SureFire 6P vs. Streamlight Twin-Task 2L

TAH

TAH

Joined
Jul 3, 2001
Messages
6,135
So, I went to a police store yesterday, dead set on buying a SureFire flashlight, you know, just to see what all the fuss was about. Before I went, I did a little research on the SureFire website and zeroed in on the 6P Original. I get to the store and the sales person shows me the 6P and then says, "check out this one." He hands me a Streamlight Twin-Task 2L and starts showing me the difference.

Both lights are relatively the same size, weight, and construction. Both use the same lithium batteries.

The SF 6P has one set beam (65 lumens / 60 minutes) and basically requires two hands to twist on.

The SL Twin-Task offers two settings - 3 LEDs / 28 hours or 1 Xenon=72 lumens / 150 minutes and one switch operates both.

SF was $59.00 plus $10.00 for optional lanyard

SL was $35.00 (lanyard included)

Am I missing something? When comparing these two models, it seems the Streamlight blows the SureFire away. But dang it, I still want the SureFire and I feel ridiculous for thinking that.
 
You might want to also consider the Surefire G2, pretty much the same flashlight as the 6P, but in nitrolon. Every bit as tough from the one I've used and half the cost.
 
TAH said:
When comparing these two models, it seems the Streamlight blows the SureFire away. But dang it, I still want the SureFire and I feel ridiculous for thinking that.
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Hey TAH,
I know how you feel.......at first all I wanted was a Surefire but found a better product in the Streamlight ! ! I only purchase Streamlights and most of them come from www.brightguy.com Have fun trying to decide :D :D


Chris D.
 
The Twintask is a good light, and the replacement Zenon bulbs are much cheaper than the Surefire ones.

I would have gone with an Inova T3, still cheaper than the SF but with a 3w LED that will never burn out when you need it most. I have a SF L1, L2 and L4 that all sit in a drawer while I EDC the T3 at work and a Fenix L1P after.
 
sak_collector said:
Just curious about the twin-task...if the xenon bulb burns out, the LEDs will still work wont they?
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Yes they will, so you will have some light no matter what.
 
I've owned a few of both the 6P and the TT-2L, and I now only own the Streamlights. I like getting better value for my money.
 
the lumen figures ya quote arent correct imho, i have had both lights and the TT isnt as bright as the 6P, mine certainly wasnt anyway.

the TT are "ok" and really a ggod buy for the $$, but i dont like the way the switch works, and it is at the bare minimum in brightness for a tac light.

really if ya dont want/need a tac light it wouldnt be too bad.
 
I have a Surefire G2 and a TT 2L. I think the light quality is better on the Surefire. It is the one I keep by the bed in case something goes bump in the night. But, I love the runtime and dual usage of the Streamlight. It goes with me everywhere in my backpack. It's also the one I give most frequently as gifts.

Jack
 
SIFU1A,

The lumens and run times are correct. They are from each company's website.

One other feature the SL has over the SF is that you can go spot to flood.

How often do you guys use the on/off switch on the butt of the SureFire? That's one feature the SL doesn't have.
 
The lumens and run times are correct. They are from each company's website.
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LOL!

Yes, those are the lumen ratings Streamlight claims in their advertising. Everyone who has compared a Streamlight to a Surefire in the dark says otherwise, but those are the advertised claims.

Streamlight is not the only flashlight company to make exaggerated claims. Fortunately there are more reliable sources of facts than advertising, easy to find on the net.
 
Finally, a reason to buy the SureFire. I can't be buyin' no stinkin' flashlight from a dishonest company. :D
 
TAH said:
SIFU1A,

The lumens and run times are correct. They are from each company's website.

One other feature the SL has over the SF is that you can go spot to flood.

How often do you guys use the on/off switch on the butt of the SureFire? That's one feature the SL doesn't have.
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then streamlights figures are high or SF's figures are low & SF usually quotes pretty accurate figures.

the 2 lights are not equal in brightness & no way is the TT brighter. in fact the SF is quite a bit brighter.

as far as using the on/off switch vs twisting the head i always use the switch myself.
 
I'm pretty much married to my 6P (with the upgrade 120 Lumen lamp assembly). I like my Streamlight Scorpion- my first 'real' flashlight- but the SureFire is comforting, comfortable & familiar & still kicks a bucket of ass.
A G2 w/ the upgrade P61 bulb would perform just as well, but I prefer the heft of the 6P.
 
That's kind of the plus and minus of this whole discussion. Do you want 20 minutes of a great beam or 120 minutes of an O.K. beam with an extra 24 hours of usable LED light thrown in? Just depends on your perceived needs. That's why I have both. :)

Jack
 
really imho its better to go with the LED version of the SF and ya get the brightness & the long run time, initial cost is a lot more though, but worth it if ya use the thing a lot, my E2e w/a KL1 is my most used light.

FWIW the E2e w/a KL1 is brighter than my TT 2 123 batt light & SF rates them at like 40 lumens (if that much?) or so.
 
TAH said:
Finally, a reason to buy the SureFire. I can't be buyin' no stinkin' flashlight from a dishonest company. :D
Click to expand...
Actually, Surefire is pretty dishonest when it comes to lumen ratings. Actual lumens is usually greater. They "lowball" their numbers to account for possible variations in LEDs or for half-used lamp assemblies. Basically, think of their lumen ratings as a guaranteed minimum (assuming fresh batteries).
 
Planterz is right, Surefire's numbers are skewed towards the "worst-case-scenario", 65 Lumens for a P60 based light is the bare minimum, Streamlight *inflates* their numbers

i gave my Sis a SL TT 2L (the 2 lithium cell version) and it's a nice enough light, but can't compare in brightness, or more importantly, beam *quality* to my SureFires (6P and slightly modded* G2 Nitrolon)

the beam from a SureFire has a smooth hotspot that seamlessly tapers to a usable fill no artifacts or holes in the beam, the SL TT 2L had artifacts and rings (probably due to the LED's in the reflector) and was slightly dimmer even with new batteries

the 2L would be a great "car-light" or emergency backup to your primary EDC, but if you're looking for a primary use light, go with the 6P or G2....


(*my G2 has a G&P 3 watt Luxeon lamp assembly in place of the stock P60 lamp unit, and an UCL glass lens instead of the stock Lexan lens, the Luxeon module ups my runtime to 4 hours and is *almost* as bright as the P60, not sure of it's exact lumen rating, but i'd say it puts out 85-90% of what the P60 does)

i actually EDC 3 flashlights;
Fenix L1, my main go-to light, 1 watt Luxeon running off a single AA battery, about 4 hours of runtime
SureFire G2 w/ G&P 3W lamp, for when i need a little more light than the Fenix, 4 hour runtime
SureFire 6P with P61 120 lumen lamp, 20 minute runtime, just fun to have, great for illuminating iBook screens to check for dead reed switch backlighting control circuits, or for blinding any would-be assailants.....
 
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