The market and demand for lighting related to emergency personnel, such as police, fire, EMTs, or other similar agencies, have grown exponentially in the past few decades. The days of a police officer or EMT shining a 3- or 5-cell Maglight at a car down a slick embankment are long gone.
Modern technology has given us both brightness and portability in a hand-held light that we could not have imagined, even a few years ago. The ability to “light the night” has truly come into its own. You can now hold, in your hand or perched on the road next to you, close to a million-candlepower unit that doesn’t get hot.
It was inevitable that this technology would bleed over into the civilian sporting and defense worlds. From tiny, bright pocket-carry lights to weapon-mounted illumination to headlamps to worklights, the hunter or concealed carrier is now able to have the light needed for any task.
No company has been at the forefront of this revolution as much as Streamlight. This company, located in Pennsylvania, is a true innovator when it comes to portable lighting. But, where did the company come from? Let’s take a quick look.
Company History
Streamlight got started in 1973 in King of Prussia, PA. That makes it 52 years old this year, and speaks to its innovative nature. Companies don’t last if they can’t adapt to the changing times.
The company was formed to develop a solar simulator – a very bright, handheld flashlight – for NASA. Early products included the SL-20, a rechargeable halogen lamp that was utilized by law enforcement. Another innovation for firefighters and EMS personnel occurred in 1989, with the introduction of the right-angle flashlight, the Survivor. This device was designed to attach to fire and EMS equipment and allow for hands-free use. The Stinger and the ultra-compact rechargeable Scorpion followed soon after.
They stayed at the forefront of technology through innovation, including the adoption of lithium-ion battery technology and the replacement of incandescent bulbs with LEDs. Other breakthroughs they’ve accomplished include USB rechargeability in conjunction with multi-fuel systems for customer convenience, as well as creating the ANSI/PLATO FL-1 Standard for flashlight comparisons.
Add in the work lights, weapon lights, and a multitude of flashlights and head lamps, and you begin to see why they sell so many lights. They continually communicate with emergency personnel about their needs, and then they work to meet those needs.
According to President & CEO Ray Sharrah, Streamlight is successful at least in part because:
– USB-rechargeable flashlights and headlamps that offer the convenience of charging on the go from a USB charging source
– Multi-fuel flashlight “systems” that use a rechargeable battery but also can accept disposable batteries for alternate sources of power
– New scene lights that are waterproof and offer powerful brightness in situations involving smoke or water
– A series of compact work lights that fit in tight places, can be used hands-free or hanging, and rotate on their bodies for light wherever it’s needed
– A growing line of weapon-mounted lights that fit a variety of long guns, shotguns, and handguns
So there you have a bit about Streamlight. They are not slowing down after 50 years, but are forging ahead with new technology. On this page, you will find twenty new products that have been introduced recently.
What Do They Make?
Just what exactly does Streamlight produce? Here’s a screen grab I did of their products. They sell a ton of stuff, so this was the quickest and easiest way I knew to pass this info along.
Image: streamlight.com
They pretty much have you covered, whether you want a hand-held flashlight, head lamp, work light, weapon-mounted light, or a pro tactical light.
Narrowing It Down
I requested a couple of items to review. I chose a carry flashlight and a weapon-mounted light, as I figured these two types would be the most interesting for our readers.
Here is what they sent:
A Protac Rail Mount HP-X Pro USB light, and a Megastream USB High Output flashlight.
Let’s look at each of them. First, the rail light.
I’ve put lights on handguns before, many times, so this time I thought I’d try mounting one on a long gun. I got the Protac Rail Mount light, which came with a lot of mounting accessories. I’ll use the photo from their website as an illustration, since I opened the box and things went everywhere…
Here you see the light, pressure switch, charging cable, M-LOK mount, and double-sided tape they give you to stick the switch to your rifle or shotgun. The Pic rail mount is built-in, and so it mounts directly on a Pic rail with no fuss.
I didn’t use the remote switch, as this light is going on a hunting gun, and I didn’t feel the need to mount the switch. Here’s what it looks like on my Hi-Point PCC in 10mm, and yep, I know what you’re thinking… I have more in the light and the red dot than I do in the gun! Maybe. All I know is that this inexpensive Hi-Point is one of the most accurate and reliable 10mm PCCs I’ve ever shot, so it deserves a light and a red dot. I don’t think ol’ Miss Doe or other critter will notice how much the weapon cost that laid her low!
