Streamlight has been making top quality flashlights for over 50 years now. Yet somehow each year they manage to come out with new and even better offerings than the year before. 2023 is no exception.
Protac 2.0 Series
Streamlight’s Protac series of lights have been a hit since they first debuted in 2010. New models continue to be released and 2023 is no exception. This year, the Protac line gets a big power upgrade with a new SL-B50 Li-ion battery pack that charges via a USB-C cord. What is really cool is you don’t have to remove the battery to charge the light as there is a charging port on the light itself. This powerful system allows the new lights to put out a blistering 2,000 lumens! Each of the new lights has TEN-TAP programming and a variety of lighting modes. The new lights include the Protac 2.0, Protac Headlamp and the Protac 2.0 Rail Mount weapon light.
Syclone Jr.
The Syclone Jr. work light is going to be your new favorite all around lighting tool. This little guy is so handy you will want more than one. It is a 210 lumen rechargeable light with a swivel head and features a magnetic base with a hanging hook. The built in lithium polymer battery recharges in 4.5 hours and puts out 210 lumens for 3.75 hours or 85 lumens for a whopping 8.5 hours! You will find you can use this tool as a handheld flashlight, area light, work light or just keep it handy for emergencies.
Stinger Color-Rite
The Stinger has been around for several decades. I know this because I used to carry one on my belt as a young patrol officer in the 1990s. This light served me well as a back-up to my SL-20 duty light. My original Stinger had a Xenon bulb and was considered pretty bright back then. Of course, it pales by today’s standards. One thing about it, though, you could discern colors pretty well. The downside of the LED craze is we tend to lose the ability to see colors properly. This can be important if you’re trying to accurately relate what something looked like. Streamlight has solved this with their new Stinger Color-Rite flashlight. Using what is called a High Color Rendering Index LED, you are able to see the color spectrum as you would in natural light. You can immediately tell the difference when you turn the light on and see the bright but soft, warm beam. This light still puts out 500 lumens and features three modes plus strobe. This is a great light for Law Enforcement, Security and anyone else who wants to see colors accurately in the dark.
Beartrap
Streamlight has a history of making useful and unique work lights and the Beartrap is one of the best examples of this. Once I had one of these, I wondered what I did without it. It has a 2,000 lumen flood beam and a 1,000 lumen spot beam. It features some crazy long run times and can even be charged while it is being used. The coolest thing about it is how many ways it can be used for hands-free operation. It has a strong spring clamp (hence the term Beartrap), a magnetic base, a hanging hook and it can stand on its own. It is designed to withstand most automotive chemicals as well as being IPX4 water resistant. Whether you are in the barn, woods, garage or in your house during a power outage, this is the light you want to have handy.
It’s hard to believe Streamlight has been putting out great lights for over 50 years. I’ve been using them for over 30 years and thought they were amazing way back then. I can’t wait to see what the next decade brings.