Streamlight MicroStream AAA Flashlight Review
The Streamlight MicroStream is a very simple flashlight that runs a single AAA and has just one mode. It’s robust though – read on for testing!
Official Specs and Features
Here’s a link to the Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight product page.
Versions
A few body colors of the Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight are available. There’s black (seen here), red, and maybe even more! They do all appear to be the same internally, though. Streamlight makes some other similar lights, too. There’s a version with USB charging, as well as some bigger (AA-sized) versions.
Price
I paid $17.99 for the Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight seen here. The price seems to vary (sometimes wildly!)
Short Review
The Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight is a very simple device. The emitter is one I wouldn’t pick, and I think modifying the light is also quite involved. So if you don’t like cool white and low-CRI, there are probably better AAA options. But if you need an AAA flashlight that has just one mode and can be used on a cap, this is a good inexpensive option.
Long Review
The Big Table
| Streamlight Microstream AAA Flashlight | |
|---|---|
| Emitter: | [unstated] |
| Price in USD at publication time: | $17.99 on amazon.com |
| Cell: | 1xAAA (I recommend this Amazon Basics AAA!) |
| Runtime Graph | |
| LVP? | |
| Switch Type: | Mechanical |
| On-Board Charging? | No |
| Claimed Lumens (lm) | 45 |
| Measured Lumens (at 30s) | 45 (100% of claim)^ |
| Candela per Lumen | 7.8 |
| Claimed Throw (m) | 41 |
| Candela (Calculated) in cd (at 30s) | 13lux @ 4.798m = 299cd |
| Throw (Calculated) (m) | 34.6 (84.4% of claim)^ |
| Claimed CCT | – |
| Measured CCT Range (K) | 7100 Kelvin |
| Item provided for review by: | Me |
| All my Streamlight reviews! | |
^ Measurement disclaimer: Testing flashlights is my hobby. I use hobbyist-level equipment for testing, including some I made myself. Try not to get buried in the details of manufacturer specifications versus measurements recorded here; A certain amount of difference (say, 10 or 15%) is perfectly reasonable.
What’s Included
- Streamlight Microstream AAA Flashlight
- AAA cell (alkaline)
- Lanyard
Package and Manual
The package has all the manual-type information.
Build Quality and Disassembly
These little MicroStreams are fairly well-known. I haven’t had one until purchasing this version – in fact this might be my first ever Streamlight! The build quality is good, or “good enough” for a $18 light.
The tailcap has a very light spring. Check out those threads- mine came completely dry and they are very squeaky. Not only that, but when unscrewing the body, there’s tension from the pocket clip.
Better (for cell swaps) would be to remove the head. Then the pocket clip wouldn’t get in the way. But the head seems to be thread locked in place, and does not come off. The head end does not seem to have a spring.
Size and Comps
Length 3.60 inches (9.14 centimeters)
Diameter: 0.60 inches (15 mm)
Weight 1.10 ounces (31.18 grams)
If the flashlight will headstand, I’ll show it here (usually the third photo). If the flashlight will tailstand, I’ll also show that (usually in the fourth photo).
Here’s the test light with the venerable Convoy S2+. Mine’s a custom “baked” edition Nichia 219b triple. A very nice 18650 light.
Also above is the light beside my custom engraved TorchLAB BOSS 35, an 18350 light. I reviewed the aluminum version of that light in both 35 and 70 formats.
Retention and Carry
A two-way pocket clip is included on the Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight. This clip fits only on the tail end and is not reversible.
The pocket clip does not have any holes for attaching a lanyard. A hole in the shoulder would be great for this…
Despite being a friction-fit clip, it’s very snug, possibly even glued in place.
Also included is a lanyard, which has a split ring already attached. The product page seems to indicate that you’d just loop this lanyard over the pocket clip (and basically “hope for the best,” I guess). This attachment style seems less than ideal.
Power and Runtime
This version of the MicroStream runs a single AAA cell. Streamlight does not indicate that a lithium-ion cell would be acceptable (so no 10440). But AA cells will work fine – primary and rechargeable too.
The cell goes into the light in the usual way – positive end (button) toward the head. In case you forget, reference the sticker that’s just inside the cell tube.
All my testing was done with an Amazon Basics AAA cell. I recommend you buy those and use this link!
Modes and Currents
| Mode | Mode Claimed Output (lm) | Claimed Runtime | Measured Lumens | Tailcap Amps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On | 45 | 2.25h | 45 | 0.25 |
Pulse Width Modulation
The Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight does not seem to demonstrate traditional PWM. And whatever this is (below) is not visible at all.
Here you can see a “baseline” – a chart with almost no light hitting the sensor.
Then there’s the Ultrafire WF-602C flashlight, which has some of the worst PWM I’ve seen. It’s so bad that I used a post about it to explain PWM! Here are multiple timescales (10ms, 5ms, 2ms, 1ms, 0.5ms, 0.2ms) to make comparing this “worst” PWM light to the test light easier. That post also explains why I didn’t test the WF-602C at the usual 50us scale.
User Interface and Operation
A single mechanical switch controls the Streamlight MicroStream AAA flashlight. It’s a forward clicky, so momentary actuation is possible.
The switch is very prominent. It’s also the point of contention for many users – the actuation is difficult. Or “very specific.” Momentary usage is actually perfect: the light activates right about where you’d want it for momentary output. But clicking all the way seems way too deep, but also feels cumbersome past the momentary activation.
The switch is accessible though, and mods are well known for fixing the switch.
Here’s a user interface table!
| State | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Off | Tap | Momentary on |
| Off | Click | On |
| On | Click | Off |
LED and Beam
Streamlight does not state what emitter is used in the MicroStream AAA flashlight. Whatever emitter it is uses a smooth reflector that’s fairly deep.
LED Color Report (CRI and CCT)
As you can see below, the CCT of this one-mode light is around 7100K with a low CRI of around 71.
Beamshots
These beamshots always have the following settings: f8, ISO100, 0.3s shutter, and manual 5000K exposure. These photos are taken at floor level, and the beam hits the ceiling around 9 feet away.
Tint vs BLF-348 (KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b version) (affiliate link)
I keep the test flashlight on the left and the BLF-348 reference flashlight on the right.
I compare everything to the KillzoneFlashlights.com 219b BLF-348 because it’s inexpensive and has the best tint!
Conclusion
What I like
- Low cost
- Very simple user interface
- Great beam profile
What I don’t like
- CRI and CCT of the emitter (cool white, low CRI)
- Emitter is hard to swap
- Light is best used for momentary only. Clicking the switch is too hard
Notes
- This content originally appeared at zeroair.org. Please visit there for the best experience!
- For flashlight-related patches, stickers, and gear, head over to PhotonPhreaks.com!
- Please use my amazon.com referral link to help support zeroair.org!
- Please support me on Patreon! I deeply appreciate your support!
