Surefire, what's that?

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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I think I was a flashlight nut before I got heavy into knives. Maglites and el cheapo junk over the years. Then I found Surefires. Went nuts, getting the G series lights and a couple E series lights. I was going through Cr123As like crazy. Last year I bought a G2LED. I think I was most happy that the batteries lasted so long. At Scott Gossmans Gosstoberfest, Andster had a light that seemed to have the power of a car battery. Wonder of wonders, it wasn't a Surefire! In the past two months, I bought a Pelican 1910, Fenix Tk15, traded for a Fenix PD22 and just got a Fenix E11 tonight. I also got a Surefire 6PLED, which the Fenixs blow out of the water.

I might get conversion kits for my Surefire incandescent G2 and G3, but why? With two headlamps and a Streamlight pen light what's the rush?

Also, why are Surefires so expensive, with less lumen output?
 
I suspect that the extra costs can be attributed to: better build quality, top-rate warranty, marketed toward law enforcement/military, and that they're made (I think) in the USA.
 
I too was into lights before knives, and was heavy into Surefire too. But that ship has sailed. They are fine lights, but too spendy, not regulated and as a general rule can't feed on rechargeables. And too big for EDC. Its Fenix and Quark for me now, and there are plenty of others out there. Maybe they don't have the bulletproof quality of Surefire, but they are better (in my view) at just about everything else, and for half the price.
 
I was heavy into surefires too. But they ate batteries like crazy and I started buying Fenix,Inova,etc. Way cheaper,batteries last longer and I also had problems with the durability of surefire Incandescent bulbs,drop it and it is a fair chance it's shot. So thats $20 bucks your out. I did look at buying the LED conversions (malkoff) or surefire LED heads but they cost as much or more than a complete Fenix light. i'm also not a big fan of CR123 batteries, I'd much rather have a light that uses AA or even AAA's. So I very rarely use my Surefires any more.
 
You should also look at Zebralight, they have some really good stuff. I didn't get into light like I am knives, but decided to get a couple good ones, the only quality brand I had heard of is Surefire so I looked at there line to see which would last the longest yet still compact, after looking through their stuff for a couple weeks I stumbled onto Fenix and was very impressed with their outputs and battery life (actually didn't really believe that they were that far ahead of Surefire until I looked at reviews). Surefire seems to be 3-4 years behind in technology, but everything else is there (warranty, quality, etc) at a very high mark up in price. They remind a lot of Emerson knives actually, still using 154cm (the supersteel of decades past) marketing aimed at military/LEO and with a price double that of competitors that are using the same or better materials.
 
Me too, Got into flashlights before knives. I remember my first Surefire incan G2 in 2004, 65 lumens was bright back then, I have sold all of my SF incans for LED's though. I prefer the CR123 lights actually, and my two primary lights are a Jet Beam PC-20 and a 6PX Pro. For me, Surefire is still tops. The toughness and quality of build keeps me interested even compared to the outstanding Chinese made brands, higher lumens and variable interfaces not withstanding. I buy SF CR123's for $4.30 a pack, at this reasonable price and the efficiency of the newer stuff, I am willing to pay more for SF.
 
I've got the surefire lx2. Great light. Solid construction, 200 lumens. Yea they're expensive, but worth it to me if you don't lose it. Fenix makes a good light too.
 
I too discovered light before anything else and spent a small fortune searching for "The Light". I have a house full of Surefires, along with plenty others. My favorite Surefire is the E2E. I have two on nightstand duty. I added Valient heads and Malkoff drop ins to make them very nice lights.
 
I'll be one of those guys to say that Surefire costs more because the say Surefire on the flashlight. I own two and they are hard working lights don't get me wrong. One stays on my fire helmet. However, the price is just too out of range with many other competitors. Of course this is not the only reason, but some companies charge more simply based on who makes it.
 
Just got my first 4Sevens yesterday. The Quark AA2 R5. Impressive.

And, erm, long-time lurker; first-time poster. So...hello!
 
surefires are ONLY noted for their quality and their ability to take a likkin'... thats it.. they are usually behind on the times in regards to technology.. there are other brands that are half the price and almost as good.

Fenix
Quark
zebralight (mainly for head lamps)
Olight

just to name a few
 
I do like their new G2X Pro - with 15/200 lumens option.

http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/g2x-b-bk.html

G2X-Pro_hand.png
 
I just got a Redline defensive light,that is compact,crenulated bezel,takes 3 AAA batteries,waterproof & shockproof,up to 220 lumens with strobe cabability,for just $34.99.It's a cool little light for the money!:thumbup:
 
I started with a surefire e2d then got an led conversion head for it 7 years ago and its still going strong. I replaced it with the new 200 lumen version and gave the older one to my girlfriend. Excellent build quality and worth the price if you can hang on to it for a while.
 
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