Reviews & Ratings for Streamlight Sidewinder Sportmans / Tactical Flashlight with Articulating Head — 18 reviews — Page 1

I recommend but with reservations. I really liked it and was prepared to go with 5 stars then got around to testing the IR with the new night vision binoculars I just bought from OP. Nothing. Totally dead on every setting. So now I'm waiting for a replacement which makes me wonder about the long term durability even though it seems pretty well made. The first Streamlight product I've ever had a problem with.

I used these while in the Air Force and was surprised by their performance. They are standing up to the goofy weather we are having now. The ability to have different lights and even IR is awesome. You plan on purchasing more.

This light is everything it's advertised as being. I bought three for Christmas, for my son's and myself. They were the big hit gift this year. Adjustable intensity light, red and blue lights, IR that really works. We checked it with a night vision scope. It's undetectable in the darkness, but with the night vision scope it looked like a flashlight beam of light. The mounted clip attaches to a helmet strap, a back back, or shirt or jacket pocket. It runs on common AA batteries that are available everywhere

I wish the light would turn on in the low setting and the operator could increase the output, instead you have to work down from the brightest setting. Not a great idea for preserving low-light vision. The military models, I believe, work from the low output to brighter output. I think the light is going to be useful enough for me, it will be a back-up light in my case. I would recommend the light as long as your needs don't "require" the output to be low at first, it is a bright light with decent lighting distance and beam width.
Pros: Size, available beam colors
Cons: Light comes on in high setting

The flashlight switch was inop on receipt, I returned it to Optics Planet and they replaced it 3 weeks later.
Pros: Exchanged for one that worked
Cons: Did not work

NOT a weapon light, the word tactical is overused. This is a robust, versatile flashlight with many options and uses, not the least of which is that it has a rotating head that allows for usefulness in gun inspection and cleaning without having to stick the thing in your mouth!
Pros: Robust, versatile, multiple colors
Cons: None

I work as a detective and do a lot of outdoor crime scenes. I clip the light to my jacket, shirt, vest, or whatever I am wearing to illuminate my notes or searching for evidence. It leaves my hands free for work or self-defense if needed. It is small enough to carry anywhere, I even use it while hiking when on vacation. I am thinking about getting my wife one for her purse!
Pros: Very Satisfied

I've been using this for over two years now. I've dropped it from five feet on hard floor and it still works. This product is so good i've ordered two.

The articulating head makes this a good portable work light in general.

That plus its ruggedness and clip make it useful when I answer calls with the volunteer fire/rescue department I belong to. For EMT calls, I'll pull my belt out of the holder strap but not unbuckle it. Then I'll slide the end of the leather belt through the clip with the light pointed down and run the end of the belt back through the vertical holder strap. If I need a light or HANDS-FREE light (lifting/pushing stretcher) at my feet I've got it.

White light is decently bright, especially for a light so small. Green light good for night vision preservation. Red light good for keeping yourself visible to others and maintaining batteries and night vision. Will try blue light for finding blood that needs cleaning off of gear when that time comes. I had no need for IR light but it's available on other lights for folks who want it. The light will take certain brands of lithium batteries for long life and working in cold weather.

Wish it came in a bright yellow color.
Pros: rugged, versatile,
Cons: would like color in safety yellow

I love this flashlight. It is bright, has multiple lenses/colors all of which allow a great number of functional uses. I use this as the "roaming" flashlight when I need one quickly at hand. Works great!!!
Pros: tons of options, runs a long time on batteries.
Cons: That I didn't get this sooner in life.