The Streamlight PolyTac 88850 is a great multi-situational tactical flashlight that excels especially when mounted onto a firearm. It is a very bright flashlight with a good size that is just as effective handheld.
The PolyTac 88850 is great for home or general activities such as camping, hiking, hunting, walking, etc. This Streamlight flashlight will do you well for home defense, but there are better options out there if you’re looking for a pure tactical flashlight for high-intense settings:
But if you’re looking for a high-quality general purpose flashlight that goes as tactical as home defense, check out the Streamlight PolyTac and continue reading below!
Specifications
Output, Runtime and Beam Intensity
The Streamlight 88850 PolyTac offers two different output modes and a strobe function:
- High:
- Output: 275 lumens
- Intensity: 9,500 candela (cd/lm)
- Runtime: 3 hours
- Low:
- Output: 14 lumens
- Intensity: 500 candela (cd/lm)
- Runtime: 65 hours
- Strobe:
- Runtime: 5.5 hours
Similar to the Streamlight ProTac 2L, the Streamlight PolyTac uses Streamlight’s own C4 LED. The “C4 LED technology” is mostly a marketing ploy but they’re pretty comparable to other Cree LED bulbs.
The beam is nice and focused that gives enough spill to light up a large area. The color of the light is a nice natural light and comparable to other high-end SureFire flashlights.
Maximum Throw Distance
When using the 88850 Streamlight’s high output mode, the flashlight has a maximum throw distance of 195 meters (m).
Functionality
The Streamlight PolyTac operates on a half-push/tap and click function with the tail-switch; pretty standard. The half-push or tap is for momentary.
You can tap it for the high mode, tap twice for strobe, and tap 3 times for low. To sustain it, you can click it on the last half-push.
- 1 tap for high
- 2 tap for strobe
- 3 tap for low
This cycling is user-friendly as it’s fairly common in other flashlights. However, in the heat-of-the-moment, it’d be fairly difficult to cycle down to strobe mode.
The tail-switch button is not recessed inside the body so you may find yourself accidently turning it on once in a while. It does have a positive side that it makes it easy for momentary access with your thumb when mounted to your rifle.
Battery
The Streamlight PolyTac is powered by two CR123A lithium batteries that are included when purchased from Amazon.
The PolyTac has solid-state power regulation for consistant max output throughout the runtime.
Material and Durability
Colors
The PolyTac 88850 Streamlight is available in black or coyote colors. The Coyote version looks cooler but costs a little bit more.
Durability
The PolyTac 88850 is made entirely of a nylon polymer body. The polymer is pretty durable and shock resistant. It’s not as sturdy or robust as an all metal/aluminum body but it does well to resist recoil and continue running without any issues.
Waterproof / Water Resistant
There’s no IPX rating but this Streamlight flashlight is O-ring sealed in both the tail and lens cap. The Streamlight PolyTac is waterproof to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Dimensions and Weight
The PolyTac is relatively compact and light with a weight of 4.1 oz, length of 5.22 inches and 1 inch diameter body.
- Weight: 4.1 oz
- Length: 5.22 inches
- Diameter: 1 inch
The convenience of having a 1 inch diamater body is that the Streamlight PolyTac will be compatible with the majority of firearm mounting products.
Conclusion: Our Streamlight PolyTac Review
The Streamlight PolyTac is a great and affordable light that provides everything you’d need for most users. If you’re camping, hiking, conducting search and rescue, etc., you would be very happy with this flashlight. The PolyTac is light, durable, bright with a long runtime and strobe.