoid dropping it in said rain/snow.
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) and on a duty belt
17) Special Needs/extras:
Needs to have a decent belt holster available for it, or fit existing generic-sized ones.
Thanks for giving this thread a look!
I'm in the process of looking for a new duty light so I can relegate my Streamlight Stinger LED HL to backup work. I've been having a few issues with it going dim abruptly and after only a few minutes of continuous usage (I'm currently awaiting the arrival of a new battery to see if that mitigates the trouble I've been having with it, and if not I'll send it in for repair), but I'd like to see what other options are available. I previously carried a Maglite ML150LR, and while I liked it, I found that the side switch was so shallow that it would accidentally turn on constantly and it was hard to find with gloves, and that the head loosened to the point that attempting to hold it in a tactical fashion would always throw its spot/flood focus off. (I'm waiting for Maglite to get back to me to see if that latter issue can be helped at all.) The Streamlight ProTac HL-5X seems like a good option, but I've been somewhat hesitant as I've heard mixed things about the reliability of early units.
With that said, let's move on to the template.
----
1) How would you prefer to purchase the light?
Online
2) Budget: An easy question, but you may change your mind after answering the rest!
Up to $200
3) Format:
Handheld
4) Size:
Small to Medium (4-12 inches). As long as I can tuck it under my arm if I need to write something down or handle documents it'll be fine.
5) Emitter/Light source:
LED
6) Manufacturer:
Traditional manufacturer, ready to go out of the box
7) What power source do you want to use?
Rechargeable batteries.
7a) If you have selected a rechargeable option
Wall cradle, standalone charger, or removable batteries. As long as the batteries can be recharged, it's not too big of an issue.
8) How much genuine out the front (OTF) light do you want/need?
The brighter the better, though multi-brightness modes are appreciated. The Stinger and Maglite I was using up until now seemed to be fine, but more illumination on the high setting never hurts.
Burst/Turbo mode Category
Prefer to avoid
9) Flood vs Throw
Wide throw or adjustable would probably be best. While I'll mostly be using the light for fairly close subjects (backyards, rooms, sheds, etc), there are times that being able to illuminate the address of a house at the end of a block or a license plate of a faraway car can be handy.
9a) Distance: How far away will you typically need to see with this light (check all that apply)
[X] Less than 1 yard/meter (reading, other close work)
[X] Less than 5 yards/meters (looking for something inside a dark shed/garage/basement)
[X] 5-20 yards/meters (check out a noise in the backyard)
[X] 30-50 yards/meters (I have a big backyard)
[Not a must but would be nice] 50-150 yards/meters (I live in a very rural area/farm with wide open spaces)
[ ] 150+ yards (I am searching from a helicopter)
10) Runtime
The longer the better. I'll probably pick up a spare battery or two to keep in my bag in case though.
11) Durability/Usage
Critical (Police, Fire, Search & Rescue, Caving, Survival).
12) Switch Size, Type, and location (choose all that apply):
I'd like a momentary switch (Predominantly for use with signaling and short bursts of momentary light only), and I definitely prefer a body mounted switch (near the head, like on a Maglite).
13) User Interface (UI) and mode selection. Select all that apply.
I want 2 light levels. (Brighter/short runtime and Dimmer/long runtime.)
14)Material/Finish/Coating
Anything that isn't plastic.
15) Water resistance
As long as it holds up while standing out in the pouring rain/snow I'll be happy with it. I'll try to avoid dropping it in said rain/snow.
16) Storage conditions
In house (temperature/climate controlled environment) and on a duty belt
17) Special Needs/extras:
Needs to have a decent belt holster available for it, or fit existing generic-sized ones.
Thanks for giving this thread a look!
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