I've been looking for a quality compact light for when I teach urban survival. After watching this video, I purchased one of these lights. A buddy of mine who is in the Army has one and speaks very highly of it.
Hands down the best flashlight I've ever owned. Had one for over 2 years. Used it nearly every day. Solid, super reliable and great battery life even with RCR123 cells. Can't wait for the mkIII.
Unfortunately the lumen output is way too low on this light, streamlight needs to get with the times. There are LEDs that can put out 10X the amount of light on one CR123. Lets get to the streamlight compact III
It's not supposed to be super bright. Brightness levels are for (from low to high respectively) stealth, close range, and movement. Although I agree they should let the Sidewinder Compact III have a higher output, or at least a separate option/model for that.
I think battery life is way more important than battery life 55 lumens is more then enough sorry canadian prepper hope you have learned more in 6 years
You shouldnt be relying on this for long range vision, in my opinion. Thats what a flashlight is for. Military uses their rifle attached flashlight for long range, how many lumens it is I dont know
I absolutely love this flashlight, I've owned two of them... But they have a design defect. The main microswitch (on/off switch) on the circuitboard is not strong enough to cope with regular use. Both of mine have broken in the same way, by shearing off the connectors on the back of this switch. I want to buy another but I can't bring myself to do it until this design flaw is corrected. Hopefully the sidewinder 3 (if you ever release it) will remedy this issue. the easiest fix for this problem would be a dab of resin on the circuit board directly behind the microswitch. Please fix this issue. :)
Andrew, thank you for the suggestion! Please reach out to customer service and we can discuss replacement/repair of your light! 800-523-7488 or CS@streamlight.com
Thank you! Here are the authorized Streamlight retailers in Ireland: DANIEL TECHNOLOGIES Law Enforcement / Military 19E ROSEMOUNT PARK DR ROSEMOUNT BUSINESS PARK DUBLIN D11 A409 IRELAND TEL: 353-1-8665691 FAX: 353-1-8665692 www.danieltechnologies.ie PATRON DISTRIBUTORS LTD Fire / Automotive UNIT 81 BALDOYLE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE DUBLIN D 13 IRELAND TEL: 353-1-8391299 FAX: 353-1-8391026 www.patron.ie
I have always use your products, they are indeed the best in the market I am currently using more than one as I type.....It looks like I have overlooked this product somehow. Hopefully soon I will get this product to add it to my helmet .
This has been a great light for the past decade... But it's starting to show its age. It'd be great to see an updated model using more modern LEDs and battery options (like, say, 14500s).
will it not work on a 14500 now? their the same dementions as a AA, and the voltage of a 123a. do they use some sort of internal switch to look for the physical size of the battery? (That seems like poor design) I have a flashlight that works on 123a and AA and I use my 14500s in it all the time. Just curious as I'm thinking about purchasing one and have a grip of the 14500s
@@yugbe I've heard mixed things about running 14500s. I use them in my Nitecore MT10A, so I is truly love to be able to use them in the Sidewinder II, as well. But I've heard that the circuit may not be rated for them and that using them at max brightness should be avoided... Which is unfortunate because the Sidewinders aren't all that bright compared to more modern options, anyway. So, I dunno.
@@wanderingcalamity360 Thank you so much for the response! Have you ever used the IR side? If so, any thoughts? I have some IR illumination, but it's all hand held, and on the p14 itself, but it's not perfect.
Just going to throw my 2 cents in maybe a civilian model with uv instead of ir and red and green led the only other improvement might be having the clip rotated 90 degrees so that it could be clipped to the underside of a hat brim and when attached to things like belts or webbing the adjustment would be for elevation instead of wind age other than these nitpicks I’m really loving the multiple battery options and the long burn times are fantastic
@@SemperAnnoying dude I tried for like 15 mins and u just dont see how its suppose to stay on so I just used the strap for the helmet instead. Kinda bummed cuz I wanted it on the side but whatever. Cuz one of the brackets is too big and the other too small so I'm so confused
what is the difference between 14055 :: Helmet Mount Adapter & 14136 :: E-Mount Kit they both say they attach to helmets but is one better then the other or at least better suited for use on ACH?
I believe they make different size metal clips but customer service may be the only way to get the smaller size clips. I have never held the helmets you speak of but seen them and i would think the standard size should work fine.
