Help with Surefire E1

I

interfectus

Joined
Oct 20, 2001
Messages
51
I bought my dad an E1 for christmas, and the bulb has already failed. Needless to say I'm really disappointed, and I was wondering how i could get him a replacement bulb. In the manual it says for "Repairs and Replacements" one should send it back to them in the mail, but isn't that a bit extreme for a simple bulb failure? Is there any way I can get a replacement bulb from them for free and have them send it to me (the flashlight should not have failed before the first battery had been worn out), or are bulb failures of any kind not covered by warranty? For makers of "tactical" lights, the failure of this product when used to look inside computer cases (my father repairs computers part-time), is laughable. Is there any way I could get a replacement bulb under warranty?
 
Give SF a call at 1.800.828.8809, ask for customer service and ask if they can mail a bulb out to you. Hope this helps.
 
Give SureFire a call and tell us what happens. It sounds like you just got a defective bulb. If the filament was hot and, the light was dropped, that may have caused premature failure. I believe their tactical lights have re-enforced filaments in the bulbs which lets them take that type of abuse better.
 
Alright guys, thanks for your help. I passed this along to my dad and he's gonna give them a call soon. Whatever happens, I'll post it here in a day or so.
 
Im surprised, my E1 has taken a pretty good beating with no problems. Maybe the bulb in yours was defective from the start. Ill be very interested to hear what happens with SF customer service.
 
I have the 9n. I bought it awhile ago. When I got it and put the battery in I was expecting a ray of sunshine. Instead I got a dingy yellow light. The lower power bulb was brighter. I showed my friend and he laughed at me, "Oh sure thats bright. How much did you pay?" Well I called SureFire and told them I could look right at the light and it looked yellow. The guy on the phone told me I shouldn't be able to stand looking into the light. They sent me a new lamp assembly, no questions asked and no charge. I got it and put it in. I nearly blinded myself. I did the typical point it at your self and turn it on.

What am I babbling about? CALL THEM! they well make things right.



Paul
 
Originally posted by pcnorton


What am I babbling about? CALL THEM! they well make things right.



Click to expand...

I have had great service from SF, they are first rate. Most recently the bulb on my 8NX blew and I called and told them what happened. They immediately put me on the list for a replacement when they get another batch in, no questions asked.
 
My E1 has been with me, carried with me, far longer and used far more then the E2 that I now use. I have never broken that E1 lamp. The GM finish is worn, and the pressure switch grip is bald.

SureFire Customer Service are an example to many as the way a company should treat it's customers.

Some bulbs that are born to fail (and a very small percentage are), usually fail quickly within the first [battery] cycle of useage.

Therefore, I suggest the following:

1) Run atleast one battery set through it before it goes "in the real world."
2) Train with your WeaponLights. Rather the lamp fails in training then when you need it the most.
3) Buying a spare and keeping it close will usually mean you end up wondering why you bothered to get one since the one that came with the light will last 'forever' just to spite you.
4) Carry a back up light. If your main light is rechargeable, I suggest your backup is Lithium.
5) Do not run the batteries to death. When the light looks tired, change the batteries. SureFire NiCads do not need to be drained completely before recharging.

Al
 
Just thought I'd add that Al definitely knows his SureFire. If there is anyone to listen to regarding SureFire products and support, it is the moderator of BOTH candlepowerforums.com and surefire.com. Al knows about as much about SureFire as anyone that works there, and probably knows more than some that do.

Bucky
 
I have found the lamps in the E series to be quite durable. My HA E1 has many miles on it and has dropped from my belt many times onto concrete, stone, asphalt and other surfaces. It once came off my belt as I neared the top of a ladder and fell to a concrete floor about ten feet below. It chiped the HA on the bezel but, to my suprise, the lamp survived. I did manage to kill a lamp a few months ago when the E1 fell from my belt to a marble floor some 8 to 10 feet below. I was using the light a few minutes before so the filiment could have still been warm, or maybe it was just droped to many times. My GM E2 is not as old but has hit the floor/ground several times with no failures or visable damage. The lamps are not causing me a problem.
Now the pocket/belt clips are another. Both of my E series lights tend to come unclipped. My E2 is missing now. We have snow now and I guess I did not hear the light hit the ground this time. If I find or replace the E2 I think I'll trash the clip and find a better way to carry the light.
Hope SF will take care of you. I have not needed to try their customer service but, as others here have said, I hear their top notch.

Best wished
Steve
 
I too have been using my E-1 more and more. The bulb you got is just defective. Your dad will love it with the new bulb.

Suggestion: Buy him the F04 beam shaper for it. For $5 it sure makes the light soooooo much more useable in dark environments. The beamshaper is the reason I use the E-1 so much now.

Tactical Tip: Put the clear beamshaper in front of the red filter to get a flawless red even perfect beam that is most useful in very low light or dark conditions. Especially good for navigating or reading. Must carry tac tool for night ops.
 
Thanks for your many replies. My dad gave them a call, and they said that his new free bulb would get to him in a couple days. I'm very pleased to hear that it was just a defect, as I was starting to question the value of the light. Anyhow, the Surefire people seem nice, so I'm sure the bulb will get here soon and all will be right in the world.
 
Glad to hear Sure Fire has good service, as I recently purchased a Z-3 to replace my four "D" Cell Mag-Light.
 
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