Thoughts and Experiences with Surefire Lights?

BMCGear

BMCGear

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Jan 4, 2014
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Really like the idea of carrying a US made light. Surefire's lumens seem a little low in numbers. How are they compared to other brands like Fenix and Olight? Also, from what I've read rechargables are a no go? Is that true?

Things I've realized I like:
Tail standing
Rear button on/off (side is ok)

Looking forward to opinions from members with experience. Post pictures if you have them!
 
Yeah, there are so many models of Surefire, Olight, and Fenix, depending on your needs, one of these models in these brands will last you many many lifetimes. There are 1 cell, 2 cell, 3 cell, etc, tactical, tail button, body button, led or incandescent, round or hex, weapon lights, aluminum and some version of plastic, battery, rechargable battery, yada yada yada........

I'm a fan of the original tail switch G2 Nitrolon Surfire, the Olight S1 and a baby Fenix they don't make anymore. Never had issues in any light in any of these brands except for my decades old Surfire Backup E1E executive 1 cell lamp finally burning out. Replaced and ready for another couple decades. Buy batteries, change batteries when lights get dim, repeat.
 
Surefires are solid. Very well made and durable. My preferred light to carry. I started with an E1B about 8 years ago and got an E2D shortly after. I don't think i bought another light for maybe 3-4 years or so.

Tried out a few Foursevens, Preon and Bolt Action. The bolt action took over a good amount of pocket time for awhile. Until I dropped it. It didn't break, but just would turn back on for a couple weeks so I had to switch back to a Surefire.

I've been carrying Backup MV for almost a year now I think. It's just about a perfect light for me. Perfect size for carry, durable, bright, smooth and wide beam. It's 400on high and 5 on low. The low is perfect. High, I kinda wish it wasn't the Max Vision as I prefer throw over flood on high most of the time. But the low flood light is just perfect for me.

As far as there lumen output, I have zero complaints. It may be numerically lower but I can't really tell. They're bright and impressive to me. I don't have any experience with their rechargeables.

Here are three different backups. L-R Original E1B(with E2D tailcap), New E1B w/ Max Vision, EB1.
DSC00462.JPG DSC00461.JPG
 
Well made lights to be sure. I only have experience with the AA Outdoorsman. High quality for sure. Output and run times were meh for the money.

I’ve been using Fenix lights for years now with no problems. I’ve gifted probably a dozen over the years with no problems whatsoever.

Here’s a few
jwLfjOL.jpg
 
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Surefire flashlights do have lower lumens listed and in actual side by side use ... Fenix has some brighter lights absolutley ...

but Surefires are built to last and most have more than adequate lumens for most peoples uses ...

I have noticed Surefires usually have a much warmer (or yellowish) light as opposed to cooler or (more pure white light) than Fenix flashlights which is personal preference I guess which way you prefer ...

I can say that Fenix have lasted me as long and never failed on me so I can't say Surefire is sturdier but they will last for many years ...

Several of my Fenix have brighter and a better throw for distance than my Surefires ... and my Fenix most have a strobe and the high/low options ... Surefires just have the high/low ... at least the models I have ...

Malkoff makes drop in heads for some Surefires that really bring the lumens up and are great products ... but you'll spend more than say a Fenix brand that already has more lumens and features.

All that said Surefires are top notch and well built ... if you want a US made light with more lumens check out Malkoff ... they are really nice lights.
 
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Over the years I've owned and carried a few Surefires and loved them all. My original EDC many years ago was a Kroma then to the E2d then E2d led which were great and my current EDC is a Titan plus which is OK but is a twist on.
 
The market is saturated with great choices these days and I've had great luck with Fenix and Olight. Having said that, my old-school G-2 (upgraded to 120 lumens) has laughed off every beating I've ever thrown at it over the years. (I really like their 123A batteries as well) I know there's brighter and better out there but, damn, it's a dependable tool.
 
Super happy with my few Surefire. Excellent support after the fact when you need parts so for something you'll drop or knock around it's a big plus.

