Streamlight MicroStream Ultra-compact Aluminum body with AAA alkaline battery, 3.5 Inch - 1.04 oz - 45 Lumens - 66318, Black

I’m not a collector but I do buy tools and equipment based on philosophy of use. While I own several small flashlights this one is my Every Day Carry...it ‘s always with me, on my person. At the office, in the field, around the house, on the water it’s always clipped to my left trouser pocket or neatly in my jeans watch pocket...until last Wednesday when I reached for it to place with my keys and wallet on the dresser and came up empty. Long story short, the clip had gotten a bit loose, and after two days of searching I had to order a replacement. Don’t get me wrong, there are better use-specific lights: - the Streamlight Stylus is a perfect briefcase/backpack penlight...a little brighter and longer battery life; - the Olight S30R Baton is brighter and always ready on its magnetic charger base on my nightstand; - the Nitecore EC11 is a palm sized wonder ranging from a tiny red LED to preserve night vision to a 900 lumen searchlight - various hand lanterns on shelves; maglites in drawers and glove boxes; headlamps; etc...they have their purposes too. I’m neither a collector nor a hoarder, but as a former Scoutmaster I really value being prepared. With that said, my tiny MicroStream gets 80% of my use. It is bright enough to search in a cabinet, a tackle box, or under the hood. It’s easy to clip to a cap brim or even mouth-hold for two-hand work. Unlike its rechargeable cousins it’s easy to just replace a AAA, which can be found anywhere around the world. To be honest, though, I can’t remember the last time I needed to change the battery. It’s just that efficient. I get pleasure from using the right tool for the right task, but this is the one I’ve taken the time to review. Because it’s always with me. It’s just that good.

I am extremely impressed with this light - I bought it mainly because the diameter allows for a perfect fit in a Leatherman Charge Titanium sheath side loop, but I really like the light for the following reasons: - Very well constructed, the feel is solid and the end cap screws off with precision threads - Just the right amount of light for most uses - Simple operation - push in for instantaneous light, click in for full light. No other modes to worry about - Battery life is actually better than the spec - using an Amazon rechargeable AAA I timed usable output at just over 3 hours! That is phenomenal for a AAA light I know some complain about how hard it is to press the light fully on, but I think that is a good feature in that it will prevent the light from coming on accidentally and running the battery down. All in all this is a great value in a portable light that you don’t mind throwing around and using daily.

Using it to replace a Monarch 400 with my Leatherman Wave. It is smaller, and the button is a little hard to push. But if fits in my Leatherman pouch very well, and I love Streamlight flashlights! I’ve used them in firefighting and I know they are great quality. I expect this to hold up well.

Great EDC.

These MicroStream lights are the best. I thought I had lost my light at the store when I took something else out of my pocket, so I ordered a couple more. A few days later, the lost light turned up in the dryer, which means it also went though the wash. It still worked! What a nice surprise. They are a compact size with plenty of brightness for a single AAA battery at an affordable price, making it perfect for my every day carry.

No complaints whatsoever. Great battery life. I’ve dropped it a couple times and still works perfectly. Brightness won’t light up much past 10 feet outdoors but that’s expected of a light this size and price. Love the hat clip. It basically dual uses as a headlamp.

I bought this light to be included in my edc equipment. I have a full size streamlight, but I found it tricky to carry with me when I wasn’t wearing work pants. This is an awesome solution for someone who wants a bright light in a small package. I have been carrying this daily since I bought it (about 2 weeks), and it works great! I can’t speak to the battery life or water resistance, but if it’s anything like other streamlight models, it should be solid!

This has been my favorite flashlight for a few years now. It’s the perfect size to fit in my pocket and one of the main selling points for me is the clip allows it to clip on your hat. I literally use this everyday. I’ve never had a single issue with the clip. The brightness is good with me. I work in industrial control panels and the brightness level is perfect. Everyone likes the brightest light they can buy but this one is perfect. The issue I have is with the on/off switch. I have no idea how many times I turn this light on and off but the only place I’ve ever had one fail is at the switch. Once it messes up, it’s over. It’ll never work reliably again. Sometimes it quits all together, sometimes it works intermittently, sometimes it works when half pressed. This is usually happens after I’ve had the light long enough for the paint to wear off but it eventually happens to every one of them.

Has become my EDC light in both suits and jeans. Have been amazed at how bright this little light is, and pleasantly surprised at the battery life. Not as bright as the two-battery CR123 Surefire I purchased a decade ago for EDC. But quickly realized the Surefire was a bit too big for anything but belt carry. I’ve had this little Streamlight in my pocket nearly every day for the last two months. I’ve been surprised to find it’s bright enough to create a visual hinderance if a person needed it in a defensive situation, especially with a fresh battery, but even after some use. As some raters have mentioned, the button is stiff. This is due to the stout rubber cap rather than the switch itself. You can ease this problem by loosening the cap’s retaining bezel slightly. The s-bend pocket clip works great for regular pocket use. However, on my sample the reverse bend isn’t roomy enough to fully accommodate a cap brim as advertised. This is my only complaint. Overall, very pleased with the light and the price point. 2-year update: Even more elated with this light over time. Daily carry and nearly daily use for 2 years now. During power outages, car restoration/repair, late night dog walks, helping aging eyes read tire pressures on sidewalls, behind TV cable connections, sheepdogging weird noises in house at night… you name it. Survived multiple inadvertent washing machine torture tests. Battery life continues to be great; have learned that battery expires suddenly, rather than dimming over time. Not a critique, just something to be aware of. Battery life is quite good, and light is bright. AAA alkaline is economical so I don’t hesitate to use; I found myself limiting use of my CR123 Surefire, which the Microstream replaced as EDC. Over time I’ve purchased 6 more as gifts for family and their significant others. Again, very pleased.

Does what it should. Cannot go wrong with Streamlight.