Are Surefire flashlights the best?

komondor said:
It looks like that new Night Ops Gladius blows everything else away. It's expensive, though. It's not merely a flashlight, it's an "illumination tool." :D
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It's really nice. Instant on bright - and in my programmed setup clickie for low light illumination. Strobe's a gimmick for me though (not LEO)

My SF KL4 and the 6P/A19/KT2 combo still have their place though - as does the rechargeable Tigerlight.

If it's your first SF - I'd suggest a KL4? (If you want an incandescent, you can pick up a G2 cheaply - and even try a P61 assembly, though you might need to change the lens)
 
komondor said:
It looks like that new Night Ops Gladius blows everything else away. It's expensive, though. It's not merely a flashlight, it's an "illumination tool." :D
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I happen to like my Surefire U2. ;)
 
I've got several Surefires-

I like the E2e a lot because of it's small size and it's ability to throw out a brilliant and perfect tactical beam. Runs around an hour on 2xCR123s. Nice switch which is momentary/on/lockout.

My nitrolon G2Z is the bump-in-night-light. It's got the P60 bulb and is designed for a tactical grip for use with handgun. It's got a pyrex lens and can accept the higher output P61 lamp. The nitrolon helps protect the bulb from shocks. Switch is nice and solid - momentary/on/lockout.

My A2 is new but I really like it. It has a 2-stage switch with either 3-led or high-output lamp. The 3-leds last for over 12 hours continuous and are adequate for negotiating a trail, reading, or most indoor usage. The high beam is blinding and near perfect spot/spill. Also, the incandescent bulb is regulated with a soft start which prolongs bulb life.

Just got an L1. It's got a 2-stage switch with minimum low- just enough for reading or getting around in the house- or maybe-just-maybe negotiating a medium trail. The high beam is 1.5 hours and is like a 2D Maglite. It's a very very nice package on it's one CR123. Small like the E2e and fits nicely in the hand. The high beam is regulated.
 
i have a M2, M3, E2e w/a KL1 head, E2D, C2, C3, Z2, Z3 and an E1e and love them all, have tried inova and streamlite and for me SF is the best.
 
when it comes to rechargable "around the yard" lights the Streamlight Ultrastinger is the best. my handlights include the Ultrastinger, E2E, G2, TL2, 1L TwinTask...

for non-rechargeable lights...surefire is the best. my favorite all-around light is the E2E.
 
e2es.jpg


Just got these two recently. Very nice lights, I think the E1e is a bit overpriced at retail, I still prefer the Q3 to the E1e at least until I can scare up a KL1 for it. The E2e is an eminently practical light, high quality, bright and relatively compact.
 
Buying myself an UltraStinger was a costly mistake for me. Waste of £100.
Now the TigerLight was a great spend of £100.

But, the 10X - now that continues to be well worth the £500 it cost me (when it was first released).

In fact, I have since got a 2nd 10X.

P131.jpg


The UltraStinger is bascially the worst features of a flashlight all wrapped up into one in my opinion. It's too long, too thin, too slippery, it can be defocused by simply rotating the bezel! it's switch is difficult to find, it's charger does not securely retain it.
TigerLight has it beat even though it's a crude flashlight - it's beam is more powerful.

Al
 
That's the 9AN+KT3 - It produces a beam of pure and solid light.

It's beam is different from it's Classic counterpart - the 9NT. The 9NT's beam is impressive for it's powerful intensity. The KT3's beam is wider and actually more useful. That took me back a bit because it showed me the difference between have a flashlight for fun (which is why I got the 9NT), and actually having a flashlight to use.

P61.jpg
 
gorlank said:
e2es.jpg


Just got these two recently....I think the E1e is a bit overpriced at retail...The E2e is an eminently practical light, high quality, bright and relatively compact.
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I'd be jealous if I didn't already have both of these. :D
 
Thanks cardimon,

I have to admit that I was one of those who used to pooh pooh Surefire all the time. But I got a 6P and then all of a sudden I've become a big SF fan. I love that beautiful finish on the Surefires. Sheesh, who would've thunk it?
 
gorlank said:
Thanks cardimon,

I have to admit that I was one of those who used to pooh pooh Surefire all the time. But I got a 6P and then all of a sudden I've become a big SF fan. I love that beautiful finish on the Surefires. Sheesh, who would've thunk it?
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Why would you have pooh-poohed SureFire? Just curious.

I admit I no longer recommend PrincetonTec Attitudes to anyone I know. That's because I would up mashing the inside contact heads on every one of them and got tired of mailing them in for replacments.
 
The E1L is one of the handiest pocket type lights I've ever used. I much prefer the durability of the LED over the incandescent. The Surefire rep at the SHOT and Blade show rapped it as hard as he could on the table without breaking it. The lifetime warranty is another plus in my book.

I previously carried a 6P, but there is no comparison between the two in durability and battery life. The E1L is perfect as a hat light, too.
 
In my opinion, SF is the way to go. I have the 6p with a GG&G TID, 9AN commander, M6 and the E2D. The E2D is my daily offduty carry, light and compact, TID built on the bezel.

I love the M6, the sheer power of the light is awsome. A suspect on the passenger side of the car was getting after being told not to, hit him with the light and blinded him. Next thing was the take down. He never saw it coming. The M6 also has the TID bezel.

6P semi retired until I get a basket weave holster. 9AN is passed to the wife as a night stand light.

Again great flashlights. Another benefit is that SF gives military and LEOs nice discounts. Got my M6 for $290.
 
Surefire products I can personally vouch for include the E2e, M2 and M6. All are very well constructed lights. The M6 in particular puts out a frightening amount of light for something roughly the size of a 2D cell Maglite.

My only complaint is that none of these SF lights are waterproof. This is an area where I believe NightOps enjoys a significant advantage. That being said, I don't own a Gladius so I can't say for sure. I will, however, be giving it a hard look though, because ever since I discovered the wonderful world of LED lighting, my incans have been relegated to gathering dust. LED emitters don't break or burn out (practically speaking) and they actually produce white light. And while LEDs are already approaching the output of high quality incandescent bulbs, it would appear that LED technology is poised to make even more significant advances in output and efficiency in the near future.

My best advice is, if you already own a high quality incandescent flashlight that you really like, don't let yourself get anywhere near a good 3W Luxeon powered LED light. You'll never be able to look at that sickly yellow incandescent beam again with the same admiration. ;) :D
 
SureFires are capable of being waterproof.
With the exception of the 8AX/8NX, 9AN & 10X (& non-LOTC G2) SureFires are o-ring sealed. When correctly maintained they are capable of being submerged.

Certainly, SureFire has the capability to "rate" their products tested to exceed "Navy" dive specifications. In general all that means is they get a good lubing.

SureFires are not "divelights" though. It is best to talk to SureFire Tech Support if you need your SureFire to be transported or used underwater.

Al
 
An E2e I used to have went on a little swim test. It flooded at the bottom of a 12 foot pool, but it still ran with no problems. A bit of time to dry and it was good as new!

Some better lube on the o-rings and it probably wouldn't have even flooded.
 
i swam with my E2e, accidently, but it didnt hurt it at all, still works fine, and this was a yr or so ago.
 
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