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Review: Streamlight Microstream USB

By on April 22, 2019 in EDC, Flashlights, Reviews

I’ll spoil this review right up front. I really, really like my Streamlight Microstream USB.

Overview

The Microstream USB is an extremely compact LED light. It features a tail switch, a two way pocket clip (that is removable and replaceable), and two output settings (250 lumens for 1.5 hours and 50 lumens for 3.5 hours). This light is USB rechargable via a USB-C cord (included). It is less than 4″ long, barely wider than a AAA battery, and weighs a little more than 1 ounce.

The Microstream USB is available in a number of anodized colors but I recommend the FDE version because it is the only one that gives you the high output mode on the first click. The other colors (Black, Blue, Red) activate the 50 lumen mode on the first click.

Observations from Use

I normally prefer single output lights for EDC but the Microstream USB gets a pass. Streamlight designed it so that you could only access the 50 lumen low mode with a very fast double click. You can execute typical low light techniques without ever dropping into the 50 lumen mode. The user interface is dead simple and well designed.

The power to weight ratio on this light is incredible. It is so small and so lightweight that you will never leave it at home. It still has large light features like 250 lumen output and a tail switch in spite of that small size.

I typically carry a USB backup battery both at the office and on the trail. That makes it easy to keep this light up and running no matter where I am.

The light is recharged by sliding the bezel up to reveal the USB-C port and a small charge indicating LED (red for charging, green for charged). This sliding collar is o-ring sealed and it seams to do a good job given that my light has been through the wash with no ill effects. Still, this is the source of my major criticism of the light. I wish that this was sliding collar was threaded so that it had to be screwed down over the o-ring. This would make it even less likely to have water ingress. As it stands now, the user will have to keep a sharp eye on the o-ring to ensure that it is in good shape.

Wrap Up

This light is a tiny power house. I have larger lights with more output that I can can carry but this light is so small, lightweight, useful, and cheap to operate that I often carry it as a backup or even my primary light. It’s affordable too (less than $30)!

Have I said that I really, really like this light?

I had trouble finding the FDE anodized version when I bought mine last year. Now they are much easier to find. I purchased mine at Amazon who happened to be one the only places that had them in stock at the time: Streamlight Microstream USB on Amazon

Evernew Cross Stand 2 for the Trangia Spirit Burner

By on April 19, 2019 in EDC, Preparedness, Reviews, Survival

I’ve been using my Trangia Spirit Burner (alcohol stove) for a while now based on the recommendation of the folks at Hill People Gear. In the time I have used it, I have tried several pot stands and haven’t really been over the moon about any of them. The biggest problem is that they are often too large for use with a small pot. They also often too bulky or inefficient due to placing the pot too close to the jets.

A friend recommended the Evernew Cross Stand which is an “X” shaped stand made from titanium that is designed to sit on top of the Trangia (or Evernew Alcohol Burner). However, I found that it sat too low on the Trangia. Fortunately, Evernew makes a second version, the Cross Stand 2, that sits higher and places the bottom of the pot about 1″ above the jets.

My experience with the Cross Stand 2 has been excellent. It weighs less than an ounce as you might expect for something made of thin titanium with plenty of skeletonization cuts. It packs completely flat and should fit inside just about any mess kit. It’s height allows for a very efficient burn and it is really optimized for solo cook pots or nesting cups. I pair it with a simple aluminum foil wind screen to further optimize efficiency.

The Cross Stand 2 is marvel of simplicity and it has been a great solution for me. If you carry a Trangia in your hiking gear or preparedness gear, this could be a good solution for you toon. They are available on Amazon: Evernew Cross Stand 2 on Amazon

You are like to find even lower prices if you shop around.

Two Thumbs Up: Outdoor Research Customer Service

By on April 15, 2019 in EDC, Reviews

I have purchased lot of gear from Outdoor Research over the years including multiple pairs of gloves, hats, insulation payers, shell layers, and more. My experiences with the products themselves have been great but until recently, I never had occasion to test their “Infinite Guarantee”.

I purchased a Ferrosi Hooded Jacket (which is an incredible layer worthy of its own review soon) recently from an online retailer. It was on sale for a very good price. When I received the jacket, I noticed that chest pocket was sewn or welded shut via some assembly step gone awry. The retailer was already out of the jackets so they would be unable to replace it.

I called the number listed on the Outdoor Research website to see if this was something that they would exchange for me. I was bracing myself for having to deal with an automated call center or for them to tell me to take it up with the retailer. To my great surprise, my call was answered by a live person after just a couple of rings and I was informed that the replacement would be covered. All I needed to do was fill out their online replacement form which was easy.

OR issued a pre-paid return label via email within 48 hours of me completing thereplacement form and they sent an additional email explaining the actions they would take. They shipped the replacement right away, before they even received my return so I had it in just 2 business days.

It isn’t just impressive that they so completely dealt with my issue at no additional cost to me but how painless, polite, and personal they made the entire process. That is definitely not the norm these days. Kudos to OR!

OutdoorResearch.com

The EDC Tool Roll: Bond Travel Gear Tool Roll

By on March 8, 2019 in Reviews, The EDC Tool Roll

The EDC Tool Roll is a feature on Jerking the Trigger in which we profile various every day carry worthy tools. The tools shown aren’t multi-tools but rather real tools, that by virtue of their compact size, light weight, usefulness, or unique functionality, can find a place in any range kit, emergency kit, or every day carry bag.

