Introduction
Someone at SureFire seems to have gotten the idea that two is better than one. First, they had their XR1/XR2 lights, and now this: an updated Stiletto with more lumens, more candela, more LEDs, and USB-C charging.
It’ll also cost more money: $~341, as opposed to the previous version’s ~$259.
First Impressions
SureFire’s stiletto lineup aims to provide the highest output in the slimmest package. In order to achieve this, the lights depart from traditional tube-style batteries in favor of an integrated, rectangular, pouch-cell battery (a lot like the one in your cell phone). While pouch cells can have a higher energy density compared to standard tube-cells, they have no rigid mechanical structure, making them prone to damage should they be removed from the flashlight. As such, the cell in the SureFire is non-removable.
The Stiletto Pro lights have a tailswitch and side-switch. By default, the tailswitch is momentary-only 100% output, and the side-switch on the right toggles between low-med-hi. The side-switch on the left is used to reprogram the other two buttons or check battery capacity. Two switches allow the light to be deployed as either a tactical light or admin light rather elegantly. For emergency use, yank it out of the pocket and mash the tailswitch. For admin use, pull it out of the pocket and select the desired mode (starting with low). In either situation, there’s no fumbling for the correct output.
Previously, the Stiletto and Stiletto Pro had a single, floody emitter. This worked well for everyday tasks but was poorly suited for identifying anything more than a dozen yards away. The Stiletto Pro II aims to solve that problem, with only a minor size increase.
SureFire Stiletto pro II (top) SureFire Stiletto Pro (bottom)
The SureFire Stiletto Pro II is cleverly packaged. It is the same width as a Modlite Hog, a full-sized duty light, at 1.7 inches. But it’s only .88 inches thick, so it’s totally pocketable, and doesn’t leave an obnoxious print through the pants. For reference, my (basically empty) wallet is 3.6 inches wide and .92 inches thick, making it both wider and thicker than the SureFire Stiletto Pro II.
Let’s get into some of the specs for this light.
Manufacturer Claims and Specs
Compared to its previous version, the stiletto Pro II receives a significant increase in both lumens and candela.
| Spec | SureFire Stiletto Pro II | SureFire Stiletto Pro | % Difference |
| Lumens | 1,500 | 1,000 | 50 % |
| Candela | 35,000 | 5,100 | 586 % |
| Runtime | 1 Hour | 1 Hour | 0% |
| Width (widest point) | 1.73 inches | 1.70 inches | 1.7 % |
| Thickness (thickest point) | .89 inches | .89 inches | 0 % |
| Length (longest point) | 4.89 inches | 4.55 inches | 7.5 % |
| Waterproofing | IPX7 | IPX7 | – |
| Price | ~$341.10 (will vary) | ~$233.00 (will vary) | 46 % |
Comparing the specs, the major compromise here is price. The size difference is negligible, and the output gain is compelling.
The user manual details some things I didn’t mention, such a button programming. I’ve scanned the full thing here:
Let’s take these lights down to the lab and get some real-world data.
Into the Lab: Lumens, Runtime, Candela, Color Temperature and CRI
Lumens
SureFire claims 1,500 lumens for the Stiletto Pro II, and 1,000 lumens for the original Stiletto Pro.
Not bad! Let’s get a closer look at those first ten minutes:
At thirty seconds in, our sample of the Stiletto Pro II is producing 1498 lumens. This is 99.8% of its claimed 1500 lumens, which is easily within the margin of error. Nicely done.
At 52:47, the Stiletto Pro II drops below 10% of its initial output, meaning it’s only reaching 88% of its claimed output. This is still impressive given the performance and size of the light. At 1:21:28, it’s still producing a totally-usable 45 lumens at which point it dies completely.
I like how SureFire tuned the output curve on this light. The first minute of output is good for tactical use, the first ten minutes are good for walking the dog, and the first hour and twenty minutes are likely sufficient if your car leaves you stranded at night.
The original Stiletto Pro produces more lumens than the Stiletto Pro II for the first hour, but sheer output is not everything. Let’s see how these two lights compare in terms of candela.
Candela
The candela claim for the SureFire Stiletto Pro II is 35,000. For the original Stiletto Pro, it’s 5,100.
| Light | Candela (0s) | Candela (30s) |
| SureFire Stiletto Pro II | 37490 | 37410 |
| SureFire Stiletto Pro | 6386 | 6253 |
While the original Stiletto Pro produces more lumens, it’s clear the Pro II is better suited for applications which involve any amount of distance. Even indoors, the original Stiletto Pro has a hard time reaching across our 50’x100′ shop at night. The Pro II, on the other hand, can easily reach the other end of the shop, and also works well outdoors (across our parking lot, down the street, etc.).
Color Temperature and CRI
The color temperature of the Stiletto Pro II’s light is 5913K, which is quite warm given its performance. I’m not sure how SureFire managed to find LEDs this warm and this intense, but kudos to them.
From the above charts, we can see the Stiletto Pro II has a 66.8 CRI, which is about average for this type of light. The only number here that really stands out is the color temperature.
Takeaways
If you’re looking for a high-candela every-day-carry, and can’t stand having a big flashlight in your pocket, then the SureFire Stiletto Pro II may be for you. If you’re a mechanic that wants to illuminate an engine bay, then the original Stiletto may be a better choice because of its wide, floody beam. In my opinion, though, the Pro II is an improvement over its predecessor in every way.
That being said, there are lights like the Modlite OKW and PLHv2, and even the SureFire EDC1-DFT, which are only slightly thicker and produce numbers which meet or exceed the Stiletto’s. If you don’t mind carrying something a little bit larger, then I would encourage you to investigate those options.
Regardless, I’ve chosen to make the Pro II my new EDC. Its output is sufficient for my needs. The slim profile makes it convenient and unobtrusive to carry. The USB-C charging is convenient, and the light feels well-built overall. If I should run into problems, SureFire has a name for good customer service. To me, it’s worth the $341.
What do you think? Would you rather carry something less pricey? Are non-removable cells a deal-breaker for you? Let me know in the comments!
Great review, thanks a lot!