I know this is blade discussion but I see so many surefires around here I thought it would not hurt to ask.Allright I dont know didly about the surefires but I do know they make a lot of different models.What I would like is a small one say around the size of a mini mag or that smaller pocket lookin one they have with the clip.Next question is what kind of light do they emit and what kind of batteries do they use and are they waterproof? Do they use the LED technology?Also what would a small gunmetal run retail?Any info is greatly appreciated.
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Need flashlight info please.
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stjames
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The Surefire E2 is about the size of a AA Maglight, put out about as much light as a 2D Maglight, has a pocket clip, runs on two 123A lithium batteries for 75, has o-rings for water-seals, uses a xenon/halogen bulb (not LED), and a gunmetal version will set you back about $65-$70, with batteries costing anywhere from $2-$8 each depending on where you shop.
Ditto drjones. The X-5 is also waterproof to 150' and will give you about 20 hrs. of light. It's also just about indestructible as the LEDs are shock-proof. An amazing light source for the $$.
Check out www.candlepowerforums.com
Check out www.candlepowerforums.com
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I love it. To me it seems as bright as my 6 D cell Mag with a Kapton bulb. It's Sooooo much more light than a mini mag in a similar sized package. It's not for the faint-of-wallet as the price of admission and consumables is more than I ever thought I'd spend on a flashlight, but I can't imagine not having one now.
I want a X-5 but haven't parted with the money yet although I think the purchase is almost inevitable. They seem like the perfect complement to each other, one for hot spoting and the other for longer burn times and a more diffuse pattern.
BTW: I got the hard anno on my E2e but would probably get the gunmetal grey if I were to do it over again.
jmx
I want a X-5 but haven't parted with the money yet although I think the purchase is almost inevitable. They seem like the perfect complement to each other, one for hot spoting and the other for longer burn times and a more diffuse pattern.
BTW: I got the hard anno on my E2e but would probably get the gunmetal grey if I were to do it over again.
jmx
i have a Z2 and a Z3 surefire, both GREAT lights, imho the centurion line w/the hard anodized finish (about $8 extra) is the way to fly, unless ya wanna go REALLY high $$ w/the rechargeables,/etc. the reason i like the centurion is the pocket clip, the Z2/3 lanyard is great when shooting, but ya arent usually shooting (well not me anyway lol) i got the Z/2 and 3 because i got a helluva deal on them, and to be honest, they work just fine also. and battery's while high, also last pretty well, i use my Z3 when needed, and the batts last about a month, not too bad at all imho.
great lights, use one and you'll never go back to streamlite/maglite/etc/etc, they are that much better.
try one
greg
great lights, use one and you'll never go back to streamlite/maglite/etc/etc, they are that much better.
try one
greg
Cougar Allen
Buccaneer (ret.)
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Moving to the Gadgets & Gear forum....
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SureFire makes an outstanding flashlight, but you'll pay for them. For tactical applications, they are the way to go, either the Z series combat lights or the Centurions.
For a utility light though, check out the lithium powered Streamlight Scorpion - a compact, superbright small flashlight, and they're inexpensive enough to buy one for each place you need a good light, car, truck or toolbox. The lithium shelf life is outstanding and they are tough, durable lights with a rear pushbutton switch.
Streamlight
For a utility light though, check out the lithium powered Streamlight Scorpion - a compact, superbright small flashlight, and they're inexpensive enough to buy one for each place you need a good light, car, truck or toolbox. The lithium shelf life is outstanding and they are tough, durable lights with a rear pushbutton switch.
Streamlight
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I have several Surefires, including an E2 and an E1e. They're great lights, though as mentioned, consumables can be spendy. I buy batteries in bulk and save alot of money that way.
I've played with an Inova X-5, and when the new version becomes more available, I'm certainly planning on getting one. It's a great light for general use, but mostly for things up close.
My only criticism of the LED lights I have experience with is that they lack the "throw" that incandescents do. The blue tint of the "white" beams aren't really a problem, but when I need to see something "out there", they don't fulfill the mission for me.
I have a Franken-light, a 2 D-cell Mag, converted to 3 C-cell use with a Luxeon Star high output LED. It puts out an amazing amount of light, but still doesn't reach the back fence in our yard, not a long distance at all. LED technology will hopefully equal incandescent performance in the future, but it doesn't now, and of the high-performance incandescent lights on the market, I'm sold on Surefires.
Later this year, there are plans to release an LED conversion for the E-series lights, as well as several LED-specific designs. I'm not sure how these would compare with lights like the Inova or ARC LS. You may want to keep your eye open for those in the future.
