Surefire LX2 Lumamax

00ChevyScott

00ChevyScott

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Dec 3, 2010
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Hey guys, I've been carrying a Fenix PD31 for over a year now almost every day. It's been an amazing light, and I haven't had any problems with it. But as with anything else, I'm getting the itch for something better.

I'm not sure the Surefire would necessarily be brighter, but I do think it'd be nice to have the extra strength and build quality. Could anyone with this light share any opinions on it? Also, if anyone has got any pictures showing the LX2 next to other flashlights (PD31/PD32 would be awesome!) I would appreciate it, as it's hard to tell what size these things are in pictures.
 
LX2 throws incredibly well (TIR), superbly robust (I drop it on concrete all the time), very usable. I also get decent battery life out of mine. I've had the 200 lumen model for a couple of years now, and it's my frequent companion on dark nights with the dog.

It's a jacket pocket light, not a jeans pocket light (unless you have big pockets!).

Unlike my Fenix and 4sevens lights, I've never had any fear of it not working. It's as reliable as my HDS or my Aeon. And I'm sure it'll keep trucking along until I decide I want the 400 lumen version they recently released!
 
See, that's been my problem with Surefire since I got into lights. They don't make a good sized pocket light. They're all really big and bulky. I was hoping the LX2 would be small enough to carry in jeans.
 
You can do it if you wear carpenter's jeans, or otherwise have large pockets; I did for a while (with some risk of the clip catching on things, which is why I no longer carry clipped lights). It's long enough that you could use it as a kubaton, and it's a CR123 light with a decent diameter, so it's not going to disappear. You'll notice when you sit on it!


All that said, the PD31 is a two-cell CR123 light, too, so the LX2 won't be much bigger.

This might be a useful size comparison for you:

http://i332.photobucket.com/albums/m337/dungnd_2008/Flashlight/DSC_0077.jpg

LX2 is the fifth light from the left.


I carry my Aeon on my key hanger as a permanent backup, have a ThruNite Ti2 AAA (80lm) in my vest pocket which I use all the time for working on the bike, poking in cupboards, etc., and I take the LX2 with me in my jacket or hand when I walk the dog. That works for me: I don't need 200lm of throw in the house.
 
The tube is probably the same size as my PD31, but the head is much larger on the LX2 for some reason. The lens doesn't look larger, but the head bulges out a lot more than it needs to.
 
Sounds like you might like the E1 backup.
 
rycen said:
Sounds like you might like the E1 backup.
Click to expand...

I just googled it, and it still seems to have the same problem as the LX2. Why are the heads so large on these lights? Look at how my Fenix has the same diameter the whole way. Are there no Surefires with this kind of shape? I just think the larger head is going to make it uncomfortable to sit down with.

dsc00578zo.jpg
 
The head is larger due to the optic it uses rather than a reflector.
 
Could anyone with this light share any opinions on it?
Click to expand...

I love mine.

Bombproof finish, execellent throw, extremely intuitive push tailcap (with 2 modes, push a little for 15 lumens, hard for 200 lumens) with a twist option that makes me feel better if the clicky ever breaks my light will still be usable. It's supposed to last a long time too, 2 hours high or 47 hours on low, but I have yet to go through a set of batteries. The clip is great, carried bezel down.

This light is easy to carry in jeans, it goes right next to my Spyderco Endura. Not sure what kind of pants you guys are wearing.

The head isn't that big, the tube on this one is only .75" to start with, the head is 1" or so.

Everything about this light is ideal, except that the head is sealed so you can't "upgrade" it as new technologies come out.
 
Hmm so are the pictures just deceiving? I really just need to go to a store and handle one of these so I get a better idea of the size.
 
00ChevyScott said:
See, that's been my problem with Surefire since I got into lights. They don't make a good sized pocket light. They're all really big and bulky. I was hoping the LX2 would be small enough to carry in jeans.
Click to expand...

??

EB1 or the T1A are small lights. EB1 = 200/5, 1CR123A
 
00ChevyScott said:
Hmm so are the pictures just deceiving? I really just need to go to a store and handle one of these so I get a better idea of the size.
Click to expand...

Yes.

The full bodied 6P lights have a 1" body with a 1.25" bezel.

The properly sized LX2, E2L, E2D, etc. have a 3/4" body with a 1" bezel.

The difference in your pocket is significant. I just sold a half dozen G2s and 6Ps that I bought 10 years ago and never used. They're being replaced by an LX2, E2L, E1L and a C2L (The C2L won't get carried, because it has the fat body, I only bought it to hotrod with P60 dropin lamps as new ones come out).

I've been wearing the LX2 in my jeans pocket, next to my folder, and it is very comfortable with the reverse clip carrying it bezel down.
 
I've played with lights and finally tossed all of my Maglites when I got my surefire E1L with the F04 diffuser. It's just a great light if you're looking for a 4" package that uses one CR123A battery. The clips's not bad on the thing it stays on my belt, but it also goes in my jeans pocket and does the job. These lights are very well made, are under-rated in Lumens too...it says the light is 45/3, but I don't believe that report, it's as bright as my friend's E2L, just smaller! Also the diffuser is a must for around the house and shop, it takes the beam and turns the light into a flood...I use the light with diffuser in the house at night and don't need anything brighter.
 
I really like my lx2. It's really tough. Mine is beat up from use but still runs strong. Mine is fine in my back pocket and rides fairly comfortably, you can feel it there but it doesn't bother me. The throw is clean and balanced. 200 lumens is bright enough for EDC. I routinely mount mine on my s&w m&p 15-22 and it works good although its not really a weapon light. The only gripe I have is the clip. It breaks easily, I've gone through 4 of them so far. SF rep said they were trying to get them redesigned when I ordered more(free). Over all it's an excellent light, I've had it for 4 years or so. Surefires great customer service doesn't hurt either.
 
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