Streamlight 14512 Sidewinder 55-Lumens Compact II Military Flashlight with Helmet Mount & Headstrap in Clamshell, Coyote

Great mini flashlight love the headband strap easy to work with multiple settings and brightness very well. Made sturdy should last a long time. I personally love it. It’s great for the outdoors camping hiking.

I purchased this light about three weeks ago to mount to my flight helmet. I am a flight paramedic, and need a hands-free light for night operations. Streamlight did not disappoint with this compact. The white light is bright and direct, but not so bright that it blinds my partner in the back of the aircraft. It does a great job illuminating the exterior of the aircraft for a pre-flight walk-around, and there is good illumination of objects about 7-10 feet away. I will say, this light is NOT a torch, search light, or super bright tactical light. If that's what you're looking for, this isn't it. It's much more of a personal task light. That being said, it is an amazing personal task light!This light also has a blue, red, and IR LED function. This is a great feature for those times when I need to preserve my night vision (red), identify blood on the side of some dark road with no light (blue), or illuminate objects in the cockpit when flying under night vision goggles (IR). So for me, it works exceptionally well. Just be mindful of what you are looking for this light to do, because again it's not a searchlight, torch, or super bright tac light. I did notice that the movement of the light is a little tight right out of the box, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time for it to get worn in a little bit.The power button is easy to find when mounted to my helmet, and it has a good 'feel' to it when you push it. It seems solid and well built, not like some other lights where I was afraid I'd break the power switch with a gentle touch. The lamp selector switch is a bit tricky, considering you have to pull the ring out and away from the light in order to change the function. This is just something that will take some getting used to, and some muscle memory to develop in how to pull the ring and turn the knob. Definitely not a deal breaker for me whatsoever.My only issue with this light was with the mounting system, but it is no fault of Streamlight. The circular mount is designed for a tactical helmet; my flight helmet is not this. So when I attempted to mount the clip to the edge of my helmet, I had to install an additional spacer between the clamp and my helmet to get a snug fit. Again, this is not fault of Streamlight, nor does it detract from the quality of the product, it's just something to keep in mind depending on the application you're using the light for.Overall, a great buy, great value. I'm looking forward to getting much more use out of this little light.

Streamlight best product

I've had this flashlight for little over 3 months now, and this has become my everyday carry flashlight.At first, I thought this would just be a nice utility flashlight, that would stay in my tool chest. But after a few days, I ended up putting it on my belt, and for over 3 months, it has been on my belt. All day, every day!If you are looking for a tactical flashlight (other than a helmet mounted one) I would not recommend this, as this is not gun mountable, awkward to hold wile carrying a gun, cannot be used as a self defense mode, starts out in the low light position, has no strobe, and depending on what your setting are, may start of in red, blue or even IR light. But all these "bad" sides makes this a perfect all around, everyday carry flashlight!When you turn this flashlight on, with every of the colors, it starts in the low position. This is great for in a low light, or just cramped area, where a high beam would just blend you. And it allows you to easily switch to higher intensities of light, just by holding down the buttons. This also has the great benefit that when the battery runs low, you are still able to get a decent amount of light, for a long period to go looking for the spare battery.Another great side, is the capabilities for it to use both AA batteries ( both alkaline version, and the lithium one ) and the CR123A. This means you got the best of two worlds. The double A is relay the most common battery, but the CR123A gives the best battery life for its size.The belt clip is a nice and strong one. And for 3 months, it has been clipped on, and pulled of my leather belt, and does not seem to have gotten looser. It is not locked into position, but allows you to turn the belt clip around. This also means, that the head strap that is included, will be adjustable!And, after three months of staying in my belt and just about everyday use, I have only manage to use up one CR123A battery. And it shows just about no signs of wear and tear. The head strap is not the best one I have ever felt, but it is far from being uncomfortable.I would by this again if I ever loos it!