Which Surefire???

barcbsa

barcbsa

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A co-worker showed me his new Surefire A2 Aviator yesterday and I now have the bug. I'm new to the flashlight scene. I looked at the Surefire website and have narrowed it down to two possibilites, the E2E Executive or the E2O Outdoors.

Here's a few questions before I make my final decision.

Is the 25 lumens that the Outdoors model throws off enough for general purpose use, for an occasional camping trip, keeping in the car for emergency type light?

Is there another model or brand I should look at?

Thanks.
 
barcbsa,

I recently picked up the E2O. The reason I chose the outdoor model was that I liked the longer clip on that model over teh shorter clip on the e2e. It seemed like it would do a better job of holding the light secure when clipped to belt or pocket. The 25 lumens is a pretty decent amount of light though it does not have the bright punch of the 60 lumen bulb. I picked up a 60 lumen bulb for mine and have the 25 lumen one as well. My thoughts were the same with the 25 lumen being a better option for use while cammping etc... For that type of thing the 25 lumen shoud, suffice just fine. It still has a pretty reasonable amount of reach in the darkness just not the same power of the 60 lumen lamp.

For a keep in the car emergency light you might consider one of the G2 nitrilon lights. They are a little fatter so pocket carry is not quite as easy but they are about 1/2 the cost and made from a plastic material. They still have the 60 lumen output of the other surefires but they dont hav a pocket clip. Just another option. I have both and if I was goingto choose one to knock around it woulg be the G2, the E2 is just too nice to abuse much :)
 
I would suggest the E2D. Same size as the E2E; however, the E2D has the crenelated strike bezel allowing the the flashlight itself to be used as a self defense tool. The only down side is that the E2D may be a little hard to find at this time. The optional twenty-five lumen bulb is said to be brighter than a standard two D cell flashlight and the twenty-five lumen bulb does not drain the batteries like the sixty lumen bulb.
 
If the 25 lumens in the E2O is enough light consider getting a KL1 LED Head for the lamp. No burn-out factor with the LED and much more cost effective when you consider the $20 cost of a xenon lamp rated for 20 hours vs the $50 cost of an LED rated for 10,000. I like the L4 myself and use a KL1 head when I need to lamp down. I'm cosidering selling the A2 I have, the Xenon really doesn't have the punch I like.
 
If you really need the throw, the E2e is probably what you want. My main problems wit SF's xenon lamps are the short lamp and battery life. I've found that LEDs take care of most, if not all of my daily lighting needs.

Paul
 
OK... I'm starting to think I should go with LEDs. What's the scoop on the PELICAN M6 LED ??? Looks like what I need, any comments?
 
I'm not crazy about LEDs...But the PM-6 is a decent light.

Surefire alternatives:
Streamlight TL-2 and TL-3
Pila G2, G3

--dan
 
Check out the CandlePowerForums: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php

LEDs are the greatest thing going, unless you need something over 65 Lumens (the rating of the SF bulbs) because of their life and shock-resistance. And as you probably figured out, CR123 Lithiums are the battery of choice, and hard-anodizing (Type III) is also a great thing to have.

SureFire's LED models are great, but pricey. Many are backordered, but their L4 has been well-received -- but it gets very, very hot. The U2 will be extremely expensive, but have variable output up to 100 Lumens, which is almost twice the output of other lights.

For $50 street, the Pelican M6 LED is a great light -- bright, nicely built, and incredibly white. It's an overdriven 1W Luxeon LED.

Inova's X5MT is a great flood light,with 5 LEDs, but lacks the throw of the Pelican. They are coming out with 1W and 3W single Luxeons in some new models soon, and they're probably worth waiting for. $50-80.

If you want a very well built imported light that has many SureFire features, with output like the L1, consider the LongBow 1w Luxeon lights -- which should soon have 3w and 5w LED modules. About $95.

ARC makes great lights, but they're backordered for months right now.

Have fun - and don't think you'll stop with one...
 
Good flashlights are highly addictive. I started with just one and ended up having about 10. I am now in LED lights. They are great. Some just fit the palm of a hand and throws out light that scares little children.

If you intend to be a serious "flashoholic", then arm yourself with a few good ones. My personal policy is to have two when I am travelling. One as a back-up. With flashlights, you will never know. That way, you will never be left in the dark.

My sister saw me with one cute but powerful flashlight recently and badgered me to give it to her. That's how contagious the hobby is!
 
When is the E2D supposed to hit the stores? It looks like it would make a great EDC piece.
 
The E2D is in stores now. I saw one at a gun shop in Western Kentucky a few weeks ago. I think the price was around $85. I bought a second G2 instead for $27. :)
 
Its the same with flashlights as it is with knives.

One is not enough.

The Pelican M6LED is a great light. It throws further than the Streamlight TL2, but it might be almost blinding in short distances when your eyes are adapted to the darkness already.
As mentioned before LEDs are great! Pure white light, no need to replace them in many many many years.

Maybe the Surefire L1 woud be a good choice if you only want to buy one light.
It has a 2 stage switch for low and high output.

Or you chose a combination of two lights for different situations. Inova XT5 and a Surefire G2 for example.
 
If you are prepared to go with a Modded Surefire, i highly reccomend an E2e/PRT/LuxeonIII combo. Good brightness and throw, coupled with a very good burn-time (around 1.5hrs of steady light).

passaround2.jpg



There is also the possibility of a 2 stage tailcap, like the A2/L1 in the not too distant future.
 
Went for a Pelican M6 LED. I'll post my first thoughts when I get it.
 
Got it today... damn, better get a few more. One for my car, one for home, one for my son in Iraq. Damn, for $50, it seems like a good deal, compared to my friends $185 Surefire.
 
If you can stand the hit, dollar wise, I highly recomend a SF L4 running off of Pila rechargables. You get incredible medium range lighting without the high cost of Lithiums. You can use the light as much as needed without worrying about going broke. It makes the best EDC I've come across. Just my 2 cents :)
 
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