We are sorry to hear this! Our customer service specialists can help with a repair or replacement. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
The mount can be easily zip tyed to the helmet using the the same gap that your suspension liner snaps into on your outer shell or atached to the hard hat's slot designed to accept face shields or the hard hat mounted hearing protector ear muffs. I believe MSA is the brand hard hats i used to use.
We should have something that works for that application. Give our customer service team a call to see if they can help you with a parts order: 800-523-7488
Leds really need to be warm like incandescent. Superior visual acuity and less harmful on the eyes. I have a 8 lumen cool white led flashlight (Gerber infinity) and a 6 lumen incandescent flashlight (Fulton mx991/u) 10 feet away from me I have an elaborate light switch cover. With the led I can see it an that it's textured and the outside border much more so but it's washed out in color and it gives everything a blue hue that hurts the eye and makes it all blend in with a blueish monotone. But if I use the incendescent flashlight I can easily make out every detail with absolutely no strain and I can tell the cover is tarnished brass, something that not even the cool white led can tell you. Additionally you shouldn't need to switch over to an incendescent bulb to use the blue filter to follow a blood trail. With a cool white led and the blue light filter blood shows black against a dark background while with the incandescent bulb blood has a neon glow. Additionally for this who want to know a green filter gives you better visual acuity at night by giving more contrast to dark things so you can tell when they are. Hunters use green lights to hunt hogs as they are a very dark color animal in a dark wooded area and with said green light they can tell the difference. That irritating blue from cool white LEDs is why they are good in strobe and/or very high output to disorient attackers. Using them as headlights is beyond retarded and dangerous.
My PVS-14 illuminator is much brighter than the Sidewinder Compact II in infrared mode. The RWB colors are also pretty dim. Consider the Sidewinder Compact II a map light, nothing more. So I sent this toy back for a refund, and then I bought a REAL light.
Bruh. IR RED WHITE BLUE Streamlight...this is your guy?? Lol. He is reading off of cue cards and generally is clueless about this light. You pay this guy?
We are sorry to hear this! Our customer service specialists can help with a repair or replacement if needed. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
been using the sidewinder since 2003. awesome product.
I've been looking for a quality compact light for when I teach urban survival. After watching this video, I purchased one of these lights. A buddy of mine who is in the Army has one and speaks very highly of it.
Hands down the best flashlight I've ever owned. Had one for over 2 years. Used it nearly every day. Solid, super reliable and great battery life even with RCR123 cells.
Can't wait for the mkIII.
See! I do love it :D
Yeah.
Still haven't heard about a gen 3 yet.
Considering buying one , how many lumens does that flashlight delivers ?
@@benewgillian6823 52 lumens
Love the multi battery feature. Good job. 👍
Still my favorite light. Just waiting on version 3. Brighter. Same features
when is version 3 arriving?
@@heybabycometobutthead soon I hope
Unfortunately the lumen output is way too low on this light, streamlight needs to get with the times. There are LEDs that can put out 10X the amount of light on one CR123. Lets get to the streamlight compact III
It's not supposed to be super bright. Brightness levels are for (from low to high respectively) stealth, close range, and movement. Although I agree they should let the Sidewinder Compact III have a higher output, or at least a separate option/model for that.
Lmao this idiot
Well surefire dropped the EL1A so steamlight took the ball. Low light 1 cr123
I think battery life is way more important than battery life 55 lumens is more then enough sorry canadian prepper hope you have learned more in 6 years
You shouldnt be relying on this for long range vision, in my opinion. Thats what a flashlight is for. Military uses their rifle attached flashlight for long range, how many lumens it is I dont know
I absolutely love this flashlight, I've owned two of them... But they have a design defect. The main microswitch (on/off switch) on the circuitboard is not strong enough to cope with regular use. Both of mine have broken in the same way, by shearing off the connectors on the back of this switch. I want to buy another but I can't bring myself to do it until this design flaw is corrected. Hopefully the sidewinder 3 (if you ever release it) will remedy this issue. the easiest fix for this problem would be a dab of resin on the circuit board directly behind the microswitch. Please fix this issue. :)
Andrew, thank you for the suggestion! Please reach out to customer service and we can discuss replacement/repair of your light! 800-523-7488 or CS@streamlight.com
Ya I gave one to my son (infantry) and it failed as well. It was my secon!, I like mine so much. He barely used it. It looks brand new.
