The trend in LED flashlights of late seems to be to squeeze more and more illumination power into smaller and smaller packages, then add even more features. More power and more features aren’t a bad way to go. But I was happy to find the Streamlight Stinger Color-Rite rechargeable flashlight at the NRA Annual Meeting went a different route for added features — color enhancement.
What Is Color-Rite?
Streamlight currently utilizes Color-Rite technology in seven models. There are two conventional battery powered Dualie utility handheld lights, a rechargeable Stinger and Strion Switchblade utility light, a Flipmate rechargeable light and a Cyclone rechargeable utility light. I chose the Color-Rite Stinger for evaluation since it offers the widest range of day-to-day applications.
Standard white LED lamps project a stark, pure light that stands in direct contrast to the incandescent bulbs previously available. Incandescent bulbs projected a warm, yellow-tinted light that tended to show the illuminated objects in their true color. While modern, white LED tactical and weapons lights are very bright and thus very tactically for disorienting criminal suspects, the higher lumen lights often reflect back into the eyes of the user, especially when used indoors. This is why any quality LED illuminated light will have low, medium and high power settings.
According to Streamlight, their Color-Rite technology provides “true color recognition.” Lights utilizing Color-Rite still offer three intensity modes as well as a strobe setting. The softer, warmer beam of these lights is due to a high color rendering index (CRI) LED of 90. CRI is a measurement from 0 to 100 of how natural colors appear under the illumination of an artificial white light source versus natural sunlight. Color-Rite enhances visualization in low-light conditions and allows users to see the color spectrum as they would in natural light. It can also prevent glare and eye fatigue.
About the Stinger Flashlight from Streamlight
The Stinger flashlight from Streamlight is made of anodized aluminum and has a non-slip rubberized grip. A charging cradle with AC/DC cords is included for the rechargeable NiMH battery. Streamlight’s Stinger has a sharply defined spotlight central beam. Its head-mounted push button is multi-functional and can switch between low, medium, high and strobe settings. There are also options available with a tail-cap-mounted switch.
Specifications
High: 500 lumens
Medium: 275 lumens
Low: 140 lumens
Beam distance: 265 meters
Runtime on high: 1.5 hours
Runtime on low: 5 hours
Length: 8.41 inches
Weight: 12.4 ounces
Using the Flashlight
I first put the Stinger flashlight to the test during a Trail Life USA campout with my son. I turned the light over to him for an extended game of flashlight tag. The illumination the Stinger provided was excellent in the pine woods, and the color accuracy provided by the Color-Rite technology was evident.
Back at home, I did further testing, comparing the Stinger flashlight to a 20 -year-old incandescent, 225-lumen Surefire Combat Light. While both lights delivered natural-colored beams in what appeared to be the same color spectrum, the beam produced by the Color-Rite Stinger was more sharply defined with more detailed illumination. The difference can be described as that between old, analog movies versus their digitally enhanced versions.
Along with general-purpose or work-area lighting, Streamlight flashlights with Color-Rite technology could be advantageous for deer and coyote hunters. The enhanced color spectrum is beneficial when it comes to tracking wounded game after dark. There is also the benefit of less eye fatigue caused by glare as compared to conventional LED lamps.
Who Should Buy Streamlight Color-Rite Flashlights?
Streamlight’s Color-Rite system is an advancement in versatility and visibility for all the flashlights to which it is applied. The Stinger flashlight could be just what you’re looking for in a rechargeable, general-purpose light. They are $154.94 from Guns America, including the charging cradle and both AC and DC charging hookups.
Sources:
Streamlight: Streamlight.com
Guns America: GunsAmerica.com
