Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I am having a hard time choosing which flashlight to buy.

I currently have it narrowed down to:

1. Stinger XT -- 15,000 Candlepower | 1000 Charges

2. Streamlight SL-20X -- 30,000 Candlepower | 1000 Charges

3. Maglite Rechargeable -- 40,000 Candlepower | 1000 Charges

BTW, I need this for a Police Cadet job. I will be riding along with an officer and getting in and out of vehicles frequently.

#1. For the officers on the board, do you prefer big or small flashlights?
I know I want a really bright flashlight, but I am having a hard time
deciding which one to pick because of my lack of experience.

#2. For anyone who has used the Maglite Rechargeable -- Is it really bright?
I own a non-rechargeable Maglite of the same size and it doesn't seem that bright. However, I have talked to others and they have told me that the rechareable flashlight is alot brighter -- Anyone else find the same?

Thanks,
av8er

BTW, I did a search already: Didn't find exactly what I was looking for.

I have 2 of the regular Stingers. Stingers are good flashlights and are durable. I did have 1 battery go bad because I kept recharging without running the battery down.

The only Maglight I have is the 4 D cell backup.

Size is a matter of preference. Big flashlights are helpful on roadside SFST because they fit under the arm better than the small ones. I personally like the small Stingers.

More info would be useful. What will the flashlight be used for? How much runtime do you want/expect? How much do you want to spend? How will you be carrying it? Are you planning on getting a spare battery? Would you like the option of modifying it in the future? Do you prefer a switch on the back end or on the barrel near the head? ETC

You can ride along and "get in and out of vehicles frequently" with ANY flashlight...

"Big" and "small" are relative terms.

"Bright" is also a relative term. A stock Magcharger will definitely be much brighter than a stock D-cell Mag. A stock Magcharger is not as bright as a stock UltraStinger (etal). A stock Magcharger can easily be modified/upgraded to produce more light and run longer.

www.CandlePowerForums.com
www.FlashlightReviews.com

I have 2 of the regular Stingers. Stingers are good flashlights and are durable. I did have 1 battery go bad because I kept recharging without running the battery down.

The only Maglight I have is the 4 D cell backup.Darin, I think the contents of your duty bag and my duty bag must look very similar.

On the belt is a Stinger XT.

In the bag is a black, 4 D-cell Maglite, specifically for traffic control duty, etc.

Also in the bag is a fresh backup battery stick for the XT. That way, I can run the first stick until it's spent, THEN go to the second one - which means the first one won't make it back for recharge until it's truly ready.

av8er: You can get the Stinger XT and, if you want more CP, just pick up the HP head upgrade - turns the XT into a 40,000 candlepower HP for $24.

http://www.copsplus.com/prodnum2284.php

Darin, I think the contents of your duty bag and my duty bag must look very similar.

On the belt is a Stinger XT.

In the bag is a black, 4 D-cell Maglite, specifically for traffic control duty, etc.

Also in the bag is a fresh backup battery stick for the XT. That way, I can run the first stick until it's spent, THEN go to the second one - which means the first one won't make it back for recharge until it's truly ready.

On my belt is the Stinger. I have a backup Stinger in my bag as well as a backup Maglight to my backup stinger.:rolleyes: Yeah I still have rookie-itis


I'm glad i have 2 Stingers. If you search a car, it'll run down quickly. If I run out of juice I just get my backup.

Does anyone ever consider the Inova T3 or T4? Both are amazing flashlights and far more durable than stingers. I know I've just insulted many hardcore stinger fans but (and stingers are great lights) more people need to give inovas a shot IMO.

At one point, I had two T3s - liked them a lot. Pros and Cons of LEDs vs Incandescents aside - if you look at the performance charts on FlashlightReviews.com, however, you'll see that in terms of output the SL Stinger way outperforms both the T3 and T4. Curiously, the T3 also outperformed the T4. But both the T3 and T4 offer over twice the runtime of the Stinger (on the stock battery pack)...

For you Stinger owners, I highly recommend switching to NiMH powered battery packs...

For you Stinger owners, I highly recommend switching to NiMH powered battery packs...
Does Stinger make that battery pack for the Stinger? Even though I just bought a new battery for it...are the original batteries Nicad?

AFAIK, Streamlight hasn't started offering NiMH yet. One place to buy a ready-made NiMH battery stick for the Stinger is here: http://www.geocities.com/superbatterys/index.html

IIRC, the Stinger takes 3x sub C 1.2v batteries (stock is NiCd). You can buy NiMH sub C's at many places on the internet. Here's one that shows the dimensions/specs of one brand: http://www.batterieswholesale.com/products_batteries/nimh/nimh-rechargeable-sub-c-3000-hp.htm

AFAIK, Streamlight hasn't started offering NiMH yet. One place to buy a ready-made NiMH battery stick for the Stinger is here: http://www.geocities.com/superbatterys/index.html


I wished I would have known about this before I bought my Stinger replacement battery. Anyone use the 2 hour battery and does it work as advertised?

