A-MAC
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- Jul 12, 2014
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Review - Streamlight Microstream USB
This was sent to me by Streamlight for review and I appreciate it.
The Microstream is an Icon in my opinion. It always filled a gap that other companies just never seemed to have an eye on. In total I own at least five original Microstreams. They have always been well made, versatile, budget friendly, easy to operate and reliable. For around $20, the Streamlight Microstream is the Ontario Rat of the flashlight world which made it tough to complain when you’re already getting so much for so little. Thank you Streamlight for listening to customers. With this latest revision they’ve added USB charging, a second mode, a more neutral colored LED and have only doubled the price.
As most of you know the original Microstream is a single mode AAA light with a forward clicky switch which put out 45 lumens of cool white light. The newest version gives you a low mode of around 50 lumens and a high of around 250 lumens. The LED is much more neutral colored and the beam pattern has been widened thanks to an optic verses the usual reflector. Streamlight provides their branded 10440 lithium ion battery with this light and a short USB charge cord. The charge port is accessed by pulling the o-ring sealed collar forward.
Just for fun I turned it on in high and let it run. After an hour or so it began to stop down but never got hot or even warm to the touch, and I’d say at that point it stepped down to low. It ran another couple hours or so (3 hours total) it stepped down again. It continued to produce usable light, be it a bright moonlight, for another 5 hours (8 hours total) at that point I turned it off for fear of damaging the 10440. Recharge from this point took 2.5 hours and it’s still running like a champ. The added true 10440 support is great but I alway ran my Microstream on a 10440 with no problems making it an absolute powerhouse with the understanding that I’d probably destroy my $20 light.
This newest version is slightly longer than the original but not enough to bother me. While charging a red LED indicates so and a green one lets you know it’s done. It retains the same great two way pocket clip and matte black finish with just enough texture. The same minimalist packaging is employed and the same lanyard we all throw away comes with it. It comes on in low and a quick double press puts you in high mode. The beam pattern is very smooth and much wider than I’m used to from a Microstream. Also, many complained about the very cool white color the LED produced, I’d say 6k or better. I’d conservatively say it’s much closer to 5k now and is just about perfect for me.
All in all, for the price Streamlight has made an already great product better. Usually I cringe when I hear that an already great product is getting a makeover but they hit it out of the park with this one.
This was sent to me by Streamlight for review and I appreciate it.
The Microstream is an Icon in my opinion. It always filled a gap that other companies just never seemed to have an eye on. In total I own at least five original Microstreams. They have always been well made, versatile, budget friendly, easy to operate and reliable. For around $20, the Streamlight Microstream is the Ontario Rat of the flashlight world which made it tough to complain when you’re already getting so much for so little. Thank you Streamlight for listening to customers. With this latest revision they’ve added USB charging, a second mode, a more neutral colored LED and have only doubled the price.
As most of you know the original Microstream is a single mode AAA light with a forward clicky switch which put out 45 lumens of cool white light. The newest version gives you a low mode of around 50 lumens and a high of around 250 lumens. The LED is much more neutral colored and the beam pattern has been widened thanks to an optic verses the usual reflector. Streamlight provides their branded 10440 lithium ion battery with this light and a short USB charge cord. The charge port is accessed by pulling the o-ring sealed collar forward.
Just for fun I turned it on in high and let it run. After an hour or so it began to stop down but never got hot or even warm to the touch, and I’d say at that point it stepped down to low. It ran another couple hours or so (3 hours total) it stepped down again. It continued to produce usable light, be it a bright moonlight, for another 5 hours (8 hours total) at that point I turned it off for fear of damaging the 10440. Recharge from this point took 2.5 hours and it’s still running like a champ. The added true 10440 support is great but I alway ran my Microstream on a 10440 with no problems making it an absolute powerhouse with the understanding that I’d probably destroy my $20 light.
This newest version is slightly longer than the original but not enough to bother me. While charging a red LED indicates so and a green one lets you know it’s done. It retains the same great two way pocket clip and matte black finish with just enough texture. The same minimalist packaging is employed and the same lanyard we all throw away comes with it. It comes on in low and a quick double press puts you in high mode. The beam pattern is very smooth and much wider than I’m used to from a Microstream. Also, many complained about the very cool white color the LED produced, I’d say 6k or better. I’d conservatively say it’s much closer to 5k now and is just about perfect for me.
All in all, for the price Streamlight has made an already great product better. Usually I cringe when I hear that an already great product is getting a makeover but they hit it out of the park with this one.
