stinger flashlights-- educate me please

[mtkst19]

i have 3 stinger flashlights. 1 normal stinger, one poly stinger which is just a stinger w/ a plastic body. the last is an ultra stinger. it is longer than the two "normal" stingers.

i have been using them for a while. I actually share the use of the lights w/ another tech. Seriously we will use them all day long until they stop working or are dim and charge them at night. I had to buy new batteries for them about 3 months ago other than that no issues. So they definitely get used a lot.

However they are old. I actually bought them 2nd hand off a police officer who upgraded to surefires. I know flashlight technology has come a long ways since mine were made. I notice on the tool truck they sale stingers w/ led that look like mine--but are bright as hell. Can my lights be retrofitted to those?

I don't mind spending to upgrade but i cant justify buying new when nothing is wrong with what i have. I have looked around on eBay and see led kits--but are those what i need? w/ the nomenclature that stinger has for all their lights, im almost confused at what is what!

so has anyone made the switch and updated their stingers?

 

[DrkMtnDew]

yes you can upgrade. i've seen the conversions on the Cornwell truck. i'll see if i can find u a part #.

ok part # from Cornwell is TLTLEST. here's a link:

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TLTLEST-%252d-LED-Upgrade-Kit

 

[5lima30]

You can get the upgrade kits from OMB Police Supply for 42.99. They are a real good company to deal with and usually are much cheaper than Galls.

 

[mtkst19]

thanks for the info. now has anyone actually performed this upgrade and can comment on it?


found same thing you linked me to on ebay for less, but wasn't sure if it worked or not. As it is not a stinger branded item.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

i personally haven't switched them, but a co-worker did and really likes it. puts out a really intense white light that is well focused.

 

[reptilezs]

http://www.terraluxcorp.com/terralux/Products/Portable/FlashlightUpgrades/tabid/64/Default.aspx terralux makes pretty good drop in upgrades. for streamlight branded you will need to get a whole new streamlight

 

[mepilotunot]

They work but for some reason they dont hold up. I have replaced a few and they seem to go bad. I have warrantied several. I no longer sell them. I will just push the new light. Just my two cents from exp

 

[eurokid]

I've had a stinger for six or seven years now and around 18 months ago I converted it to LED with the Terralux TLE-ST1 kit and It's the best thing I ever did for the light. The quality is top notch. It's about ten times brighter and lasts more than twice as long. It's been nothing but 100% reliable since the day I converted it. WWW.Terraluxcorp.com

 

[american lockpicker]

Get a 2600 lumen Wiseled.

 

[Toolhorder]

I have 4 streamlights currently and use 3 at work. I have my original stinger, upgraded stinger w/terralux kit and a ultra LED stinger at work and an old HP stringer big head for home.
Originally I upgraded both stinger's at work with the terralux kits and currently only one of the two are still working. The first lasted maybe 6 months then bite the dust when I dropped the light. They are not durable for mechanics at all. Drop it and the LED will come off the circuit board making it useless. I tried super gluing it back on and it lights but not bright. Not sure if they'll warranty it I never tried.
I use the other one still just try not to drop it. The good thing is the original light bulb and end piece I kept so I just de-converted it.
The ultra LED streamlight is better and been dropped a bunch and hasn't broke yet. The original Streamlight is the same way but after 10-15 drops they break bulbs too. Replacements are cheap though. Less than $10 if you shop around. Usually a spare is in the end cap foam.

It's really up to you on the Streamlights. You can sell them and take the upgrade money and buy the Ultra's or upgrade them and not drop them. The Streamlight company I've heard isn't too happy with the Terralux kits and if you wait I'm sure you'll see them come out with their own kits. It's just how I see it anyway.

 

[Simplespeed]

I had 2 regular stingers and got rid of em when i got the stinger led. Theres no going back now. Plus i drop it all day long and no problems yet. Holds a charge muuuuch longer. I dont have to charge it every night and i use it alot.

 

[mtkst19]

thanks for the replies.

another question on the terralux upgrade kits. i see for the stingers they give you the led and a new lense housing. yet for the long ultra stingers--you just get a bulb. anyone confirm this? I dont understand why one you get a new lense housing and other you would not.

as for dropping the lights-- i find that the poly stinger takes drops a lot easier than the normal metal stinger. the normal metal stinger when it drops either th ebulb pops out or breaks. not so w/ the poly.

now that im thinking about flashlights, anyone make a vice grip or magnet that will hold a flashlight? could come of use to stick it under a car and work. i would think a vice grip setup similar to the ones for measuring ball joint play or rotor runout would be ideal. as you clamp the vice grips somewhere, then position the light and lock it in place.

 

[reptilezs]

as much of a flashlight guy that i am i really like headlamps. look goofy but they are great

 

[Octarine]

Dragging up an older thread to warn against the Terralux Stinger LED upgrades. For home use you might get away with it but I sold 50+ and EVERY SINGLE ONE broke over the course of 6 weeks. Terralux sent out replacements super fast without me even having to send on the broken one and of those all but 4-5 promptly broke again.

The fact they sent out literally thousands of dollars in replacement goods without even asking me to send in the old ones should tell you they know damn well something is up.

Strangely, the regular Terralux branded flashlights have lasted well according to people I know who use them.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Some of the drop in kits are great, others not so much. have you considered a headlamp as a replacement for the Streamlight?
My next headlamp is going to be a Zebralight, they are well-regarded and free up your hands while working. I bought an Icon IrixII for like $22 shipped, awfully handy and works good. For reliable day in/day out use the Zebralight is the better purchase.
http://www.illuminationgear.com/14301/index.html?gclid=CI6wjOCC9qwCFRLatgoddEzzTQ

 

[Philbert]

I like these flashlights they are tough as hell take a beating and don't burn though batteries as quickly as the Surefire's do. I've taken two different models with me to Iraq. I like his latest design alot, I use it everyday at work now that I am back home. And they are programmable if you can figure it out ( it is kinda arcane).

http://hdslights.com/

Edit:
Oh yeah they are made in the USA to! we like this!