FAQs

You have two options:

1. For Factory Service please complete our on-line Service Request form.
2. You may have an Authorized Service Center in your area. Many of them offer walk-in service.

Please read this information:

When returning a light for Service, please include the following inside the package:

• If you elected Priority Service, the printed online Service Request.
• A copy of the proof of purchase, if available. If not available, state the date of purchase and from whom.
• Your light(s).

The following lights must be returned to the Factory for service:

• TLR Series
• Vantage
• Sidewinder
• Bandit
• ProTac Rail Mount HL

Identify what is not operating properly and when it occurs. Then, please visit the "Service Options" section of our website, or click here. From there, you can choose one of the four service options available to you.

Yes. To request a repair estimate, you may use our secure Contact Form by CLICKING HERE then select "Service Order Status" for your contact reason.

To inquire as to the status of your repair, please please use our secure Contact Form by clicking here and selecting "Service Order Status" as your contact reason.

To review Streamlight's full warranty policy, please click here.

Streamlight offers end users two methods to get parts to service your light.

1. You may visit one of our many Direct Distributors to purchase parts.

Click here to locate a Distributor.

2. Streamlight also offers end users the ability to purchase some parts for self-servicing your light with our online store for parts only.

Click here to visit the Parts Store.

Generally the batteries and bulbs of Streamlight products are user-serviceable. Some other repairs require complex procedures, special tools, and can void the warranty and/or approval rating of the flashlight. Those repairs should be performed only by the Factory or an Authorized Repair Center. Contact the Repair Department at 1-610-631-0600 or toll-free at 1-800-523-7488 for specific information about a particular repair.

The Stinger lens can only be replaced with special tools. Return the Stinger to the factory or an Authorized Repair Center.

Streamlight lighting tools are available in a wide variety of applications, but typically, there is no one light that works well in all situations. Flashlight choice depends on intended use. You need to consider your applications and how you will be using the light to select the light that's best for your specific needs.

We have a few tools to help you make the selection:

• Read the Guide to Choosing the Right Flashlight for an overview of the basic consideration
• To help you determine the right light for you, check out the Streamlight Interactive Beam Demonstrations site
• We also offer an overview of Flashlight Beam Patterns and Applications

It’s all about balance. Lumens is the measurement of the entire light output, regardless of beam focus. Candela (peak beam intensity) is the measurement of the brightest spot in the focused beam, and takes into account both the output of the lamp (lumens) and the efficiency of the reflector.

If you often find yourself needing light down-range, such as in search and rescue operations, checking utility lines, or even rifle shooting, you may prefer
To learn more about the difference between Lumens and Candlepower (Candela Peak Beam Intensity), please visit the Guide to Choosing the Right Light section of this website. 

The short answer is, you can’t. There is no universal method of measuring flashlight output, not even when the ratings are in the same units. A lumen rating is the total unfocused visible light output of EITHER (depending on the manufacturer) the bare bulb, or of the entire flashlight. A candlepower rating used by a flashlight manufacturer will usually be candela peak beam intensity. This is a calculated value based on measuring the hot spot in the focused beam and multiplying by a number found by squaring the distance between the photocell used for the measurement and the flashlight. What this number gives is the number of “standard candles” that would need to be burning to produce the same amount of illumination as the hot spot in the beam at the same distance as the measurement is taken. Because candela peak beam intensity is focused light and lumens refer to unfocused light, it is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to convert the two.

The choice of LED or Xenon largely depends on the application the light will be used for. LEDs can be good for close-in lighting for extended periods of time. Xenon is better for lighting objects at a distance. 

Streamlight does not sell products directly and uses a network of authorized dealers and distributors. You can find a list of dealers by clicking on the Dealer Locator link.

Streamlight understands the need to see and be seen when you’re outdoors; whether you’re camping or tracking game. Green LEDs provide you with a bright green light that won't spook game or hinder your night vision, making them ideal for outdoor adventures. They are also bright enough to light your way and alert other hunters to your presence.

Streamlight offers a variety of lights with safety-green LEDs, including the ClipMate®, the Stylus®, Buckmasters® Stylus Pro® the Key-Mate®, the Buckmasters® PackMate®, and the Trident® with a single green LED or the Buckmasters® Trident® with three of them.

In addition, Streamlight has incorporated green LED and laser technology into our tactical weapon-mounted lights. The TLR-1® Game Spotter® has a green LED with an intense hot-spot for long-range identification. And if you’re looking for a rail-mounted light with a green aiming laser, we have the TLR-2® G and the TLR-4® G.

