subject: Streamlight 66318 MicroStream LED Pen Flashlight best price [print this page] Streamlight 66318 MicroStream LED Pen Flashlight best price
Streamlight 66318 MicroStream LED Pen Flashlight
I own many flashlights, and this is by far my favorite using a 1xAAA format. The brightness is exceptional for the size and weight. I believe the 20-lumen rating is accurate, by comparison with many other lights I own. I also own the larger 2xAAA version of this light (Streamlight Stylus Pro), and the microstream is almost identically bright. Of course, the 2xAAA version has longer battery life, by more than a factor of 2 because of circuit efficiency and battery-capacity variance with discharge rate.
The switch type is my favored "forward" clicky, which means you can push it slightly to get a momentary-on function. Some other lights use a "reverse" clicky, which doesn't turn on until you click and release.
The one thing I dislike about both of these lights is that the pocket clip rotates with the threaded end cap, badly scratching the finish when you remove the cap to replace the battery. You can avoid this by placing a piece of cloth between the clip and flashlight body before turning the cap, but you have to think of this before first disassembly or it's too late.
Also, the clip exerts enough sideways pressure on the light body that you must be very careful to avoid cross-threading when you reinstall the cap onto the body.
I've had this light for about a week. I bought it with the intention of leaving it in my backpack (a smaller replacement for an aging mini-maglite). Well, the maglite is still in my backpack- the streamlight stays in my pocket. It is small and lightweight enough to be carried un-obtrusively. I'm amazed at how bright it is, and everyone who has seen it has wanted one. Great product, great price.
Update- six months later- still love it, probably more now than when I wrote the initial review. I use this daily, for so many things it's really hard to describe how functional this light really is, it's great!
I really like this light. It is compact and can be worn in a front shirt pocket like a pen and has a "pen" clip for this.I actually wear it in the right corner of my back right pocket again taking advantage of the pen clip and it does not interfere with taking my wallet in or out.
It has a very, very bright white light which you can use with a momentary push of the on/off button on the end of the light (like a clip pen) or turn it on continuously by fully depressing the end of the pen.
It is a well tooled piece of equipment with a flat black metal finish that while not coarse is not slick either so is easily gripped and handled.
It uses a single AAA battery and has a reportedly long battery life.
I have not exhausted the first triple A battery yet despite using it often in the last month plus I have had it.
I really like it and plan to purchase one for both my son, daughter and father.
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