The most powerful Micro handheld light. Ever. – Ahh OK.
So I am a HUGE fan of the Streamlight 66608 MicroStream 250-Lumen EDC Ultra-Compact Flashlight. I carry one every day and have for a long time. Lights in general are going through a massive technological push. Companies like Modlite Systems and Cloud Defensive have forced the big boys like SureFire to step up their game.
Cloud Defensive in recent months has come out with a micro light to compete with the Streamlight. The light is called the Chicro Admin Light and supposedly has two advantages – USB-C vs the micro USB of the Streamlight and the fact that it is 350 vs the 250 of the Streamlight.
The Chicro is $50, which is cheaper than the MSRP of the Streamlight which I think is $58 but you can grab the Streamlight any day of the week for low $30s. Both lights are made in China.
Chicro Output & Specs (pulled from website):
- Length: 3.640″
- Bezel Diameter: .625″
- Weight (with battery): 1.05oz
- Output: 350 Lumens (High), 35 lumens (Low): 40% more lumen output than the closest competitor.
- Run-Time: 45 minutes (High) and 6+ hours (Low)
- Momentary and constant-on function.
- A reversible pocket clip for a variety of carry and user options.
- Fully rechargeable 10440 battery via an integrated USB-C port.
Streamlight 66608 MicroStream Output & Specs (pulled from website):
- High and low modes (double bump the tail switch to change modes):
- High: 250 lumens; 68m beam; runs 1.5 hours
- Low: 50 lumens; 31m beam; runs 3.5 hours
- Beam Distance68 meters
- Max Candela1,150
- Battery Type Lithium Ion Cell Pack
- Battery Quantity1
- Length3.87 inches (9.83 centimeters)
- Weight1.20 ounces (34.02 grams)
- Colors Coyote, Blue, Red, Black
I use these lights daily and always have one in my pocket. I got my first from a GLOCK Armorers course probably 10 years ago which was the original Streamlight Microstream and have always been looking for the same form factor with more lumens. Around 4 or 5 years ago Streamlight came out with the 66608 250 lumen model that has been the gold standard of Micro Lights since.
OG Microstream
So now Cloud Defensive comes along to compete with the Streamlight in the Microlight universe. I picked one up with the promise of 350 lumens hoping for the next evolution in Microlights. I purchased the light directly from Cloud Defensive a month or two back. I’m not going to do a crazy review showing you spill in dark environments. Its just not worth it as this light is not worth my time and probably not worth yours. So let’s just hit the big points.
Charging:
The Streamlight charges quick and you pull the front of the light housing over the body of the light to access the charging port which is micro USB. This sleeve as I will call it has a O ring at the bottom which is how they make it IPX4 water-resistant.
The Chicro just has a flap that in no way seems long for this world and is super cheap in compared to the Streamlight. Cloud does not discuss anywhere where I can if it has any IPX ratings. The Light does use USB-C which is awesome as my whole world is USB-C so in theory I could ditch the micro USB cable.
Clouds charging instructions:
1) Ensure the battery is in the light with the positive terminal towards the light head.
2) Ensure the light is assembled.
3) Plug the USB-C cord into the light head.
4) Then click the tail cap switch. NOTE: YOU MUST CLICK THE SWITCH OR THE LIGHT WILL
NOT CHARGE. After clicking, the charge-indicator light should be solid-red, indicating
charge mode. When the light is charged, the charge indicator light will turn green.
5) Unplug from the USB-C and you are good to go.
Slightly more involved vs just pluggin in the cable and coming back when it done.
Clips:
The Streamlight has a unique clip that allows it to be worn on a hat as a improvised headlamp. This is not a feature I use often but can be super helpful if you always carry this light, your wearing a hat, and you need light plus the use of both your hands. This feature has gotten me out of a few jams. The clip is well thought out. The Chicro’s clip is just a clip and does not have the headlamp feature unless you pop the clip off the light body and reverse its position. Kind of a pain in the ass especially in the dark fumbling around to get it to work with your hat.
Light output:
The Chicro’s light output is more than the Streamlight at 350 lumens but not necessarily noticeable. The light has more of a blue tint vs the streamlight being more white light and the Streamlight has more throw where the Chicro is more of an admin light with a short range with a lot of spill. This is a bit of a negative for me. If I am outside and need to shine the light to see something happening say 20-30 feet in front of me, this is much easier to do with the Streamlight. Seems like the Chrico is more for seeing things directly in front of you. It has too much spill and not enough throw for my needs.
Tail switch:
This is where the Chicro falls apart in comparison to the Streamlight (at least for me). When you click on the Streamlight’s tailcap (for the coyote color version), it goes directly to high output. Then via a secondary click, the light goes to the low setting. If you click again, you go back to the high output, and then click again, you go to low output. If you are on low and do what your going to use the light for, then then turn the light off, when you click on the tailcap again it goes to high. The default for the light is always high.
On the Chicro:
(From their FAQ) “If you press the switch, the light turns on at 350 lumens. If you tap the switch again, it cycles down to only 10% output, at around 35 lumens. Every time you tap the switch, the alternate mode engages.”
This infuriates me. I rarely need the low power. Its nice to have, but rarely use it. So if you use the light at high power, then put it back in your pocket the next time you pull the light out to use it, its at low power. UNLESS you cycle it through, and then put it back in your pocket. If this was some crappy light you got for $15 at costco I could see putting up with the frustrations but not for $50.
The light also doesn’t come with directions. It comes with a business card with a QR code for you to look up the instructions on your phone. Saving the environment I would guess. But the light does come in a giant Chinese take out box. I would prefer you just ship me the light in its box along with instructions. You may ask why the hell do you need instructions, just use the light, charge it – rinse and repeat. You would think that would be the case, if you didnt have the goofy charging procedure that you need the instructions for.
At the end of the day this light is far less functional for me than the Streamlight. I kind of hate it and never use it anymore. It feels far cheaper than the Streamlight. The clicky tail cap is not as nice and slightly mushy. The clip is inferior, along with the bad throw, and brutal toggle of high and low. This light is a non-starter for me and I would think not worth your time.