SureFire 6PDL LED Defender

J

JeepinMatt

Joined
Jan 4, 2009
Messages
85
Hey All.

I know there's a few lighting forums out there, but I'm just not into it enough to join one of those. Plus I'm sure there's a lot peeps in here that have a lot of experience with lighting and such.

I'm looking at buying a decent flashlight, with good output, good duration and some durability.

Right now I'm looking at the SureFire 6PDL LED Defender. This seems like a great EDC light and some outdoor lighting for small tasks during a camp or something. Would this be a good choice for said tasks? Could anyone compare 80 lumens (it's output) with say a typical Maglite? I'm not sure just how bright 80 lumens is so I have no idea if that's bad, decent, great for my uses.

Thanks in advance.
 
it will blow away a maglite i dont think a maglite puts out 40 lumens.

the 6P is what i call anyway the std surefire size, its about like a Z2 or C2, and it was the size i got when i 1st got into surefires, but i later got the smaller one (ie E2e or L4) and the smaller ones are a lot easier to carry, and almost as bright, actually the L4 is IIRC 100 lumens, but anyway point being the smaller ones are more carry friendly imho.

& i would most definitely get the LED incans are imho on the way out, they might be a bit cheaper vs LED but as expensive as the SF bulbs are if ya blow one or 2 (and ya will) there goes the $$ ya saved.

fenix also makes one which is similar to the 6PLED (TK1 maybe??) and its a good lite and a bit cheaper FWIW, probably brighter too.

but anyway a SF will just blow a mag away as far as brightness goes, if ya havent seen the difference ya wont believe it.

i carry a L4 every day.
 
You have to consider how you plan to carry your flashlight.

I have the old school incandescent E2D Defender. Which is about the same light except it has crenalations on both ends instead of just the bulb end.

The problem with crenalations is they eat through pockets so you can carry every day loose in the pocket and expect advanced pocket wear and tear.

Other than the chance of causing more blood, the use of crenalations as a defense tool is a dubious advantage over a normal aluminum lip of the light. In this day of blood born incurable illnesses, I don't want more blood.

Having crenalations around the on/off switch is fantastic...just so that it means less chance of activation while sitting loose in the pocket. They also give a sturdy base for sitting the light upright while camping. Notice on the 6p the light switch is not a base you could stand the light upright (a minor pt, but worth mentioning).

For your desired purpose (outdoor/camping), I don't believe that is your best choice. There others options that have features better suited. I think a light that has different brightnesses would be best for outdoors/camping.

For example the Fenix PD20, or PD30. It has a very dim setting (useful for normal rumaging around the tent for example) and four other brightness levels if you needed more light for whatever... They advertise 33 days of survival use (2 continuous hours per day on the lowest setting) Which if true, seems like a great use for everyday camping. I can't imagine using a flashlight for 2 hours a day while camping. If you needed a bright light you could switch it to Turbo Mode: 220 lumens (1.5hrs)

Surefire is a great product though...just doesn't seem like your targeted light is the best option for your purpose. Like sifu said though, definately focus on getting LED though. :thumbup:
 
Zen's got you pointed in the right direction. As he said any variation of the 6P is going to be too bright for up close camp tasks. I have one and it is a great light. It is NOT my choice for camp tasks. Fenix has several models which would serve you well. I carried the P2D for over a year as my edc light. Very small (about 3 inches long), several levels of light and brighter on high than a 4 D cell maglight. It also has to ability to tail stand for area lighting in a tent. Not sure of your budget, but if you are interested in Surefire check out the L1, E1L and A2 Aviator. All have 2 levels of light and are much better suited for your purpose. The A2 is my favorite camping light. I also have the E2D and E2E, which are the same light except for the crenalations on the E2D. I much prefer the E2E.
 
Previous poster is right, just get the regular 6PD and upgrade to a Malkoff LED dropin.
Sooooo much better than the SureFire P60L LED module! Malkoff M60s are awesome, I run them in all my SureFire 6p lights!
 
J.Vervoorst said:
Previous poster is right, just get the regular 6PD and upgrade to a Malkoff LED dropin.
Sooooo much better than the SureFire P60L LED module! Malkoff M60s are awesome, I run them in all my SureFire 6p lights!
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You are 100% correct on this. However, the 6P with a Malkoff is going to be way overkill for the stated use of the OP. For piddling around camp you don't need or really want 200+ lumens. It's just too damn bright!!
 
Katdaddy said:
You are 100% correct on this. However, the 6P with a Malkoff is going to be way overkill for the stated use of the OP. For piddling around camp you don't need or really want 200+ lumens. It's just too damn bright!!
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200+ is bright but thats also why you can get the "L" or "LL", I have a LL in my G2 and that work great for "around the camp" type needs but if you need to spot something in the dark woods you will need more light.
 
Good point! I wasn't thinking about the L or LL. They probably would be good for what he wants.
 
Did ya make a decision yet?

Consider the G2 led series of lights. I got one in yellow not too long ago from Jay. Good light. Not overkill.
 
I'm a hard core Surefire fan. :thumbup:

The 6PDL is a good light. 80 lumens isn't bad. Personally though, I'd take a look at the G2/6PL. Same specs, but you don't really need that bezel.

Personally, I'd also take a hard look at the E1L/LumaMax series. Dual output is nice. You don't want to be working right up close to something at 80 lumens.
 
I love my L4 Luma ... imho you really don't need duration for an EDC, you want duration in a camp light or a head light. Put rechargeables in your EDC, keep a rotation on charge, and get a light that can blind somebody.
 
BOK said:
Did ya make a decision yet?

Consider the G2 led series of lights. I got one in yellow not too long ago from Jay. Good light. Not overkill.
Click to expand...

Not yet, there's so many good suggestions hah. Maybe I'll look at a dual output light, that might be the way to go. I think I'll stick with SureFire though...
 
JeepinMatt said:
I think I'll stick with SureFire though...
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Good choice. :thumbup:

LumaMax series, or the E1L/E2L are both great lights. E1B (Backup) if you've got the extra money and want a slightly higher output (80/5 verses 45/3)
 
Yeah I was just checkin out the E2L. A bit of a step up in the max lumen output, I like that. Really nice battery life as well. I think I'll go with that one, seems like a great choice.

Thanks for all the tips guys!
 
I don't know about that model, but be aware a lot of lights rate their max output of lumens with fresh batteries. As time wears on the lumen drops in a curve. Some lights have circuitry to prevent this as long as possible (as I understand it), so that the light output is more consistant for longer.
 
I think you're on the right track though if your budget allows, I'd recommend you purchase the SureFire C2 LED Centurion. Same P60-sized LED assembly, but the C2 is a beautiful light with a robust mil-spec hard-anodized finish. The great thing about the C2 or 6P is that as LED technology advances, you can remove the P60 LED assembly and replace it with an updated Malkoff P60-sized assembly. These lights can be easily modded/accessorized. I just removed my P60 LED assembly today [in my C2] and replaced it with a Malkoff M60 [which pumps-out 235 lumens]. That would be total overkill for hiking/camping, but the 80 lumen P60 LED would be perfect with about 5 hours of runtime as well. 80 lumens is a very bright light. Combine that with a lightweight LED headlamp [Black Diamond Ion or Petzl Tikka] for reading or two-handed tasks and I think you're set. Anyway, check out the C2, I personally think it's one of SureFire's best products and reasonably priced. It's tiny too.
 
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