The Streamlight Battery Adventure...

[Omega]

I charge my batteries with a universal charger I got from vape store for 15 bucks. Much better than anything stream light has put out


The 18650s you bought sound like vape batteries they have different buttons on connection

 

[cmshoot]

The weight, the lack of a quick on-off, the lack of strobe, and the somewhat cumbersome operation of off handed operation.

I hate strobes

 

[KonstantOne]

I charge my batteries with a universal charger I got from vape store for 15 bucks. Much better than anything stream light has put out


The 18650s you bought sound like vape batteries they have different buttons on connection

Batteries are batteries. The vape market certainly brought attention to the 18650 format, but they're all just batteries with specific output specs. These were chosen in my case because they were the ones that Cloud Defensive recommends for the OWL.

The charger I have and that Cloud Defensive provides was quite popular in the vape crowd. Thats where I read about it initially and got my first one.

The weight, the lack of a quick on-off, the lack of strobe, and the somewhat cumbersome operation of off handed operation.

I would disagree with you with the "lack of quick on-off". It's a pressure pad which is very quick to operate.

The damn this is heavy. And big. You are absolutely correct. It sucked having this on a longer rifle config. It's going on a 9" shorty and staying there
Strobe is...well not useful for everyone and not something typically used in the scenarios that I have observed so it has never even been a consideration(I find that it overcomplicates things. I prefer momentary only on the pressure pad and constant on/off elsewhere. Tailcap, for instance.). If you have to have it then, yeah, this light may not be for you.
Off hand operation is not great with this light, you are correct. Because of a particular setup I ran it reversed for a time so the body of the light sat over my support hand. It made for a busy handguard and it was easier to make mistakes. The same is true running it offhanded in a 'standard' config. I think that they are adressing this concern with their next offering - the REIN, coming out next month.

And the prices. Im not sure what they cost now, but I paid 300 for mine on sale.

I had this hesitation initially also. It's a high cost for one item. The thing is other lights aren't necessarily cheaper. Yes, you can get a Streamlight for $100 and call it a day...but then you need mounts for the light, mounts for the pad, maybe some cable management, depending on the setup, and other odds and ends specific to your build.
I priced out a modlite to do the same things - Modlite $330; tailcap $100; tape switch $50; switch mount $75; batteries $70 for 2; charger $30 (assumed same)
Thats $655, and the OWL has GREAT light performance thats cheaper. Just my impression, but I believe that while pricey, for a combat light thats damn near indestructible it's worth the cost.

EDITS-spelling and forgot to add point on weight.

 

[cmshoot]

I’m in the process of getting set up as a dealer for Modlight.....mainly so I can get my stuff at cost! Fantastic.

 

[Bamafan1973]

Modlight looks impressive

 

[KonstantOne]

I’m in the process of getting set up as a dealer for Modlight.....mainly so I can get my stuff at cost! Fantastic.

We may need to chat at some point in the near future

Modlight looks impressive

that video is absolutely awesome! The next one of those lights used to navigate a dark home is fantastic also.
Modlite does indeed look impressive. If I were to go that route, which is still on the table, I may choose the OKW as it would go on a dedicated LPVO rifle for a bit of a longer reach. Though I wouldn't decide until i saw how it compared to Cloud Defensives new offering being released next month. It has my attention based on the limited marketing material available.

 

[Omega]

Batteries are batteries. The vape market certainly brought attention to the 18650 format, but they're all just batteries with specific output specs. These were chosen in my case because they were the ones that Cloud Defensive recommends for the OWL.

The charger I have and that Cloud Defensive provides was quite popular in the vape crowd. Thats where I read about it initially and got my first one.

that is incorrect.
batteries are not batteries with stream light. They have their own 18650s with different connections.
That is the 18650 for my hlx and headlamps next to a 18650 vape battery. The stream light 18650s are a bit longer and button is different.

 

[Omega]

If you want someone to go in on a group streamlight battery buy I'd be in for 10-12!

 

[Omega]

I hate strobes

you dont like disco?

 

[cmshoot]

you dont like disco?

Hah!