Surefire Water Resistance???

Midget

Midget

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Exactly how water resistant are Surefires anyhow?

The website says they are only water resistant, not proof. So does that mean I can't submerge it? Seems kind of cheesy, to spend so much on a flashlight that isn't waterproof... Maybe I'm wrong? I mean, I thought that even maglights were waterproof.
 
Originally posted by Midget
Exactly how water resistant are Surefires anyhow?

The website says they are only water resistant, not proof. So does that mean I can't submerge it? Seems kind of cheesy, to spend so much on a flashlight that isn't waterproof... Maybe I'm wrong? I mean, I thought that even maglights were waterproof.
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Maglites are not "waterproof" either (according to the website). But yeah, I wouldn't submerge a SureFire.
 
Most SureFires are designed to be able to be rated waterproof. That is individual models tested and rated by SureFire. It's kinda known as being "N Certified" because rated models are given the "N" code (for example 6PN or M951CN)
Due to the high demand for SureFires I don't think they are certifying models for retail at the moment.

I'm not sure how or why you would need/want to submerge you SureFire?

Which models are you wanting to be sure about, and what are you applications/requirements.

Thanks

Al
 
Seems like I remember reading somewhere that somebody put his Surfire C3 in a barrel of water for a couple hours and it still worked fine. Maybe I'm way off base here though :rolleyes: I would search over a the candle power forums. They know everything there is to know about flashlights!. Hope this helps!

Ryan W
 
I know people who have taken all sorts of SureFires diving with no leaks - from the M2 to the M6.
But leaks can and do happen. Someone on CPF mentioned that their Princeton Tec Surge leaked during a dive. I guess all flashlights can leak...

Al
 
I'm not saying Surefires are bad- in fact I've only held one at a store. And I'm not saying that I dive, or swim, or whatever. But I think equipment like that (and as expensive as they are) should be able to handle the elements. That goes for other equipment as well (see my seiko5 WP thread). I wear my watch into the shower, I'll wear it if I go kayaking, I'll wear it when I hit the beach (12 days until I'm in sunny california :) ). For some reason, I think my watch, and presumably my flashlight, should be able to take it.

It just came as a shock to me that surefires weren't rated to be waterproof.

And you're right, I suppose maglights aren't waterproof. Although, I HAVE taken one into a pool before and it held up fine. Several years back, a friend of mine lost his maglight in a field in the winter. Late that summer, by chance, we stumbled across it again. It still worked. :) I guess I can expect even more out of a surefire?
 
I doubt you'd leave it that long or to chance to find your SureFire but if you did I'd expect it to remain functional.

I guess I think that most of the users who need waterproof SureFires need to know that they can take certain depths. Therefore SureFire specifically rate individual units.

Al
 
I tossed my SF E2e into a sink behind my bar and it stayed lit and worked fine. I would not, however, recommend changing the batteries underwater. I suspect they only rate it as water resistant like watch companies. I've seen many watches rated water resistant XX meters. I think it's just a way for them to escape liability for any failure that might occur in a severely wet environment.
 
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