LEO friend is interested in one.
I get that the UI is attractive in that role. The Streamlight SL-B26 ‘battery pack’ appears to be an 18650 w/USB charging; it apperars to be proprietary length.
Can anyone advise on a light for LEO use that has a very simple UI, with ‘H’ as a first available mode, and robust, life-depends-on-it quality?
Links to the Streamlight pages:
Light
Rechargeable cell
Thanks all.
slmjim
Klarus Xt2CR Pro. Tail switch has two buttons, in tac mode one is instant or on turbo, another is strobe. USB charging, I’m pretty sure it has boost driver. I’m not sure but as far as I know emitter is XHP35-HD - 5500k.
Can be used as weapon light, has double springs and optional switch pad for long guns.
I love mine and can absolutely recommend it.
Does he insist on keeping a strobe with quick access?
If not I would consider a convoy S2+ or S6.
With the 12 group mode set to 3 or 6 and no memory he would have instant high. Depending on which led he or you chose (many options) he would double his lumens and double the throw. It’d be 1/2 inch shorter. There are multiple 18650s with a type C charging port on the top that will fit in it.
If he’s happy with Cold White , and he probably is because he doesn’t know any better, then yeah that klarus above would be fine at 6500k.
You must have had some conversation with him about what he wants different in the next light. Share that.
If he needs much longer run times and brightness then it might be best to jump up to a 21700. But the size and how he carries it may become an issue. Ultimately a light with external type-c charging and a battery indicator is probably the best choice.
I use a 2L-X, and if I lost it today, I’d buy another just like it tomorrow. Is the user considering buying one, or replacing one with something else?
BTW, the SL-B26 is essentially an industry standard protected 18650 cell, and the 2L-X can use any such cell. Like most of my lights, it does require a button-top’ cell for its polarity protection. It can also be charged using any standard 18650 standalone charger. I use several different brands in mine. There is nothing “proprietary” about it. It’s the one SL sells / recommends because it meets their quality standards, and is the one used for their ANSI FL1 specifications testing, per the FL1 standard. The user may also choose to use unprotected cells if they don’t care about the protection.
He’s essentially a rookie, only been patrolling alone for a year or so. The SL light is on his Christmas wish list. I’ve not had a focused convo with him re: his light preference.
He’s a flashlight muggle, no disrespect intended. I don’t know what he’s carrying now.
Reading between the lines & in conversation with a retired LEO friend after I posted this inquiry, there’s an unofficial standardization of sorts among regional State posts for all Troopers to carry the same lights.
Their lights are tools that must be simple, robust & reliable as an anvil. Lives may depend on them.
A major consideration is, that any Trooper can pick up any other Trooper’s light & it will work the same.
I don’t believe color temp or CRI is an issue. Cold white for perceived brightness is OK, perhaps preferred.
I questioned the SL cell being proprietary because the specs state in two different places that the SL cell is ~7cm long:
Length 2.75 inches (6.98 centimeters)
DIMENSIONS: Length: 2.75 in (7.0 cm) Diameter: 0.744 in (1.89 cm) maximum
The length dimension of the SL cell is what caused me to question if any 18650 cell of standard dimensions would work, or if they would be too short.
I’m leaning very strongly to the SL light he requested.
Thanks, everyone, who posted responses to my inquiry.
EDIT: to correct abbrevations for Streamlight (SL).
slmjim
Streamlight makes the Streamlight HL-5X
Takes the same USB on battery charging.
But adding a couple of small magnets as spacers lets flat top 16850s work just fine.
Did a review a while ago.
On Cop TV shows I still see multi D cell Maglites. Still the king of the El-Ka-bong.
All the Best, Jeff
When you are referring to “SF”, are you referring to a particular Surefire light?
Mmmm… my bad. I intended to abbreviate Streamlight (SL).
slmjim