The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Defense and Tactics => Topic started by: tekoken on May 18, 2010, 04:52:22 PM
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I just ordered my first Surefire flashlight(E2D LED Defender) & I'm really hoping I get what I pay for, which is USUALLY the case. It took a while for me to come to grips with the price tag but I finally caved. I couldn't wait any longer to win one of the Insights that DRTV is giving away! If any one has some BAD experience with Surefire I would like to hear it because I can only seem to find good things about them on the web.
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The only negative experience I've had (out of 3 total interactions) was with a low end G2. The light would cut out at random and I tried to get it replaced but Surefire would only ship me replacement tail caps or this or that but would not replace the unit. When nothing fixed it they offered to replace the lamp, which at the time I was using the high output module. They would only replace it with the stock lamp. I cut my loses and bought a complete new flashlight and new lamp at a total cost of about $80. Worth the money considering I now have a working 100+ lumen light and one that has a 80 lumen lamp as a backup even though I don't fully trust it since it still on rare occasions cuts out.
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They are good lights. I've had many since my first 6P back in the day... we also sold them exclusively at Valhalla and even created a low profile deployment package for some military personnel who were regularly sent to me for ECQCA courses and sent off without a personal light. We started building some "mission essential" gear into the training packages and included a G2.
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I have beat the crap out of my 6P Defender for over a year, and it keeps on going!
I'd buy another without hesitation! In fact, I am looking at a few more for family members.
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In fact, I am looking at a few more for family members.
Dad? :D
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I have a 6Z combat light that is about 12 years old. I had a problem with it blowing bulbs and sent it back to Sure-Fire. They rebuilt it and sent it back to me with 2 new lamp units. Total cost was about $5.00 to ship it to them. I would highly recommend them. I also have one of their Nitrolon units that I replaced the lamp with a LED unit and am very happy with it.
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I have a G2 with Led, a 6P in my surefire 870 forend with led as well and a L1 lumimax 2 levels of intensities, 10 lumen for reading maps and such and 65 for lighting things up, I know it hurts, except for the G2's, unless you get the Led, but still affordable, but they are tough and the prefocused beam does give a 360 degree, spot free illumination. My day to day is a Streamlight stinger with an LED conversion, and it is great, big though, but rechargeable, with the LED, charge on Sunday, good til next Sunday. I keep the L1 in my other pocket, for backup and low level use, had it now, 29 months, and have replaced the batteries once. I have a lot of flashlights, of the high end kind, Surefire never fails to satisfy, although I have had really good luck with others, Insight technology for 1, and multiple streamlights.
By the way, my current streamlight stinger has a Terra lux LED conversion, a 40 buck upgrade, but it really waked a good flashlight up even more. Went from 65 Lumen to 120 + longer battery life.
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I feel better knowing that you folks can vouch for surefire torches! I value the opinion of everyone on this forum more than most, so it makes me feel good knowing you are confident with surefire. Thanks to everyone who responded. Rob Pincus you're the man & hopefully you have some classes in the Tampa,FL area soon!!
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I've got a 6P that has to be at least 15 years old and they've rebuilt it for free twice now. I own a couple other models as well. I do agree the G2's leave a bit to be desired, if that's what your budget allows I think you're better off with a Streamlight Scorpion. You can pick those up for about $25 pretty regularly on ebay. I have Scorpions in both vehicles, both my go bags as backups and at various places around the house. I've bought 2 or 3 over the years, received a couple as gifts and got a few more through work. I think as a low cost tactical light they can't be beat when you consider the price is about the same as a mag light.
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Surefire makes some really good flashlights I have 6 or 7 of them floating around the house. A couple years ago I found Felix flashlights and have started caring those (I have 4 of them) instead of the surefire. They are a lot skinnier than then most of the surefires so they fit in the pocket much better. My surefires are now stationed at key points in the house so if I need a light in the middle of the night.
http://www.lapolicegear.com/fenix-pd30-cree-premium-q5-led-black-flashlight.html
The new ones they are shipping are 235 lumens! They don't have the momentary switch like the surefire, but with my thumb joint I have trouble keeping a surefire light on. I also like the extra modes that the felix have. The turbo and strobe modes are great, but I also like the low setting for doing paperwork or just making the batteries last for 65 hours. In a SHTF moment battery life could be important. In everyday life just the cost of the 3v's are expensive. The warranty is also pretty good I had a one go bad (went on constant strobe mode). I sent it back to LA Police gear they sent me a new flashlight.
