Preface
The Strion series has a new model (Streamlight Strion® 2020) with more output but with a new proprietary battery as well.
Packaging & First Impressions
This is what the light will come with as shown below.
- The review sample arrived in a box packaging.
- The threads and o-ring were lightly lubricated. Threads were rather smooth and clean (no gritty feeling).
- The tail and side switches require a somewhat firm and deliberate press to activate and helps in preventing any unwanted activation of the light.
- Anodizing of the light is uniform without any missing specs.
- No holster (optional accessory) and/or pocket clip is provided.
- The battery compartment holds the provided proprietary Streamlight rechargeable 18650 3450mAh battery (No. 74436) and this battery will require the Strion charger to be recharged. The Strion 2020 will not work with other batteries.
Front:
Back:
Sides:
Box Contents:
Quick Overview (Manufacturer Specifications)
- Body Material: Black HAIII Aluminum
- Battery Format: Streamlight proprietary 1 x 18650 3450mAh battery (No. 74436)
- Output & Runtime (with included Streamlight 3450mAh battery):
- Low – (120 lumens / 12h)
- Mid – (460 lumens / 5h 30min)
- High – (1200 lumens / 1h 45min)
- Strobe – (3h 30min)
- Max Beam Distance: 335m
- Beam intensity: 28,000cd
- Waterproofness: IPX-7 Standard (1m)
- Impact Resistance: 2m
- Dimension: 161mm (length) x 31.8mm (head diameter) / 24.1mm (body diameter)
- Weight: 161.6g (including battery)
- Accessories Included:
- 1*Streamlight 74436 (18650 3450mAh) proprietary battery
- 1*Streamlight 74102 Charger Holder
- 1*Streamlight 22062 [240V AC/12V DC (UK) Charge Cord]
- 1*Streamlight 22071 (100V/120V AC USB Charge Cord)
- 1*Streamlight 22071 (12V DC Charge Cord)
- 2*Streamlight 75911 (screws for mounting the Charger Holder)
- MSRP: ~$170
UI (User Interface)
UI for this light is perfect for a Bug-Out Bag (BOB) or walking/hiking/search & rescue light as it is extremely straightforward to use.
Switching ON and OFF is done by the side or tail mechanical switch on the light, so momentary activation is possible.
Mode Select Switch
The Mode Select Switch operates independently from the side or tail mechanical switches. This enable the user to pre-select the desired mode before switch ON the flashlight or easily switch to the desired mode when the flashlight is already ON.
MID Mode
HIGH Mode
Normal Operation
From OFF:
- 1/2 Press (Side or Tail) – Direct access to MOMENTARY Mode (mode is dependent on Mode Select Switch); releasing it will switch the light OFF & Full Press to select MODE.
- 1 Click – Direct access to Mode (mode is dependent on Mode Select Switch).
From ON:
- 1 Click – Light will switch OFF.
- 2 Clicks – Direct access to Strobe; 1 Click to switch OFF or 2 Click to return to previous Mode.
Battery Status Indicator
The Side Switch has a LED indicator that will activate when the flashlight is first switched ON or when Mode Select Switch is activated to show battery status as follows:
- Green – Sufficient battery (see below photo)
- Red – Low battery, please recharge
- Flashing Red – Need to be recharged immediately
Form Factor
For flashlights that are intended to use for a BOB or walking/hiking/search & rescue usages and for possibly an extended period of time, form factor is extremely important.
This light feels relatively well balanced in a medium sized hand (slightly head-heavy). Switching between overhand and underhand holding method is easy with its form factor. The grooves and knurling on the body of the light ensures that it will always be “grippy”, even with wet hands/gloves. The Mode Select Switch is large enough to easily switch modes with gloves.
Unfortunately, this Strion model will not be able to tail-stand due to the protruding tail switch.
For a light at this price point, it could really use a complimentary holster to complete the package.
Charging Process
The flashlight will not be able to operate during the charging process.
The RED indicator depicts charging in progress and FLASHING RED indicator depicts charging has completed.
Beam Style/Beamshots
For this light, the spill, corona and hotspot is somewhat predictable due to the rather large TIR (Total Internal Reflection) optic. The LED is fully covered under the TIR optics. With the LED used, the beam is rather “throwy” for recognizing items in the mid to slightly further distance.
The above beam profile is a rough interpretation of what is seen when white wall hunting. The beam has a wide circular hotspot with some slight corona and some spill (almost all of the beam produced is focused into the hotspot). There are some beam artifacts in the beam when whitewall hunting but not visible in real world usage.
All of the beamshots taken below are done so with the following camera settings LOW: 1/5sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB, MID: 1/8sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB and HIGH: 1/13sec, F3.5, ISO100, 5000K WB.
Some pictures have been adjusted slightly to depict as close as to what is seen in real life. The distance of the light from the door is 4.6m.
Control shot:
LOW (120 lumens):
MID (460 lumens):
HIGH (1200 lumens):
Mode (Output) Spacing
Mode spacing appears to be progressively brighter to the eye and the modes are well spaced enough to be able to know which mode one is currently in. With that in mind, TLR tend to view mode spacing as battery life indicators (amount of runtime left) rather than the specific output (lumens).
Since this light is built to be used both indoors and outdoors, a lower MID mode of 300 to 350 lumens would provide a longer runtime at lower temperatures and still have very similar brightness/output.
Tint & CRI
Streamlight did not disclose the tint (color temperature) and/or the CRI (Color Rendering Index) for the LED used in their light. For this light, a guesstimate would be in the 6500K and 70CRI ballpark.
The hotspot is almost cool white whilst the corona possess a slight yellow-green tint; and the spill having a slight purple tint.
This is however, not as noticeable in real life.
Waterproofness
The light was subjected to warm water submersion, followed by cold water submersion and left under room temperature running water tap whilst running on HIGH.
No signs of water intrusion in the head, switch or tailcap was seen.
Lockout Capability
No electronic lockout but mechanical lockout is possible when needed, like during transportation in a bag.
A quarter turn (anti-clockwise) of the tailcap will enable mechanical LOCKOUT.
Scale Comparison (Ruler)
Summary
To sum up, we believe that the most important part of any review is if given the chance to purchase the same light for our own EDC or to gift to our loved ones out from one’s pocket (wallet), would we still do it?
For this light, it is a YES, if the required usage of Streamlight proprietary battery is not an issue.
The battery status indicator, dual switches (tail or side), easy-to-use Mode Select Switch and included Charger Holder with screws for mounting are all plus points for this flashlight.
It would be nice if Streamlight provided an option to use non-proprietary batteries, perhaps with an adapter for 18650 batteries.
Here are some of the other flashlight/lantern we have reviewed recently.
From Left to Right: Streamlight ProTac 90, Streamlight Siege X, Nitecore MH12 Pro, FourSevens Quark QK2A MKIII and Streamlight Strion 2020.
As with all gears, two is one and one is none.
Stay safe,
The Lite Review
Disclaimer: Light & battery were provided for by Streamlight (manufacturer) for this review. No other compensation was provided.
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Streamlight Strion 2020
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