I've played with an Inova X-5, and when the new version becomes more available, I'm certainly planning on getting one. It's a great light for general use, but mostly for things up close.
My only criticism of the LED lights I have experience with is that they lack the "throw" that incandescents do. The blue tint of the "white" beams aren't really a problem, but when I need to see something "out there", they don't fulfill the mission for me.
I have a Franken-light, a 2 D-cell Mag, converted to 3 C-cell use with a Luxeon Star high output LED. It puts out an amazing amount of light, but still doesn't reach the back fence in our yard, not a long distance at all. LED technology will hopefully equal incandescent performance in the future, but it doesn't now, and of the high-performance incandescent lights on the market, I'm sold on Surefires.
Later this year, there are plans to release an LED conversion for the E-series lights, as well as several LED-specific designs. I'm not sure how these would compare with lights like the Inova or ARC LS. You may want to keep your eye open for those in the future.
I would have to agree with xsrdx about the Streamlight Scorpion. Don't get me wrong, I love my SureFires, and I have several of them. But the Scorpion is alot of light for about half the price of a SF. My Streamlight Scorpion appears to be just as bright as my SureFire C2 Centurion.
You might also want to consider a Brinkmann Legend LX, if you can find one. For about $20 you get a compact and super bright light with lithium 123 batteries included. Not the prettiest light though, IMHO. I have one in my car.
I highly recommend you check out www.candlepowerforums.com as knifenerd said. There is a ton of info there on every kind of light source.
Eric.
You might also want to consider a Brinkmann Legend LX, if you can find one. For about $20 you get a compact and super bright light with lithium 123 batteries included. Not the prettiest light though, IMHO. I have one in my car.
I highly recommend you check out www.candlepowerforums.com as knifenerd said. There is a ton of info there on every kind of light source.
Eric.
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Expanding on the 2 X 123 flashlight genre, a very nice utility light is the UKE 2L. The beam quality isn't what you'd find in a Surefire or Streamlight, but the runtime is extended out to 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Waterproof, lightweight, inexpensive.
Another highly under-rated 2 X 123 is the ASP TAC Light, also called the ASP Triad. You don't find them at the same frequency as you would a Surefire or Streamlight, but those who own them are very happy with them. They cost a bit more than the Scorpion, but according to several owners, testers, and people with lots of lights to compare them to, they have one of the longest "throws" of all the 2 X 123 flashlights out there.
I haven't heard much about the TAC 3M other than that the lights were definitely tough, but the light was quite over-priced considering the poor switch and average beam quality. A new switch has reportedly fixed that problem, but a number of Surefires are actually still less expensive. I've also never quite believed their dubious claim of a 2 X 123 light producing 100-ish lumens for an hour or more, performance that's normally seen in a 3 X 123 light, not a two-cell. I've personally never seen any outside or unbiased test results that supports this claim.
Another highly under-rated 2 X 123 is the ASP TAC Light, also called the ASP Triad. You don't find them at the same frequency as you would a Surefire or Streamlight, but those who own them are very happy with them. They cost a bit more than the Scorpion, but according to several owners, testers, and people with lots of lights to compare them to, they have one of the longest "throws" of all the 2 X 123 flashlights out there.
I haven't heard much about the TAC 3M other than that the lights were definitely tough, but the light was quite over-priced considering the poor switch and average beam quality. A new switch has reportedly fixed that problem, but a number of Surefires are actually still less expensive. I've also never quite believed their dubious claim of a 2 X 123 light producing 100-ish lumens for an hour or more, performance that's normally seen in a 3 X 123 light, not a two-cell. I've personally never seen any outside or unbiased test results that supports this claim.
Regarding the availability of the Brinkmann Legend LX, at least in the northeast, every Sports Authority that I've visited over the past month seems to have them in abundant supply now. For 19.95 US, I think it still has a great "bang for the buck" factor which made me purchase one for each glovebox in my autos.
Regards,
Ed
Regards,
Ed
I own both the Surefire E2e and the Scorpion. If you want a small easy to carry light with a pocket clip go with the E2e. Yea, it is more expensive, but it is a lot smaller. Mine drops in the pocket of my pants all day and I rarely notice it. The Scorpion is a great light but it is not something I would carry in my pocket all day. If you want to belt carry something in a sheath the Scorpion is a great inexpensive light.
I'm sure someone will mention cost of bulbs between the two lights. Surefire lamp assemblies cost about $20 a piece where as Scorpion bulbs are about $5. However, Surefire will give you 20 hours of run time where as the Scorpion will only give you about 5 hours of runtime. Take you choice, six of one, half dozen of the other.
