Streamlight Scorpion flashlight

[Spoonman]

Hey, ya"ll. I got a Streamlight Scorpion flashlight as a gift. I had my heart set on a Surefire but the Scorpion seems pretty nice to me. It appears to be sturdy and is very bright. Any thoughts or advice on the Scorpion? Anybody else got one?


Clif

[Ledbetter]

Got two. May pick up a rechargable for "non-tactical use."

Great lights for the money. Bulbs replace cheaper than, um, some others.

[Double Naught Spy]

Spoonman, Surefires are nicer lights, no doubt, but spend some time with the Scorpion and I think you will like it. If anything, get used to using the Scorpion and go through all the problems of learning to handle a light light this in manners not typical of other lights, drop it a few times, etc., and get the wear and tear done on an expensive light, and then go buy yourself a high dollar Surefire and save the wear and tear on it.

I have several Scorpions and they are what we have given as gifts to several people.

While the Scorpion is very bright, about as much so as comparable 2 celled and even my 3 celled Surefire, the beam quality is not as perfect. Then again, the Scorpion comes with a spare bulb and replacement bulbs are about 1/3 the cost of Surefire bulb and reflector units on comparable sized lighted. I have done the side-by-side shines with my Scorpions and Surefires and the Surefires have better beam quality, but not for double and triple the price of the Scorpions (Botach has them for $22 right now). And, for use with a handgun, the Scorpion (and Surefire of course) provide more than sufficient lighting for handgun distance controntations. I have found I can ID neighbors at about 100 yards and see them clearly at 50 - which is a LOT further than I would like to be using a handgun at night.

The Scorpion is NOT a flashlight per se and can't really be using like a normal flashlight at least not for very long. It is a limited application light. It is limited by the fact that running it continuously for more than a couple of minutes can result in melting of the lexan lens. So this is a light you don't want to be using to search the park for your car keys that you dropped. I have not found out how to get replacement lexan lenses for the two I have that are heat damaged.

I have read where people have opted not to go with the Scorpion lights because they seem more prone to breakage. I have managed to drop one down a flight of stairs, on the cement in a parkinglot, bouncing around in the back of my car, in a range bad, etc. and have not experienced anything breakage. No doubt that had the light been one when the flashlight was dropped down the stairs, the filament might have broken.

My only complaint is that the rubber sleeve can tend to migrate toward the thumb switch/butt end of the light with a goodly amount of use. I used a small piece of 2 sided tape between the tube and the sleeve and that stopped. Glue would have worked as well.

For the price, combined with coming with a spare bulb, they are a bargain.

FYI, batteries for the Scorpion (or Surefires) can be bought at a huge discount over what you can find them for in local stores like Wal-Mart or Target (and especially photo supply), but you have to buy in some quantity, usually 10 or 20. Places like Botachtactical.com run specials and there are a couple of battery dealers you can find on the net that run specials as well. I have ordered from 3 different places, just depending on who had the best prices at the time. I don't consider it a good deal if I have to spend more than $2 each after shipping, and sometimes the price is much closer to $1.50.

[Joe Talmadge]

People who have the Scorpion like it, it's a fine light. A couple of things to note, besides the possibility of melting the lexan lens (something I hadn't previously heard was a problem). First, it's nice that the bulbs are much less expensive than Surefire's lamp assemblies, but by all accounts the Scorpion's bulbs also last only 1/3 to 1/2 as long as Surefire's, so plan on replacing them more frequently and having the savings be less than you thought they'd be (for tactical use, frequent lamp failure is a concern as well). The clickie switch is what I'd want for EDC, not what I'd want for tactical use, but opinions vary.

Overall, the overwhelming opinion is that the Scorpion is a nice little light for the price.

[LeadPumper]

Got one last july from my brother as a birthday gift. I wear it daily as my "High Speed / Low Drag Evil Black Tactical Assault Flashlight". (what no pistol grip!?!)

Works well and takes a beating, plus I don't have to worry about scratching it too much for the cost involved in replacing it. No, it's not the absolute best out there. But I'm not LE, so I don't require the best, cost-is-no-object stuff.

I like it fine and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone as a need-it-now-and-then spot checker or a bedstand light.

Figure out your needs, then get the light (lights) that meet them.

-LeadPumper

[Kevlarman]

Got one too! It's a pretyt bright flashlight, about half the price of a Surefire, and has an adjustable focus. I've used mine for poking around behind the computer, up in the rafters, or for late-night car inspections.

