What’s better than having a product that you like and works for you? When the company who produces said product puts out an improvement on what you already love. Truth be told, I’ve been using the AAA version of the Streamlight Stylus Pro flashlight for years. While the Stylus Pro USB 350 Lumen flashlight has been around for about a decade, I only just got my paws on it earlier this year and it wowed me. And, since we take our flashlights very seriously at The Square Reviews, we’re diving in deep!
Improvements over the AAA version
We rolled out a fairly glowing review of the Stylus Pro AAA flashlight when The Square Reviews launched. The Stylus Pro is and has been a mainstay for me – and many others – in both occupational and recreational settings. The light is perfect to keep with you when you travel. The lights are affordable and compact enough to fit in pants pockets, toolboxes, keep with your shooting accessories in your range bag, purses, glove boxes, inner sport coat pockets, etc. There’s essentially no reason to not have a light in every corner of your life with lamps on the market like these.
Where did Streamlight improve on the Stylus Pro? The USB version, for starters, is rechargeable. That’s a huge plus. I’m a fan of rechargeable lights. Aside from not producing as much waste by discarding single use batteries, a rechargeable lamp gives an element of control to the user. The light can be recharged whenever one wants to – or is able to – and that allows for a better overall user experience.
Mighty bright for a small package
The Stylus Pro USB also packs more punch than the AAA version. Being outfitted with a rechargeable Streamlight 66143 lithium battery means that the Stylus Pro USB has more power available. Since there’s more power available, the maximum output of the lamp is more than triple that the AAA version.
The two settings for the Stylus Pro USB are low and high. The high output is 350 lumen and will run for an estimated 1.5 hours. The low output is 90 lumen and will run for an estimated 3.5 hours. The beam distance is 109 and 58 meters respectively.
Charging your Stylus Pro USB
According to the manual, you will get 300 charges at 100% and then subsequent charges will be up to 70% capacity. It’s estimated that it takes four hours to charge the battery via the micro USB port, and an integrated charge indicator light will show red for charging and green for fully charged.
To charge the lamp, you must expose the micro USB port which is covered by a shroud. When pulled back, the shroud will expose the port, allowing you to plug in a conventional micro USB. The port is protected by an o-ring that interfaces with the retractable shroud.
Modes
As noted, there’s a high and low mode for the Stylus Pro USB. In order to cycle through the two, one must do this via the tail switch. “Changing light level – double tap the switch to change light level,” the manual states. “Click the switch to lock the light on at that level.”
This is one of the areas I feel that Streamlight can improve on their design. But then again, this is simple, and generally keeping things simple is good. I favor separate selector switches that allow for users to cycle through modes. That being said, more buttons, more stuff to fail.
Since the modes are changed via the tail switch, there’s a little learning curve to get used to changing between brightness levels. The good news though is that once you “lock” the light on your desired level, it will remember that brightness. I keep mine on the high setting pretty much all the time when using it.
Construction
Much like the Stylus Pro AAA model, the Stylus Pro USB is constructed of “anodized machined aluminum” and has a “gasket-sealed glass lens.” As mentioned above, there is a shroud or sleeve that covers the USB port. The shroud protects the port from water ingress via the o-ring seal. The sleeve/o-ring configuration aids in categorizing the light as “IPX4 water-resistant.” The product description also notes that the light is “impact resistance tested” up to one meter.
The light is 5.95 inches long and weighs 1.8 ounces with the battery installed.
The finish on the Stylus Pro USB is noted in the fact sheet to be “Type II Military Spec anodizing” and that it “helps make the light extremely durable and abrasion resistant.” That being said, the unit that I’ve been using these last eight months has some minimal wear from rubbing up against a pocket knife and tactical pen, all of which I keep in my pant’s pocket. I did find the finish on the Stylus Pro USB model to be more robust than the finish on the blue tinted AAA model I had used for years.
What comes in the package?
The Stylus Pro USB flashlight comes with a couple of accessories. Equipped on the light is a removable pocket clip. Luckily, it’s not that easy to remove, however, I have lost clips on other Stylus Pros in the past. Also in the box is a nylon belt sheath or holster for the lamp. A micro USB to USB A charging cable is included with the Stylus Pro USB.
How did the Streamlight Stylus Pro USB perform in the field?
This is a great light that’s suitable for everyday carry. It’s also a great light to have on hand for emergencies, or keep in a toolbox, range bag, tacklebox, or vehicle.
I previously carried a Stylus Pro AAA flashlight as my everyday carry, so transitioning to the USB rechargeable version was easy. They’re similar in size and construction. When weighed against the AAA version, the USB light blows it out of the water. That’s not to say I’m going to toss all my Stylus Pro AAA lights, but I will say that the brightness of the USB version being more than triple that of the AAA, puts it leagues above its predecessor.
The quick and dirty
Pluses: Compact. Lightweight. Easy to carry. Rechargeable. Very bright for its size. Limited lifetime warranty.
Minuses: Micro USB charging port a bit antiquated in comparison to today’s USB C standards. A little expensive.
The Stylus Pro USB flashlight is a winner. This is the perfect light to have around to just have one around. In the 21st Century, don’t be the guy or gal using their cellphone as a flashlight in an emergency or when you need one. Be the guy or gal that has one of these bad boys in their pocket, purse, or wherever! The Stylus Pro USB flashlight can be purchased at your favorite dealer or online through Amazon.
About USB Rechargeable Super Bright LED Penlight
We listened to your feedback. The Stylus Pro USB rechargeable pen light features a slimmer design. It provides the flexibility of charging on-the-go using virtually any USB power source. Now shining brighter at 350 lumens.
- High and low modes:
- 350 lumens; 109m beam; runs 1.5 hours
- 90 lumens; 58m beam; runs 3.5 hours
- Lithium ion battery recharges in-product in 2.5 hours
- Charge indication LED: LED Red – Charging; LED Green – Charged
- Durable anodized machined aluminum construction; gasket-sealed glass lens
- Water-resistant sliding metal sleeve protects USB port
- Push-button tail switch — momentary or constant on operation
- IPX4 water-resistant; 1m impact resistance tested
- Includes removable pocket clip and tear resistant nylon holster
- 5.95″ (151 mm); 1.8 oz (51g) with battery
- Limited lifetime warranty
- High Lumens 350
- Run Time 3.50 hours
- Beam Distance 109 meters
- Battery Type Lithium Ion Cell Pack
- Battery Quantity 1
- Length 5.95 inches (15.11 centimeters)
- Weight 1.80 ounces (51.03 grams)
- Colors Black
Check out a video featuring the Stylus Pro USB and a few other flashlights HERE or in the embed below.
