Customer Reviews

Streamlight 51005 Twin Task 2L Flashlight

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you've ever used a SureFire, you'd know they're superior. Don't be fooled by the Lumen and Candlepower measurements; it's different for every manufacturer. The military uses SureFire, not Streamlight, so SureFire's measurements need to be more accurate. Side by side there is no comparison.

Nonetheless, this Streamlight is very bright in Xenon mode, and surprisingly bright in LED mode. It's no spotlight, but it's suitable for most normal tasks. Also, the lower price, selection between LED and Xenon, longer runtime, and adjustable beam definitely make it worth having at least one of these. Keep one in your glove compartment! Ladies, keep one in your purse! Possibly bright enough to stun an attacker, but I'd rather have a SureFire for that.

Seems very rugged and well made. A little bigger than I expected, but not that much. Also, one thing that's not specified is how the flashlight switches between LED and Xenon--using the same button, it switches On(LED)->Off->On(Xenon)->Off and repeat. Also, the "momentary signal" feature (pressing the switch slightly, but not all the way) is opposite of Mag Lite; it only lets you turn it OFF momentarily while the light is ON. However, this flashlight is simply way better and brighter than any Mag Lite (unless you want a giant club for safety).

Finally, even though the "Titanium" colored one (51015) looks black in the pictues, it's completely silver colored. Very light silver color at that.

Enjoy!

This Streamlight Flashlight has 72 lumens(little over 43,000 candle power)of brightness, Last 2.5 hours with full brightness and 28 hours with the 3 LEDs when Surefire flashlights come with 65 lumens(39,000 candle power) of brightness, 1 hour of use and no optional LEDs(and never will, streamlight has a patent on there dual LED/xenon flashlights). The price is also great for this flashlight and much cheaper than Surefire. I use this flashlight for everything, I just gave one to my nephew for his birthday, he is an Explorer for San Fernando P.D. and he loved it, especially the two choices of brightness for different situations. The only thing that is true about this great flashlight is the adjustable beam does not work that good but the light does not even need adjusting it is perfect the way it is. Surefire does not even offer this feature but both lights have the same style light beam. I also own a Streamlight rechargeable Ultra Stinger and I could not be more happier with this flashlight, it has 75,000 candle power(the power of this light is incredible) and a adjustable floodlight that does work very well. I think Surefire flashlights are a little over rated for the price they charge. If you want a good quality flashlight that is just as good as Surefire if not better than get a Streamlight for half or more off the price than a Surefire.
I have looked all over the internet for the best price on 3 volt lithium batteries and Surefire does offer the best deal(surprised) 12 3-volt lithium batteries for $15.00 at www.surefire.com . The 2nd best deal is on www.Ebay.com .

I can hold this entire light in one hand--it is that compact. Very light weight, also. Yet the light output is superb. In the 3 LED mode it gives plenty of light to find your way around the house or walk outside. It is rated for 28 hours for this function (compare that to any incandescent light). The Xenon beam is very even with no rings and more of a flood light than a narrow "beam". Is very good for medium range, but not for longer range tasks (like 100 yards+).

Fit and finish is very good.

The only disadvantage is that it takes relatively more expensive lithium CR123A batteries. These can be expensive to buy at retail (at $4 to $5 per battery) but can be acquired for less than half of that if you look on the internet. The advantage of the lithium batteries is in compactness and better brightness over the battery life. The only disadvantage is the cost.

Overall, a very nice light. There are other "Twin-Task" lights that use different batteries (like alkaline AA's and C's) with similar characteristics. You basically trade off size and runtime against cost.

It's not the Best in each class but the Best of the Twin-Mode task lights in the below $30 Class ! I second the opinions of other reviewers and add these observations: 1- Exceptionally high quality build & finish in it's price class 2- It stands on it's end for 'Ceiling-bounce' lighting as well as symetrical 'hang-ability' thanks to a nice lanyard. Just for fun, I sometimes brush my teeth at night with just the Streamlight 51005 TT-2L on & in LED mode- making it an ideal emergency and camping light. 3- For inspection of darker spaces or for longer distances at night(20 Meters / 60 feet) , the Xenon Mode is Very Very good 4- An excellent value for Soldier or Civilian 5-It fits nicely in a headband strap for middle-weight hands free lighting. Small Negative Complaints include: Annoying Mode switch requires that you step through from 'Off' to (Next Mode). A nice improvement would be to seperate On/Off from Mode -for a set once, use often-prefered mode setting.A narrower focusing head and stochastic reflector would make this an unbeatable all -around task light. Titanium construction would cut weight by 30%

