STREAMLIGHT 4AA

Looks like the Streamlight 4 AA poly something or other is the way to go for a backpacking light. I'll order today, please voice any objections quickly.

No objections. I ordered one yesterday .

I use mine for night hiking regularly; no issues to report other than changing 4 AA batteries in the dark takes some practice. Balancing 4 fresh batteries with 4 old batteries while accounting for polarity, and a reflector assembly that falls out from the bezel can be a challenge. Ideally having another friend shining a light and having a table to use would be best. Absent the table and friend/light, you'll have your hands full.

Good medium range light with acceptable runtime.

I think for backpacking you should also have a short range light with great runtime..... for this I recommend the UK 4aa eLED

Note the difference between the LED and Luxeon versions. The Luxeon version is the one that everyone's raving about. It has great throw, but is not good for close work.

balazer said:

Note the difference between the LED and Luxeon versions. The Luxeon version is the one that everyone's raving about. It has great throw, but is not good for close work.

Click to expand...

The LED version, on the other hand is great for close work, but is not good for throw.......

Funny how that works out sometimes.

Doug Owen

I bought one when it originally came out [7LED]. I love it, great flood, and brighter than you'd think if used in a very dark enviroment with no ambient lighting. As for changing the batts in the dark, you should laways have a spare light to use. At he vary least have a little keychain type coin cell light in your pocket or clipped to a zipper for quick accessing and back up needs.

Sorry guys, the led version just plain sucks! i have it around 2 yrs, and the rubber skin of the bezel worn out! Not to mention the problems of heat accumulation...

I think the luxeon version is the way to go.

I read the luxeon version of the Streamlight has a heat sink built in to get rid of heat. I may have to pickup one for backpacking trips.

After buying a Petzl Tikka XP, I can't imagine going on a backpacking trip without a headlamp.

The Lux 4AA is a great light with good throw (I own two). But IMO a little big and heavy for backpacking. Runtime is 3.5 hr, so over that and you'll need 4 more AAs.

Several other choices, generally more compact:

Fenix 1LP, very compact uses 1AA but good output via Luxeon emitter: http://www.fenixlight.com/

Streamlight JR Lux. Uses 2AAs, like a Minimag but much brighter:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/streamlight_jr_luxeon.htm

UK 4AA eLED. Very long runtime:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/uk_4aaeled.htm

Peak Caribbean: minimum size, maximum output, pretty good runtime, somewhat expensive:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/peakled_caribbean.htm

Peak Kino Bay: 1AA, good output, mediocre regulation:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/peakled_kino.htm

Princeton Tec Yukon HL headlamp. Good output and runtime:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/princetontec_yukonhl.htm

Edit: forgot to add if you want inexpensive, excellent output, small size, rugged, the Princeton Tech Rage is a good choice. Not LED but it meets those criteria:

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/princetontec_rage.htm

ckl said:

Sorry guys, the led version just plain sucks! i have it around 2 yrs, and the rubber skin of the bezel worn out! Not to mention the problems of heat accumulation...

I think the luxeon version is the way to go.

Click to expand...

No need to apologize for an (honest) opinion.

FWIW, I agree the LS version is 'the way to go'......if you want throw. And let's be honest about the heat part, the later versions corrected this, right? While the rubber bit of mine is fine, I understand you can buy more from Bright Guy?

As is so often the case, I think it's up to the customer to decide. Ain't it grand to have such options?

Doug Owen