I've had one fail. Was repaired no cost been in use for few years now. I too have 2. Awaiting version 3
Well, anyway, I brought another one.
This one I'm a bit more careful with and it's latest 3 years.
If it broke, I'd buy another one.
Love your lights ,have only a few only one retailer i know of here in ireland
Thank you! Here are the authorized Streamlight retailers in Ireland:
DANIEL TECHNOLOGIES
Law Enforcement / Military
19E ROSEMOUNT PARK DR
ROSEMOUNT BUSINESS PARK
DUBLIN
D11 A409
IRELAND
TEL: 353-1-8665691
FAX: 353-1-8665692
www.danieltechnologies.ie
PATRON DISTRIBUTORS LTD
Fire / Automotive
UNIT 81
BALDOYLE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
DUBLIN
D 13
IRELAND
TEL: 353-1-8391299
FAX: 353-1-8391026
www.patron.ie
I have always use your products, they are indeed the best in the market I am currently using more than one as I type.....It looks like I have overlooked this product somehow. Hopefully soon I will get this product to add it to my helmet .
Thanks guys...mine has saved me from a lot of trouble
It even work on AAA battery, it worth all the Dollars! good job!
*AA*
@@Acelr88 123
This has been a great light for the past decade... But it's starting to show its age.
It'd be great to see an updated model using more modern LEDs and battery options (like, say, 14500s).
will it not work on a 14500 now? their the same dementions as a AA, and the voltage of a 123a. do they use some sort of internal switch to look for the physical size of the battery? (That seems like poor design) I have a flashlight that works on 123a and AA and I use my 14500s in it all the time.
Just curious as I'm thinking about purchasing one and have a grip of the 14500s
@@yugbe
I've heard mixed things about running 14500s.
I use them in my Nitecore MT10A, so I is truly love to be able to use them in the Sidewinder II, as well.
But I've heard that the circuit may not be rated for them and that using them at max brightness should be avoided... Which is unfortunate because the Sidewinders aren't all that bright compared to more modern options, anyway.
So, I dunno.
@@wanderingcalamity360 Thank you so much for the response!
Have you ever used the IR side? If so, any thoughts? I have some IR illumination, but it's all hand held, and on the p14 itself, but it's not perfect.
@@yugbe
I can't really speak on it.
I don't have much use for it right now.
I want to get into night vision but the good stuff is not a cheap date.
@@yugbe
How do you like the PVS-14?
Just going to throw my 2 cents in maybe a civilian model with uv instead of ir and red and green led the only other improvement might be having the clip rotated 90 degrees so that it could be clipped to the underside of a hat brim and when attached to things like belts or webbing the adjustment would be for elevation instead of wind age other than these nitpicks I’m really loving the multiple battery options and the long burn times are fantastic
Why would a civilian need UV? Are you a club bouncer? We have access to night vision as well
Don't forget besides the CR123 and rechargeable 123 you can also use Double-A and yes Triple A batteries
Are there any export restrictions for Sidewinder Compact II? Some shops list it as export restricted, some sell it freely overseas.
Our customer service specialists can help with your question. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
I can't get the metal piece to fit onto my ECH. Would be nice to have an actual instal video.
Try giving customer service a call to troubleshoot this: 800-523-7488 or CS@streamlight.com
Yea I cant get it to fit on my ach. Any luck semper?
@@Jsd-zg2cz no, I'm too lazy to call or go to CIF and ask lol
@@SemperAnnoying dude I tried for like 15 mins and u just dont see how its suppose to stay on so I just used the strap for the helmet instead. Kinda bummed cuz I wanted it on the side but whatever. Cuz one of the brackets is too big and the other too small so I'm so confused
Is There an Un-Tactical Operator? Oh wait.....PJ's.. :-) Seriously, great product. The dual Fuel sold me on it...
what is the difference between 14055 :: Helmet Mount Adapter & 14136 :: E-Mount Kit
they both say they attach to helmets but is one better then the other or at least better suited for use on ACH?
Our customer service specialists can help with your helmet mount question. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
Can this fit onto thinner helmets such as as ones used for helicopters EMS operations?
Our customer service specialists can help with your fit question. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
I believe they make different size metal clips but customer service may be the only way to get the smaller size clips. I have never held the helmets you speak of but seen them and i would think the standard size should work fine.
what do all the 14----- numbers designate?
Great flashlight!! Loved it! However, does this have the beacon feature?
