These lights any good?

[MORIMOTOM]

we are issued an inova led light and holster.

from the initial batch we received, at least 30% required a switch replacement within the first few months in the field. the guy who decided on that particular light failed to contact those of us with experience with this type of equipment.

we got a good deal on the inovas, about $100 per unit iirc. in the end, we probably ended up spending perhaps $20 more as a result of durability issues as well. i had recommended a surefire led, but was not included in the final decision. i like the c2 or c3 for duty use, but the department insisted on a rechargeable, and settled on the inova.

huge mistake, imo, and it turned in to a money pit. i never even carried mine. it was new in the box when i loaned it to another officer who's switch and circuitboard had gone b/o.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

the g2 light is a fine light, and very affordable. i have a few in various places.

next on my list are the new titan and perhaps a lx2 lumamax.

 

[Josh K]

we are issued an inova led light and holster.

from the initial batch we received, at least 30% required a switch replacement within the first few months in the field. the guy who decided on that particular light failed to contact those of us with experience with this type of equipment.

we got a good deal on the inovas, about $100 per unit iirc. in the end, we probably ended up spending perhaps $20 more as a result of durability issues as well. i had recommended a surefire led, but was not included in the final decision. i like the c2 or c3 for duty use, but the department insisted on a rechargeable, and settled on the inova.

huge mistake, imo, and it turned in to a money pit. i never even carried mine. it was new in the box when i loaned it to another officer who's switch and circuitboard had gone b/o.

Concerning recharables, CR123 batteries are expensive. It doesn't matter that wholesale they are about $1.50-$1.75 a cell, that's still expensive.

I use Tenergy CR123 cells (750 mAh) for my EDC light. You get about half the runtime as disposables. I go home, throw them in the charger, and they're ready to go the next day. I keep a set of regular cells in my work truck or personal car if something happens (SHTF, emergency, etc) and I need the power, but for EDC use they are fine.

 

[Sufler]

I'm trying to figure out one thing. Fenix Tk models have a max output of 225 lumens and can be had at the below $80 mark. Surefire offers nowhere near that output and the lights are considerably more expensive. Am I missing something here? Since I started reading about Fenix, the general consensus is that they're equal quality to Surefire.

I'd appreciate any clarification on this.

Thanks.

By the way, if a particular flashlight has a lot of modes (Tk12 has 3 modes plus 2 options for each)... should I consider the possibility that the more "complex" a switch is, the higher likelihood that it might fail? In other words: KISS.

 

[Josh K]

I'm trying to figure out one thing. Fenix Tk models have a max output of 225 lumens and can be had at the below $80 mark. Surefire offers nowhere near that output and the lights are considerably more expensive. Am I missing something here? Since I started reading about Fenix, the general consensus is that they're equal quality to Surefire.

I'd appreciate any clarification on this.

Thanks.

By the way, if a particular flashlight has a lot of modes (Tk12 has 3 modes plus 2 options for each)... should I consider the possibility that the more "complex" a switch is, the higher likelihood that it might fail? In other words: KISS.

I'm not a fan of AA/AAA lights. It's Michigan. I leave a light in the glove box during the winter and summer, I'm on roofs below zero and above a hundred. CR123 cells can handle that, AA/AAA's can't. Freeze a pack of AA batteries for a month and see how long they last.

It's like comparing a Sebenza and a Sage II. The Sage II is half the price of the Small Sebenza (comparatively). They both have the exact same materials. One is made here, with tolerances held to 0.0005", the other is made in Taiwan by Spyderco. Granted the Sage II I have has pushed all thoughts of owning a Sebenza out of my mind, and that's what Fenix lights do for some people. Perhaps if I had gotten the Sebenza first, who knows?

The TK40 I had would be fine for summer campouts, or as an emergency light to stick in the closet or dresser. 630 lumans! Wide beam pattern, perfect as a search light. The thing I didn't like was having to rotate through all the modes, and the memory feature. Surefire lights all give off maximum output when the tailcap is pressed all the way down.

 

[Sufler]

I'm not a fan of AA/AAA lights. It's Michigan. I leave a light in the glove box during the winter and summer, I'm on roofs below zero and above a hundred. CR123 cells can handle that, AA/AAA's can't. Freeze a pack of AA batteries for a month and see how long they last.

