The Streamlight 88031 Tactical Flashlight has been a consistent 5 star product based on feedback from actual users. It is compact, strong, and durable. Aside from being a popular sports flashlight, it is also known to be used by persons of authority like firefighters and police. The price is reasonable considering the features that include 3 functions and the latest LED technology.
About the Streamlight 88031
The Streamlight 88031 Tactical flashlight is a sports flashlight that sells in the market. It is also known as the Streamlight ProTac flashlight and comes from a series of sporting flashlights. This particular model is 2L with white LED and is about the size of a marker. It has a clip for handy storage and uses the 2AA, 3 volt Lithium batteries; model CR123A (included with flashlight.) The batteries are disposable since Streamlight does not use rechargeable batteries in any of their products. In fact the company highly discourages using other types of batteries than what is recommended because it can damage the components and even be dangerous with substandard lithium batteries.
Streamlight calls itself a “hands-on” company that was established in 1973. They are actively involved in firefighter training, law enforcement use, sports activities like fishing, hunting, and many other outdoor sports, and have managed to rack up an impressive reputation for its safe lighting tools. Their flashlights are guaranteed to be safe even around explosive gases and highly toxic atmospheres. The company believes in its products so much they are willing to offer limited lifetime warranty.
The 88031 Tactical flashlights are small being a little over 7 inches long and weighing 4.8 ounces but its light is bright and solid from the powerful C4 LED. It has 3 program modes: the default is the high-strobe-low but you can program it to be only on high mode or only on low mode. To switch modes and function, there is a push button on the tail switch making it possible for a convenient one-handed operation.
All Streamlight flashlights have serial numbers so it is easy to identify a real versus a fake. It also meets the European Community standards on being energy efficient and observed certain safety standards. The new regulations were implemented this 2013 and applicable to all LED lighting devices and household lighting.
The high points of this model are that it is well-built and can handle a lot of wear and tear. The light is bright and has great throw. The C4 LED technology has a lifetime of 50,000 hours. On high mode, you get 260 lumens with a candela peak beam intensity of 5,600. With low mode, you have 13 lumens and a candela peak beam intensity of 300.
On the downside the clip tends to slip and the flashlight gets warm after keeping it on for some time. The strobe function is also a frustrating when you want to switch from high to low or vice versa. If you run on high mode, you enjoy 3 hours while on low mode the batteries will provide you with 50 hours use. Strobe mode has about 6 hour’s battery life usage.
Structurally, this Streamlight flashlight has an O-ring sealed impact-resistant glass with an anodized aluminum casing. It is waterproof for 1 meter and 30 minute duration. It claims to have an anti-roll head and an unbreakable pocket clip. It is also built to withstand a 2 meter drop.
Summary
As far as emergency and sports equipment is concerned, the Streamlight Tactical Flashlight is value-for-money, durable, and has been tested by professionals from different fields and has come out with impressive feedback. Since it follows U.S. and European standards, you know you will be getting a good product especially with the limited lifetime warranty. Also, unlike more flashlights, this one has batteries included.
Top 5 Main Features
- Depended on by emergency personnel like police, firefighters which speaks well for its performance and dependability
- The LED technology is guaranteed for 50,000 hours
- One-handed operation to switch between the 3 mode/function
- IPX7 Waterproof, shock proof, and equipped with impact-resistant glass
- Uses 2 disposable CR123A Lithium batteries that are included
Physical features
- Size: 4.75 inches (length) x 10.0 inches (height) x 1.5 inches (width)
- Weight: 4.8 ounces
- Battery Type: CR123A Lithium batteries, disposable
- Power/Lumens: 260 lumens for High Light mode, 13 lumens on Low mode. The older version of this model is 180 lumens on high mode
- Body: Alloy aluminum casing with pocket clip
- Warranty: Limited lifetime for the aluminum tube. The bulb will only be replaced if found to be defective. Other parts are guaranteed for 2 years except for normal wear and tear and abuse.
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