Need Help With Buying a Surefire

boobar

boobar

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Nov 25, 2002
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I have set my sights on a Surefire flashlight and I need help with which model to get. I am leaning heavily towards the L2 or the L4. I am looking for a general use flashlight and I am pretty sure that I want L.E.D. If you guys could give me any advice on the pros and cons of these 2 models and any other model that you think is good that would be great. Thanks
 
I would go with a KL4 head on a Vital Gear FB2 body with clickie. Comes out cheaper than an L4, shorter package, the light can stand on its tail and better clip location, IMHO.
 
I would give vote for L4 also, A2 problem is once your main light dies, youre left with big heavy keychain light. ( It is better to buy E2E and carry 1-2 keychain lights, some things better left " unmerged" IMO)
Martin
 
I own and L4, L2 and an L1. (Was tempted by the A2, but wanted L.E.D.)

The L4 is almost as small as the L1 and if size is your most important feature get it. It packs a lot of lumens in a small package, but it is more light than I need for most applications. I also like the click on tail cap rather than the twist on of the L2 and L1. Cons. It does not have a low light setting and it does get uncomfortably warm after 15 or 20 minutes.

My favorite is the L2 (I actually own 3 right now, but two are for Christmas gifts). The L2 is longer than the L4 but you get that lower power setting for putting up with the extra length and I use the lower power much of the time. (That power choice is the only reason I like the L2 more than the L4) At high power the L2 and L4 emit the same amount of light as far as I can tell. If you do not mind the extra length, get the L2. The two output settings are more versitile. Con it's longer size (but at least it is more comfortable heat wise when using it for a while.)

Grnamin's thought also seems pretty sound. As far as the clips I treated them just like clips on my knives. I took them off. :D
 
grnamin said:
I would go with a KL4 head on a Vital Gear FB2 body with clickie. Comes out cheaper than an L4, shorter package, the light can stand on its tail and better clip location, IMHO.
Click to expand...

What grnamin said. Couldn't have said it better myself. :D
 
Trojanargus said:
Definately the L4 for me. Do you have a link for that switch?
Click to expand...
Click here.

It is called the McE2S, and for the L4 I'd suggest the 22ohm resistor. That is what I use, and I would compare the low output to the lamp on the E1e.
 
Thanks for all the replies and the opinions.

My next question is, is getting an L.E.D. light worth the extra money over say a C2 with a xenon bulb?

How does the L.E.D. light compair to the xenon light in both quality and clairity?

I am now leaning towards the L4, I like the thought of the click on/off as opposed to the bezel turn on/off.
 
LEDs are more durable, take almost forever to burn out, and cast a very even beam in my experience. The color of the light from incans is much, much better though; it looks a lot more natural compared to LEDs.

If you want a bright light, I'd take a 2 cell Surefire incandescent with a HOLA over something like the L2 or L4. I usually carry a G2Z with the P61 and a smaller, dimmer LED flashlight.
 
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