Feel free to comment on the tools that you carry so we can all learn! The discussion on these posts has been very valuable so far.

If you are going to eschew multi-tools in favor of real tools, a well organized way of carrying your tools is going to make your life a lot easier. The Bond Travel Gear Tool Roll may be designed with items like cables, EDC gear, and travel items in mind but I am happy to report that it works very well with actual tools.

The Bond Travel Gear Tool Roll is a little bit large for pocket carry but it is doable in large pockets. I have been using it for a couple of months and found that taking some care with how to pack the tools makes a big difference. If you just stack the tools inside so that they butt up against each other when rolled, you won’t be able to roll it as tight. However, if you stagger them a bit, you can achieve a tighter roll, making the whole kit more compact.

The loops are excellent. There are 9 of them in various sizes so there should be one that works for just about any tool. They are made from heavy duty elastic that has held up well to my use. The loops are also coated with a grippy silicone strip on the inside that really grips the tools.

There are 3 wide slip pockets behind the loops. These are perfect for wider items than the loops will accept. I tuck my Chapman MFG Midget kit into one of them.

This tool roll has flaps at the top and bottom that keeps the tools from falling out when rolled. The flap does a great job of protecting other items in your pocket or bag from the hard or sharp edges found on many tools.

The Bond Travel Gear Tool Roll also has a zippered pocket which is absolutely clutch. It is a great place to store driver bits or other small items that would be difficult to retain with the loops.

The closure system consists of a hook on a strap. This is simple, robust, and very adjustable. It is perfect for this application.

I have come to really like this tool roll and not just for tools. It’s great for EDC gear too. If there was a smaller version available, I would probably call it perfect.

Where to Buy:

I have never seen Bond Travel Gear in a brick and mortar store. They were recommended to me by a friend who found them on Amazon so that is where I purchased mine: Bond Travel Gear Tool Roll on Amazon

Previously Reviewed Alternatives:

Maxpedition Micro Pocket Organizer

See all the reviews for previous tools: The EDC Tool Roll

Do you have a tool recommendation that fits The EDC Tool Roll? Tell us about it in the comments below or drop us a line on the Contact page.

The above URLs may be affiliate links.

Review: Streamlight TLR-7

By on January 30, 2019 in EDC, Flashlights, Guns, Reviews

Streamlight’s TLR-7 is their first entry into the compact, EDC weapon light market that has come about recently. Most of the lights in this space are giving up something in terms of output, runtime, and ergonomics to their full size counterparts. The best lights try to balance all of these factors. How well does the TLR-7 balance all of these considerations? Let’s dig in.

Specs:

  • Weight: 2.41 ounces
  • Length: 2.1″
  • Width: 1.2″
  • Output: 500 lumens
  • Runtime: 1.5 hours
  • Battery: 1x CR123A

Observations from Use

I will say up front that I really like this light with one caveat. Unfortunately, that caveat may be a big one for some shooters.The TLR-7 is the right kind of compact. It is built around a single CR123A battery and closely matches the width of many popular modern handguns. It isn’t just easy to carry. It’s very comfortable to carry. By matching the width of most handguns, Streamlight has made a light that can actually make your handgun MORE comfortable to carry. The holsters for this light, with something like a Glock, are often very flat and slab-like which seems to reduce hot spots… for me at least.

The output (500 lumens) and runtime (1.5 hours) are great and Streamlight nailed the beam shape. Some compact weapon lights have beams that are obviously very slanted toward illuminating objects at close range. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but Streamlight has developed a very balanced beam pattern for the TLR-7 that offers a broad and bright hotspot with a generous spill beam. It is a great compromise between an “across the room” beam and an “across the parking garage” beam.

The TLR-7’s mounting system is solid, low profile, and adaptable. It comes with a variety of cross bars to accommodate just about any handgun. The locking disk can be turned with a flat blade screwdriver or an improvised item like a coin.

I especially like the lockout bezel feature on the TLR-7. Most light makers just tell you to back the bezel off the light in order to prevent accidental activation during storage or transport. Streamlight actually installed a tactile detent on the TLR-7 so you can feel when you hit the lock out point and the bezel is then less likely to back itself off any further during transport.

And now for the caveat… Streamlight designed this light to be compact and as you might expect, it’s activation paddles are also compact. Unfortunately, some users will find them too compact and difficult to reach. I lock the support hand wrist which places my thumb forward and high. Reaching the paddles and pushing them forward is not difficult for me with my medium sized hands… but it definitely isn’t as easy as a full sized weapon light. If your hands are smaller or your grip places your thumb further back on the grip, you may have difficulty operating this light.

I strongly recommend getting your hands on one these lights before you buy to ensure that it will work for you. If it does, I think you will be really pleased with it. I have just over 1200 rounds through my G19 with this light mounted with about 450 of those while actively testing the light. The light is working like second-nature to me with minimal adjustment to my grip but it is easy to for me to see how this might not ever work for some people.

Wrap Up

The TLR-7 offers a LOT of performance for a compact weapon light. The output and beam shape are excellent. The lock out feature is well executed and clever. If your grip and hand size will accommodate this light, I think it is a fine choice.

Streamlight.com

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