For now, I keep it in the car because it's insanely bright and the lithium batteries will keep for about 10 years and operate in cold weather.

[Still Learning]

One of my Christmas gifts was a brand new $100 bill. I used about half of it to buy a Scorpion and belt carrier. Picked up the Scorpion from a local dealer and the kydex carrier from www.comp-tac.com. So far I'm really pleased with the Scorpion. I had intended to buy the Surefire but after testing the two side-by-side I decided to stay on the cheap.

I still plan on a Surefire M3 for the AR at some point.

[QKRTHNU]

I just got one. Love it.

[Double Naught Spy]

Joe, the melting lens isn't a big problem, but something to be cautious about. The melting starts in the very center of the lens which is the part closest to the bulb. If interested, email me and I will get a jpeg pic for you of an example from one of my lights. It got melted when the light somehow got turned on while in my pocket (apparently because of all the other junk I was carrying in there with it) and I did not notice the light was on until I had a strange sensation that quickly because a little painful...which was the light heating up the head area of the unit.

Part of the reason Surefire now uses Pyrex lenses is because they are not as likely to melt if the light is left on too long.


This link will take you to the Surefire forum. Do a search on the word "melt" and you will find various reports of melted lenses in Scorpion and Surefire lights.
http://186thousand.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

[ruger357]

I have one and love it. Just about as bright as surefire, plus when I need a new bulb for the Scorpion Iwon't have to pay $20 for it.

[Spoonman]

I appreciate all the information, ya'll. I am concerned about the melting lense issue. I had hoped to use this thing as a deer hunting light. This would involve 10 to 15 minute walks through the woods in the dark. Maybe an occasional after-dark search for wounded game (hopefully not). The Scorpion is obviously not the best choice for this job.

It's a good truck light, though, and seems perfect for a "serious social situation" light (w/ the 1911, of course). Am I turning tactical, or what?

:cool:

[TarpleyG]

My only complaint is that the rubber sleeve can tend to migrate toward the thumb switch/butt end of the light with a goodly amount of use. I used a small piece of 2 sided tape between the tube and the sleeve and that stopped. Glue would have worked as well.
I had this problem as well. I removed the rubber sleeve and glued an eraser from a pencil onto the white plastic thumb switch and formed it to the same diameter and slightly higher than the aluminum housing with a Dremel. Makes a world of difference.

As for the heat issue, I took mine with me on my last trip to the Caribbean and used it several times at night to find our boat while riding in the dinghy back from the night out on shore. Some of those rides were 10-15 minutes depending on my state of inebriation and the distance. I had no problems. Now it just sits in the safe next to a loaded .45 just in case. I carry a SureFire E1 because it is so much smaller.

For the money, you can't beat it...

GT

[datsafact]

I have two scorpions and an ultra stinger....like them all!

[chieftain]

I have the Poly stinger, Scorpion, and surfire P6

I carry the Scorpion the most. fits in my back pocket without the light comeing on. With one exception. and as the fellow earlier stated I felt that burning sensation on my a**.

The problem with the Surefire is it's switch. If i turn it not to come on in my pocket, It becomes a two handed light. If I keep it turned to come on with one hand, it burns my butt literally!

So the Surefire is only used for Competition, and I carry the Scorpion.

The Poly Stinger is used around the house and for Home Defense, backed up by the Scorpion! Remember the Stinger comes with the charger!

Fred

[1911]

Its refreshing to be on a board that supports scorpians.I get so tired of the surefire blah blah blah that it makes me want to puke.

[norielX]

I got it because of the price, mostly. I think on my lens, a piece of the reflector had chipped off (looked like a piece of glitter), and was stuck to the lens. After the light was accidently turned on in my pocket (man, they get hot fast!) I noticed the area of the lens where the reflector part had been was melted a little. So now I have a little translucent post near the center of the lens.

I also got a Comp-Tac holster for the scorpion, and I'm glad for the pocket space that it's cleared up. The scopion was a little take out of my pockets at times due to the grippiness of the handle. The comp-tac is great, though, I've fallen asleep with it on, and the flashlight hasn't fallen out.

[Ledbetter]

Rechargeable. Comes with AC charger for the house AND DC charger for the car. Both are mountable with screws on a flat surface. Real bright.