While most people assume that the term “C4” refers to the LED itself, it is actually Streamlight’s shorthand for a powerful combination of technologies. This includes the photonic crystal and thin film chip technology that enhance LED efficiency, Streamlight’s high quality reflectors which help focus and intensify the light, and expert Streamlight engineering design, which drives the operation of the light in such a way that maximizes the overall effectiveness of the LED chip.

Note that while you may still see C4® LED, we are moving away from using it on our packages and materials. One reason for this is because of the confusion of what C4® LED means to our customers. Be assured, however, that we are still committed to providing you the best LED technology backed by Streamlight-engineered reflector technology and expert design know-how.

Please refer to the Lights Damaged By Leaking Alkaline Batteries section on the Battery Information page. 

Please refer to the Care And Handling Of Your Batteries: Battery Do's And Dont's section on the Battery Information page.

No. Streamlight products are optimized and the components can be damaged or destroyed by the use of anything other than the recommended battery type. The use of improper or substandard lithium batteries can be especially dangerous.

Streamlight recommends the use of Streamlight Battery No. CR123A, Panasonic Battery No. CR123A or Duracell Battery No.123 with these products. Use of other batteries or mixing of used and new or different brand batteries may present a risk of leakage, fire, explosion and serious personal injury. Do not recharge, misuse, short circuit, improperly store or discard, disassemble or heat above 212°F (100°C). Keep away from children.

No. Routinely running the lamp until it extinguishes will drastically shorten the life of the battery. Lead acid batteries need to be fully charged. The higher the average charge on the battery, the longer it lasts. Deliberately draining a lead-acid battery will damage it quickly.

To find the part number for replacement batteries, please reference the Part Number List under the Documentation section of the product page on this website. Numbers on the older batteries may not be current. Multiple numbers on the same battery are for regulatory requirements.

Nickel Metal Hydride AA replacement rechargeable batteries seem to work okay. However, since the product was designed for alkaline batteries and we cannot possibly test all of the aftermarket replacements, we cannot recommend the use of any batteries other than alkaline.

Research has shown that the "memory effect" is a rare phenomenon and is almost nonexistent in high-drain applications such as flashlights.

Some tips to help prolong the life of NiCd batteries:

• The light should be returned to the charger when it is not in use
• It should never be run until the battery is completely exhausted
• Return the flashlight to the charger when it begins to dim

Some Survivors have model information listed on them. Numbers on the older batteries may not be current. To find the part number for replacement batteries, please reference the Part Number List in the Documentation section on the product page of this website.

Streamlight does not support the use of batteries other than those specifically listed in the instructions. Normally the lamps and current regulators are designed for a specific type of battery, and using other batteries often results in poor performance, either low output or extremely short lamp life, depending on the battery types involved.

Generally yes. Streamlight charge cords use a common connector. The exception to this is the Ultrastinger fast charge systems that must use either vehicle 12V DC or the heavy duty AC charge cord that is supplied with the system.

First, see if there is power to the charger itself. Second, check to be sure that the flashlight is properly inserted into the charging system. If the red light still does not light, the flashlight and charger should be returned for repair. Please click here to visit our Service Options section of the website for more information.

As the battery approaches a fully charged state it is normal for the charger LED to alternate between lighting steadily and blinking. This process may take as long as 15 minutes to one half hour and does not indicate a charging problem.

No. The Stinger and the Strion are different sizes and their battery chemistries and charging systems are completely different.

The SL20XP/LEDs originally were shipped with a gray charger and that was the only charger that will work. The gray charger has an LED charge indicator since there are no LEDs on the switch housing. The flashlight's switch housing is made of black opaque plastic.

The current version uses the old (black) charger. The new ones have a translucent dark red switch housing that glows when in the charger. These work with either grey or black chargers and are shipped with black chargers.

Follow the guidelines in the instruction booklet included with the flashlight. Some products have a red and green light combination (Litebox, Vulcan). In that case green indicates a charged condition. Flashing red LEDs on the Stinger and Strion chargers indicate a charged condition.

No. Batteries have an expected number of charge/discharge cycles (the number varies by the type of battery). Streamlight fast chargers safely revert to a maintenance charge rate after the battery is charged.

The Fire Vulcan® cannot be field-modified and would require a factory modification of the circuit board and is not currently available.

The SL-20, SL-20X, SL-20XP and SL-35X models cannot be converted to an LED.

The following two models are designed for the consumer and will not damage eyes:

• TLR-2® IRW – White Light/IR Laser .8mW
• TLR-2® IR EYE SAFE – IR Illuminator 125 mW/IR Laser .8 mW

The other models, listed below, are designed for Professional Law Enforcement and Military Use.

