Streamlight H.I.D. LiteBox Searchlight – Rechargeable High Intensity Discharge Flashlight

To say the HID light is 'bright' is like saying that an Indy car goes 'fast'. There are few light sources that are brighter. Forget about the cheap, imported incandescent lights that are rated "umpteen million candlepower". The Streamlight has succeeded in putting a superior light source in an optical assembly that yields a concentrated precision pattern that will leave you speechlessFor the light output, the HID light is 'warm'. During my career in public service, I'd hate to guess how many times I've seen where hand-held spotlights burned holes in seats and floors of public safety vehicles. (Luckily I was never at fault and had to make a trip to the Chief's office.) While the light output is not 'cold' (like a LED), it is far cooler than an incandescent spotlight. The burn/fire hazard should be a lot less with this Litebox. A lens cover came with my HID to change it from a spotlight to a scene/area/work light. The lens is inserted into a groove molded into the inside diameter of the guard that extends forward of the optical assembly. The cover both produces a very nice rectangular pattern that would do well in lighting up a scene and further protects the main lamp assembly lens. However, in my opinion the retention design is flawed; while the lens is very easy to insert, it is most difficult to remove, especially in cold weather, since the material used for the guard becomes stiff. I did come up with a quick and easy modification that modifies only the lens cover and not the light. I drill a very small hole about 1/2" from the bottom of the cover. (The hole location is positional since the cover converts the light beam to a wide rectangular output.) I then inserted a small nylon tie wrap from the back of the lens through the hole, over the edge of the lens and terminated behind the lens. The tie-wrap 1) keeps the lens from completely setting in the groove making removal easy, 2) provides a grip to pull the lens out, and 3) when installing, helps orient the lens in the correct position for the rectangular pattern. This works extremely well, though I'd like to see Streamlight modify their mounting in future models. (Streamlight take note.) Turning the HID on is done with a three-position toggle switch… Up for HID, center for off, and down for two LEDS mounted in the front of the HID battery compartment, below the lamp assembly. These do a good job providing light for navigating around. Checking the specs, they will run for a long time, so the Litebox can easily be used as a backup for power outages, etc. A shoulder strap is included with the light. I found that the center of gravity of the light is a bit forward of the strap, causing the light to tip nose-down. While this is perfect for the navigational lights, it doesn't work well for the HID portion of the Litebox if you desire to use it 'hands-free'. However, this can be rectified by unlatching the swivel locks on the HID and slightly raising the light assembly. On the downside, the supplied strap tends to slide on your shoulder; a pad (similar ones found a computer bag) would be a welcome upgrade. Perhaps the Streamlight Flashlight Shoulder Strap 45232 would be an improvement. CONCLUSION: Awesome. Worth every penny.PROS: The most impressive search/flood light I've ever had.CONS: Area lighting lens could use improvement. Shoulder strap could be improved on.Pros: Best light in its class on the marketCons: Ergonomics could be improved on a bit