Another new flashlight

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Stinger is a great light. I'm sure it will serve you well, until the switch fails. But, they will fix it for free. At least they did the ones I sent back. Because I have had switch problems WITH EVERY STREAMLIGHT I'VE EVER HAD.
I use Fenix now. And have gotten good service. Until the switch busted.
Time to try Streamlight again.

Fortunately, the Stinger "DS" stands for Dual Switch. I got backup!

I have a couple Streamlight Stylus Pros. The rubber cap or the switch have a reputation for failing. It's a good thing we never use them.

Only retuned one Streamlight and that was a 3C maybe 15 years ago. Batteries leaked so bad they couldn't be extracted. To my surprise Streamlight replaced it with a new one (pictured below). I don't think Streamlight has such a generous replacement policy anymore.

I suppose I should toss out these old flashlights like the 3C. I duknow... I used this one for several years and hate to toss it. Contrary to popular belief, flashlights actually emitted light before LED. I think I'll keep it.

 

[Rule3]

These days there are 12 step programs for just about anything

I am a lumen junkie but buy the cheap ones at Costco


the SI unit of luminous flux, equal to the amount of light emitted per second in a unit solid angle of one steradian from a uniform source of one candela

 

[forindooruseonly]

Anybody using a Powertac? I had never heard of them, but a couple of years ago I ended up with a brand new Powertac Warrior as part of a trade deal and I've been really impressed with it. It might be a bit more tactical than I need, but it is definitely sturdy and has both good output and beam consistency, plus controls that I like.

I have an older Stinger that I still use as well, but it lives in the shop and doesn't see as much action as it used to. Nice to have sitting in a charger waiting to go, though.

 

[bgrafsr]

Sigh. I have a Streamlight SL-20 that I've had for years. Well I put it someplace and then couldn't find it. Looked high and low, but no luck. Decided to buy another one, so I ordered it from Amazon. Sure enough, I was in the basement and decided to look once more for the "lost" flashlight. Happened to look on top of the bench where my .12 gauge shot shell loader is set up, and hiding behind the loader was my light.

Now I have a spare to either keep at the wife's home or in our new RV.

 

[chief38]

I figure this would be a PERFECT TIME to show a picture of my HI-TECH Flashlight

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I have three nice streamlights with chargers, etc. Sadly they have all fallen into disuse because I am using little LED lights that are a lot brighter.
Question: Can one retrofit these nice streamlights with LED bulbs? I hate the idea of $400 worth of flashlights just sitting in a box. They were state of the art when I bought them.

 

[rburg]

They were state of the art when I bought them.

Was that pre-war?

 

[Stevens]

I have three nice streamlights with chargers, etc. Sadly they have all fallen into disuse because I am using little LED lights that are a lot brighter.
Question: Can one retrofit these nice streamlights with LED bulbs? I hate the idea of $400 worth of flashlights just sitting in a box. They were state of the art when I bought them.

There are conversion kits for some Streamlights, both bulb and battery, not sure if for your models. Here is a link to one video of several doing a conversion. [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDM0spRTYOo[/ame]
Good luck
Steve

 

[oldbrownhat]

There are conversion kits for some Streamlights, both bulb and battery, not sure if for your models....

A few years ago I put a TerraLux LED (like in the video posted) in an older incandescent Surefire 6P that I have mounted on my Marlin 1894 and it made an enormous improvement.

You might also look into Malkoff. His emitters (they don't call 'em "bulbs" at that level) are supposed to be superb. Poke around on the Candlepower Forum, too. (WARNING: This is the lair of serious flashoholics!)

 

[Frank46]

Have 2 4 cell maglites that are over 30 years old. And a couple 2 cells ones and maybe 2 aa ones also. Don't lend the big ones to the wife. last time came back to me with more scratches in one week than in 30 years. Do have a more modern Surefire one that takes the CR123 (not sure about the correct battery designation) that does put out a lot of light. Frank

 

[chaparrito]

I have an ancient Streamlight Stinger, the one that used the strange and expensive little incandescent bulb. I remember paying well north of a hundred dollars for it, not to mention 4 to 6 bucks apiece for a new bulb about every six months. I use a flashlight out in the pasture at least 5 hours a week and can NOT be without a light. It was a great light when I got it, one of the brightest on the market. Used by LEOs etc. etc.
Once in a while I take it off the charge station and take it outside and compare it to my 60 dollar Fenix and the difference is stunning. The old light is a pale yellow compared to the piercing beam of the LED Fenix.
Flashlights have improved immeasurably in only a few years. I could no more shoot a critter at night with an old AA Maglight or that Streamlight than I could sprout wings and fly.
I'm sure the new Streamlight LEDs are awesome lights these days...

