Streamlight 65618 Stylus Reach 11-Lumen White LED Pen Light for Mechanics, Inspectors, and Technicians with Flexible 7-Inch Extension Cable and 3 AAAA Alkaline Batteries, Black

If you've ever worked in confined spaces (under a car's dash, behind a sink, inside an appliance, etc.), you know that at times even small flashlights are too big. Sometimes you need a small light that can wrap around obstructions and light obscured areas. Until now, in these situations I have used a "Bend-A-Light" that is similar to the Stylus Reach. The standard Bend-A-Light retails for about the same price as the Stylus Reach, so a comparison of the two is useful. The Bend-A-Light is larger and slightly heavier. Its flexible neck is longer than that of the Stylus Reach (9.5" vs. 7.5" from bulb tip to flashlight body). However, the effective reach of the Stylus Reach is greater because its body is only slightly wider than its flexible neck (owing to its use of super-small "AAAA" batteries). The body of the Bend-A-Light houses "AA" batteries and is over twice as thick. The Stylus Reach also features an aircraft aluminum casing (vs. the Bend-A-Light's plastic body), a MUCH more flexible neck that is shielded and insulated with PVC, up to 60 hours of run time on one set of three "AAAA" batteries (included), momentary "blink" or constant-on switching, and it's waterproof! Moreover, it has an unbreakable LED light that burns cool and is as bright or brighter than the Bend-A-Light's fragile, incandescent bulb. [I should mention that there is a considerably longer (24"), brighter Bend-A-Light called the "Krypton Pro Bend-A-Light." However, I have no experience with it.] I am exceptionally impressed with the brightness and quality of the Stylus Reach. It is one of those items that nobody knows they need until they have it. It would make a great gift for any do-it-yourselfer or tech geek. If Streamlight would make a version of the Stylus Reach with a longer neck, I'd happily buy it, too.

These lights are a must have for technicians, hobbyists, everyone who wants to shed a little light on something. Get the one with the flexible stalk. It can reach into little openings to see beyond. These lights are far better than a regular “flashlight” because you can reach in to light your target and there is no obnoxious reflection that a flashlight has. The only drawback is they require AAAA, that’s four A’s batteries. Not commonly available. Not at Lowe’s, Kroger, or any other common outlet I’ve tried. But good old Amazon has them. The bulbs are LED and last forever. My oldest one is over a decade old and still has the original bulb. Originally I started using them at work, where I trained Honda and Acura technicians. Indispensable they are. I have used these (I have several, one for the house inside, one for the garage and one in each car and in each motorcycle tool kit. For me they are indispensable, must haves. They make good gifts, too. Addendum: check your batteries periodically. On one of my AAAA Streamlights the batteries leaked and were almost impossible to remove without damaging the tubular body. This is the unanticipated offshoot of LED bulbs. They have so little battery drain when on that batteries seem to last forever unless used constantly to the point that the beam becomes dim.

This is my third Streamlight stylus. I've had one since they came out. The last one got immersed in goop and didn't clean up. My bad. I actually like this new version better. It has a flexible metal covered snout so is not prone to nicking and would be easier to clean up. It's a very handy light. The button on the end is easier to push than the last couple, so that is an improvement. I use it mostly for looking into small places. It works very well, with a strong enough light. I'm very happy with my purchase.

I ordered this to try as a cheap ENT headlight for use in the Emergency Department for nosebleeds and the like, coupled with a Nite-Ize headstrap. Previously I bought and still use a Streamlight 71600 Jr. Reach LED 115-Lumen Handheld Flashlight With Flexible Extension Cable which is ideal and much brighter (115 vs 11 lumens), but no longer made. I compared this light with a Lisle 35900 LED Flexible Flashlight that I got from amazon to compare. They are both very similar. Advantage of the Lisle over this Streamlight: takes AAA size battery cells and you can put AAA lithium cells in it: compared to alkaline cells, last longer, work better in the cold, and unlike alkaline cells, will not leak and corrode inside the light. The Streamlight takes AAAA cells, which are only available as alkaline cells. Advantages of the Streamlight: slightly cheaper, the flexible wand is easier to position right where you want it without it drifting, has a pocket clip to secure it in the Nite-Ize headband, and is slightly brighter in direct comparison. I ended up going with the Streamlight.

Fine and dandy, just what I needed. Generally men love flashlights and desire one for all applications. Streamlight seems to deliver.

Works great for getting light into small deep areas.

Very useful for small holes and tight spaces.

The Artic White LED is bright! The LED is focused in the center with no hard delineation as it fades gently to the perimeter of the beam. The aluminum case is nicely finished and the threads on the end engage perfectly as it seals with 2 "O" rings. The momentary push switch on the end cap has a solid feel and the "screw in to turn on" end cap is smooth and solid. The goose neck is stiff and holds it's shape nicely. After oral surgery I needed to precisely clean certain areas of my mouth and this works perfectly. Personally, a push-on-push-off end cap switch would be a little more convenient, but this works well and is probably more reliable.