Things That Don’t Suck: Streamlight Wedge XT Rechargeable EDC Light

I’ve been carrying a Streamlight Wedge for the past couple of years as my primary EDC light. It’s a great light. It’s flat, and it has a pocket clip so it carries much like a folding knife in your pocket. It puts out a very usable 300 lumens of light for routine use and has a a 1,000 lumen “Thro” setting for shorter burst when you need to put more light onto something. It’s rechargeable, and has a 3-hour run time in normal mode. About the only negative to it in my mind is that it’s a little long at 5.5 inches overall. Some folks didn’t care for the side mounted rotating thumb switch either, although that wasn’t something I minded.

The Wedge XT

Well, Streamlight does listen to feedback and the Wedge XT is the result of that. They still make the original Wedge, but if you want something a little smaller, the XT is for you. The XT knocks a little over an inch off the overall length and comes in at only 4.25 inches. It actually ups the standard illumination by giving you 500 lumens on high for 2 hours, and a low setting with 50 lumens of illumination for an impressive 11 hours.

Like the Wedge the XT is rechargeable using a standard USB C cable. One is included in the package. It features an integral lithium polymer battery and will fully charge in 6 hours. A charge indicator light is located near the charging port in the side of the light. Red indicates it’s charging, and green indicates that it’s charged. A battery status indicator will also illuminate briefly when you first turn the light on. Steady green means you have sufficient power for use and steady red means that the battery needs to be charged.

Streamlight changed from the side-mounted switch on the Wedge to a tail cap button that allows for either momentary illumination with a light tap or press, or steady on option with a solid press. Out of the box it’s set up to come on high mode and switch to low with a double tap. It has Streamlight’s TEN-TAP programmable switch, which will allow you to switch from high/low to low/high if that’s your preference. Since I like the high/low set up, I didn’t mess with it. It also has what they call the Five-Tap lockout feature, which prevents the light from coming on in your pocket.

The body of the Wedge XT is made from aircraft aluminum and anodized in either black or Coyote finishes. It comes with a deep carry pocket clip, and short lanyard installed. The XT is IPX7 waterproof rated to 1 meter, and tested for 1 meter impact resistance. So it isn’t a dive light, but that should be more than sufficient for EDC use, even in foul weather.

EDC Use

I swapped out my Wedge with the Wedge XT over the past couple of months. The most immediate thing I noted was the size difference. The shorter length does make a difference when it comes to pocket carry. The longer Wedge would sometimes push up in my pocket when I’d sit down, or dig in, depending on how I was sitting. Knocking that inch and a quarter off the length on the XT made all the difference, and I didn’t find that either of those things happened any more. The deep carry clip keeps the light securely fastened and discretely carried in the pocket. You can either tuck the lanyard in to the pocket, or leave it hanging out to make it easier to retrieve the light. If you don’t care for the lanyard it’s easily removable as well.

With it’s flat profile, rounded edges and slight ramp with thumb serrations near the lights bezel, the XT is comfortable to use. It’s big enough to get a decent grasp on, but small enough to carry easily. The flat profile helps in that too. It’s way less bulky in the pocket than most round flashlights of similar power level. Weight is only 2.62 ounces too so it’s hardly noticeable.

The High and Low modes seem to work well for most EDC tasks. Five hundred lumens will definitely light up a room, an alleyway or a backyard. I know a lot of folks are fixated on ultra-high lumen lights, and there are plenty of 1,000-lumen or better lights out there, but 500 works pretty well. The lower 50 lumen setting is fine for utility use like looking for something in your tent if you’re camping, or getting your house keys out and in the front door if you get home late at night.

While I had practiced with the side-mounted switch on the Wedge to use it in conjunction with a pistol, I will say the tail cap mounted momentary switch of the Wedge XT is much more natural for most flashlight shooting techniques. It’s perfect for the Harries technique and works for the FBI and Neck Index styles as well. The flat profile and lack of support ring do not lend itself to the Rogers/Surefire style however.

Wrap Up

I liked the Wedge a lot, and still have it in my carry rotation although I’ve now mostly left it in my pack and travel bag. For pocket carry, I’ve switched to the Wedge XT. I think Streamlight did a great job of taking an already innovative light and improving upon it with the changes they made for the XT. The combination of form factor, size, usability and light output make it a top choice for EDC use. The price is quite competitive as well, with actual street prices coming in under $90 at most places. If you’re in the market for an easy to carry, rechargeable EDC light, I’d definitely say give the Wedge XT a hard look.

Product Specifications