Streamlight ProTac 2AA

​Streamlight ProTac 2AA
Overview: This light is awesome. I work part time in a bar and club as a bouncer, and I use this for a communication device (flash other bouncers with the light), an identification device (checking ID’s), as a distraction (shine it in someone’s eyes to disorient them), and even as a weapon (used as a kuboton on one guy) and it still looks brand new. I’ve owned many flashlights in my adventures, from military service to bouncing, to camping and various other activities, and this light is one of the most durable. My only complaints are minimal. First, the size. It is very long as far as flashlights go. Holding it in my hand, it sticks out about an inch on both sides of my palm. Having used many weapon-mounted and other tactical lights in the past, this is extremely long, and a bit outside my tastes in that aspect. It is also not the brightest or cheapest. At 155 lumens for anywhere from $42 to $70, I can buy a 125 lumen flashlight for about $5, or a 250 lumen, waterproof, aluminum flashlight from Walmart for $14. However, don’t let that deter you from purchasing this if you’re looking more for durability than lumens and price. This thing has been through hell, and never once has it failed on me. One thing I like is that it seems to use the battery power remarkably well. It stays bright for a very long time, and only fades at the very end of the battery life. If I were to deploy overseas again, I would look for one smaller, but from the same company because I know it would serve me well in hostile and austere environments. I love this light, I highly recommend Streamlight products, and I hope to test more like it.
Durability: 10 out of 10; I’ve dropped this light many times, been in multiple fights as a bouncer with it, I’ve used it as a weapon, even dropped it into a puddle and it was completely submerged and it still looks like brand new.
Battery Life: 10 out of 10; The battery lasts a great deal of time. Of course it’s only 155 lumens, but it will last me several months using it in the bar as a bouncer without needing to change the batteries. Very reliable and efficient use of battery power.
Reliability: 10 out of 10; This thing just won’t quit! No matter how much punishment I put it through, it’s like a Duracell battery; “it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.”
Size: 8 out of 10; It’s a bit longer than I would like, it hard to conceal and hard to use tactically.
Brightness: 8 out of 10; Only 155 lumens. Fairly bright, but I can buy other lights that are much brighter for cheaper.
Pricing: 8 out of 10; Priced at $42 - $70, this is a good flashlight but if you’re looking for just a light it’s much more expensive.
Pros: Extremely durable, very reliable, great battery life
Cons: Not the brightest, somewhat bulky, expensive for a light
Overall Rating:  9 out of 10 bones
Specs (from site):
http://www.streamlight.com/en-us/product/product.html?pid=201
Features Ten-Tap® Programming – Choose from three user selectable programs:
1.) high/strobe/low (factory default)
2.) high only
3.) low/high
C4® LED illumination output and run times:
HIGH - 155 lumens; 3,300 candela peak beam intensity; runs 2 hours
LOW - 11 lumens; 200 candela peak beam intensity;  runs 36 hours
STROBE – runs 4 hours
Includes two “AA” alkaline batteries and nylon holster
Solid State power regulation provides maximum light output throughout battery life
Rubber push-button tail switch
Durable, anodized aluminum construction with impact-resistant tempered glass lens
IPX7 waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes; 2 meter impact resistance tested
Unbreakable pocket clip
Anti-roll head
6.14” (15.6 cm); 3.4 oz (96 grams)
RoHS compliant
 
-Tom Porritt,
MSG US Army Ret.