Just my .02 worth. ;D
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. It took a while for me to come to grips with the price tag but I finally caved.
Here's the deal. We just went through this discussion over on my StageCraft group. We use flashlights a lot in theatre. And there are times when it's not just a nice-to-have, but for safety sake and sometimes for the shows sake, they must work. Over the past couple of years, as a group, we have tried many different brands, trying to find that one brand that is 100% reliable, puts out a gazillion lumens, runs on AAs, lasts for years and cost less than $20. What we've discovered, is that you get what you pay for. (Surprise. Surprise.)
Surefire and Streamlight cost, but if you want a light that will work when you need it and won't start going flaky. they can't be beat.
That said, we also have noted the recent promotion by Home Depot, 10 LED flashlights for $10 is really super for throw-away, disposable, lend them to other people lights. My co-workers and volunteers seem to loose flashlights at prodigious rate. I've stocked up on 30 of these $1/ea lights. Heck you can't by 3 AAAs for that price. So for your "must work" tactical don't waste time trying to find the inexpensive but "just as good" substitute. Go with the big boys. You'll never regret it. For disposable, throw a couple in the tool box, give them to your kids, neighbors and co-workers, run down to HD while supplies last.
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See, this is where I chime in. I am an old fart and a recovering gear head. I remember when lights were measured by candle power not lumens. I was buying mini-mags at $20 a throw back in the '80s, back when $20 meant something. Don't even get me me started on those damn Indians that tracked us when when walked to school barefoot in the snow. ;D
Now, fast forward to the present day (and hopefully reality) for a brief discussion of non-weapons mounted, but still one handed lights. I have two and am looking for a third.
Loser the first. A Gander Mountain house brand 200 lumen $45 special. Reasons its a loser?
1) it uses an odd ball battery that even Gander doesn't carry.
2) The thing is compact enough that I carry it (past tense) in my pocket. One day I notice my pocket is warm. Given that M'lette wasn't around, I was curious. ;) Then warm became hot. I reached in to grab the light and it burned me. I had to untuck my shirt to grip the thing and get it out and turn it off. Embarassing having it turn on in pocket. What if it happened in your luggage?
Loser the second. Another Gander special.. A billious yellow LED light by DORCY that went 2 for $10. I love it. Its small, waterproof, cheap and easy to find. Great to get to the can with. Tactical? Maybe for the other guy.
So honestly, what do I need to drop to get a good, non-fire hazard AA (or equally findable) 200 lumen flashlight. My G-26 doesn't have a rail and neither does my AR. I will hold the thing. Minimum dollar, max result that will show someone under the bushes across the street like the GM Fire starter special would? Thoughts?
FQ13
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I have 2 Surefires and swear by them. I have a E2D Executive Defender that has been great. It is is pre-LED and the only problem was that the switch at one time was making a rattle-y noise. I called SF and they asked no questions, but sent a new tail cap assembly, even though the old one worked. I live only 10 or 15 minutes from their headquarters and could have gone on my own, but they had it shipped next day. Awesome! My everyday pocket light is a E1L. It isn't rated as tactical output, but it is still blinding, small and even on the higher output setting, I get incredible runtime from 1 battery. I love this light and will probably get the tactical level 1 cell light. Worth it, durable and great customer service makes this a lifetime light.
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Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13
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Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13
That's probably for the incandescent version. The LEDs really are that much better and a dual output is nice. However, that 6P may still be a great, reliable light.
I'd consider pulling the batteries in any brand, if the light is going in luggage.
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Allright. I am convinced. Gander has the 6P on sale for $70. Is that a good price?
FQ13
The local Gander Mtn has the 6P for $69.99 plus a $10 gift card, which makes it an even better deal.