It's like comparing a Sebenza and a Sage II. The Sage II is half the price of the Small Sebenza (comparatively). They both have the exact same materials. One is made here, with tolerances held to 0.0005", the other is made in Taiwan by Spyderco. Granted the Sage II I have has pushed all thoughts of owning a Sebenza out of my mind, and that's what Fenix lights do for some people. Perhaps if I had gotten the Sebenza first, who knows?

The TK40 I had would be fine for summer campouts, or as an emergency light to stick in the closet or dresser. 630 lumans! Wide beam pattern, perfect as a search light. The thing I didn't like was having to rotate through all the modes, and the memory feature. Surefire lights all give off maximum output when the tailcap is pressed all the way down.

Josh,

I appreciate your input. I just want to point out that the Tk 10,11,12 use the CR123 batteries for power.

I understand your Sebenza analogy completely. I guess the rest of the decision making depends on whether the buyer "cares" for that when it comes to flashlights. He might go for a Sebenza over the Sage when it comes to knives... but a flashlight? He/she might go for value(?).

Thanks.

 

[Josh K]

Josh,

I appreciate your input. I just want to point out that the Tk 10,11,12 use the CR123 batteries for power.

I understand your Sebenza analogy completely. I guess the rest of the decision making depends on whether the buyer "cares" for that when it comes to flashlights. He might go for a Sebenza over the Sage when it comes to knives... but a flashlight? He/she might go for value(?).

Thanks.

They also managed to sell out (at almost $500 a pop) 600 titanium T1A's.

Some of it's the name, some of it's the quality. I have no idea what kind of tolerances they keep, or how much is the manufacturing cost. Everything they use they make themselves, aside from the LED's I think.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

personally, all the modes drive me nuts.

on many of the fenix models, you toggle through the various modes. sorry, but i have absolutely no use for a strobe. complicated circuitboards ultimately mean there is more that can possibly go wrong.

i prefer either two modes, high/low, with a simple twist to change, or the dial on the u2.

in my experience, fenix and nitecore are not in the same category as surefire. decent lights with lots of features, but no where near the craftsmanship of a surefire.

i tried several fenix models, but found they were missing key features i need, mainly a pocket clip. as i mentioned, i also have a few nitecores. i was looking for a light that was as good or better than surefire at a fraction of the cost.

i need a durable light with ample lumens and a reliable switch. my flashlight is an integral part of my duty gear. i have yet to find any light that matches what i can get from surefire, and i am willing to pay for it.

 

[SIFU1A]

I'm trying to figure out one thing. Fenix Tk models have a max output of 225 lumens and can be had at the below $80 mark. Surefire offers nowhere near that output and the lights are considerably more expensive. Am I missing something here? Since I started reading about Fenix, the general consensus is that they're equal quality to Surefire.

I'd appreciate any clarification on this.

Thanks.

By the way, if a particular flashlight has a lot of modes (Tk12 has 3 modes plus 2 options for each)... should I consider the possibility that the more "complex" a switch is, the higher likelihood that it might fail? In other words: KISS.

imho surefires are more rugged but fenix is a good lite too,

it also depends on what ya are using it for, a fenix is fine for a utility lite but arent as good as a weapon lite be it hand held or mounted,

i dont remember for sure but i think the TK has the variable switch w/a weapon lite ya want it to come on bright every time,

imho the more complicated anything is the better the chance of problems, the fenix is a good lite for the $$ though no doubt.

are SF worth the extra $$? only if ya want the very best lite around and need the best lite, a lotta folks would probably be ok w/the fenix.

 

[Sufler]

Any comments or opinions on the G2 Led vs. the 6P Led? Basic difference being the body material and 1 hour less run time with the 6P.

Thanks.

 

[SIFU1A]

IIRC all the LED surefires have similar run times any difference in that will be incan vs LED, not LED vs LED, IIRC anyway, i know of no reason the G2 would offer longer runtime vs the 6P as long as both are LED..

of the G2 LED and the 6P LED i like the steel body better but the G2 is a bit liter, personally, i prefer the L4 to either one its slimmer/liter/easier to carry and almost as bright, in fact my favorite SF is my L4 (i have 2 of them) and my fav incan is the E2e for the same reasons, imho the larger 6P/G2/Z2/etc dont offer much more lite but are a lot heavier/bulkier/harder to deal with daily so i have always preffered the slimmer ones.

be sure and get a LED vs incan, the incans are ok too but the LED is better and any $$ ya save will soon be eaten up replacing bulbs which arent cheap & do go out every now and again.

 

[Buffalohump]

My first real flashlight was a Surefire 6P but I've moved on since then.....

