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The TerraLUX StreamStar HP is an upgrade bulb for the
Streamlight Stinger HP rechargeable system. The replacement
module uses a Luxeon III LED to produce good output
over a much longer period of time relative to the stock
bulb.
This replacement bulb unit gives good output, is practically
impervious to shock and impacts, and the conversion
is 100% reversible.
However, we had one little problem. Sure I've got a
Stinger, and an UltraStinger, but NO Stinger HP! Oops...
So, I made a visit over to BrightGuy.com
and was able to locate a Stinger
HP upgrade kit for the Stinger which BrightGuy was
kind enough to supply in exchange for this gratuitous
promotion of their huge variety of illumination products.
(By the way, they also carry the TerraLUX
StreamStar HP and the standard Stinger
HP for the TerraLUX bulb.)
It is important to note that if you are going to upgrade
a current Stinger to a Stinger HP, you need the special
upgrade kit. A normal Stinger HP head will NOT fit on
a Stinger. The threads on the body of the Stinger are
on the INSIDE of the barrel, the threads on the HP are
on the OUTSIDE of the barrel.
The TerraLUX StreamStar HP works with BOTH configurations,
so an upgraded Stinger is fine to use with the module.
The
"players" - HP upgrade kit, Stinger, and TerraLUX
StreamStar HP
The module consists of an anodized aluminum disk as
the "base" for the module. On top of the disk
is the LED on a tall post. On the bottom is the circuit
board, two pins for contacts, and a surface mount resistor.
No regulation circuit here.
 
Installation is a breeze. First remove
the bezel /reflector from the Stinger. Pull out the
bulb and place the StreamStar HP module in its place,
CAREFULLY inserting the pins into the connector. Align
the big gap in the plate with the screw you see protruding
into the Stinger. Push the switch and it should light.
 
Bulb
inside with head removed and module then installed,
replacing the bulb.
NOTE that the light is rotated 90 degrees clockwise
in the second picture.
The gap in the plate aligns with the screw.
Screw the large HP reflector back on and
gently tighten GENTLY! until you meet some resistance.
Make sure the center post holding the LED does not twist!
I found out after testing that strong pressure will
cause the plate to twist in a retrofitted Stinger using
the upgrade HP kit and the pins will twist, possibly
shorting the battery when turned on. I do not know if
this will be a problem in a normal StingerHP application.
That's it! When you are done it should
look like this:
What's left to do but turn it on...
...and let it run!
Output is a little on the bluish-turquoise side for
the module I received. You can still focus the beam,
but I found it worked best just gently tightened down
all the way. There is no regulation circuit, just a
resistor in this module, so any illusion of regulation
is created by the relatively steady output of the rechargeable
batteries.
You get longer runtime, but output is significantly
less than that of the standard bulb. As a result, this
replacement module may not be for everyone.
What I Liked: Tough/impact resistant,
Long battery life, Fairly bright, Easy install and reversible
modification.
What I Didn't Like: No where near
as bright as the original bulb.
Picky Little Things: None
Conclusions: A good upgrade from
the point of view of making your Stinger HP impact resistant
and giving it a significant increase in runtime. You
won't get as bright of a beam as is usual for the Stinger/Stinger
HP, but the output is very good for general use.
Don't over-tighten the head in an an upgraded
Stinger with the HP upgrade kit as the plate can twist,
causing the pins to touch and short the battery.
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