I recently purchased a small handheld flashlight from Streamlight called the MicroStream. I have been so impressed with it that I thought I would share my thoughts with my fellow INGOers.
First, some background:
I work for a management company that runs a hotel in Greenwood. As the Operations Manager, I have a very diverse set of responsibilities. One of those includes very detailed inspections of guest rooms. I must inspect underneath beds, behind furniture, under cabinets, and in dark corners.
This lead me to go on a search for a compact flashlight that I could, hopefully, clip right into my shirt pocket.
I started by purchasing an "LED pen light" from Walmart. It was about $3. TOTAL CRAP. It was completely useless out past 5 inches. I immediately tossed it a drawer and began looking at small Surefires. (might as well be "tacti-cool" at work too, right?)
I'm a big fan of Surefire lights, but they didn't have anything SUPER-small like I was looking for. They have the new "Backup" light, but its $100+.
That's when the Streamlight MicroStream caught my attention. I like Steamlight, and their other products I've used in the past were good quality.
So I ordered one from LAPG.com along with some other goodies. It cost me $20. I've seen other vendors sell them for as cheap as $16. This price was right, as even if it didn't fit the bill, I wasn't out $100. There is also a slightly longer version (2 batteries, 24 lumens) called the StylusPro for $25.
A week later I had it sitting on my doorstep.
Fit and finish are excellent. The metal body has a nice weight and feel to it, but still light enough to not weigh down my shirt pocket. The metal clip is very sturdy and holds on just tight enough. The tailcap clicky is positive, but won't come on accidentally. It also came with a lanyard and keyring, but I kept those in the box. It runs on a single AAA battery, not expensive CR123's. One battery will give it 1.5 hours of runtime.
The 20 lumen LED is awesome! I couldn't believe that much light could come from such a tiny package. Its plenty bright enough to light up a dark room.
But here is the BEST part: the size. This thing is SMALL! I can clip this to my pants pocket next to my folding knife. Or I can clip it to a shirt pocket. Either way, it rides comfortably without being noticed at all. But if/when I need a light, its always there.
In the past I tried to carry a "compact" Surefire with my EDC gear. But the G2 was still too bulky to just slip in a pocket. And an actual belt carrier would be like having an extra mag pouch.
This has solved all those issues. I now carry this EVERYWHERE I go. It gets picked up just like my folding knife, keys, and cell phone. And its an interesting thing, but when I started carrying the light I suddenly found all these handy uses for it. Its like I don't know how I survived all these years without one.
For example, in the first week I carried it I had two major uses for it. First, while at a Fall Party at my folk's place in Brown County, I managed to get a flat tire on the tractor (I had been giving hay rides and I was on my way back from dumping all the hay) at the very back corner of their property. I parked it and had to walk back to the house in complete darkness. But, with my new MicroStream I was able to take a detailed look at the tire, assess the situation, and then walk back to the house on foot without stumbling through the darkness. Later that week, at work, I had some guests complain of issues with their TV. I went to their room to help them solve their problem. Unfortunately, the wife was already asleep in bed, so the husband had most of the lights off. I wanted to look around the back of the TV, but it was totally dark and I couldn't see a thing. I quickly pulled out the MicroStream and discovered that their power cable had come loose. Quick fix and they were back in business. Lastly, it helps me every week when I do room inspections.
Now, I would not consider this a "replacement" for a combat light. This is more of a general purpose or task light. However, it could most certainly identify a potential threat and be brought into action using the same techniques used with larger handheld lights.
So, in closing, if you are someone who has been wanting to incorporate a handheld light into their EDC gear, but find most handhelds to be too "bulky", be sure to check out the MicroStream from Streamlight.
Streamlight - Key Chain Light Series - MicroStream
First, some background:
I work for a management company that runs a hotel in Greenwood. As the Operations Manager, I have a very diverse set of responsibilities. One of those includes very detailed inspections of guest rooms. I must inspect underneath beds, behind furniture, under cabinets, and in dark corners.
This lead me to go on a search for a compact flashlight that I could, hopefully, clip right into my shirt pocket.
I started by purchasing an "LED pen light" from Walmart. It was about $3. TOTAL CRAP. It was completely useless out past 5 inches. I immediately tossed it a drawer and began looking at small Surefires. (might as well be "tacti-cool" at work too, right?)
I'm a big fan of Surefire lights, but they didn't have anything SUPER-small like I was looking for. They have the new "Backup" light, but its $100+.
That's when the Streamlight MicroStream caught my attention. I like Steamlight, and their other products I've used in the past were good quality.
So I ordered one from LAPG.com along with some other goodies. It cost me $20. I've seen other vendors sell them for as cheap as $16. This price was right, as even if it didn't fit the bill, I wasn't out $100. There is also a slightly longer version (2 batteries, 24 lumens) called the StylusPro for $25.
A week later I had it sitting on my doorstep.
Fit and finish are excellent. The metal body has a nice weight and feel to it, but still light enough to not weigh down my shirt pocket. The metal clip is very sturdy and holds on just tight enough. The tailcap clicky is positive, but won't come on accidentally. It also came with a lanyard and keyring, but I kept those in the box. It runs on a single AAA battery, not expensive CR123's. One battery will give it 1.5 hours of runtime.
The 20 lumen LED is awesome! I couldn't believe that much light could come from such a tiny package. Its plenty bright enough to light up a dark room.
But here is the BEST part: the size. This thing is SMALL! I can clip this to my pants pocket next to my folding knife. Or I can clip it to a shirt pocket. Either way, it rides comfortably without being noticed at all. But if/when I need a light, its always there.
In the past I tried to carry a "compact" Surefire with my EDC gear. But the G2 was still too bulky to just slip in a pocket. And an actual belt carrier would be like having an extra mag pouch.
This has solved all those issues. I now carry this EVERYWHERE I go. It gets picked up just like my folding knife, keys, and cell phone. And its an interesting thing, but when I started carrying the light I suddenly found all these handy uses for it. Its like I don't know how I survived all these years without one.
For example, in the first week I carried it I had two major uses for it. First, while at a Fall Party at my folk's place in Brown County, I managed to get a flat tire on the tractor (I had been giving hay rides and I was on my way back from dumping all the hay) at the very back corner of their property. I parked it and had to walk back to the house in complete darkness. But, with my new MicroStream I was able to take a detailed look at the tire, assess the situation, and then walk back to the house on foot without stumbling through the darkness. Later that week, at work, I had some guests complain of issues with their TV. I went to their room to help them solve their problem. Unfortunately, the wife was already asleep in bed, so the husband had most of the lights off. I wanted to look around the back of the TV, but it was totally dark and I couldn't see a thing. I quickly pulled out the MicroStream and discovered that their power cable had come loose. Quick fix and they were back in business. Lastly, it helps me every week when I do room inspections.
Now, I would not consider this a "replacement" for a combat light. This is more of a general purpose or task light. However, it could most certainly identify a potential threat and be brought into action using the same techniques used with larger handheld lights.
So, in closing, if you are someone who has been wanting to incorporate a handheld light into their EDC gear, but find most handhelds to be too "bulky", be sure to check out the MicroStream from Streamlight.
Streamlight - Key Chain Light Series - MicroStream
Last edited:
:
