Whether used for basic illumination, outdoor activities, or emergency signaling, flashlights are an item that every person should keep in their home or vehicle. Many people picture these tools as bulky, cylinder-shaped tubes that sit in a drawer or cabinet until they are needed, but this is not always the case. If you are in the market for a new EDC light that is thin and designed with portability in mind, let’s explore the Streamlight Wedge SL.
Wedge SL Design
The Wedge SL is a compact inspection flashlight that stands 5.56 inches tall and weighs 0.41 ounces. It is built to be lightweight, and durable, featuring an extruded aluminum alloy case with a Type II MIL-Spec anodized finish. The light is also water resistant and designed with an unbreakable acrylic lens. The ultra-thin device is constructed with a push button tail switch as well as a stainless-steel pocket clip, allowing users to conveniently carry it in a pocket, bag, or toolkit. The flashlight includes a Bite-Boot, a soft cover made to fit over the end of the tool, which allows hands-free operation. The Wedge SL is available in black, coyote, or silver, providing a sleek and modern look.
Output
The light offers two different lighting modes, allowing users to either choose Constant-On or THRO (Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output). Constant-On is available in high or low settings. On high, the Wedge SL produces 100 lumens of light with a 35-meter beam distance, and a 1.75 hour run time. When the light is set too low, it produces 50 lumens of light with a 24-meter beam distance, and a 3.5 hour run time. THRO mode provides powerful 500 lumens of brightness at an 80-meter beam distance.
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Battery
One of the best features of the Wedge SL is its USB-C rechargeable lithium polymer battery that is able to fully charge in about four hours. When the light is charging, the LED located by the USB-C port will flash. These LEDs also serve as a battery indicator. Four LEDs means the device has 75% to 100% battery remaining. Three LEDS indicate the device has 50% to 75% of remaining runtime, while two LEDs mean the light has 25% to 50% remaining. One LED shows the light has 10% to 25% of usable energy left. When one LED is flashing, the light has 0% to 10% remaining battery.
First Impressions
One of the most surprising aspects of the Wedge SL was how lightweight and smooth it felt in my hands, its slim profile comparable to the design of a carpenter pencil. A firm press of the tail switch automatically powered the light on, brightly illuminating my surroundings, while a quick tap turned the device off.
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My favorite feature the flashlight offered was the THRO mode, providing 500 lumens of extra lighting when the switch was pressed and held. In low light environments, this mode is ideal for stunning targets, inspecting detailed areas, or emergency situations. Additionally, I appreciated that the stainless-steel clip allowed me to conveniently attach it to my person or a bag, making this flashlight suitable for use when travelling or on the go.
If you prefer a low lumen setting, the Wedge SL also features a TEN-TAP programming, which allows a user to change the factory setting from High to Low. This is done by tapping the tail switch rapidly nine times and then holding the switch down on the 10th tap. A user will then continue to hold the switch until the light blinks. Once programmed, a single tap activates the low setting, while a rapid double tap engages the high setting. THRO mode can still be activated by simply pressing and holding the switch.
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Final Thoughts
Overall, Wedge SL was straightforward to operate, sleek in design, and provided the perfect amount of illumination. After testing it, I can confidently say that this is not just a light that I will stuff away in a drawer until it’s needed. Instead, it’s a flashlight that deserves to be a part of my every day carry necessities. If you are looking for a thin, portable, and rechargeable flashlight that can not only brighten your environment but also your day, I highly recommend Streamlight Wedge SL.
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