I want a Surefire light, but which one?

[DannyinJapan]

Can you guys tell me which one is the best?
I want it to carry in my briefcase and be useful for both light and "persuasion."

 

[mPisi]

I have a 6Z from long ago, before they made the plastic ones. Excellent little light, I carry it everywhere. I recently bought a G2 (I think, the 2-cell (6v) plastic base model) for use on the nightstand. Feels cheaper but works the same (actually better, lens is not all scratched up). However I miss the finger rings that allow a bunch of different grips.

I also have a pair of 9N, or whatever the older rechargable ones are. One of them works well and holds a charge for months, the other dies after just a few days (common problem). I have not yet got around to finding a replacement battery, I know people have come up with better ones.

If you're carrying it every day, even in a briefcase, I'd say go for one of the 2-cell ones like the G2 or whatever the metal version is called now. The 3-cell versions are brighter and better if you had to whack somebody with it, but bigger to carry around too. The 6v lights are bright enough for almost anything at close range IMHO. You can get those bezels with pointy bits on them now. Somebody will likely be along to spout a bunch of Surefire part numbers

ALmost forgot, I do have SF lights on my shotgun and AR15, they all work great.

 

[BruiseLeee]

I got a coupla 1 watt led upgrade kits for the mini mag 2 AA flashlight. They seem ok. What I like is the availability of the AA batteries in other things.

Does Surefire make a AA battery led flashlight? I'm cheap and don't like buying lithiums.

 

[hollowdweller]

I have a G2.

First button falls out of battery cap when you change the batteries and this can be rough to find at night.

Second the quick on off button can push against stuff and stay on and run down your batteries.

Third if you plan on using it for any length of time you will end up buying TONS of the very expensive batteries. I used 3 sets on a 4 day backpacking trip.

It really throws the light but I have a Black Diamond Moonlight headlamp I use a lot now. Plenty bright, the batteries are cheap and last forever and your hands are free to chop.

 

[Dr. Thor]

Bruise, ElektroLumens makes several LEDs that run on regular AA or D cells.

 

[Yvsa]

Can you guys tell me which one is the best?
I want it to carry in my briefcase and be useful for both light and "persuasion."

Go to the Practical Tactical Forum and do a search or ask. Flashlights have been discussed there like khuks are here.

 

[cliff355]

---deleted---

 

[mPisi]

Third if you plan on using it for any length of time you will end up buying TONS of the very expensive batteries. I used 3 sets on a 4 day backpacking trip.

Yeah, even with Surefire batteries at $1.25 each+shipping, I do not use any of mine for general-purpose lights. I did use the rechargable ones for light while working on my truck at night, but that's it. Everything around the office etc gets done with the Photon LED light on my keychain. I've bought a couple LED headlamps lately that will take over that task around the house. Surefires saved for special occasions.

Good to hear about the Pila batteries, I will have to check them out. I got left behind on surefire knowledge when they started building them from plastic, and the same for LEDs except for headlamps and Photons (and $1 LED lights from countycomm.com, I love those little suckers).

 

[Gator97]

I'd look on Candlepower Forums.
I personally think SF is not the best price/performance combo at least in LED flashlight department.

 

[cliff355]

---deleted---

 

[Daniel Koster]

what would you say is the best bang-for-buck?

 

[hollowdweller]

My experience with Surefire's customer service puts this outfit in the same category as Uncle Bill. If you send it to them with a description of the problem you should have a new one in your pocket within a week.

I don't think the button falling out of the cap is a problem. I think that's the way they all are.

Good to know about the rechargeable batteries and difft light though.

 

[cliff355]

---deleted---

 

[BruiseLeee]

what would you say is the best bang-for-buck?

Probably dynamite...

I checked a few other flashlights from electrolumens as the good doctor reccomended...

Now it's a matter of how many watts. 1 watt, 3 watt, 5 watt. Then what kind of batteries... blah blah.

I'm going back to using fire.

What kind of oil should I use?

 

[Roadrunner]

I have an L4, won it in a passaround about a year ago. It puts out 60 intensely white lumens but doesn't have the greatest battery life. None of the Surefires do. I like it quite a bit because the beam is very broad and white, way way better than any Mag-Lite or similar that I have seen. Keep in mind that the initial cost ($130+) includes a bulb that's good for at least 10 or so years.

 

[Svashtar]

I have an original SF 8X that puts out an incredible 110 lumens for almost 1 hour, and uses the B90 recharcheable battery sticks, just like the 9N series did. This is all aluminium, and very well built. I carry it in a Safariland black basketweave cop sheath that prevents the buttcap from being activated. Other additions were a stong lanyard that I keep on it for use with a pistol (Harris technique) and a red snap on filter.

They no longer make the exact 8X with the old 300 series 12 hour charger, but now make a plastic model and a new aluminium model the 8AX and the 8NX. Both are slightly larger than the 6P series of lights, but also don't use the more expensive lithium batteries. The also come with the new 2 hour B90 rapid charger, which is much better than the old charger. I recently upgraded to the new charger, and bought two new Ni-cad B90 Batteries, as after almost 8 years or so mine had worn out. As someone said, their customer service is excellent. On the bigger lights, about 6-7 inches in length like the 8 or 9 series, expect to replace the lamp assy. every 60-90 minutes of run time, at about $25 each. If you are just using it infrequently though for hi-intensity lighting situations, that is a long time between replacement lamps.

My next SF light will either be the Aviator, to stow in my flight bag, or more likely the new E2D (Executive series) Defender, with crennalated (sp) crown that can be used for striking. If I were you I would look into this exact model. It is small, compact, 65 lumens, and pretty good on the batteries, and is excellent for use with kubotan techniques if you know any of those.

FINALLY, my son just joined the police academy, and they specified new streamlight scorpions rechargeables for everyone. Nice light that comes in 2 models, with only the higher end one having a buttcap activator. Extremely bright and well worth looking into, about the same size as the SF 8 series.

Good luck!

Norm

 

[Luopo]

Get the Surefire Aviator, different light settings so it's a good all around light.

 

[DannyinJapan]

Ok here are the finalists:

E2D

Nuwai Q3

L4 Lumamax

how do you guys vote?

 

[BruiseLeee]

Book o' matches.

 

[Svashtar]

Ok here are the finalists:

E2D

Nuwai Q3

L4 Lumamax

how do you guys vote?

Either the Aviator with the two light levels and classic design or the E2D Defender. Both 65 lumens I think. I give the nod to the E2D. Blinding, and can be used as an offensive striking weapon if needed. Great light.

N.