• TLR-VIR® GUN LIGHT FOR PISTOLS – White Light/IR Laser 1000mW
• TLR-VIR® GUN LIGHT – White Light/IR Laser 1000Mw

The 4AA is not suitable for recreational diving and is not a diving light. Water pressure against the switch will turn it on at as little as 15 feet. The current rating is IP67 which is one meter for 30 minutes.

Streamlight does not currently make weapon mounts for the Stinger® model. We have not thoroughly tested the Stinger® in weapons mounted applications although limited testing has shown no problems.

No, the HPL head is configured differently than the Stinger® LED model. As a result, you cannot upgrade your Stinger LED to a Stinger HPL LED. Even though they might look very similar, they are quite different.

There are two adjustment screws located on the laser housing (elevation and windage). There is only one distance where the bullet path will coincide with the laser. On a normal weapon, the sights are mounted above the bore line and are adjusted to look slightly down with relation to the bore line.

When the weapon is fired, the bullet "climbs" (actually, a bullet DROPS from the bore line from the moment it first leaves the barrel, but the bore is tilted upward slightly so the bullet is physically traveling upward for a short distance), crosses the sight line, reaches its upward peak (the peak of the "mid-range trajectory"), descends to cross the sight line a SECOND time, and after that it's all downhill. How the sights are adjusted, along with the muzzle velocity of the bullet (a 10mm is faster than a .45, and a rifle faster yet), determine where these points occur. The user must decide how high above or below the sight line the bullet can be allowed to strike and adjust the sights accordingly.

A laser is seldom mounted above the bore line. It is usually below or to the side. This means the bullet crosses the laser sight line ONLY ONCE. This point is the "zero range." For a laser mounted below the bore, at distances less than the zero range the bullet will be above the sight line. Beyond the sight line it will be below. The bullet will deviate from the sight line FASTER WITH A LASER than with conventional sights. If mounted to the side, the bullet will also deviate to the side of the laser line as well as up and down. In practice, an TLR-2® on a handgun can be adjusted to keep the bullet strike within about 2" high and 2" low out to about 100 feet, which is better than most people, and a lot of guns, can shoot.

Check the TLR Compatibility List list for information about TLRs and specific weapons. We also have compatibility lists for our TLR-6 models - click here; as well as for our TLR-7 and TLR-8 models -  click here.

We do not recommend carry of a TLR equipped firearm without a proper holster. A proper holster should fully cover the trigger guard area, preventing accidental discharge of both the firearm and light.

Yes. Please note that the battery pack determines which safety approval ratings apply. The rating information is molded on the body. Any Survivor® LEDs that were made without the rating information ARE NOT APPROVED. Any Survivor® LEDs that were made without the rating information CANNOT BE UPDATED. The rating DEPENDS on the BATTERY that is installed.

The ratings are:

• Class I, Division 1, Groups C & D (gas)
• Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C & D (gas)
• Class II, Division 2, Groups F & G (dust)
• Class III (flammable flyings)

Temp. Code: T4 1 – With the ALKALINE AA pack, ALL ratings apply. 2 – With the BLUE rechargeable pack 90130, ALL ratings apply. 3 – With the BLACK Div 2 pack 90338, ONLY the Class I Div 2, Class II Div 2, and the Class III ratings apply.

This means the SAME LIGHT can be EITHER a Div 1 (and 2) OR a Div 2-ONLY depending on what battery pack is used. There is NO WAY to tell whether a Survivor LED is Div 1 or Div 2 – ONLY EXCEPT by looking at the battery pack.

ATEX (European) rating information is contained on a label on the body. II 1G Ex ia IIB T4 – when used with four 1.5V Size AA Duracell MN1500 Alkaline batteries ONLY. (Zones 0 and 1) II 2G Ex e ib IIB T4 – when used with Streamlight rechargeable battery 90130. (Zone 1) This means the SAME LIGHT can be EITHER Zone 0 or Zone 1 depending on what battery pack is used.

Not necessarily. The LEDs in the Twin-Task® will run on low batteries for some time after the Xenon bulb stops working. First try replacing the weakened batteries with fresh cells. If fresh batteries and a new bulb do not solve the problem please contact our Repair Department.

The unbreakable polycarbonate lens that is used on most of our lights will last for years. The lens must have sufficient airflow across it to keep it cool. Do not place the flashlight lens-down on any surface. If the airflow is restricted for even a short period of time, the lens can be damaged. Contact our Repair Department about replacement lenses.

There is nothing wrong with either LED. LED technology produces an unavoidably wide range of tints. Streamlight pays extra to buy the color bins that are closest to perceived white light. The light will always be bluer than an incandescent, and there will be more variation between identical products than with incandescent lamps.