To All: Please Explain Surefire Flashlights

J

jemelby

Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Messages
280
I've browsed and searched the forums. I've read post after post. The overwhelming opinion favors the Surefire. I need a new light for my next gulf tour, and need to decide for myself which Surefire is for me.

I've parused their web site, and read the opinions here, but they mostly all assume one thing: That I can tell the primary differences between them!

This is what I've learned:

The "E" as in E1 and E2E stands for Executive.

The "L" means LED

If there's a X1 and a X2 in a particular line, the 1 means one cell, and the 2 means 2 cell.

I could list a few more "truths", but what's the point. I would really appreciate if someone would break down the different types of Surefires, and tell me what it all means while assuming I know nothing, and without all the product hype from their web site. What does one model offer over another?

Here's some particulars to consider, but please don't just offer "the best choice." I need to decide myself :)

- I like a BRIGHT beam
- I have a couple Photon Freedoms, and love them.
- I have used, and like the Inova X5 and X1.
- The light of choice for my profession is 2AA Mag for the cockpit, and 4D Mag for the back of the helicopter.

Thanks to all you fine folks for resonding.
 
You have the basics down.

Your requirements make me think of my L4. The L4 doesn't fit the standard naming convention, because it's a 2-cell light. It puts out massive amounts of light, is small, very well made and is too cool for words. The downsides are that it gets hot, and it uses batteries pretty quickly...

I have an L4 and LOVE it. I know I didn't answer many of your questions but hopefully gave you something to think about before someone else answers..
 
Surefire offers two dual level flashlights you might consider; The A2 (Aviator) and the L2. If you are looking to replace two lights with one consider the following:

The A2 has both a Xenon bulb for a bright light and a set of 3 LED's for a close in light. The LED's come in white, red, green or blue(?) if night vision is a consideration.

The L2 has a single 5 watt LED that operates in a high or low output mode.

The A2's xenon bulb has more punch at a distance than the L2's LED, which has a larger, "cooler" beam. The LED will not burn out, though.
 
Additional bit of information:

- I anticipate a virtually inexhaustable source of CR123 batteries.

Also, on the issue of LED vs Xenon. It has been my experience that LED lights are terrible short ranged, but have an incredible ability to "flood" a room with light. The Inova X1 has a lens that seem to constrain the light to a more narrow beam, but doesn't seem to really "magnify" the light.

Assumption: The Xenon powered Surefires will reach out further than the LEDs.
 
Generally yes, Luxeon led's can throw just as far, but the reflector/collimator is a bit more involved.
 
Sounds like you want one of the 'L' series. I think the L4 isn't best suited to military use since the red filter caps that Surefire sells for that size light aren't the most durable. I just bought one for my L4 and was not impressed, I can see the filter being broken off far too easily. BTW I'm in the Army as well, and not just speculating about what works well. The L5 or L6 look really good to me, in fact I'm planning to get an L6 for my Dad to take to Iraq later this year. The L6 especially since it puts out as much light as an L4 with longer battery life. However, if you're in planes a lot the A2 mentioned above may be a better choice. I used one in a passaround about a year ago and it worked very very well. The big thing is to get enough batteries! Surefire's just chew them up and spit them out. Best of luck!
 
For the best of both worlds, may I suggest a Streamlight Twin-Task.

tasklight_info_01.jpg


LEDs for extreme battery life and the option of an incandescent bulb for those times when throw is more important.

I have the 2 x 123 version and I'm very happy with it.

maximus otter
 
jemelby said:
It has been my experience that LED lights are terrible short ranged
Click to expand...

I'd have to disagree with you on that. My Inova XO3 is a focused-beam LED powered by two lithium batteries, and it easily throws a beam just as far as my beloved SureFire E2e.
 
i put a KL1 head on my E2e and its as bright/brighter w/as long a throw as my E2d which suprised me i didnt think LEDs were that bright. the other more expensive/brighter head must really rock.

the streamlite twin task is ok for the $$ but isnt as bright as a SF, and the way the on/off button works precludes its use as a weapons lite. neat little light though, i like mine lots better than my inova X5's and its cheaper to boot (lots)
 
the surefire KL1 is described as

" the new KL1 LED Conversion Head produces up to 15 lumens of light with the extended runtime typical of an LED flashlight. "

which doesn't make sense.. the E2D comes with a 60 Lumen incandesant.

are you sure they are as bright?
 
I can't say as I've never used a KL1 outdoors at night (only indoors at a show, not the best indicator of brightness) but it may throw a narrower beam, so you get less total light output (lumens) but equal or greater brightness(generally measured in peak candlepower).
 
ckc said:
the surefire KL1 is described as

" the new KL1 LED Conversion Head produces up to 15 lumens of light with the extended runtime typical of an LED flashlight. "

which doesn't make sense.. the E2D comes with a 60 Lumen incandesant.

are you sure they are as bright?
Click to expand...

sure am sounds crazy doesnt it lol???


actually the KL1 has been improved to more lumens than that (30 IIRC??) the website is wrong, still some diff though, i honestly cant explain it, the KL1 equipped E2e is DEFINITELY as bright as a incandescent E2D, both with new batts, the light is different looking and maybe narrower, but certainly as bright for sure. what can i say??
 
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