The E2e will give you 60 lumens for about 75 minutes and the Scorpion will give about 70 flumes for an hour.
As far as LED lights go. The X5 is great and the new X5 only promises to be better. Surefire will be introducing the LumaMax series sometime in the future to include a conversion for the E2e named the KL1. The KL1 will use a Luxeon LED, by far the bet LED available. The light output is much better and rarely do they have the blue coloring mentioned in an earlier post. They promise to be great LED lights, but be assured they will be pricey and who knows when they might actually be available. Also look for the Surefire A2 Aviator, a digitally regulated light that is both incandescent and LED in one, should be revolutionary in the world of flashlights.
Hope this helps your decision rather than clouds it even more.
I'm sure someone will mention cost of bulbs between the two lights. Surefire lamp assemblies cost about $20 a piece where as Scorpion bulbs are about $5. However, Surefire will give you 20 hours of run time where as the Scorpion will only give you about 5 hours of runtime. Take you choice, six of one, half dozen of the other.
The E2e will give you 60 lumens for about 75 minutes and the Scorpion will give about 70 flumes for an hour.
As far as LED lights go. The X5 is great and the new X5 only promises to be better. Surefire will be introducing the LumaMax series sometime in the future to include a conversion for the E2e named the KL1. The KL1 will use a Luxeon LED, by far the bet LED available. The light output is much better and rarely do they have the blue coloring mentioned in an earlier post. They promise to be great LED lights, but be assured they will be pricey and who knows when they might actually be available. Also look for the Surefire A2 Aviator, a digitally regulated light that is both incandescent and LED in one, should be revolutionary in the world of flashlights.
Hope this helps your decision rather than clouds it even more.
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OMG the Aviator is going to be regulated?? i didnt know that 
Wick you just made my day!
Id also take a look at the new CMG Reactor coming out soon. its supposed to have an LS in it, but unfortunatly its not regulated
, or so its been said
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Payback, of course it's gonna be regulated, silly. 
Not only the Aviator, but a number of their other lights will be regulated as well for a more even power output across the battery life span.
Check out the PK Engineering website. Paul's deeply involved with the development and prototyping of alot of Surefire's future products.
Try www.pk-engineering.com and check out the "Prototypes" and "Photo Gallery" towards the bottom right. Lots and lots of new cool toys.
Not only the Aviator, but a number of their other lights will be regulated as well for a more even power output across the battery life span.
Check out the PK Engineering website. Paul's deeply involved with the development and prototyping of alot of Surefire's future products.
Try www.pk-engineering.com and check out the "Prototypes" and "Photo Gallery" towards the bottom right. Lots and lots of new cool toys.
"Paul's deeply involved with the development and prototyping of alot of Surefire's future products."
PK is the SureFire New Products Development Manager - SureFire's Lead Engineer!
The A2 will be amazing. A "Fusion" of a Digitally Regulated bulb and 3 LEDs in the same reflector. A two-stage pressure switch for simple, effective operation. Brilliant white light for the whole battery runtime! We'll get the most out of those SF123As. Lithium batteries look even more cost effective.
I'll be able to retire the Arc AAA & Photon3 from my neck lanyard and have the A2 instead of an E2e as my EDC.
Al
PK is the SureFire New Products Development Manager - SureFire's Lead Engineer!
The A2 will be amazing. A "Fusion" of a Digitally Regulated bulb and 3 LEDs in the same reflector. A two-stage pressure switch for simple, effective operation. Brilliant white light for the whole battery runtime! We'll get the most out of those SF123As. Lithium batteries look even more cost effective.
I'll be able to retire the Arc AAA & Photon3 from my neck lanyard and have the A2 instead of an E2e as my EDC.
Al
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I agree with all the other guys. I have the Scorpion, E2e and X-5. I carry the E2e and X5 EDC. The Surefire is a very well made and small, and puts out an amazing amount of light. The X5 is also very bright and puts out more of a flood type light.
I like the Surefire better for EDC. The Scorpion does not have a lock out tail-cap. On more than one occasion, I noticed my pocket getting warm. Then rapidly getting hot! Followed by rapid digging in my pocket for the Scopion that accidently turned on.
I am waiting for the Aviator too. It is works like it should, it is going to be an awesome light!
I like the Surefire better for EDC. The Scorpion does not have a lock out tail-cap. On more than one occasion, I noticed my pocket getting warm.
Then rapidly getting hot! Followed by rapid digging in my pocket for the Scopion that accidently turned on.I am waiting for the Aviator too. It is works like it should, it is going to be an awesome light!