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Streamlight
Survivor Rating
-4.75 Stars = Highly Recommended
Description.
The Streamlight
Survivor is
a specialized personal illumination device that is
specifically designed for emergency rescue personnel
such as firefighters and paramedics in addition to
search and rescue operators of all stripe. Beyond
this narrow market segment, it also finds favor with
any user that specifically demands an incandescent
flashlight with a head axis that is at 90º to the
body axis. This form-factor makes the Survivor a minimally
protrusive source of illumination. Another feature
that is directly related to fire fighters and other
first responders is the over-sized clip that allows
the Survivor to be attached to a turnout coat - with
minimal forward protrusion. The typically long runtime
and economy of use afforded by the rechargeable cells
is important to professionals that may need a light
for hours at a time and that use their lights regularly.
The Survivor has another distinction that's important
to emergency first responders- HAZMAT compliance.
This means that the design of the light makes it safe
to use in circumstances when flammable agents are
present. The form-factor is also one that lends itself
to a sure grip in the heavily gloved hands of firefighters
and other first responders. One added bonus is that
the flat bottom allows the Survivor to stand erect
while projecting a beam forward and slightly above
surface level. This makes it a preferred choice for
practical hands-free illumination. The Survivor is
conspicuous in it's class in that it's somewhat narrower
than larger 4C versions of the right angle lights-
making it easier for small handed individuals as well
as lightening the load for a responder.
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Sales Source:
http://www.streamlight.com
& http://www.meiresearch.com
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Specifications for Survivor
Rechargeable 3750)
- Case Color:Safety Orange or Yellow
- Emitted Colors: 3200ºK Amber/Straw/White
Incandescent
- Bulb:5.5 watt, 4.8 Volt "black
dot" xenon bulb providing Smoke Cutter®
optics.
- Beam Brightness:25,000 CP
- Power Source: Nickel-cadmium 4.8
Volt, 1.8 amp hour, sub-C; rechargeable up to 1,000
times
- Runtime with 1.7 hours between charges
- Can be submersed underwater up
to a depth of 1 meter for 20 minutes (tested)
- Fabrication:ABS Body, Polycarbonate
lens, 'O'Ring seal around battery cartridge &
bezel
- Dimensions:6.88"(H) x 3"
(W) x 3.38" (D)
- Net weight:15.4 ounces (with batteries)
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Evaluation Results & Conclusions...
Ease of Use
Excellent . Requires very little learning
if any. Intuitive functional model. No cognitive overhead
. Included English, French, Spanish, German instructions
are crystal clear . An obvious activation lever on
the top of the light allows for easy activation with
the free hand and a somewhat awkward activation with
the carry hand .A simple pictogram reinforces the
use model that when the lever is positioned forward
the light will come On and if placed in the rearward
station the light will go back Off. There is no safety
'Lock-out' mode, and there is no momentary or signaling
mode.The light is grasped around the body section
and simply pointed where illumination is needed. Removing
the battery pack for replacement after the 1000'th
charge cycle, simply involved unlatching the wire-clip
that keeps the compartment lid closed, and sliding
the battery pack out. This process is not required
for charging the light itself .Removing the front
bezel for bulb replacement is also straight forward.
Unscrewing the bezel requires no more strength or
effort than opening a vacuum sealed food jar. Once
unscrewed, the proprietary base lamp becomes accessible.It
simply pulls out so that a replacement can be made.
Stowing and carrying the Survivor is more practical
than the same operation with traditional flashlights
that employ batteries in a long line to each other.
The flattened Survivor profile, coupled with a handy
polymer clip and 1" split ring mean that forward
pointing carry is always an option. In addition, the
Survivor slips easily into cargo pockets of all stripe-
making it quite inconspicuous and lower profile.
5 points
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Task performance optimization
Excellent . The Survivor effectively accomplishes
the task of illuminating subjects for the purpose
of identification or for illuminating a passageway
. It essentially performs the same function as a typical
Police type flashlight - but with a lighter and flatter
profile device .Indeed, it's one of the smaller of
the right angle lights. More than this, the right
angle orientation of the head, makes it ideal for
peeking around tight corners or for illumination in
cramped quarters. Though not a match for the brightest
of the Police flashlights, the Survivor nonetheless
holds its own for 90% of the tasks that in-line 4C
lights could accomplish in terms of brightness.This
is especially true due to the use of the 5.5 Watt
bulb available in this package.The Survivor even out
performed larger lights for throw - due to it's optimal
reflector and bulb designs. Another noteworthy feature
is the superbly designed charging station that meets
the demands of the professional user. The battery
pack of the Slow/Trickle charge Div2 unit that we
evaluated charges inside the light- simplifying the
process. Optional Fast chargers as well as Piggyback
stations are also available. Charging
can occur from a 110V AC source or a 12V DC source
such as may be found in a motor vehicle. The same
station is used with two different input plugs.This
type of user-centered flexibility ensures that a charged
light is always at the ready and that a kit may allow
for both 110 household power charging or 12V DC automobile
charging. A final item of note is
the color of the Survivor. The bright safety yellow
makes this light easy to find- even in dim ambient
illumination. Outdoors at dawn, day or dusk - the
yellow casing is very noticeable in a kit bag- making
it easy to spot for the users as well as onlookers
monitoring a scene. We especially like the Survivor
as an overall Search, Rescue and Survival light.
5 Points
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Durability
Long term and stress tests have not been
performed. First impressions are that in normal use
the Survivor is durable. It's rugged enough to take
the punishment of being banged about , dropped and
scraped against concrete . It's polymer casing absorbs
most shock and its relative lightness- both eases
the burden of carry as well as reduces the chance
that the Survivor itself will break anything.
5 points
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