Which Surefire?

G

guitardemon

Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
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I'm looking for a light to use while I'm out with our local search and rescue crew. I really like surefire lights, and am looking for opinions as to which light people thought would work best. I like the E2L because of the longer runtime it has, but I'm open to other suggestions. Does anybody have any experience with the E2L or any of the other surefire lights that they might recommend for SAR?
 
I'm cheap so I recommend the G2 ($35) with a 3 or 5 mode LED drop in off ebay ($15). On mine I also picked up a tail click switch that was tail stand capable. The LED's claim between 230 and 300 lumens. I don't know how accurate that is but they throw very well. You can just toss your original bulb in the garbage. That's how much better these LED drop ins are.
 
How long do your batteries last with the drop ins? The power sounds awesome, but I need a light that doesn't burn through batteries too.
 
do you want it pocket friendly?
i got several surefire's,but for around $60 the streamlight supertac is like a spotlight it is a blaster of white light...........
 
guitardemon said:
I'm looking for a light to use while I'm out with our local search and rescue crew. I really like surefire lights, and am looking for opinions as to which light people thought would work best. I like the E2L because of the longer runtime it has, but I'm open to other suggestions. Does anybody have any experience with the E2L or any of the other surefire lights that they might recommend for SAR?
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guitardemon, my son would be impressed with your name. I have several of the Surefire models, & the ones over 250 lumens (M3, M4 Devastor, & the M6 Guardian) all burn through batteries like there is no tomorrow. I just bought a Fenix TA-20 this week to try something different, 225+ lumens, 3 power settings plus strobe, and the first night it went 135 minutes & 150 minutes on full power before the lights went out. Good construction, seems solidly built, and under $90.00. Maybe someone else has used this brand longer than I have and can give you a better report. Hope this helps a little.
 
guitardemon said:
How long do your batteries last with the drop ins? The power sounds awesome, but I need a light that doesn't burn through batteries too.
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I can't give you a definite answer but I've been on the same set of batteries forever. As a matter of fact, I keep using it to run the batts down so I can throw a fresh pair in and it just won't run down. I'd imagine most LED's are very efficient. I use the lowest mode when possible to save batt. life and that's another advantage of the 3 or 5 modes over the surefire single mode LED.
I also have other AA LED lights like the nitecore D10 and Quark, but the Surefire with a drop in can hold it's own for the money. Much better throw of course since it runs on two 3v batteries versus the single 3.6v rechargeable I run in my AA lights.
It's my go to, bump in the night light and I have an Identical one mounted to my Mossberg 12ga.

IMO the biggest down side to the drop ins I've purchased is both had to ship directly from Hong Kong so it could take 10 or more days to arrive in the USA. One even required a visit to the P.O. for a signature. Just make sure the ebay vendor you choose has good feedback and plenty of it. I had no problems with two different vendors and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
 
I have several SFs but my go to light is the G2L. It was about $60 I think. They have some newer models just out with better technology I believe. LEDs will give you longer run times. Many flashlight people like the metal bodies but I actually prefer the nitrolon polymer. Primarily because it doesn't scratch up my other gear as easily as the knurled metal (i.e. sunglasses, GPS, etc.). You can enhance the performance with various drop-ins and clicky switches and such. I like the simplicity of a single power light just like the ones I've used all my life only smaller and a hell of a lot brighter.
 
Go with the E1B! The Backup is the perfect light. It has an amazing throw, the low is perfect for any situation, and if you need a 'stunningly' bright light its' high is perfect. It is a great light in any situation, while other lights may have different UIs and brighter lumens, I still find myself grabbing the E1B for daily carry. It fits in your pocket and quite literally disappears, you really cant feel it's presence at all. Well, until you want to make your presence known, that is.

HDS/Ra are great as well, but the E1B is really the 'most perfect' Surefire light. Put it with the Z68 tailcap and it's absolutely wonderful.
 
I really love the new lineup, and I am waiting for my 6PX Pro to come in, but they are backordered right now. They are the least expensive of the whole lineup, and with a low and high output setting of 15 lumens and 200 lumens you can't go wrong. My only complaint is that there is no pocket clip, but I can deal with that for the rest of it's strengths...

6PX-Pro_large.png


Here are the specs...


Max Output 200 .0 lumens
Low Output / Runtime 15 .0 lumens / 45 hours
Tactical Runtime* 2 .0 hours
Length 5 .20 inches
Bezel Diameter 1 .25 inches
Weight w/Batteries 5 .2 ounces
Batteries 2
123A
 
I've been using an older L2 model for running in the AM (I start running around 0530). It's a dual-mode light when I can run with the lower output just fine and when a car is coming, I'll punch the tail cap to the maximum output. I've been running on the same set of batteries for the past month (about 30-45 minutes per run).

Charlie Mike birngs up another good option. I don't have the HDS, but I do have the Novatac version before they spun up production again. These are bombproof and I would highly recommend them as well.

Charlie Mike said:
I bought one of the HDS Systems lights and will never buy another Chinese or Surefire again. Mine was $189 for the 170 lumen version.

http://www.hdssystems.com/?id=ClickyTactical
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ROCK6
 
we have 9 G2's and G2N's...all vehicles...both purses that live in the house...and nightstands...then there's the G2N in my EDC bag.
BUT THEN...there's this E1b...it's been with me every day for a long time now...
surefireE1B.jpg

My wonderful E1b is never not clipped to my weakside pocket. Even my sleep shorts...I mean never am I without it.
One battery. dual output with serious first when you need it. has been used hard and never complains
...so I like all surefires..but this one...this is tops to me. :)
 
E2L is a great light and should work well for your needs.

The G2 and G3 are nice, but since they are made out of nitrolon (plastic) they should not be used with high output led drop ins since the drop in will heat up too much. A light with a metal head will transfer the heat from the led and keep it running cool enough. The G2L comes with a led drop in and has a metal head.

The new 6PX Pro should be great and doesn't cost too much.

The HDS lights are US made and are wonderful, but you might want something a bit bigger as your main light for search and rescue.

You might also want to look at rechargeable solutions and Surefire isn't the best there.

You might want to look at 4Sevens lights if you want a rechargeable solution. The neutral and warm white lights imho work better outside than normal cool white leds.
Linky: http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_310&products_id=2287
Runs for a long time on 2 NiMh rechargeable AAs.

Malkoff makes lights in the US and they are bombproof and made to use rechargeables: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/malkoff-md2-camo-p-56.html
Drop in: http://www.malkoffdevices.com/shop/m61w-neutral-tint-beam-to-fit-a-surefire-flashlight-p-33.html

You might also consider getting a decent headlamp if you don't have one.

Princeton tec EOS or Icon (owned by Surefire) Irix I or II should do nicely for smaller ones.
 
How does the 3 or 5 mode Ebay drop-in work, it is programable or is it all based of the position of the tailcap?
 
chogue1980 said:
How does the 3 or 5 mode Ebay drop-in work, it is programable or is it all based of the position of the tailcap?
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It cycles through the modes with each on and off of the switch. I think most also have memory so whatever level you left it on is what it will be on the next time you turn it on.
The 3 modes are Low, Med. High.
The 5 modes add strobe and SOS.
 
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