- Joined
- Sep 29, 2008
- Messages
- 10,394
I picked up a Surefire G2L (L = LED) a couple of weeks ago, figured I'd give it a little once over for you guys.
The Surefire G2L is rated at 80 lumens, with 11 hours of output. Before everyone jumps down my throat about this, no, that's not 11 hours of 80 lumens. It's a decreasing curve of regulated light, hard to explain but I try. Someone will jump in with a CPF graph sooner or later. Going price is about $69.
The light is a bit shorter then a AA Maglight, and a little bit wider as well. It runs off of 2 CR123 3V Lithium batteries. These used to be pretty expensive, but buying in bulk or direct from Surefire will lower the cost a good amount.
Completely Made in America, the light has an aluminum bezel (acts as a heatsink) and a polymer (Nitrolon) body and tail cap. The tailcap is the push for momentary, twist for constant type. It's useful but it does have it's limitations. You do have to twist for constant on, and sometimes pressing the tailcap (not the button) down will activate the light. Another $50 will buy you a "clicky" tailcap, but for that additional price you might as well get either a E2DL or another G2L.
The beam pattern was typical Surefire. Flawless bright center dot with an even diffused surrounding off spill. Light color was a different story. Close up you can't really tell, but turn the lights off and shine it on a white wall and there is a very noticeable blue ting to the light. Disappointing really considering my E2DL has a perfectly tuned white beam.
Run time was pretty accurate. After about 8 hours you notice a large drop in light output, and it slowly goes down to nothing after about 20. At 10 hours I could still find my way in the woods, and at 15 I could still light up the inside of my car reasonably.
Construction was top notch, F&F were amazing as always. Close tolerances on all the parts, especially the battery tube. Changing batteries is fun because they slide in without any rattle and hold very securely. Some lights will have a battery "rattle" while this one doesn't.
This is an excellent backup or emergency light, as well as a great light for what I do (construction/mechanical contracting) because you're always either using it or loaning it out. With the polymer body I'm not worried about it breaking. Easy enough to wash up after exposure to unhealthy amounts of cleaning chemicals too. :thumbup:
Downsides include the beam color and tail cap. Upsides are relatively low price for a 80 lumen/2 CR123 battery light, outstanding warrenty, and great construction.
The Surefire G2L is rated at 80 lumens, with 11 hours of output. Before everyone jumps down my throat about this, no, that's not 11 hours of 80 lumens. It's a decreasing curve of regulated light, hard to explain but I try. Someone will jump in with a CPF graph sooner or later. Going price is about $69.
The light is a bit shorter then a AA Maglight, and a little bit wider as well. It runs off of 2 CR123 3V Lithium batteries. These used to be pretty expensive, but buying in bulk or direct from Surefire will lower the cost a good amount.
Completely Made in America, the light has an aluminum bezel (acts as a heatsink) and a polymer (Nitrolon) body and tail cap. The tailcap is the push for momentary, twist for constant type. It's useful but it does have it's limitations. You do have to twist for constant on, and sometimes pressing the tailcap (not the button) down will activate the light. Another $50 will buy you a "clicky" tailcap, but for that additional price you might as well get either a E2DL or another G2L.
The beam pattern was typical Surefire. Flawless bright center dot with an even diffused surrounding off spill. Light color was a different story. Close up you can't really tell, but turn the lights off and shine it on a white wall and there is a very noticeable blue ting to the light. Disappointing really considering my E2DL has a perfectly tuned white beam.
Run time was pretty accurate. After about 8 hours you notice a large drop in light output, and it slowly goes down to nothing after about 20. At 10 hours I could still find my way in the woods, and at 15 I could still light up the inside of my car reasonably.
Construction was top notch, F&F were amazing as always. Close tolerances on all the parts, especially the battery tube. Changing batteries is fun because they slide in without any rattle and hold very securely. Some lights will have a battery "rattle" while this one doesn't.
This is an excellent backup or emergency light, as well as a great light for what I do (construction/mechanical contracting) because you're always either using it or loaning it out. With the polymer body I'm not worried about it breaking. Easy enough to wash up after exposure to unhealthy amounts of cleaning chemicals too. :thumbup:
Downsides include the beam color and tail cap. Upsides are relatively low price for a 80 lumen/2 CR123 battery light, outstanding warrenty, and great construction.
$150 is unreasonable to a lot of people. I got the G2L so I have a easy to spot (yellow), very durable, above average light that I can honestly recommend to other people on the job site.
