Milwaukee Tool has a new 250-lumen LED penlight, 2010R, which features a built-in rechargeable battery and an integrated red laser pointer.
The laser pointer is said to allow for faster inspections and easier communications.
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The new Milwaukee 2010R penlight has 2 brightness settings: 250 lumens at high, and 50 lumens at low modes. Runtime is said to be 2 hours and 8 hours, respectively.
Milwaukee does not specify the battery type, or whether it is user-replaceable. The flashlight is recharged via a micro USB port at the top of the light. A battery charge indicator with green, yellow, and red, allows you to get a sense of remaining runtime.
As with Milwaukee’s other penlight, a 2AAA model, the 2010R features a rubber bite zone at the tail cap, for comfort and to help protect your teeth.
The flashlight is also waterproof and dustproof to IP54 standards.
As with many of Milwaukee’s other LED lighting products, this flashlight has a “TrueView high definition output.”
Read More: Milwaukee LED “TRUEVIEW” Technology Explained
Milwaukee 2010R Penlight Features and Specs
- 250/50 lumen brightness modes
- 2/8 hours max runtime
- On/off and momentary-on button activation
- Integrated red laser pointer
- 70-meter laser visibility distance (~230′)
- 2-meter drop rating
- IP54 dust and water resistance
- Removable metal clip
- micro USB charging port
- 3-color battery level indicator
- Rubber bite zone
- 6.25″ length
- 0.67″ diameter
- Weighs 0.13 lbs (~2 ounces)
- 2-foot charging cable is included
Price: $50
ETA: September 2021
Buy Now via Tool Nut
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Compare: 2AAA Penlight
Discussion
Shown above is a combination image of the new 2010R flashlight and 2105 flashlight. Both are penlights, with the 2010R featuring a built-in rechargeable battery and laser pointer, and the 2105 being a 2AAA model.
The two penlights have nearly identical measurements with respect to their barrel diameter and weight, but the 2AAA model is nearly 7/8″ longer (0.86″ actual). The newer model does taper, as opposed to having a straight barrel like the 2105, which could give it a better feel in-hand.
Thanks to the rechargeable battery, the new flashlight is brighter, delivering 250 max lumens vs 100 lumens for the AAA-powered model.
Surprisingly, the AAA-powered model has a higher dust and waterproof rating, IP67 vs. IP54. This is actually a very big difference.
IP5X-rated devices are considered to be dust-protected, while IP6X devices are dust-tight.
IPX4 devices are protected against splashing water from any direction, while IPX7 devices are protected against immersion of up to 1 meter (3.25 feet).
I would assume that the USB charging port is what contributes to the lower water and dust resistance rating. IP54 still offers a good level of protection against dust and water, just not as strong a protection as Milwaukee’s other penlight.
Rechargeable flashlights are often preferred for EDC (everyday carry) and frequent use, and the built-in battery is likely tied to the higher output potential as well.
It is usually possible to use rechargeable NiMH batteries in penlights, it is rare for the flashlights to be able to take advantage of these cells’ higher output capabilities compared to standard alkaline battery cells. Non-rechargeable lithium AA and AAA cells are also available.
While there are rechargeable AAA and AA-sized Li-ion batteries, it’s not a common form factor. I mention this because there are bound to be some groans and moans about the built-in battery potentially being proprietary or not user-replaceable.
If you want a higher output rechargeable flashlight with a penlight form factor, a built-in battery is the way to go.
Competitive Options
If you aren’t convinced you’ll need a laser pointer, the rechargeable Streamlight Stylus Pro also charges via USB. Older models match the 250 lumen max brightness of the new Milwaukee penlight, and newer models output up to 350 lumens of max brightness.
Personally, I think that 250 lumens is more than enough, and will likely be too bright for close-up work. Milwaukee’s lower brightness mode is 50 lumens, while Streamlight’s is 90 lumens. This means that the Milwaukee, with its lower output mode, will deliver much longer runtime.
The 8 hours of max runtime for the Milwaukee 2010R on low is important, as this means the light can last a full work shift if needed. And, with the USB charging port, you can top it off during lunch if needed.
The Milwaukee seems much more tailored for construction and trades-type work where a compact flashlight might be used more frequently.
There’s also the Streamlight Microstream USB, which has a smaller and more pocketable form factor.