Looking for a new forward-clicky 10440 light

I’ve been carrying a Streamlight Microstream for about a month and running it almost exclusively on Efest IMR 10440s. It worked great, but the switch broke a couple days ago. Jumping the battery to the body makes it work, so it definitely didn’t burn out the driver or emitter. I imagine I can get a warranty replacement, but I’m not sure I trust this model anymore, and would like something else for EDC. I want:

  • A forward clicky switch, or at least a forward momentary switch
  • One-mode, multi-mode that always starts on high or multi-mode with memory
  • A good pocket clip; I really like the double-folded design on the Microstream
  • Bright when run on 10440s. I don’t know exactly how bright the Microstream was, but comparing it to my Nitecore SRT5 (750lm), I’d say it lit about half the area at the same intensity; I want similar performance.
  • Less than $50 (a well-equipped Peak Eiger would be great, but with the add-on momentary switch and pocket clip, it’s about $100)

It would be nice if it had a boost circuit so it could run on AAAs too, but that’s not a requirement.

That’s a tough one. Maybe the Pelican 1910? I prefer this light over the Microstream. The build quality is a little better and I like the feel of the forward switch a lot better.

Right now, the Pelican is the leading candidate.

This DQG also looks kind of appealing if I had a good way to attach a clip to it and assuming the quoted 60 lumens is for AAA, with 10440 producing more.

I’ve tried a few. I still have two Microstreams from when they were first released and never had a problem. I dont believe that li-ion was supported but I heard that it was a blast.

Take a look at some of these if they are still available:

Lumapower LM21
Lumentop Tool AAA
47s Preon (if you’re want to take a chance on the 10440)

Edit: forget everything that I wrote. I forgot that you wanted a forward switch. These are all reverse click switches with multiple modes.

Li-ion still isn’t recommended or even mentioned in any of the documentation for the Microstream, but it’s fairly widely known to work. I have the feeling mine failed mechanically, not electrically, as the light will sometimes flash when I click the switch, and does come on if I press and hold the switch firmly.

Has anyone had any luck with the newest version of the Microstream working with the 10440 Battery? I have had a MS for years and have been using it with a 10440 battery with no issues. Recently I wanted to buy a backup so I have a spare but the 10440 battery won’t even turn on in the MS. I did some digging and found out that there are 3 versions of the Microstream:

New Streamlight Microstream C4 (Gen 3):
Light Output: 35 Lumens
Runtime: 2h 30m (however the Product Fact Sheet states 2.25 hours in the text but 2.5 hours on the chart)
Beam Distance: 38m
Peak Beam Intensity: 360cd
Water Resistance: IPX4
Year Introduced: 2014

Old Streamlight Microstream C4 (Gen 2):
Light Output: 28 Lumens
Runtime: 2h 15m
Beam Distance: 52m
Peak Beam Intensity: 683cd
Water Resistance: IPX4
Year Introduced: 2011

Original Streamlight Microstream (Gen 1):
Light Output: 20 Lumens
Runtime: 1h 30 m
Beam Distance: ?
Peak Beam Intensity: 683cd
Water Resistance: IPX4
Year Introduced: 2007

With I’ve learned is the Gen 1 lights had a red packaging and had a small mirror on the package. Gen 2 was white packaging and came with an extra push button for it. Gen 3 is the newest with 35 lumens clearly marked on the back. Now, I also discovered that sometime in 2013 during gen 2 production, they started putting the serial numbers and date codes etched in to the light under the Streetlight logo. So… Since my 10440 battery wouldn’t work in the newest generation, I searched and searched to find an Gen 2 light. It still would not work with the Lithium battery. I compared the lights and the only difference I can find is the date code in the battery compartment. The light that works is 7/2011 and the one that didn’t is a 12/2012 date code. Has anyone else experienced this or found a solution. I’m guessing that they have a voltage meter in the device that won’t let it run above or below a certain voltage. So now I have to search for one with an older date code.

There is no light that I can find as small as a Microstream and as bright with the 10440 battery in it.

Anyone else had any luck or experience with this??

Dan

I’m assuming the second set of numbers after the serial number is the date code. Mine is 0414, and it works with both Efest and Interstate (actual manufacturer unknown) 10440s. Both had issues making contact; I had to add a dollop of solder to the flat tops of the Efest cells, and the Interstate cells are a bit short and need some kind of spacer to make contact reliably.

The Pelican looks to be slightly bigger. Reading the specs, the Lumapower LM21 looks to be smaller, and with a claimed 450lm from an XP-G2 on a 10440, should be brighter. I don’t like that it starts on low and uses power cycling to change modes. If you don’t mind that, I think you’ve found your new light.

Zak,

You were exactly correct. I added a drop of solder to the battery and it now works perfectly! The tip of the 10440 wasn’t quite long enough to make contact. Now it works perfectly!

Thanks for the help!

Dan

Fenix LD02

Hi Zak,

Ii’m not sure if you have looked at the Fenix, i picked one up yesterday. Nice little light! AAA, forward clicky, 3 modes, pocket clip.

Looks to be reverse-clicky, not forward, starts in medium and I’m finding claims that it refuses to turn on with a 10440. It’s also more expensive than the Lumapower LM21, which is what I’d currently lean toward if I was compromising the start-on-high thing.

hey zak, did you ever find a new light?
im searching for the exact same light you were at the time, so if you found one, please let us know.

the only real contender i have found was the pelican 1910, but i cant seem to get hard facts whether it will accept 10440’s or not.

I hope the image loads, this is my first attempt to load an image on this site.

These are G2 and G3 Microstreams for reference. The left one (G2) date is 10/12, the right one (G3) date is 5/14. Notice the G3 is just a little longer than the G2, almost as if they designed it to use a 10440 cell. I am running Efest 10440 cells in both lights and they both work great. the slightly longer 10440 definitely fits the G3 better. The G2 has a tighter spot therefor a little better throw but the G3 is just as bright and lights a room a little better. Just looking at the emitter they are clearly different LEDs and I have no idea what they are. Not only is the G3 slightly longer but it runs cooler on the high voltage cells, one more reason it seems like they designed this light to take 10440s. You can tell by the picture that I clearly carry the G3 most. This light has been my EDC for just over a year now.

Best Value 10440 AAA clicky —

Original GB SS AAA light from last year , arranged by member. “the
Great lights—I ended up buying 13 pcs. I believe the Gearbest code still works to make it only $5.99. :slight_smile:

One mode light w not-the-strongest clip. For me anyway, perfect pocket light.
( IMHO The CW was perfect. The “neutral” version was actually quite warm)

Current GB being arranged for this light with Nichia emitter for just $1 more !!
( not sure about 10440…)

You should choose UltraTac K18. The K18 is one of the smallest AAA flashlight with a side switch. Though the K18 is small, but it offers a powerful 360 lumens floodlight with 3 brightness levels by using a 10440 li-ion battery. It also offers a 110 lumens output by using a single AAA battery. The side button switch allows you to select between three brightness and strobe by easy one-handed operation.

The price is $21.95 on Goinggear
http://goinggear.com/new/ultratac-k18-1x-aaa-360-lumens-cree-xp-g2-led-keychain-flashlight.html

I write reviews (published so far: Olight M3XS-UT Javelot, Fenix TK61, Nitecore HC30). How about sending me one?

PM them lol

Thanks, please PM me your email address.