I used the Streamlight SL-20X at my last job and I loved it. I purchased a Streamlight Ultra-Stinger for my academy and this flashlight is even better. 75,000 candle power, 1 hour continuous use, and it only weighs a pound. I don't personally like maglite but that's just me.

I wished I would have known about this before I bought my Stinger replacement battery.What's $20? :)

I'm glad i have 2 Stingers. If you search a car, it'll run down quickly.Not if you're good.

w00t! w00t! :D

Before I got my Maglight I was thinking of the kind that everybody has around the house. The rechargable is incredibly bright. I have been impressed.

I wished I would have known about this before I bought my Stinger replacement battery. Anyone use the 2 hour battery and does it work as advertised?

This is what I would do to my Stinger (if I had one):

First, buy a HP head. Then:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=105917

Pila batteries available here:
https://www.jsburlys.com/shop/index.php?cPath=22

If you go the 18650 Li-Ion battery route (cheaper):
[charger] http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=79927
[batteries, I would get the protected ones] http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=97268

Total $ won't be cheap - you could probably buy another light. BUT the form factor/performance would be something else!

I have two Stingers.

1 is a regular stinger always on my belt as a backup.

The other is the ULTRA stinger I carry as my primary flashlight. Its a longer light so it could be used as an impact weapon. The 75,000 candlepower is a hell of a lot of light, trust me.

I have a Stinger as a primary on my belt and a compact Surefire also on my belt for a back up.

I also keep a 2 million candle power rechargeable spotlight in the car for foot patrol searches.

You might be interested in this CPF thread: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=104722

This one might be good too: http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=106698

I'm really leaning towards the SL-20x (30,000 CP) or the Stinger XTHP (40,000 CP), can anyone recommend a good holder/holster for either?

Any complaints on either of these?

I have heard the head on the Stinger XTHP was too big . . .

I have 2 of the regular Stingers. Stingers are good flashlights and are durable. I did have 1 battery go bad because I kept recharging without running the battery down.

Really? I just got a Stinger at work, and read the instructions (hey, who doesn't read the instructions for a flashlight? lol). It says in there that you are supposed to leave on the charger any time not in use, and that memory effect is not an issue with flashlights. Should I instruct my officers to only charge it once it gets low? It came with the fast charger.

Really? I just got a Stinger at work, and read the instructions (hey, who doesn't read the instructions for a flashlight? lol). It says in there that you are supposed to leave on the charger any time not in use, and that memory effect is not an issue with flashlights. Should I instruct my officers to only charge it once it gets low? It came with the fast charger.
Hmmm I dunno....I never read instructions :rolleyes: :D

The battery in my Stinger wouldn't hold a charge. I just figured it was from charging it before it ran down. The flashlight was about 2 years old.

One thing I wonder. It says 1000 charges. Does that mean 1000 full out and recharge, or 1000 times on the charger?

One thing I wonder. It says 1000 charges. Does that mean 1000 full out and recharge, or 1000 times on the charger?
Since you are supposed to drain the battery and charge it fully 1000 times in the charger would be full out recharges.

One SL CSR told me that it was ok to leave my US in the charger when not in use (to keep it ready). OTOH, it is my understanding that keeping a NiCd battery on a charger (especially an unsophisticated one) can and will reduce its performance. Personally, however right/wrong it may be, I don't leave my light on the charger (for more than overnight) and try to fully (almost) discharge and then recharge my NiCd batteries at least once a month.

among the multitude of related articles:
http://www.greenbatteries.com/nibafa.html
http://www.repairfaq.org/ELE/F_NiCd_Memory.html
http://www.buchmann.ca/chap10-page1.asp

2 words: Blackhawk Gladius (http://www.botac.com/gladius.html)

That's probably overkill for Cadet work.

Since you are supposed to drain the battery and charge it fully 1000 times in the charger would be full out recharges.


I turn mine on every couple months or so and let them drain out just until they start to dim. It does recommend not letting the battery get past that point though.

2 words: Blackhawk Gladius (http://www.botac.com/gladius.html)

That's probably overkill for Cadet work.

As an aside - my most recent order with Botach was 3 pairs of 5.11 pants (and knee pads). Before checking out, I noticed that I could have added a Gladius to my order for something like $180 or so (don't remember the exact price but not too shabby!) - I'm assuming it was due to my purchase of the other items...

Also Btw, YMMV with Botach! (knock on wood, I've never had a major problem and, fortunately, I also have the option of physically going there)

Reposted since this got lost in the charger discussion

I'm really leaning towards the SL-20x (30,000 CP) or the Stinger XTHP (40,000 CP), can anyone recommend a good holder/holster for either?

Any complaints on either of these? Is 30,000 CP bright engough for my use (Cadet). Should I have a large one and a small one?

I have heard the head on the Stinger XTHP was too big . . .