Now my wife wants one too:D

[Mad Man]

For belt carry, look at the C030 pouch by Tools For Stagecraft (http://www.toolsforstagecraft.com/n324.htm) (sorry, no direct link. Scroll down to near the bottom of the page).

It uses a clip instead of a belt slot, so you don't need to take your belt off to put it on or take it off. It also costs less than the Comp-Tac light holder (http://www.comp-tac.com./ct_light_holder.html) ($16 vs $22.50).


On another note...


First, it's nice that the bulbs are much less expensive than Surefire's lamp assemblies, but by all accounts the Scorpion's bulbs also last only 1/3 to 1/2 as long as Surefire's, so plan on replacing them more frequently and having the savings be less than you thought they'd be (for tactical use, frequent lamp failure is a concern as well).


I've owned a Scorpion for over 4 years (and a 6P for over 3). For the first two years or so, I used the Scorpion frequently enough that I went through a set of batteries every month. I have yet to change the bulb.

[The Plainsman]

Since you're all on this thread.

I have two Scorpions and both of them did the same thing. I know that the useable life is about 60 minutes (so I've read). In both cases, the flashlights were shining brightly and all of a sudden - blink! Nothing. They didn't dim down like a conventional flashlight with alkaline batteries. They went from full on bright to zero in the twinkling of an eye. At first, I thought the bulb had burned out, so I replaced it. When it still didn't work, I was ready to ship it back to the factory, but I decided to try new batteries, just in case. That's what it was.

Do all Lithium batteries/flashlights do this? :confused:

[cookhj]

i have one on my duty belt. it's just as bright as a surefire, and a lot cheaper.

[earl_simmons]

TP:

My Scorpion sometimes dims before going out, and sometimes it goes out without warning. I've only used Surefire batteries with the light so I don't think it's battery-related. I don't think it's anything to be concerned about... just keep extra batteries around at all times.

[Kevlarman]

Yes, lithium batteries are supposed to do that. They push out close to their nominal voltage throughout the entire discharge curve, and then it drops off rapidly as the battery dies. That's why they make good batteries for high-drain devices. In some cases, you'll have two minutes of "dim yellow" light before it dies, or in other cases, it dies right away.

[CAP]

I've got 2 E1e's and wanted an E2. I got a Scorpion for $34+tax and LOVE it. I want 2 or 3 more for various places.

I still want an E2 and will get one at some point, but for the $, the Scorpion is great.

[45R]

Surefires have more flavors. I have four 6P varients. The great thing about them is that you can have 60 or 120 lumen bulbs in them. The bulbs cost about 1/4 as much as the Surefire but IMHO they are wel worth it. I have had one since 96 and the thing goes everywere with me. A friend of mine has a scorpion and its not at all a bad light. Its always nice to have more then one type of light. Keep that one in your car and get a Surefire for the night stand.

They are both great lights, I am just a little more basis toward the SFs. :) The great thing about the Surefire is that you have an all metal frame not encased in rubber. Makes for a good tactical tool if needed. It also will the the TID head. :)

[Ledbetter]

Lithium batteries do this. So do rechargeble nickel-metal hydride.

The reason sometimes it gets dim for a minute is because sometimes one of the two cells goes completely dead a moment or two before the other.

[Titan]

I have two and have had good service from both although one had a small 'dark spot' in the center of the beam.Louis Awerbuck showed our class a quick fix for that problem.A small felt washer between the bulb and reflector solves this and you have pure white light.And if your hands are large enough the rubber handle
permits you to use the "Rodgers" tecnique,albeit not as effective as a 6-Z.Overall a good value.

[chieftain]

Titan,

can you be more discriptive of the placement of the felt washer, or better yet a picture?

Thanks,

Fred

[Guyon]

I have one Surefire 6z. I have three Scorpions. You do the math and figure out which one I like the best.

Titan: I'd like to hear about that "washer fix" as well.

[Titan]

I will try to post a few pics tomorrow of the light and washer fix.Long weekend.......

[Titan]

Can't do pics today:( so here goes ... you can use felt or any kind of bendable plastic.Cut a circle approximately 5/8 of an inch round and the thickness is approx.1/16th.Unscrew the front of the light to expose the part where your bulb connection is made.Cut a hole in your washer just enough to fit over the connection point.
Reassemble the light and check your beam.Hope this helps.Credit to Louis Awerbuck for showing this to me.