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.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
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
Buy Now via Home Depot
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.
Brian
In concept its great to have a rechargeable penlight, and the laser is a great addition. But the AAA penlight, which is $10-20, hurts a little when you lose it, and I know too many people who have lost it. Losing a $50 one is going to hurt a lot. Of course Milwaukee always runs promos so you will be able to get one cheaper at times, more like a $35 light.
Koko The Talking Ape
Wow, both those Milwaukees look pretty cool.
Must… not… buy….
Stuart
If you’re on the fence, wait until November – there is usually a small discount on single flashlights or value-priced 2-packs.
King duck
That’s my plan but this will be in my house and other family members for Christmas
MM
I think the laser pointer is a smart addition. I’ve seen fancy flashlights with built-in pointers before, but they were more “executive toys” hawked in the Hammacher Schlemmer or Sharper Image catalogs, not something particularly practical. I can certainly see a laser pointer that’s tough enough for jobsite conditions to be useful. It would be fantastic for pointing out to co-workers or customers just exactly where a given problem lies while being much safer than pointing around with fingers or physical objects.
Price seems pretty steep though, and two other features I’d really like to see would be a built-in magnet so the light could be temporarily attached to a nearby object, and also a “wide area” mode.
Stuart
The problem with a magnet is that you’re going to need a much wider diameter to have sufficiently strong holding power.
MM
It can be done. I’m not sure if you’ve seen the “Larry Lights” by Nebo. They’re roughly the same size and have magnets added inside the clip.
Stuart
I’ve seen those at the UPS store – they’re not relatively the same size.
I can’t see any reasonable way for a strong-enough magnet can be added to a penlight without get in the way of usability or pocket-carry.
MM
I haven’t compared them side-by-side, but the specs for the “Lil Larry” I see at Napa all the time are given as 6.06 inches length and .625″ diameter. That seems like it’s in the same ballpark.
MM
Funnily enough I just got back from Napa and now they have a new model on the counter, the “Inspector 500+”. It has a normal beam mode and a “wide area” mode. It’s a similar size, a little over 6 inches long and .7 inches diameter, and it has quite a powerful magnet in the base. No laser, but otherwise a good design.
Jason Schaller
I’m even thinking about an additional clip with magnet that you would be able to clip it on and off like the one that it comes with.
Nathan
there is a part of me that says built in green laser pointer and I’m in – but I know that’s not realistic.
curious on battery life and replacement – I’m guessing no replacement based on price
but I like the idea over all and could see buying one. nitpicks I do wish they would move to USB C for the charge port if for no reason than because there isn’t a mobile device made to day that uses microusb. thus I can’t just plop it on the cord have in my car because the cord in my car is C for my mobile.
Andrew Drozd
I don’t think either one of those is unreasonable to want. USB-C is pretty well the gold standard now for new devices, and having a green laser is far more useful when working outside during daylight hours. Honestly I wish temp guns went with green as well, when I was fixed maintenance at one of the mines around here, PM rounds on the conveyors included checking rather small pillow blocks 20′ above me. Being sure that I was hitting the bearing and not the sun-baked metal near it would have been much easier with an easier to see laser dot.
Nathan
considering the light is obviously meant to be used in the dark – red does make the most sense.
Red preserves night vision too so the more I think about it – red does make the most sense.
A W
Both red and green preserve night vision though. It’s just that in certain industries such as aviation, charts are designed to be visible in both white light and red light and so red light has become a standard.
Rcward
I’ll stick to O light for my flashlight needs
Jonathan
O Pen Pro for the green laser. But Im bit curious to get this milwaukee. too many lights to carry, WM2 as my everyday already.
Zach Of All Trades
I’ll stick with my nitecore brand flaslights.
Mike
I’m on my fourth bezel on my MH 12 Nightcore. It is hands down my favorite flashlight I’ve ever used but holy crap is the strength of it an absolute joke. One drop and that bezel’s freaking out. Have you had any issues with yours and what model are you using
Michael Eibling
I have one better for you. The olight pen II. It’s a Pen, and Light and a laser pointer. It has been so handy at work when pulling stuff apart and being able to just point with the laser to identify what I’m looking at when talking about whatever is wrong.
Alex
I did not get along with the AAA battery light bc the threading for the cap was made out of plastic. Ive dropped it from “normal heights” and the cap cracked and it wasnt useable. sure, I got it covered under warranty, but i cant be without a light for the turnaround time. I went back to my strealight.
being that the new light is rechargeable, i dont see a need for a cap so if there would be a nice sale price id probable try out the rechargeable one.
IronWood
I have a couple of the Streamlight MicroStream AAA lights and they’re my absolute favorite for work. Prefect small size, good clip for pocket or hat brim, plenty bright.
I think I’d stick with the AAA for small work lights like this, I don’t want to have to remember to charge it as I’m usually working out of a toolbag or pouch somewhere. I used to commute to work by bike and I had a USB chargeable bike headlight. I got to work, plugged it in and it was always good. Perfect for that situation. If I was working from a bench or big mechanic’s tool chest I think the rechargeable would make a lot of sense, plug it in at the end of the day and it’s always good. In that case the Milwaukees look like pretty nice lights. But I have to say that $50 seems like an awful lot for something I’m going to lose eventually, I can lose three of my little Streamlights for that price.
Mike B
Weird, I’ve had 4 Streamlight pen lights that were basically lemons, everyone kept praising them so I kept buying them, after the fourth one, I assumed they were s#it quality and quit buying them.
Travis
No hat brim clip? That’s the best feature on a pen light.
Plain grainy
I picked up a fairly long penlight in the auto parts store. It was a shade over $5. I will be evaluating it over time. Store it in the car door pocket for emergency. If it proves to be reliable, i can easily afford to have them in multiple places(other vehicles, tractor tool box, tool bags, work bench). Paired with some extra batteries for longer run times.
Plain grainy
If we end up having battery shortages some day. These rechargeable flashlights will be great to have.
Mike B
I’ve had 4 Streamlight pen light pros and they all failed, bought the Milwaukee replaceable battery one and the batteries leaked and ruined it. I might just try this. $59 seems a bit much but at this point I just need a light that won’t break in 2 weeks. Laser as well? I’ll bite 😋
squirrel
all Milwaukee products Have Almost excellent quality but all their Products are way overpriced I mean way over priced. Streamlights are a little over priced but also offers excellent quality. Had the rechargeable Micro stream almost 2 years the tail cap button messed up But I usually lose them before they mess up Usually hang on to one about a year. I love Milwaukee’s new rubberized tail cap.i wish streamlight would incorporate that.if I were to spend 50 bucks on a small light it would be a streamlight macrostream 500 lumens