Streamlight Headlamp & Torch

As a hunter, two essentials in my pack are a compact torch and a lightweight head lamp; oh yes and they need to pump out some decent brightness. Not such a problem these days, with the advances in LED technology guaranteeing these two criteria. Streamlight are a name in illumination systems and sent two products that seem well suited. First up, the QB Compact Headlight.

Minimalistic

The QB is as about as minimalistic as you can get; it weighs 1.5oz, the yellow polymer casing (black also available) measures 1.5 x 1.25” with the rubber operating button on top and a charging port cover in the base (USB lead supplied). It has an elasticated/ adjustable head strap and its minimal weight and bulk are barely noticeable. It runs on an integral, rechargeable, Lithium Polymer Cell and there’s an indicator light that shows red when charging and green when full. It takes approximately 3.5 hours.

Illumination comes from a single, C4 LED with a quoted life of 50,000 hours and an IPX4 weather resistance rating. The QB offers high and low beam and a fl ashing mode in both, all controlled by the ON/OFF button. Run time is 2 hours on high with a maximum effective range of 85m, 200 Lumen output and 1,800 candela peak beam intensity. On low, it’s 4 hours and 55m, 95 Lumen and 750 candela. It can also me removed from the strap and has a clip that attaches to the peak of a cap. In use, it proved ideal for night work and it can be charged at home or in a vehicle with a USB adaptor.

Duel fuel

The Americans introduced the world to the angle-headed torch and the PROTAC 90 is a scaled own version. Most useful, is that it runs on either single AA (lithium or Alkaline) or CR123 Lithium cells (duel fuel). It fi ts easily in the hand with just the head poking out and features a clothing/ webbing clip for attachment if required. Like the QB, it uses its rear-mounted, ON/OFF button to control functions, which include high and low beam and strobe. Also, the same is its C4®LED with a 50,000 hour lifetime and its waterproof to IPX7 standard.

It can use either Lithium or Alkaline AA batteries and gives the following run times: CR123 – High 1 hour 45 minutes, Low 14 hours, Strobe 2.5 hours. AA Alkaline - High 2 hour 45 minutes, Low 8 hours 15 minutes, Strobe 3.5 hours. AA Lithium – High 5 hours 30 minutes, Low 15 hours, Strobe 8 hours. Light output: CR123 Battery: High - 5,400 candela peak beam intensity, 147m distance, 300 lumens, Low - 700 candela peak beam intensity, 53m distance, 40 lumens. AA Alkaline or AA Lithium Battery: High - 2,150 candela peak beam intensity, 93m distance, 125 lumens and Low - 700 candela peak beam intensity, 53m beam distance, 40 lumens.

It weighs 2.8oz and measures 3.78” long. Along with high and low beam, you can operate the strobe in touch mode, which is useful, or lock it on too. With its high temperature, shock-mounted, AR- coated, impact resistant borofl oat glass and 6000 series machined aircraft aluminium construction with black anodised fi nish, it’s a tough little sucker that punches well above its weight in terms of illumination range and performance. And also scores highly on its ability to use two different battery types and systems.