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Surefire flashlights?
- Thread starter marsupial
- Start date
It depends what you want it for. They are brighter than pretty much anyhting of the same size and even most bigger lights. They will also work at well below freezing due to the lithium batteries. However since they are so bright you will sacrifice runtime, usualy getting 60min on a LOLA and 20-30 on a HOLA depending on the model/lamp. If you want something with a long runtime surefires are not for you. I have one and use it for long range spot light lighting needs since IMO that is what they are best for and nothing in its size class can match a surefire with a turbohead for throw. They are very well built and i have dropped mine many times and it has been fine, a little scratched up but no major damage. There warranty is also great. IMO if you have a need for a really bright light with short runtime then they are great, get one. If not then dont, another light with longer runtime would prbably suit your needs better.
Richard
BOUNCED EMAIL: I need to update my email address in my profile!
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 1,742
They are nice enough lites, but there is one sitting on my shelf here that will probably not be used again, or if it does then only a tiny amount.
It is far brighter than my mag lites of the same size, although that seems to be the case when the batteries are new. As the batteries drain, the brightness seems to drop. I know that is no big surprise, but it just seems to drop off much faster than my mags.
For the short runtime of the lithiums, and the high cost of replacement batteries, I just dont care much for it.
Also, lamp replacement is considerably more expensive.
They seem like noce lights, and if you dont mind the cost of them and the batteries and lamps then I think you can rest easy that you will have a good lite.
As for me, I will stick with the lowly mag and leave the surefire on the shelf.
It is far brighter than my mag lites of the same size, although that seems to be the case when the batteries are new. As the batteries drain, the brightness seems to drop. I know that is no big surprise, but it just seems to drop off much faster than my mags.
For the short runtime of the lithiums, and the high cost of replacement batteries, I just dont care much for it.
Also, lamp replacement is considerably more expensive.
They seem like noce lights, and if you dont mind the cost of them and the batteries and lamps then I think you can rest easy that you will have a good lite.
As for me, I will stick with the lowly mag and leave the surefire on the shelf.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 1998
- Messages
- 4,842
As a tactical light, I feel Surefire has done everything right, and I do think right now that the 123A-based Surefires are unparalled for this. They've made all the right decisions and tradeoffs: placement and type of switch, beam intensity/pattern/smoothness, brightness versus runtime tradeoffs, size tradeoffs, option of using Rogers technique with some lights, lamp assembly options, etc.
As for a putz-around EDC light, Surefire's become a bit less compelling for the price. The E2e, and the E1/E2+KL1 bezel are both really nice options, but kind of expensive. Plus, for EDC, a clickie switch works out nicely, and I feel barrel-mounted switches work better than tailcap switches for EDC.
In addition, I'm not convinced Surefire's rechargeable line is as compelling as their 123A-based line. My rechargeable is a Tigerlight FBOP. If I hadn't gotten that, it would have been a Streamlight Ultrastinger. Surefire came in 3rd place for me, for rechargeables.
All that said, my EDCs are an E2, and an Arc LS w/ clickie switch. I can't imagine going to anything else, I just love these lights, and I'd give something up going to anything else, IMO. My dedicated tactical lights are a Surefire M2 and a Surefire M4. My rechargeable, which does double-duty as a utility and tactical light, is a Tigerlight FBOP.
Joe
As for a putz-around EDC light, Surefire's become a bit less compelling for the price. The E2e, and the E1/E2+KL1 bezel are both really nice options, but kind of expensive. Plus, for EDC, a clickie switch works out nicely, and I feel barrel-mounted switches work better than tailcap switches for EDC.
In addition, I'm not convinced Surefire's rechargeable line is as compelling as their 123A-based line. My rechargeable is a Tigerlight FBOP. If I hadn't gotten that, it would have been a Streamlight Ultrastinger. Surefire came in 3rd place for me, for rechargeables.
All that said, my EDCs are an E2, and an Arc LS w/ clickie switch. I can't imagine going to anything else, I just love these lights, and I'd give something up going to anything else, IMO. My dedicated tactical lights are a Surefire M2 and a Surefire M4. My rechargeable, which does double-duty as a utility and tactical light, is a Tigerlight FBOP.
Joe