If you haven’t heard about Streamlight’s Stinger Switchblade flashlight, let me enlighten you. The Stinger is a portable, hands-free work light with a “blade” of light that articulates at 180°. It has some of the best features I’ve ever come across in a flashlight.

First, it’s tough. It can be used in the rain, and I know firsthand that it can handle its fair share of drops. The light lens is chemical resistant, and I’ve used it many times to inspect drywall while sanding, so I also know that excessive fine dust is no problem. I’ve used the magnet on the bottom while working in mechanical rooms and performing maintenance and repairs on trucks and other equipment, and I’ve also tried the handy swivel hook on the bottom. I like that the lithium battery can be charged with a USB port on the side of the base or through a docking station. 

But with this tool, it’s really all about the light. The Stinger has three different settings. One cranks out 800 lumens of cool white, which can illuminate a dungeon-like basement. Another setting emits 600 lumens with a color rendering index (CRI) of 90, which allows you to see accurate colors (handy when working on low-voltage wires). There’s also a UV-light option, which I use weekly to inspect heavy equipment and track down hydraulic and refrigerant leaks on HVAC appliances (most manufacturers of quality hydraulic fluids and refrigerants mix in a UV-sensitive dye). I’ve been using both the Stinger Switchblade and its 500-lumen younger brother the Strion Switchblade for quite some time now, and they are the best portable, all-around flashlights I’ve had in my hand. The Stinger Switchblade costs $85, and the smaller Strion is $65, not including the docking station.

Roger Bauman, a custom home builder in Monticello, Minn.

Photos: courtesy of the manufacturers

Fine Homebuilding #318

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