December 05, 2021
By Dr. Todd A. Kuhn
Readily accessible, reliably bright light for outdoor adventures is a valued commodity. It’s especially helpful if you’re in your stand and you’ve forgotten a headlamp or need to dig one out of your bag in the darkness.
Streamlight’s Pocket Mate USB ($29.99; streamlight.com) is a microlight that clips onto a zipper, back-pack, hat bill or key chain to be there whenever you need it.
- In the above video, Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller talks with Streamlight's Bobby Knight about the Pocket Mate USB Light. The light is a little bigger than a human thumb, USB rechargeable and packs 325 lumens on the high setting.
The CNC-machined aluminum body, with its stout integrated snap hook, features a polycarbonate lens and shockproof LED (50,000-hour lifecycle). An onboard lithium-polymer battery charges via a provided USB cord, offering a 1-hour runtime on low (45 lumens) and a 20-minute runtime on high (325 lumens).
An oversized, recessed on/off switch eliminates accidental activations and is easy to find and operate in the dark. It is a welcome deviation from the tiny switches found on comparable lights. The Streamlight Pocket Mate is IPX4 weather-resistant, making it the perfect companion for inclement conditions.
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A handy illuminated charge indicator is housed under the on/off switch, providing a visual indication of the charge status (charge time is 4 hours).
The Pocket Mate USB weighs just half an ounce, is available in four colors (red, silver, pink and blue) and carries a 24-month warranty.
