by T.P.F.K.A.M on Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:38 am
Alright, I just got back from the crack store (Streichers).
I ended up purchasing a Streamlight Protac 2L. I Did look into some of the other suggested lights, the Streamlight protac HL is a VERY bright light but it was a little bigger than what i was looking for in an EDC and also upon reading the card, it isnt a regulated flashlight and goes from 600 lumens to 6 lumens in about an hour and a quarter. I also noticed that the beam isnt very focused and most importantly for me that would end up carrying the thing, it gets hot, very, very hot, burn a hole through your leg hot. Im not saying it was a bad light, it just wasnt for me.
I also looked into the Streamlight Strion LED. I looked at it primarily as I carried a Stinger LED as a duty light when I worked security and still use it, it is a great light. The strion had the same slightly too large size as the Protac HL, but didnt have the option to have a clip attached and the activation switch was not recessed which would invariably lead to me turning it on accidently . What it did have was the ability to pop easily into a cradle charger which made it very appealing, however after asking Pete, it is NOT compatible with every other Streamlight charger, I already have a house charger and a car charger for my Stinger and I really didnt want to buy extra for the strion so I decided against it.
I ended up choosing the Protac 2L. it is small, approximately 4 inches long, half an inch thick and It comes with a belt clip (removable) and a cheap nylon holster. A good comparison would be approximately the size of dry erase marker, it is also the same thickness throughout its length, im not a fan of those skinny with a big head types for EDC. It uses 2 CR123 batteries (2 duracell cells included) and the little bugger casts as bright a light as my full size Stinger LED. I am also a fan of the fact that it HAS momentary on unlike the Fenix I previously carried (O.K., O.K., the Fenix did have momentaryt on, but it was a nuisance with the reverse on switch and twist switch) It has three modes, high, low and strobe. It is rated at two hours ish on high, six on strobe and eighteen on low. I also like that it is regulated, it will remain on high for its full run time and then drop to low (65 lumens) for the remainder of the battery life. Both the head and tail cap are crenalated so I can, should I choose to stand it on end, the tail cap is also recessed so I dont foresee accidental activation being an issue. The light also features high temp auto off, so if i do manage to leave the thing on in my pocket it will cut off before it burns me. The light itself was $50 which was a price I was more than happy to pay for the features I desired.
As always the staff at Streichers were awesome and answered all my many questions, they were also more than happy to let me try out a few different types without hesitation. Worst part of the morning was I forgot to pick up a box of carry ammo whilst I was there, with all the road construction, plymoth is akin to Canada to me.
Anyway I will get up some pictures and beamshots later on today and compare it to the fullsize Stinger LED. Thanks to all of you for your input.