Now with a maximum output of 350 lumens, Streamlight’s Stinger DS LED utilizes a new LED that gives the light both a performance and efficiency upgrade. The updated Stinger DS LED has a two-hour runtime with the standard NiCd rechargeable battery, and an optional higher-capacity NiMH battery is available in select markets. This incremental upgrade only affects the internals of the light, so the updated Stinger DS LED is fully compatible with existing Stinger family batteries and chargers.
Key Specifications
- Output: 350 lumens high, 175 lumens medium, 85 lumens low
- Intensity: 24,000 candela
- Runtime: 2h high, 3h 45min medium, 7h 15min low, 5h 30min strobe
- Battery: NiCd or NiMH Rechargeable Battery Pack
- Length: 8.85″
- Diameter: 1.6″ bezel, 1.2″ body
- Weight with Batteries: 12.8 oz. (NiCd), 12.1 oz. (NiMH)
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- MSRP: $155-$247
- Actual Pricing: ~$120
Pricing & Contents
Depending on charger configuration, MSRP for the Stinger DS LED is around $200, and the light is only available in black. Most configurations can be found for around $120.
Streamlight offers various packages for their rechargeable lights, with choices for input voltage, charging options (AC and DC, AC only, DC only, or light only), and PiggyBack spare battery charging. Our package is NiMH light-only (item #75970), and included in the box are: Streamlight Stinger DS LED, NiMH battery, NiMH notice, anti-roll ring, and user manual.
Batteries
Proprietary Stinger family rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries (1800 mAh) are used in the Stinger DS LED. To comply with European regulations for battery disposal, a higher capacity nickel-metal hydride battery (2200 mAh) is available for European or light-only configurations. Both battery packs can be recharged up to 1000 times.
To charge the light, insert the barrel of the light into the charger, and pull down until it locks. Charging can take up to 2.5 hours with the Fast Charger, or up to 10 hours with the Steady Charger.
The Light
The exterior of the Stinger DS LED, which is type-II anodized to protect against scratches and corrosion, remains unchanged from the original model.
Head
Behind the polycarbonate plastic window, which has a scratch-resistant silicon dioxide coating with a minimum pencil hardness of 3H, is a partially textured plastic reflector. The head switch is a momentary-capable electronic switch.
Body
Charging contacts are on the back of the light, on an elevated triangle that aligns the charging contacts with the cradle. The body of the light is covered with rubber to provide grip.
Tail Cap
On the tail cap is an optional electronic switch (available only with the DS model), covered with black rubber. The button is recessed to prevent accidental activation, and also allows the light to tail-stand.
Modes
All of the Stinger LED lights use the same four-mode user interface with high, medium, low, and strobe.
Single Click: High
A single click activates 100% mode for 350 lumens.
Click and Hold: High-Medium-Low
When the switch is pressed and held, the light will cycle through three brightness levels in the following order: high-medium-low-medium-high. Output level can be changed anytime, even if the light is already turned on, and when the switch is released, the output level will be set.
Two Fast Clicks: Strobe
With two fast clicks, the maximum output strobe is activated. Strobe can be activated anytime, even if the light is already turned on.
For all modes, a single click will turn the light off. Since the light uses electronic switches, there is a small standby current drain of 5 µA (0.005 mA).
Performance
Using a Cree XP-G2 LED, the updated version of the Stinger DS LED has a maximum output of 350 lumens. Beam profile is smooth and focused, with a peak beam intensity of 24,000 candela.
Compared to the original Stinger DS LED that uses a Cree XR-E LED, the updated model is not only brighter, but also has an artifact-free beam with a larger and brighter hotspot.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
The Stinger DS LED reduces output to 60% during the first half hour of runtime, and then remains consistent until the end of the two hour runtime.
Accessories
An anti-roll ring is included with the light, and Streamlight offers a variety of charging options and add-ons, such as traffic wands and holsters.
The PiggyBack charger accessory includes a spare battery and charges both the light and a spare battery at the same time. It is available with a choice of standard or fast charging for the primary charger, but only steady charge for the spare battery.
Conclusion
With many newer lights reaching over 500 lumens, Streamlight has responded by upgrading the Stinger series with a more efficient LED upgrade that brings output up to 350 lumens. Higher efficiency means the additional output does not come at the expense of runtime, and the updated Stinger DS LED has the same two-hour runtime as the previous version. Due to differences in the LEDs, the new Stinger DS LED has a cleaner beam pattern and a larger hotspot, which provides better peripheral lighting.
Overall, the upgraded Stinger DS LED has the same great features of the previous model, just with more output and a more evenly distributed beam pattern. For previous generation Stinger DS LED lights, it is possible to upgrade the LED module with Streamlight’s C4 LED upgrade P/N 75768, which has also been upgraded with the Cree XP-G2. This upgrade kit can usually be found for less than $40, and can extend the useful life of existing Stinger lights for a fraction of the cost of a new light.
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Related Links
Streamlight Stinger Series Product Page
Streamlight Stinger LED and Stinger DS LED Fact Sheet
Streamlight Stinger LED Info Sheet
Do the streamlight stinger ds/streamlight strion lights have momentary on and off? If so little does it work like a forward clicky? Light press for momentary full press for constant on? What about the head switch on the stinger ds model? Does it have momentary?
Thank You
Chris
Chris,
Yes, Stinger and Strion switches are momentary capable.
Both switches on Stinger DS models operate identically, half press for momentary and full press for constant-on.
Robin