On a side note, you officers that carry stingers do you carry them in an open or closed top holder? Reason I ask is I have an Inova T4 (same approximate size as the Stinger) and have ebay bids on both Bianchi Accumold closed and open holders. I'm just not sure which I should really try to win. The open should go for cheaper but it seems like the light may take a bit abuse (lens scratches etc.). Any thoughts are appreciated.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, feel free to PM me.

Regarding the NiCd charging debate: someone at CPF had a theory that as long as the battery is down to about 90% of its capacity, you won't do any damage topping it off. His theory was that leaving it on the charger was what did the damage.

2 words: Blackhawk Gladius (http://www.botac.com/gladius.html)

A $250 flashlight :eek:

Reposted since this got lost in the charger discussion

I'm really leaning towards the SL-20x (30,000 CP) or the Stinger XTHP (40,000 CP), can anyone recommend a good holder/holster for either?

Any complaints on either of these? Is 30,000 CP bright engough for my use (Cadet). Should I have a large one and a small one?

I have heard the head on the Stinger XTHP was too big . . .

I don't know of any (which doesn't mean there Aren't any) of our Patrol deputies who carries his/her primary light in a holder/holster - it's usually in a hand, under the arm, in a sap pocket, etc. You can get a ring holder (similar to a side handle baton ring holder) for a light and there is an open top, open bottom leather "sleeve/collar" holder especially made for the sl20 that a lot of deputies in Custody use but I can't think of the brand/model right now (I don't use it).

I don't have any complaints about those choices, I just prefer something different, for different reasons.

"too big" is also relative. A bigger head means it will kill a stock Stinger for throw. A bigger head may mean that you won't be able to easily slip it into a pocket.

Recommend you go to a well-equipped store so you can go hands on with your options.

Go with the stinger XT. My father, a home inspector, has the 15K streamlight. Another home inspector has the Ultrastinger (75K) and my father poke fun at the maglight users because the streamlights absoulty kill the mags. I use the XT HP and I love it. Its smaller than my 3D mag and much much more powerful. Go for the XT HP

A $250 flashlight :eek:
You won't make much of a detective. They list for ONLY $234 but I got mine for a mere $180. :D

As an aside - my most recent order with Botach was 3 pairs of 5.11 pants (and knee pads). Before checking out, I noticed that I could have added a Gladius to my order for something like $180 or so (don't remember the exact price but not too shabby!) - I'm assuming it was due to my purchase of the other items...

Also Btw, YMMV with Botach! (knock on wood, I've never had a major problem and, fortunately, I also have the option of physically going there)
I made an order from Botach and got it for $180.

On a side note, you officers that carry stingers do you carry them in an open or closed top holder? Reason I ask is I have an Inova T4 (same approximate size as the Stinger) and have ebay bids on both Bianchi Accumold closed and open holders. I'm just not sure which I should really try to win. The open should go for cheaper but it seems like the light may take a bit abuse (lens scratches etc.). Any thoughts are appreciated.

I don't mean to hijack the thread, feel free to PM me.
My stinger I carried in an open top leather holster.

My Gladius I carry lens down in a Kydex holster by Blade-Tech.http://www.blade-tech.com/product.php?productid=954&cat=0&page=1&featured They make the holsters for other lights too.

You won't make much of a detective. They list for ONLY $234 but I got mine for a mere $180. :D
http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=4427&d=


Taken directly off Blackhawks website. $249.95 and I think they will offer "free" shipping.:rolleyes:

http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=4427&d=


Taken directly off Blackhawks website. $249.95 and I think they will offer "free" shipping.:rolleyes:
See what I mean? Poor detective skills. If you look around a little you'll save a whopping $15. :D

I like the stinger for my belt... the big one is nice though as the loop can be used as a belt-keeper as well. Plus, if you already have the a flashlight in your hand when you're dealing with someone, it could be used as an impact tool - the stinger cannot.

A fellow LEO used to carry a small clip on flashlight (disposable i think - don't know where he got them), and cliped it to the shoulder of his vest... when he was checking ID or dealing with something that needed light in front of him (the range was not good like other lights), this little thing lit up well.

I recently saw a stinger light that can be affixed to the butt end of your ASP baton. (you can also get the stingers when the jagged edge for close combat) But this way you can have the length and impact tool performace of the maglight (via extending your ASP), or you just have a skinny flashlight that is now only a little bigger than your ASP closed...

I know it didn't help, but something to consider :P

I have two Stingers.

1 is a regular stinger always on my belt as a backup.

The other is the ULTRA stinger I carry as my primary flashlight. Its a longer light so it could be used as an impact weapon. The 75,000 candlepower is a hell of a lot of light, trust me.


I just bought the ULTRA Stinger. I absolutely love it. It's super light and super bright.

I carry a maglite as a backup light/impact weapon. If we are checking bars or going to a disturbance, I bring it out in case I have to make a "lasting impact".