The on-off switch in the back is easily pressed without needing to run the remote switch. It almost fits on the carbine’s forward Pic rail, but it’s just a touch too long even with the remote switch. Easy-peasy mount.
Here are the specifications for this light:
- Multi-Fuel: Uses one Streamlight SL-B26® protected Li-Ion USB rechargeable battery; also accepts (2) CR123A lithium batteries
- TEN-TAP® Programming allows for the selection of three different operating programs:
- 1) high/strobe
- 2) high only
- 3) low/high
- High: 800 lumens; 105,000 candela
- Beam Distance: 648m
- Run Time 2 hours (SL-B26); runs 1.5 hours (CR123A)
- Low: 55 lumens; 7,600 candela
- Beam Distance: 174m
- Run Time 26 hours (SL-B26); runs 18 hours (CR123A)
- Strobe: runs 3.5 hours (SL-B26); runs 2.5 hours (CR123A)
- Length: 5.63 inches (14.30 centimeters)
- Weight: 6.40 ounces (181.44 grams) – 7.00 ounces (198.45 grams)
- Colors: Black
- Includes: remote pressure switch, push-button tail cap switch, remote retaining clips, double-sided tape, zip ties, and M-LOK® mount
- Integrated rail clamp: attaches to MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny) rails. Easy to attach, secure mounting
- Durable, anodized aluminum construction with impact-resistant tempered glass lens
- IP67-rated with standard push-button switch installed (waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes)
- IP54-rated with a remote pressure switch installed (water-resistant)
- Limited lifetime warranty
You can set the programming by tapping the power switch button nine times to enter programming mode. I probably won’t use this feature, but it’s nice to know it’s there if needed. One more thing… A lifetime warranty covers Streamlight products. This thing will do the job… seeing is definitely believing where dark woods or fields are concerned. It would be equally at home on an AR or 12-gauge. In terms of price, I’ve seen it as low as about $145. (I did not see any pricing on Streamlight’s website.)
The other product they sent is a Megastream USB flashlight.
Before we look at that, though, here’s a word about recharging the batteries sent with the units. You can unscrew the tail caps and pull the batteries out (this is necessary with the Pro Tac). With the Megastream, you can pull its “collar” down to expose the USB port. A charge cable is included with each light.
Speaking of the tail caps, be sure to screw them on extra-tight. I had a problem with each of the lights not coming on when the buttons were pressed…Once I figured out that the tail caps needed to be on very tightly, past the O-ring, the lights worked fine.
If your SL-B26 L-ion rechargeable goes down, you can use two CR-123A lithium batteries. That’s the beauty of dual-fuel technology.
Now, for the flashlight.
What could be more important to have with you at all times than a bright flashlight? The Megastream can go wherever you go. It features a removable clip that attaches to a pocket or other suitable surface.
It also comes with a ballistic nylon belt pouch…
Nice touch, as Garfield might say.
This is one bright light. Here are its specifications…
- Uses (1) 3,500 mAh Streamlight SL-B34® protected lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack
- High, medium, and low modes:
- High: 1,800 lumens; 26,000 candela; 322m beam; runs 2 hours
- Medium: 500 lumens; 7,200 candela; 170m beam; runs 3.5 hours
- Low: 150 lumens; 2,100 candela; 92m beam; runs 13 hours
- Push-button tail switch with momentary or constant-on operation
- Metal sleeve protects charging port; slide sleeve back to reveal
- Self-keying battery ensures proper alignment of the charging port
- Durable, anodized machined aluminum construction; unbreakable polycarbonate lens
- IPX7 waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes; 2m impact resistance tested
- Removable pocket clip
- Includes USB-C cord and holster
- Length: 5.3 in (13.4 cm)
- Weight: 5.4 oz (152g)
- Limited lifetime warranty
Here’s how to change the beam intensity…
- High: A single press of the tail switch activates high mode.
- Medium: A quick double-tap of the tail switch (within 0.4 seconds) will activate the medium mode.
- Low: A quick triple-tap of the tail switch will activate the low mode.
The Megastream is solid, and you get the impression that you could drive over it and it would still function properly. For about $85, you get a flashlight that will last you for years.
These two lights are the tip of the iceberg of what Streamlight makes. Hopefully, I’ll be able to bring you some of their other products in the future. I’m happy with these two lights. They are a (very) bright spot in my day!
Where To Buy
Streamlight Protac Rail Mount HP-X Pro USB light
Streamlight Megastream USB High Output flashlight
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