My first Luxeon LED flashlight!
(For those of you that do not know, luxeon is a new type of LED bulb, available in 1,3 & 5 watts, that is resistant to shock and is extremely efficient in light output.)
My own Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon review (26 pictures below):
Product Packaging:
The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon came in a plastic packaging, not a clamshell one, and I had to slice the sides to get the light out. The packaging is still considered to be attractive with information on the light at the back and an eye-catching picture in the front. Coming with the light is an instruction manual, lanyard and 4 Energizer AA batteries used to power the light. Although the light is not packaged in a box like other high-end flashlights, this still does ok.
SL 4AA PP Luxeon package (front):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon package (back):
Flashlight build and body:
''The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon is a high performance, 4AA alkaline powered, Super High Flux Luxeon LED flashlight. This light features a body constructed of a Polymer Engineering resin that is virtually indestructible, shock resistant, non-conductive and light weight. The light case is ''O'' ring sealed and water proof.'' - Streamlight's product description of the light.
The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon is a medium sized flashlight at 7 inches (17.78cm) but it still fits comfortably into the my hand. The lens is a ''unbreakable polycarbonate lens with scratch resistant coating'', in other words, a hardy plastic lens. There is also an umbrella value to prevent any pressure from building up in the light. The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon has a large head for great throw, and it may cause a bulge in pants. The light is not so pocketable due to its weight: 216g (7.6 ounces) and may swing around in the pocket. At the tail of the light there is a ''clicky'' tactical switch - push gently for momentarily operation, press down for constant operation. The switch is ''rubber booted, and is easily used in one hand. The switch can be heard and felt when pressed. The clicky switch is surrounded by plastic 'fins', thus preventing accidental activation. (While this is good the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon does not have a ''lock-out tailcap'' which allows one to turn the tailcap and thus effectively preventing accidental activation). On a few occasions I have found that the light has accidentally activated in my bag. Beside the switch there is a hole for the ring and lanyard to fit in. The lanyard can be useful at times when one wants to prevent dropping this light. This light however is virtually indestructible due to the combination of a polymer body and a LED bulb. The 'fins' at surrounding the switch allow the light to stand on its end, though it is a bit unstable.
SL 4AA PP Luxeon against measuring tape:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon with my Nokia 6610i:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon body (right top view):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon body (left top view):
Close up of SL 4AA PP Luxeon tail (lanyard hole, clicky switch and raised tabs):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon umbrella value:
Lamp assembly:
The lamp inside the 4AA Luxeon is the largest I have seen, because of the smooth, deep parabolic reflector which enables the light to throw a commendable distance for its size. The lamp assembly is also quite heavy. Embedded in the lamp assembly are 2 little grey hydrogen pellets that are meant to disperse any hydrogen generated by the batteries during operation. Build up of hydrogen gas in the light can cause explosions! Deep down the reflector is a tiny Luxeon I lamp which provides the light for the flashlight.
SL 4AA PP Luxeon smooth, deep reflector:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon lamp assembly top side view:
SL 4AA Pp Luxeon lamp assembly side view (note the 2 small grey hydrogen catalyst pellets):
Lamp/bulb:
The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon's light is generated by a ''10,000 hour Super High-Flux Luxeon Star LED'', or in short a Luxeon I LED (1 watt output). The luxeon LED is very small but the light it produces makes one wonder at how far flashlights have come over the years.
SL 4AA PP Luxeon, Luxeon I LED bulb:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon semi top in light, switched on:
Beam and light quality:
The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon has one of the smallest hotspots I have ever seen. This clearly is the light for throw. Despite having a small hotspot, there is adequate sidespill, good enough to light up the path in front of me to see what lies at my feet. The brightspot is very intense and is not really suitable for doing close tasks unless a beam diffuser is used. Because of its tight beam, the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon has a 'lightsabre' effect, i.e. on dark nights a white beam of light can be seen emerging from the tip of the light some 5m (15ft) into the night sky. On hazy nights this beam shines further and is more distinct. The beam is not typical of a LED, and the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon has quite a white beam, though not sunlight white, but when compared to an ordinary 3mm LED, this light certainly makes the ordinary LED seem really blue.
