Are Surefire flashlights the best?

"Best" is subjective, but SureFire does tend to be the trendsetter in "hard use" flashlights.

There are botique companies that make brighter, or smaller, or more efficient lights, but I don't know of anybody that makes a tougher or more versatile family of high performance flashlights.

If you're interested in the flashlight as an impact weapon, the GG&G Tactical Impact Device gives you some flexibility in choosing your light. Made for a number of different bezels, they are more aggressive than most factory scalloped bezels. GG&G

LED and incan lights are different - the light has a different character, the bulbs are different, run times are different. Since brightness is a function of power, LED's and incans of equivalent brightness run about the same time, but regulated LED lights will continue to emit useful light after the incan is dead.

LEDs are more durable, but don't throw light as far as a bright incan. I prefer incan outdoors, and LED indoors. The high output Luxeon LED's are very bright, but still won't light up a dark corner of an alley like a Surefire HOLA.

The SF Executive lights are awesome and you won't be disappointed. The E2d is a great light, but I find the E2e-HA with the GG&G TID a little more user friendly because the tailcap doesn't get hung up. I have flashlights from Streamlight, Inova, Princeton Tec, Mag Instrument, and Coast -but I'm most impressed by my SF lights.

For a first LED light, the SF L2 or L4 are tremendously capable, if expensive, compact flashlights that will amaze you with their flawless, powerful LED output.

If nothing else, SF is known for perfect reflectors and flawless beams - no other commercial flashlight can match the Surefire Wall Of Light, even if a few might be brighter or cheaper.

Also, Size15's is a moderator at CPF, if he says SF is the best it's not because he lacks experience with other lights.
 
underaged! said:
The E2D is actually not the best, if you're planning on striking things with it. The incandecent bulbs will break. LED's however will not.
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Have you tried it? I have a friend that uses his E2D as a demo for the toughness of Surefire's lamps. He throws it across the room many times a day. Hasn't broken a bulb yet.
 
To answer the original poster, I have owned many lights, and Surefire has always been the best for me. I don't go anywhere without a Surefire.

Sure they may be handmade or limited run lights that perform better, but what about their fit and finish? What about the warranty?
 
I've been VERY happy w/ my 6P. It goes into the pocket when I'm out & about here in the neighborhood @ night. I work in a bar on the weekends, I use it a minimum of 2x/night- people drop things on the floor & it has broken up fights before they could get started- a lighthouse in the eyes will distract a person... ;)
 
Mark, I love my SF's. I have an E2e with an L4 head, several G2's, a couple 6P's, a 6Z, and a 9Z.

For a lot of light, they are it.

I would pair one up with something like an Inova X5, or one of the newer models coming out. These will finish off your 123 batteries after they fall below a comfortable use level in the SF's.

Lemme know if you want to check any of mine out andwe can meet up.

Mike
 
Erm, I'm not one of CPF's Administrators because my opinion is somehow better than the opinions of other people. That is not the case at all. My hands-on user experience of other flashlights is limited to say the least - I am a bit of a SureFire fan. I do own non-SureFire flashlights though. Sometimes to learn what the fuss is about on CPF, and other times because actually, SureFire don't make a light for a specific application I need light for (example: ArcAAA and Photon). However, there is more to a flashlight then just the flashlight and I believe that SureFire rounds out the whole package far better than any other company.

There are excellent flashlights that aren't made by SureFire. I personally believe it is impossible to have one perfect light. There are not only a variety of lights for a variety of users, but also a variety of lights for a variety of uses.

Sometimes you don't know what you want/need. Sometimes you don't realise you don't have what would be better for you!

Al
 
Erm, I'm not one of CPF's Administrators because my opinion is somehow better than the opinions of other people.
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Didn't mean to offend or speak for you - I have found your contributions at CPF valuable. Your opinion may not be better, but your experience with handheld lights is likely broader than most.
 
I have a doubt. Check out the Pentagon lights. I think they blow away everything else. I only own one SF but the Pentagon is clearly better made.
 
The doubt with Pentagonlight is whether they will still be in business in a year or two or five years time. The prices they are offering their products at now will likely have to increase or they will move manufacturing out of the USA.

If they actually start having to produce in any numbers like SureFire does they will find growing an extremely expensive and perhaps deadly task.

Competition is good and it is nice to see that other companies do take quality seriously too, but Pentagonlight are not competition to SureFire. Not in SureFire's markets anyway.

Al
 
RobbW said:
I have a Surefire A2. It ended my search for anymore flashlights.

Besides having both a BRIGHT highbeam and a power-saving LED beam (which is fantastic for reading), it's the QUALITY of both beams that are amazing. The light is even from edge to edge. No bright or dark spots or lines--just even, eye friendly light. Hard anodization makes the outside scratch free, and digitally-regulated warm-up technology extends bulb light.

What's not to like except the price? ;)

In general I'm more of a user than a collector. A small Sebenza ended my knife searching, and the Surefire A2 ended my flashlight searching.
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How do you carry it?
 
The A2 comes with a clip. I carry it clipped inside the top of my right front pocket. I usually wear pleated chinos. During the day it stays in my glove box (I'm never far from my car). At night I have a G2 on my nightstand along with a charging cell phone.
 
RobbW said:
The A2 comes with a clip. I carry it clipped inside the top of my right front pocket. I usually wear pleated chinos. During the day it stays in my glove box (I'm never far from my car). At night I have a G2 on my nightstand along with a charging cell phone.
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What kind of clip? A trouser-friendly long clip or one that tears up jeans and khakis alike?
 
I am relatively new to the high quality flashlight scene. Up until about 6 months ago, I thought a Maglite was the shiznits. Then, Surefire entered my life, and I haven't found anything better. That's not to say there's not a better light out there; I just haven't seen it yet. And, like already mentioned, anything better might be overkill for my uses anyway. I currently own several Surefires(more than I need, to be truthful), but still want more. ;) :)
 
I use a toolbag on my job. A SF 6P is in my toolbag and gets used daily. I also keep a QIII in a belt worn phone pouch. It makes for a great combo of edc flashlights.
 
cardimon said:
What kind of clip? A trouser-friendly long clip or one that tears up jeans and khakis alike?
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Very clothing-friendly clip. It's smooth, but strong enough to be secure. The body of the flashlight has some checkering on it, but I've never noticed any wear on the inside of my pockets, either.

I think the best feature of the SFs, besides the overall package, is the evenness and quality of the light. This is especially amazing in the A2, since the bulb is incandescent with three LEDs inset into the mirror. Amazing to see both incandescent and LED beams so perfect, given the mixed configuration.
 
My E2e scratched up my cell phone when I just jammed the light into the same pocket as my phone.

I don't know if SF's the best ever, but it works for me.
 
CleverName said:
My E2e scratched up my cell phone when I just jammed the light into the same pocket as my phone.
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Yeah, gotta watch out for that. The E2e will stratch things. I learned the hard way.

CleverName said:
I don't know if SF's the best ever, but it works for me.
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SureFire is one the best -- Inova is right up there with it. Makes things interesting.
 
komondor said:
It looks like that new Night Ops Gladius blows everything else away. It's expensive, though. It's not merely a flashlight, it's an "illumination tool."
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Betcha certain folks would love to appropriate that little item from your checked luggage.
 
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