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when not at work I carry an E2d Exec Defender daily. I did find batteries at reasonable price at a Navy base and stocked up. that said, I believe the only drawback is the battery size. look it up online and stock up, surefire sells packs of 10 or so for under $20.00. also, I don't carry anything led because of the range, they are bright out to about ten feet but you can't beat incadescent light when looking through doors etc. led reflects back if there is anything in the way. I also carry a streamlight stinger at work and have had the same light for about 8 years now. no problems with either light. oh yeah, the batteries for the 'defender' last a good while, I've only had to change the batteries twice in the past year after moderate use at work and home.
deepwater
link for batteries
http://www.surefire.com/12-Pack-Batteries
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I'm on old Surefire convert. Started with a 6P in the early 90s (still sits next to the bedroom pistol). But since 9/11 have been using them more and more around the world. Got a 951/ScoutLight mounted on my M4s at the house, wife and son have C2 and E1E. (I lost my E1E in Iraq last year :() Carry a M3 with 225 lumen bulb in my truck along with a G2. Have a E2E clipped to the pocket now (6 yrs old) here in Astan and have a helmet light mounted on my MICH helmet. That last light took a tumble off my helmet when driving down the road in a MARP few months ago and cracked the housing. Surefire replaced it free and quickly. Just remembered other old P3 that was mounted on my Beretta 92 back in the late 90s that I still have.
CD
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So honestly, what do I need to drop to get a good, non-fire hazard AA (or equally findable) 200 lumen flashlight. My G-26 doesn't have a rail and neither does my AR. I will hold the thing. Minimum dollar, max result that will show someone under the bushes across the street like the GM Fire starter special would? Thoughts?
FQ13
It's not 200 Lumens but it is 120 and by a respectable manufacturer. It uses 2 AA batteries has a strobe function and is under $40: http://www.botachtactical.com/stpt2aa.html (http://www.botachtactical.com/stpt2aa.html)
It's so subjective the way some of these companies rate their lights, it says max lumens 200 but then in real small print it says average operating lumens of 90 or similar. I ordered one of these and one of the 2-CR123 180 lumen models to try out. I live by the code of you can never have to many flashlights, guns or ammo so when I saw a brand I trust for under $40 I figured I'd try them out.
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I wound up getting the 6p. However, I just didn't think it was bright enough to justify the cost. Back it went. I traded it for the same $60is on a Streamlight packmate which I like a lot better. Is slightly longer (about mini-mag length), but still pocket lenghth. Its much, much brighter. It also has a lanyard, very key for a fisherman.Like the surefire it has a "safe" feature to keep it from turning on acidently. It has four modes, high white, low white, high green, low green. I'm not quite sure what the green is buying me other than a little more battery life, but if I want something green, by God, green it shall be. ;D ???. My only beef is the mode selector is an external plastic dial, whch is an obvious fail point. Still it has a lifetime gurantee and a good rep. Also the thing is in cammo! What kind of moron wants a cammo mini light? The damn things are hard enough to fnid when you drop them if they'r bright red or blue. I guess scramling around in the dark feeling for your light is "tactical". ::) ;D
FQ13
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I wound up getting the 6p. However, I just didn't think it was bright enough to justify the cost. Back it went. I traded it for the same $60is on a Streamlight packmate which I like a lot better. Is slightly longer (about mini-mag length), but still pocket lenghth. Its much, much brighter. It also has a lanyard, very key for a fisherman.Like the surefire it has a "safe" feature to keep it from turning on acidently. It has four modes, high white, low white, high green, low green. I'm not quite sure what the green is buying me other than a little more battery life, but if I want something green, by God, green it shall be. ;D ???. My only beef is the mode selector is an external plastic dial, whch is an obvious fail point. Still it has a lifetime gurantee and a good rep. Also the thing is in cammo! What kind of moron wants a cammo mini light? The damn things are hard enough to fnid when you drop them if they'r bright red or blue. I guess scramling around in the dark feeling for your light is "tactical". ::) ;D
FQ13
That reminds me of a friend I used to hunt with. He was like a Cabelas model with all his gear. He showed up with a knife that he paid way to much money for, don't remember the make. It was all camo, blade and handle. You can see where this is going, he was putting up some tracking cameras and set the knife down, right about that time a hog came busting through so he went after it. after wondering off about 50 yards or so he came back to retrieve the knife but could never find where he set it. He must've looked for 3 hours. last I knew he owned a high polish stainless knife.