I bought this as an emergency light to keep in a bag, thus I was looking for three important features: long shelf-life, a long burn mode, and an intense burn mode. This is the only light I found which meets those three criterea at a reasonable price. Sorry, I'm just not prepared to spend $100+ on a Surefire if I won't be using it regularly.

The flashlight has a very sturdy feel with a secure grip. As per the other reviews, the switch is a bit manky. It makes no sense, and must've been used because they had no other choice, because I can't imagine that anyone would rather have their flashlight turn on to high-power, then low-power, then back to high-power before turning off. Good thing I only paid about $30 then, and not $100+! For a seldom-used light, it's not a problem at all, but enough to keep me from giving 5 stars.

The brightness is impressive, of course, and the three white LEDs are very effective. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase.

I bought this light after I got switched to night shift. For the price, hands down, this is the best light for the money.

Plus:

Ability to switch between xenon and LED

Light weight

Good Feel

Inexpensive but doesn't feel cheap

Minus:

"Industructable" Lens, scratches easy

Black body hard to find in the dark

Switching between lights sucks

Barely a focusing beam

Ok, cheap light, but doesn't feel like a cheap light. Well built. I dropped this light a couple times and no real damage. The "industructable" lens did scratch pretty easily thought. The scratch doesn't effect the light pattern. I would like there to be a more pronounced focusing beam. I would also like a better way to select either led or xenon. Currently, you have to click off then xenon then off then LED. The switching is really the only irk I have.

Really, this is a great light. I will keep this light with me for a long time.

***UPDATE***

I've owned this light for 5 years...and you know what? It still works. It's beat to hell, but it still works. I still hate the switch...and there is not one time that I use the light that I don't think to myself, they needed a better switch. But, the LED is still bright and the Xenon even brighter.

FYI, the battery doesn't last very long on Xenon. It get's a bit hot as well. On the other hand, on the LED, it lasts plenty long.

Really, this is a great light, entirely different from old flashlights in the way quartz movement watches were different from jeweled movement watches. The choice of two different types of light (LEDs for close-up work, Xenon for distance) makes this is a much better tool. Also, both types drain the batteries far less than the old, traditional incandescents did.

The build is very good and the weight is just right. The major drawback here is the relatively pricey batteries. Not only do the cost a fair amount but they are somewhat hard to find.

Nonetheless, this is a flashlight definitely worth having.

I got this light in Iraq and then brought it along for a second tour as well, it held up great. The lower power light on this gives you good battery life, however even on the highest setting this doesn't really compare to the pelican lights we were issued. I'd use this as a backup to my pelican/surefire or just to have on base as a "garrison" flashlight. Hope this helps.

I have a number of flashlights, and this is the one that gets used most. The reason: having the bright Xenon light for the occasional time when you need bright light, and then being able to switch to battery conserving LED for the majority of use. Should you have car trouble and need your flashlight, using the Xenon bulb will drain you batteries in two hours or less but with the LED you can easily operate the flashlight all night. Also great to use while walking at night as a safety light.

This light should not be compared to tactical lights which are typcially brighter (although not much brighter) and designed for intense short bursts of light. The Twin-Task is best suited to keep in the glove box, or the kitchen drawer for everyday use.

As mentioned in other reviews, the single button to cycle from Xenon to LED is a bit annoying, but even with that annoyance it is still the most used flashlight at my house.

A hint: One of the best prices I found for Lithium batteries is at the surefire website, check it out.

This has been a great little, extremely bright and durable flashlight. The light is well built, feels substantial and comfortable to hold and the adjustments are firm and positive. One of the first things I did, however was to remove the wrist strap from the base of the light so that there is nothing flopping around. It takes one click to turn on the very bright Xenon bulb, another to switch to three LED's, another to switch back to the Xenon and then FINALLY another click to off! That is just way too much clicking. Good light at $30.00.