I find the NovaTacs to be superb lights. I like that they will accept rechargeables (CR123a's are brutally expensive out here) and they are tough and I enjoy the programmable versions so that I can get exactly the settings I want out of them.

Plus they have a really great beam, warm and creamy tint with plenty of throw and a nice big hot spot.

 

[Josh K]

Any comments or opinions on the G2 Led vs. the 6P Led? Basic difference being the body material and 1 hour less run time with the 6P.

Thanks.

Where are you getting an hour less runtime?

The 6PL and G2L are the same thing, just different materials.

 

[Sufler]

Where are you getting an hour less runtime?

The 6PL and G2L are the same thing, just different materials.

From the Surfire web-site:

6P® LED

Battery-powered LED. Compact (pocket sized) flashlight featuring a super-efficient, high-output, long-running LED for tactical, outdoor, and general use. A higher-output, longer-running LED version of our best-selling 6P® Original.

Max Output: 80 lumens
Runtime: 11 hours

G2® LED

Battery-powered LED. Compact (pocket sized) flashlight featuring a super-efficient, high-output, long-running LED for tactical, outdoor, and general use. A higher-output, longer-running LED version of our best-selling G2 Nitrolon®.

Max Output: 80 lumens
Runtime: 12 hours

Thanks.

 

[Josh K]

From the Surfire web-site:

6P® LED

Battery-powered LED. Compact (pocket sized) flashlight featuring a super-efficient, high-output, long-running LED for tactical, outdoor, and general use. A higher-output, longer-running LED version of our best-selling 6P® Original.

Max Output: 80 lumens
Runtime: 11 hours

G2® LED

Battery-powered LED. Compact (pocket sized) flashlight featuring a super-efficient, high-output, long-running LED for tactical, outdoor, and general use. A higher-output, longer-running LED version of our best-selling G2 Nitrolon®.

Max Output: 80 lumens
Runtime: 12 hours

Thanks.

That's funny.

It might be a typo, or they could have different LED assemblies. I would contact them and check.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

Fenix is australian,i have one in the air now they will fix it but you will have to send it overseas i now this for a fact,same as nite core it will go to china you will have to send it half way across the map,surefire it takes one phone call to a 800 # it will be in the mail the same day.......

 

[MORIMOTOM]

Concerning recharables, CR123 batteries are expensive. It doesn't matter that wholesale they are about $1.50-$1.75 a cell, that's still expensive.

I use Tenergy CR123 cells (750 mAh) for my EDC light. You get about half the runtime as disposables. I go home, throw them in the charger, and they're ready to go the next day. I keep a set of regular cells in my work truck or personal car if something happens (SHTF, emergency, etc) and I need the power, but for EDC use they are fine.

yes, they can be pricey.

my problem with rechargeables is if they run dry in the field you are screwed. some guys have chargers in the shops, but while it is charging they are either without a light or use a backup. ironically, most officers who carry a backup have a simple surefire, like the g2 or 6p.

on more than one ocassion a fellow officer's inova ran dry during a night building search. ive loaned mine out a few times, as my pistol has a dedicated weapon light (surefire, of course).

my primary is a 123 celled light, and i have a backup that uses AA's. i have plenty of spare batteries in the trunk. much easier and more practical to replace batteries than to have to wait for a charge.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

ohh the novatacs are superb lights super bright and rechargables are no problem,i have several the 120p 120t and the 120 edc............

 

[Josh K]

yes, they can be pricey.

my problem with rechargeables is if they run dry in the field you are screwed. some guys have chargers in the shops, but while it is charging they are either without a light or use a backup. ironically, most officers who carry a backup have a simple surefire, like the g2 or 6p.

on more than one ocassion a fellow officer's inova ran dry during a night building search. ive loaned mine out a few times, as my pistol has a dedicated weapon light (surefire, of course).

my primary is a 123 celled light, and i have a backup that uses AA's. i have plenty of spare batteries in the trunk. much easier and more practical to replace batteries than to have to wait for a charge.

Hence the spare batteries in the car. Sometimes if I have a pocket free I'll put my E1B clipped in there, leaving me with a light if I have to loan out my G2L.

 

[MORIMOTOM]

Hence the spare batteries in the car. Sometimes if I have a pocket free I'll put my E1B clipped in there, leaving me with a light if I have to loan out my G2L.

right, but you are using rechargeable 123's.

our inovas dont use that type, neither do the streamlights that are so popular among cops.

guess i should have been more specific.