SL 4AA PP Luxeon @ 30cm (note the 2 sidespills): 
SL 4AA PP Luxeon 2 sidespill rings clearly seen:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon @ 1m:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon against wall @ 1m (with broom for size reference):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon against wall @ 2m:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon against wall @ 2m (with broom for size reference):
Throw:
The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon is a throw monster! It easily outhrows any cheap incandescent light that I have seen. This light throws around 50 metres (150 feet) and the light is still visible on objects at 60 metres, though light at that distance is not useful enough to distinguish a man from a dustbin. But I guess that for its size, the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon does amaze me. The small, intense hotspot and beam of light emerging from the tip are signs that this light throws well.
Runtime:
This light is regulated, and provides a constant 4 hours of regulated light at a constant 40 lumens before its output diminishes for another 2 hours and it ceases operation. Many incandescent lights do not feature this; their output decreases almost immediately after being turned on and output decreases. The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon in a great improvement and I sure do enjoy having a constant brightness in usage.
Heat issues:
The lamp assembly is made of mostly metal to draw the heat away, but some people have issues with having a Luxeon LED in a plastic body. Some people have claimed that because the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon is made of a polymer body, and not a metal body, the heat generated by operation of the light is not dispersed but builds up in the light, and may even melt the light. However, I have noticed that the head of the 4AA Propolymer Luxeon tends to get only slightly warm but this is not really noticeable. After running the light for around 5 minutes I unscrewed the head and the lamp assemly felt comfortably warm. I can conclude that heat is not an issue for this light.
Other little noticeable things:
This light does not have the option of having multiple levels of output, which is having the light to shine at different levels of output, like at 10 lumens, 20 lumens and 30 lumens. The 4AA Propolymer Luxeon only has a constant 42 lumens output. As stated above, this makes doing close tasks like reading maps and searching for small objects difficult. While this option would be nice, I guess fitting a beam diffuser over the light's head should do the job, though this would be a bulky option.
There is also a little battery ''rattle'' when I shake the light. Some people may be particular about this and complain that the battery is loose, but the rattle is fine for me. This light is not meant to be mounted on firearms and certainly would not be able to withstand a visit to the firing range.
To sum it all up in a nutshell:
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon Pros:
+ Excellent throw and light output (42 lumens)
+ Flawless beam
+ Good and useful spillbeam
+ Regulated output (constant for 4 hours and diminishing 2 hrs thereafter)
+ Has a ''clicky'' tactical button switch (good for 1-handed operation)
+ Impact and corrosion resistant
+ Luxeon I LED bulb & polymer body means this light can last ''forever''
+ Waterproof
+ Runs on common AA batteries
+ Lifetime warranty from Streamlight
+ Cheap at US$23
Streamlight Propolymer 4AA Luxeon Cons:
- A little heavy and bulky (not pocketable)
- Does not have multiple levels of output, only 1 output at 42 lumens
- Small and intense hotspot makes it difficult to do close tasks
- Has a battery '''rattle'' when the flashlight is shaken
Conclusion:
For the price of US$23, this light is certainly worth the buy. It blows away cheap 3mm LEDs and mini mags. It rivals many incandescent lights of its size and puts them to shame. However, I really would have liked 2 levels of output (high & low) so I can use this light for close tasks. This light throws really well and the colour temperature is close enough to that of white light, though not perfect. Many others have bought this flashlight and are satisfied, and even recommend it to others. Likewise, I do the same.
Other Streamlight 4AA Propolymer Luxeon pictures:
Ceiling bounce target in camera flash:
Before ceiling bounce test:
After ceiling bounce test (sorry for blurry image):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon full head-on:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon view of reflector with light on (lens has dust on it, not scratches):
SL 4AA PP Luxeon side view switched on:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon view from below, switched on:
SL 4AA PP Luxeon shining upwards:
Hope that you found this review useful and know a little more about this wonderful flashlight. =)
Specifications of the Streamlight 4AA PP Luxeon:
*Powered by 4 ''AA'' alkaline batteries
*Up to 3,500 peak beam candlepower (42 lumens)
*Waterproof
*Runs up 4 hrs. at full intensity with 2 additional hrs. of declining usable light
*7''
*7.52 oz.
*Features a wrist lanyard connection
*Available in yellow and black
See the Streamlight 4AA Propolymer Luxeon here:
http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=25#tabs
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