MONS Gear Box Product Review
Lightweight and compact in design, Streamlight’s SIDEWINDER Rescue uses a variety of colour LEDs to produce a wide range of light to fit the soldier’s operational situation, giving him/her all of the colours needed for a distress marker without the use of filters than can break or get misplaced. Built in an extremely tough nylon case with a polycarbonate lens, this light is engineered with a 185° tilting head to aim the beam exactly where needed.
A “slide-in-place” diffuser (providing omni-directional light per CID A-A-59176 – formerly MIL-SPEC MIL-L-38217D) is compatible with any LED colour and creates omnidirectional light at all angles. The aluminium plate provides a flat surface for a Velcro platform, allowing this light to be attached to a helmet for hands-free illumination. The light can be used as a life-saving beacon in times of distress or during swift water rescue operations.
The versatile light provides four lighting modes and a strobe in a single light: White C4 LED for bright light:
55 lumens; 1,175 candela; 69m beam distance
Blue LED (470 nm peak wavelength ) alerts friendly forces; distinguishes strobe from ground fire: 1.8 lumens; 130 candela; 23m beam distance
IR LED (880 nm peak wavelength) for covert operations: 25mW/sr (min) radiant intensity
Green LED (527 nm peak wavelength ) to help preserve night vision: 4.5 lumens; 68 candela; 16m beam distance
Two AA alkaline batteries provide fast replacement with readily available batteries. Also accepts two AA lithium batteries for extended operation in extreme temperature environments (-40F to 150F). Tactile battery polarity indication on body facilitates battery replacement in the dark (battery compartment cap tethered to prevent loss of cap).
The light’s compound On-Off mode selector switch ergonomically separates the On-Off, dimming, strobe, and LED-selection functions. A rubber dome actuator and four-position pull-to-turn locking rotary selector knob with an IR tactile indicator offers easy operation, even with heavy gloves, and prevents accidental mode changes. The light also features an unbreakable polycarbonate lens with scratch-resistant coating. A spring steel clip attaches to MOLLE or belt and can be mounted on either side of the light.
The SIDEWINDER Rescue measures 4.65in in length and weighs 5.02oz with the included alkaline batteries (4.38oz with lithium batteries). It features a high-impact, super tough nylon case, which offers exceptional durability and weather resistance. With O-ring and gasket-sealed openings, the light features an IPX7 rated design and is waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes. It meets MIL-STD-810F, Method 512.4 guidelines for waterproof operation.
