Surefire questions

Starfish

Starfish

Joined
Jun 14, 2001
Messages
1,256
Hi all,

I'm trying to sort out all the differences between the Surefire models, but not having much luck. It seems like there are multiple models which offer the same lumens/runtime capability, but not sure what one offers over the other. Would appreciate it if anybody could do a summary of the major features of each of the series (E, G, M, etc.), and why particular features are more desirable than another.

I'm looking at a Surefire primarily for lighting (duh!) but would also like to have one for defensive use. I'm thinking a Surefire would be a good way to momentarily stun someone via the bright, focused light, as well as for use as a club if nothing else is available.

Thanks!
 
Thanks for starting the thread Starfish, I'd like some reviews and suggestions as well. I've been thinking of buying one of the Centurion models with the pocket clip or the Combat light with the lanyard. Any opinions?
 
Well...it's a pretty big topic, because Surefire has a bunch of models...Here's a really quick summary:

Mostly,for the newer lights, the number after the letter in the light's name equates to the number of lithium cells it uses. The older 6P and 9P, the numbers refer to the number of volts in the light. Here's a quick overview:

6P: original two cell light, aluminum body.
9P: original 3 cell light, aluminum body.
G2: two cell light, nylon body (similar in appearance to a 6P).
M2: The ultimate two cell light, hard anodized, shock isolated head, combat grip body.
D2: two cell, aluminum body, slight improvement over 6P, including antiroll head and pocket clip.
C2: two cell light, combat grip, aluminum body.
E2: two cell light, VERY compact, pocket clip and aluminum body.

Goto www.surefire.com
or CPF.com (in my sig line) for more info...

--dan
 
Dano nailed it.

If you wanted to put them in order of brightness and features, it'd be like this:

E1 - 15 lumens, Pocket clip
E2 - 60 lumens, Pocket clip
G2 - 65 lumens, Nitrolon body
6P - 65 lumens, Anti Roll head
D2 - 65 lumens, Anti Roll head, pocket clip
Z2 - 65 lumens, Anti Roll head, Combat body
C2 - 65 lumens, Anti Roll head, pocket clip, combat body
M2 - 65 lumens / 120 lumens (comes with 2 lamps), shock isolated head, pocket clip, combat body, hard anodized.

The 3 battery / 9 v models are a bit too big to carry daily in your pocket IMHO

I recommend the C2 over everything else... it has everything you need and is still compact enough to carry. Can be had in black or hard anodized. Comes with the P60 lamp, you can buy the P61 seperate if you choose.

Kevin
 
Thanks for the replies. Here's some more questions...

(1) What is an "anti-roll head", and why/when would it be a good thing?
(2) What is the "combat body"?
(3) What is the runtime for the C2?
(4) How long is the C2, and how much does it weigh?
(5) Is 65 lumens a bright enough light to visually stun a (seeing) BG?

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by Starfish
Thanks for the replies. Here's some more questions...

(1) What is an "anti-roll head", and why/when would it be a good thing?
(2) What is the "combat body"?
(3) What is the runtime for the C2?
(4) How long is the C2, and how much does it weigh?
(5) Is 65 lumens a bright enough light to visually stun a (seeing) BG?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Anti-roll head: keeps the flashlight from rolling away on an angled surface.

Combat body: Allows use of the Rogers technique when used in conjunction with a handgun, instead of the traditional Harries technique. IMO, Rogers kicks butt over Harries. If you're even thinking about using this as a defensive light with a handgun, combat body is a must, IMO.

65 lumens is very bright, and make me turn away from the light. It doesn't stun me. It doesn't make me stop fighting. I haven't gotten 120 lumens in the eyes yet, but I imagine it's the same deal. My recommendation is not to depend on "visual stunning" regardless of the total light output.

Joe
 
Thanks Joe!

I know that the E2 allows 75 minutes of runtime on a 65 lumens lamp; is the C2 comparable, or do different lamp assemblies yield different runtimes for the same light output?

Matthew
 
Go for the M2. Run it with the high power bulb for 'stunning' purposes. Has good heft and durability for use as a kuboton. Not long enough to use as a club though.
 
Originally posted by Starfish
Thanks Joe!

I know that the E2 allows 75 minutes of runtime on a 65 lumens lamp; is the C2 comparable, or do different lamp assemblies yield different runtimes for the same light output?

Matthew
Click to expand...

The other two-battery lights give 65 lumens for 60 mnutes, or 120 lumens for 20 minutes (two different bulbs available). The thing about the 120 lumen bulbs is, although the beam is brighter, it's also bigger, so for blinding purposes, it's not a big a step up as you'd think. Again, IMO, neither of these bulbs will stun someone, but you it's definitely a possibility that someone will close their eyes, turn away, or temporarily not be able to see, and that's an advantage if it happens.

If you're just carrying this thing around, and are not planning on defensive use with a handgun, I'd go with the E2 if you want maximum carryability -- I own some of the bigger 2-battery lights, and for me, they were too big to carry around all the time, whereas the E2 I can carry everywhere. If you're dead set on getting one of the bigger 2-battery lights, you might consider the G2, which is at least lightweight, and seems to afford more shock resistance than anything but the M2.
 
I've carried the M2 everyday at work for the last two months.
I do have an E2 but the conditions at work demanded a tough light, and the M2 performed. I don't notice the M2 on my belt, and it never fell off. I have the new version of the PocketClip with Lanyard, and find it excellent.

There are some other differences between the C2-HA and the M2 other then the Shock Isolated Bezel such as improved seals I believe. (I'm sure these improvements will be across the whole range on the latest production runs)

SureFire's stats sheets give the C2 at 4.9" and 5oz whilst the M2 is 5.2" and 5.25oz. The M2 Bezel Diameter is .22" wider then the C2.

The E2 bulb is slightly less Wattage then the P60 and this is one of the reasons why the runtime is increased.

It is true that the P61 is a far larger beam then the P60, and the P61 has a practically perfectly round beam. With fresh SF123As, the brightness of the P61 over the P60 is clear, but this only lasts for 5 minutes or so. However, I use the P61 in my M2 and do appreciate the difference, and accept the additional cost of SF123As.

The G2 is a worthy flashlight, and I will be getting more when they are available with a LockOut TailCap (hopefully 2002 version)
The same goes for the E2, that will have a LockOut TailCap in 2002.

The SureFire LockOut TailCap is a feature that allows the flashlight to be deactivated for storage, transport, carry or to prevent accidental activation during use.

I hope this helps?

Flashlight questions etc are welcome at www.CandlePowerForums.com (CFP) and at SureFire's Forum (SFF) http://discuss.surefire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

Al
 
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