When companies design products for military use that can also be adapted for civilian use, civilians often come out ahead. The biggest advantage is that gear designed for military use is incredibly difficult to break. And when it comes to tactical and hands-free lighting, Streamlight has long been a trusted name.
Their latest innovation, the Streamlight Sidewinder X, builds on their legacy of rugged, military-grade gear, offering a high-output, multi-fuel light designed for versatility and durability. Whether you’re in law enforcement, the military or an outdoor enthusiast, this compact yet powerful light is engineered to perform in demanding conditions. Let’s dive into what sets this model apart from its predecessor, its key features and why it’s a top choice for those who need reliable illumination in the field, on the trail or in emergency situations.
About the Sidewinder X
The new Sidewinder X is a powerhouse of a light compared to the original Sidewinder. Streamlight upped the maximum lumen output from just 55 to 275, for starters. The upgraded Sidewinder X is also more versatile. It was designed to be mounted on a helmet, body armor, belt or pack via its spring metal clip. Streamlight offers additional gear adaptors as well. However, the tilting head and flat, wide base give the Sidewinder X its real versatility. Unlike the original Sidewinder, you can stand it up on a tabletop or other flat surface for area illumination — perfect for use at a campsite, cabin or during a power outage.
The Sidewinder X has four “color” settings: white, blue, red and infrared (IR). The IR setting provides additional invisible illumination for use with night vision (NV) goggles. The Sidewinder X’s light head, which contains two separate lamps — one for the white light and one for the red, blue and IR — tilt’s a full 185 degrees on both sides of the light body. It does not rotate side to side.
| White LED Output | High | Med 2 | Med 1 | Low |
| Output-Lumens | 275 | 80 | 35 | 5 |
| Run Time-Hours | 4.75 (AA) 2.75 (CR123) | 13 (AA) 8 (CR123) | 30 (AA) 19 (CR123) | 150+ (AA) 100+ (CR123) |
| Distance-Meters | 113 | 60 | 40 | 14 |
| Intensity-Candela | 3200 | 900 | 400 | 50 |
| Strobe Run Time-Hours | 10.5 (AA)
5.75 (CR123) |
Made from high-strength polymer the Sidewinder X has a waterproof rating of IPX-7, which is considered waterproof to a depth of 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. Plenty waterproof for most situations outside of scuba diving.
Streamlight Sidewinder X Technical Specifications
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Length: 2.4 inches
Weight: 4.4 ounces with 2 AA batteries/3.3 ounces with one CR123A battery
Lens: Unbreakable polycarbonate-scratch-resistant
The light module uses the same on/off rotating selector switch for controlling the lighting system as the earlier Sidewinder. On my sample light, it is a four-position switch with settings for white, blue, red and IR. Other combinations of lamps are available in the Aviation Model or User Configurable Model.
The Sidewinder X is a dual-fuel light and can be powered by a single CR2023A lithium cell or two AA alkaline penlight batteries. If you are planning to use the Sidewinder X as a tabletop light, I recommend using AA alkaline cells. The increased weight on both sides of the battery compartment balances them better. If you were going to be using the Sidewinder X for SWAT, military or general policing duties, the single CR123A will save you a bit of weight.
Operating the Sidewinder X Flashlight
The Sidewinder X features a one-piece selector/on-off switch — a black knob located on the side of the adjustable flashlight head — for simple, intuitive operation. The switch has four locking positions for selecting beam colors: red, white, blue or IR (on the Military Model). With multiple LED color configurations available, each color LED is marked with a “C” for quick identification. To change colors, pull the switch out, rotate it past the locking slot to the desired position and ease it back into place.
The center of the switch doubles as the on/off and output selector. All LED colors follow the same brightness cycle as the main white light. Press once to activate the selected beam on its lowest setting, press again to turn it off, or press and hold to cycle through four brightness levels: low, med1, med2 and high. Holding the switch down continuously will cycle back down from the highest to lowest setting.
The Sidewinder X also includes Beacon and Blink modes, which can be invaluable in emergency situations, such as if you’re lost in the wilderness or stranded on the roadside. To activate Blink Mode, start with the light off and double-tap the power switch, initiating a 50 BPM blink pattern. Once in Blink Mode, press and hold the switch to switch to strobe-style Beacon Mode. Both modes work with any LED color setting.
Why the Streamlight Sidewinder X Stands Out
The Sidewinder X is a vastly improved version of the original Sidewinder that doesn’t take up much more space and fits in a standard blue jeans or cargo pants pockets. While it is a great light for use in its original military and police role, it has a wide range of survival and outdoor civilian applications. Handy to have on the trail or on boats or bikes, the Sidewinder is one of the best-designed multi-use lighting tools I have worked with. I found the Sidewinder X for sale on Amazon for $123.54.
Streamlight: Streamlight.com