Not really into the lumen measuring contests.
 
it's not always about the marketed lumens count. surefire is the gold standard in flashlights.

their customer service and overall product durability is as solid as they were 20 years ago.

i have had fenix, inova, jetbeam, HDS, klarus, pelican, thrunite, solarforce, a few custom... the light in my pocket now is a surefire E2D from ~2007.
 
You are correct, lumen output isn’t everything but it is a reasonable concern.
Maybe a bigger factor for me, at the time I was upgrading my lighting system, was/is runtimes and cost.

Around 2009, when I started changing over to better lights, Surefire’s run times paled in comparison to Fenix and others.
My friend purchased a Surefire which put out 80 lumens for 2 hrs. My Fenix would put out the same brightness for 6 hrs. It also had four output modes to the Surefire’s single output. Maximum output on the Fenix was noticeably brighter and, in low modes, could save on battery life. That was a big difference for me. My friend paid $250 for his Surefire, I paid $50 for my Fenix. That was a huge difference for me. Both lights, purchased in ‘09, are still working perfectly today.

I’m sure by now that Surefire has upped its game on run times and output modes since introducing models with LED technology.
Also, Surefire 123’s are my default batteries for my 123 flashlights.
 
bluemetalchurch said:
Really like the idea of carrying a US made light. Surefire's lumens seem a little low in numbers. How are they compared to other brands like Fenix and Olight? Also, from what I've read rechargables are a no go? Is that true?

Things I've realized I like:
Tail standing
Rear button on/off (side is ok)

Looking forward to opinions from members with experience. Post pictures if you have them!
Click to expand...

Take a look at elzetta, IMO the toughest lights out there (fully potted).
 
I own one SureFire. It's the old E2D LED (not the newer version) that I purchased around 20 years ago. I love it for what it is, but only use it for traveling or riding on the motorcycle. I would like to get a few other models, but I simply can't afford them considering I don't need the overbuilt-ness for most of my everyday needs. However, I would grab it over all of my other flashlights (Fenix, EagleTac, Nitecore, Maglite, Coast) if I needed to depend on it in dire situations.

Some notes: Many of the Surefire flashlights have simple controls and limited modes, as it's target audience usually prefers that. Not all models are suggested for mounting on firearms. Surefire brand CR321 batteries are often less expensive and newer than available locally when ordered directly from the SureFire website. Certain models take rechareable Li batteries, i.e. P1R Peackeeper and Peacekeeper Tactical. I know my model isn't for use with rechargeables. I still have the 20 year old holster, which is better than all of the other holsters that came with the brands I mentioned above. Unfortunately, they don't make it anymore.

For the last few years, my EDC has been an EagleTac single AA Clicky (Ti), since I prefer the size, AA price and availability locally, and four output modes for different sitations and battery life.

One other thing... If you are going to be camping or working in very dark situations, you might find a headlamp invaluable.
 
I have the Surefire Sidekick and love it. Its bright enough and disappears in the pocket.
 
I think it was touched on above ... part of the reason Surefire lights don't get quite the same lumens and shorter run times is they mostly use CR123 batteries and don't accept 18650 rechargables which will push Fenix and others to longer run times and a bit extra brightness ...

I really like my Fenix flashlights for a good quaility light with the nice build and options from different brightness to strobe or even colored modes ... and have the choice of regular or lithium single use batteries and even up to rechargables that raise the performance somewhat ...

I do still own Surefires and have nothing but good to say about them ... they live up to their good reputation ...

If you want a flashlight USA built Malkoff is just tops in my book ... even their drop ins for some Surefires are really surprising how much they improve the light.
 
I don't think there's a Surefire that tailstands? I do have a few Surefires and they are quality lights. For a USA made tail stand-able light check out the Malkoff MDC. It's a single cell light (they also have a two cell one) with tail-stand in the non-bodyguard models. There's a high only, low med high, high medium low switch availability.
 
To update this thread I ended up ordering an EDCL1-T from Surefire. I like the tailswitch for my EDC uses. I like the idea of two modes and hopefully the two modes will fit into my EDC usage well. From using my Fenix PD25 I normally used the lowest or the highest setting which left me clicking through the other settings to get to what I needed. Combine that with the two way clip and I really think this will be a great EDC light for me.
 
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