 

[Fishslayer]

Now I have a spare to either keep at the wife's home or in our new RV.

You can never have too many flashlights.

 

[tlawler]

I figure this would be a PERFECT TIME to show a picture of my HI-TECH Flashlight

I still have mine too! I did break down and upgrade the bulb with an LED. Battery life is better now.

 

[Rastoff]

Rechargeable Maglite

Every Mag Instrument flashlight, no matter where in the world it ends up, comes from a factory located in the U.S.A. and staffed by American workers.

You wanted rechargeable and made in the US. Here ya go.

 

[Rastoff]

I have been researching flashlights for some time now. I want a "tactical" light, but for some unknown reason they all have the strobe mode. I don't need or want strobe. Yes, I can see that it might have value in certain situations, but I don't want it.

What I do want is two output levels. Low for regular work i.e. looking in small places where super bright is too much. And then a high for those times when I want to see if there's a bear 50 yards away (yes, we have those here).

More than that, I want to be able to "lock" it to one setting. I have a light where the modes are switched by tapping the tail switch. If I'm searching, using the momentary feature, that light can switch modes when I don't want it to.

There are lights out there with a separate switch for the modes. I don't want a cheap Chinese light though. Neither do I want to spend $400. The search continues.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I have been researching flashlights for some time now. I want a "tactical" light, but for some unknown reason they all have the strobe mode. I don't need or want strobe. Yes, I can see that it might have value in certain situations, but I don't want it.


What I do want is two output levels. Low for regular work i.e. looking in small places where super bright is too much. And then a high for those times when I want to see if there's a bear 50 yards away (yes, we have those here).

More than that, I want to be able to "lock" it to one setting. I have a light where the modes are switched by tapping the tail switch. If I'm searching, using the momentary feature, that light can switch modes when I don't want it to.

There are lights out there with a separate switch for the modes. I don't want a cheap Chinese light though. Neither do I want to spend $400. The search continues.

Might look at Malkoff MD2 and M91 series.

It sounds like the setup you're looking for is a single-mode high output flashlight with Gene's High/Low bezel switch. Depending on bezel position (about 1/8th of a turn), the flashlight is either in full time high-mode or full time low-mode. It will not flip between high/low using the On or Momentary-on tail switch.

The low mode is pretty low, 5 to 30 lumens depending on the particular flashlight. I've found that level of low-mode very useful. My Surefire P3X is 1000/15 lumens. Heck, I've waked the dog at night set on 15 lumens.

Made in the USA. MD2 and M91 on sale. With the bezel switch about $170. I got some 10% or 15% coupon codes around here somewhere.

I've got an MD2 (although mine is multi-mode) with the High/Low bezel switch. Love it.

Happy flashlight hunting.

 

[walkin jack]

So, Phil, where'd you get that beauty and what'd it set ya back? I am going to try and get that added to my Christmas wish list. It would be perfect for me...especially in regards to that remade above about always being able to FIND it.

 

[Faulkner]

I was speaking to a class of new reserve police officer candidates not long ago and was showing them, from my experience, what gear I keep in my duty bag and on my duty belt. One of them raised his hand and asked with a snicker, "Gee Deputy Faulkner, I see you have a bunch of lights. Are you scared of the dark or something?"

"Yes, I am, and you will be too." I replied

 

[Rastoff]

Might look at Malkoff MD2 and M91 series.

Indeed, that does look like a workable solution. What is the length of the MD2 you have pictured and what is the barrel diameter? I can't find that info on their website.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

MD2
1in OD body
1.2in OD head
5.1in overall length (Tail switch recessed. Adds no length).

Don't hesitate to call Gene or his helper. They'll answer all your questions and more. The output when the bezel switch is on low is something to check and make sure it's sufficient for your needs.