Thank you! This particular model does not, but we can always send that suggestion over to development for future editions!
A pity it doesn't come in black. I have, however, seen them in OD.
we will send your feedback to our development team!
I would purchase if it was available in black.
Question can we use 3,7V battery or that will be hazardous for C4 LEDs?
just got issued one, fresh out of the package with new batteries I can't get it to turn on.
We are sorry to hear this! Our customer service specialists can help with a repair or replacement. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
if streamlight offered a mount for a construction style hardhat, i would buy one tomorrow. :/
The mount can be easily zip tyed to the helmet using the the same gap that your suspension liner snaps into on your outer shell or atached to the hard hat's slot designed to accept face shields or the hard hat mounted hearing protector ear muffs. I believe MSA is the brand hard hats i used to use.
Is there anyway to fix these if it stops working? I’ve had multiple side winders stop working
Check the top comment. They left a number and an email for replacements. They seem like a good and thorough company that cares about customer input.
As our friend Ponyboy said below, yes, feel free to call 800-523-7488 or CS@streamlight.com
Do you guys have a mount for firefighter helmets
We should have something that works for that application. Give our customer service team a call to see if they can help you with a parts order: 800-523-7488
Is there going to be an upgrade to this light ?
We don't know of any, but we'll pass it on to our team.
@@StreamlightTV thank you. Brighter. Thats pretty much only upgrade lol.
These things are great, but the helmet mount sucks! It is so easy to loose them
If it came in black id get one.
Could you send us one for a review?
Nikos, please DM us on one of our social channels to discuss further
@@StreamlightTV will do !
@@StreamlightTV saying hi from my main account
What's thr output?
55 lumen with a CR123 batttery. 47 with a AA.
A good light ruined. Parasitic drain is too high and compared to the competition it's too bulky.
Leds really need to be warm like incandescent. Superior visual acuity and less harmful on the eyes. I have a 8 lumen cool white led flashlight (Gerber infinity) and a 6 lumen incandescent flashlight (Fulton mx991/u) 10 feet away from me I have an elaborate light switch cover. With the led I can see it an that it's textured and the outside border much more so but it's washed out in color and it gives everything a blue hue that hurts the eye and makes it all blend in with a blueish monotone. But if I use the incendescent flashlight I can easily make out every detail with absolutely no strain and I can tell the cover is tarnished brass, something that not even the cool white led can tell you. Additionally you shouldn't need to switch over to an incendescent bulb to use the blue filter to follow a blood trail. With a cool white led and the blue light filter blood shows black against a dark background while with the incandescent bulb blood has a neon glow. Additionally for this who want to know a green filter gives you better visual acuity at night by giving more contrast to dark things so you can tell when they are. Hunters use green lights to hunt hogs as they are a very dark color animal in a dark wooded area and with said green light they can tell the difference. That irritating blue from cool white LEDs is why they are good in strobe and/or very high output to disorient attackers. Using them as headlights is beyond retarded and dangerous.
Thank you for your comments, we've passed them along to our team.
Should have made a hard hat clip for these things
we will send your feedback to our development team!
Tell Ray Sharrah I said hello and that I need one of these...
My PVS-14 illuminator is much brighter than the Sidewinder Compact II in infrared mode. The RWB colors are also pretty dim. Consider the Sidewinder Compact II a map light, nothing more. So I sent this toy back for a refund, and then I bought a REAL light.
He is shaking so much lol
He may have a disorder.
Or too much coffee.
jay ruti Probably nervous. Give him a break.
Not too good to mention that in a comment. Maybe he has injuries during military service. He speaks very informative, this is a good presentation.
Thumbnail is steady enough
Bruh.
IR
RED
WHITE
BLUE
Streamlight...this is your guy??
Lol.
He is reading off of cue cards and generally is clueless about this light.
You pay this guy?
I don't get it
These light are garbage.
We are sorry to hear this! Our customer service specialists can help with a repair or replacement if needed. Please give them a call at 800-523-7488 or email cs@streamlight.com.
@@StreamlightTV I appreciate that but I swapped out at least 6 units at CIF and the lumens just aren't there. I opted to get my own.
This is bs I have the sidewinder there's no way a Aa battery will fit nor a triple a
Did you try the included 3V CR123A lithium battery too? If you are having troubles, try our customer service team at 800-523-7488
First bitches!