Stinger flashlights have become a favorite among law enforcement officers. Small size, low weight, and outstanding brightness have made them a staple among street cops.

However, with all the different models available, purchasing the right Stinger flashlight has become a challenge.

Choosing the Right Model

This page was created to educate officers and others looking to purchase a Stinger flashlight.

There are six separate models in the Stinger flashlight line. So, your first decision is to choose the model right for you.

Model	Length	Weight	Candlepower	Casing	Switch
Stinger	7.4 inches	10 ounces	Up to 15,000	Machined aluminum housing	Side Switch
Stinger XT	7.7 inches	11.1 ounces	Up to 15,000	Aluminum housing with non-slip rubber grip	Tailcap Switch
Stinger HP	8.25 inches	12.2 ounces	Up to 40,000	Machined aluminum housing	Tailcap Switch
Stinger XT HP	8.625 inches	14.6 ounces	Up to 40,000	Aluminum housing with non-slip rubber grip	Tailcap Switch
Poly Stinger	7.4 inches	8.7 ounces	Up to 15,000	Nylon polymer with non-slip grip	Side Switch
Ultra Stinger	11.75 inches	1.1 lbs.	Up to 75,000	Machined aluminum housing	Side Switch

Casing and switch type are more important than you may think.

Stinger flashlights with aluminum casing slide in and out of pants pockets much easier than those with rubber grip. (Especially the right rear uniform pants pocket designed for flashlights) However, they get much colder in more frigid climates. Also, rubber gripped flashlights are more durable if dropped.

Tactically, many officers prefer flashlights with tailcap switches (meaning the switch is located at the end or bottom of the flashlight) over side-switched lights. This is because the switch is easier to find and more comfortable when using a hand over hand flashlight and gun search technique.

Choosing the Right Stinger Flashlight Package

Once your haven chosen the model, you need to decide exactly which package you need to purchase.

Stinger flashlights can be purchased with nothing or with everything. Below are some of the options available in the various packages:

Home Charger	Standard Charger Designed for charging Stinger flashlights in the home or office.
Vehicle Charger	Designed to be plugged into a cigarette lighter and charged from the car battery.
Fast Charger	Allows you to fully charge your Stinger flashlight in just 2.5 hours.
Stinger PiggyBack Charger	Double unit which charges your Stinger flashlight and an extra battery simultaneously. The Stinger PiggyBack Charger works with Stinger, Stinger HP, Stinger XT Stinger XT HP, as well as PolyStinger. The Piggy Back Chargers is available in normal Charge or Fast Charge.

As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to purchasing a Stinger flashlight.

Once you have narrowed the options down and know exactly what you want. Prices for the same model sometimes vary greatly. Do your research, thoroughly shop around, and you'll find a good deal.

Oh, and remember when researching that the home charger is sometimes referred to as the AC 120v charger, and the vehicle charger is sometimes referred to as the DC 12v charger.