Flashlights (surefire/LED's)????

M

Motorscooter

Joined
Dec 22, 2002
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37
Hi all, been meaning to ask this for a while!!!

Ok, I am a Poor Army guy and I would be ok with spending close to $200 on a Auto knife (AFO or Socom Elite), but NOT $100 on a flashlight!!!

Can anyone tell me that ownes a Surefire or seen one what is the big hype? I see them all over the place. They are in all the military stores, but I never see anyone actually carrying one??? I like the X-10 LED flashlight myself. Little more reasonable in price and it looks like it shoots a bright light. Also will last quiet a long time on Lithiums and the LED's.
I understand SWAT guys having these expensive lights going into certain situations, but for the rest of us (even military?)
Can anyone fill me in?
Thanks!!!
 
I'm a tech at a church and my Surefire E2e has been worth every penny! :D

However, the Innova X5 is still farily bright, but it doesn't throw a beam nearly as far as the Surefire does. No LED light can match the throw of a Surefire!
 
Well, I'm glad to be able to offer you a reply because I'm not a flashlight enthusiast. I'm also not a SWAT officer or anything like that. But, I am a Surefire 6P user.

The occational practical need for a flashlight is obvious. I think that just about everyone has at least one and uses it occationally.

If you look around at all, you'll find the Surefire 6P selling for about $50 with batteries. Yes, you can find an adequate flashlight with batteries in the $10 range quite commonly. So why spend five times more?

First, the 6P is very durable. It's machined out of solid metal. Everything about it is well-made. Even amidst modest abuse, it will obviously last a life-time.

Second, while the flashlight body may last a lifetime and while the D123 battery has now achieved popularity with camera users and, I think, will remain available for many years, Surefire will eventually discontinue the 6P's exotic bulb. But, the 6P is a very popular flashlight. They've sold a whole lot of 'em to law enforcement and civilian users. So, I suspect that they'll keep that bulb available for a long time.

Third, the 6P is very bright. You get a lot of light out of this thing.

Forth, the 6P is very compact. I don't use any of my 6Ps very often. I keep them around for unexpected situations and emergencies minor or major. So, small size is important. I want a good, bright flashlight available when I want or need it, but I don't want it weighing me (or my car) down, being uncomfortable or inconvenient to carry, or taking up a lot of space.

I don't want to have to plan my life around my flashlight. As I said, I'm not a "flashlight enthusiast." But, I do want a good, bright flashlight available when I want or need it. The Surefire 6P fills that bill for me very nicely and so I'm willing to pay more for it than an average flashlight might cost. I think it's worth the price.
 
With recent manufacturer price reductions you can now buy a Surefire G2 for $25.
 
One of the places you can get the G2 for $25 is Sable Co. (www.sableco.net)
They have them in all 3 colors (Black, Yellow and OD).

Hope that helps,
--SAK
 
I have the Inova X5, and it's goodlittle light. In a urban area, it should work well enough. I tinker around computers, and it's quite often that I have to look at the innards to check for problems. The rather slim and non-bulbous profile makes it an easy carry.
I've been considering to get a surefire. Battery life is certainly a concern, but some of them are bright enough that it could temporarily blind someone with it, which may help as a SD kind of thing.
I paid like $60CDN for the Inova (don't ask where I got it, you're not likely to find a place that would sell at that price), and it's worth every penny because I just run into situations where I need one.
 
Ok, I am starting to get the idea about the quality. So after thinking it over I guess I would be inclined to spend some cash on a reliable long lasting light. I am off to the desert soon and the normal issue stuff is crap.
2 questions:
1. With so many different models to choose from, which one to get
2. How long do the batteries last under normal daily use?
 
Originally posted by SAK
One of the places you can get the G2 for $25 is Sable Co. (www.sableco.net)
They have them in all 3 colors (Black, Yellow and OD).

Hope that helps,
--SAK
Click to expand...
The only price I see at sableco is $42 for all three colors.Are you sure you saw it here.You said one of the places so I am presumming there are more places with the $25 price.If you would give us links it would be appreciated I know I would buy one of each at that price and I am sure I am not the only one.Thanks...........R
 
Originally posted by calyth

I paid like $60CDN for the Inova (don't ask where I got it, you're not likely to find a place that would sell at that price), and it's worth every penny because I just run into situations where I need one.
Click to expand...
I just bought two of them from TAD with the TID's on them and they cost me more than I could have paid but this way everything fit and got there at the same time.$60 cdn is what like $39 usd? that is not bad and they can be found at that price.I think it was www.Texastacticalsupply.com that had them for $39 and if not there are others within a few bucks.I love mine and am working on a sheath for it as I type.Here is the link with the TID's:http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme gear/flashlights main/tid_for_x5.htm ..........R
 
Howdy!
It's ME, VG!
(?)
Sooo.. ANYway....
The big difference between the LED lights and the SureFires is the brightness. Now SureFire might be stretching things a tad, but they actually promote their product as a weapon... not like a "Bop 'em over the head with a MagLite" kinda impact weapon, but the light itSELF being the weapon.
The things are amazingly bright but call me picky, a light ain't gonna be the first thing I go for if I need more than hands, ya know?
That said, if you're in the dark and meet someone by surprise, and ya wanna mess 'em up for a second, a direct beam-shot into the eyes might buy you a second or three.
Not so with the LED units....although the LEDs are outstanding if you want a bright light in a miniscule package. My handcuff key's got an LED built into it and that thing'll let me find my way around my bedroom in total darkness. It lasts damned near forever and the company actually says if it ever dies, they'll replace it free.
Ya gotta think about what you're gonna use it for.
Depending on what you're doing, a small light that's easily hidden might be just the thing you need or then again, a portable Chevy Hi-Beam might do the trick.
My bet is you'd find a use for both.
I did.
The LED units, at least the small ones are around $20 for quality stuff. You can get SureFires for... I dunno... 3 times the price?
To answer your specific questions, you're probably best off to get a 6P. That's just got 2 batteries.
The batteries can get pretty pricey if you go to camera supply places, the supermarket, drug stores, whatever, but if you get 'em from Sure Fire, they sell a 12-pak for about half the price.... but they're still about $5 each.
(That's why I said the 6P rather than the 9P - 6 volts is one less battery and will do most of the jobs anyhow)

I think I actually managed to gather my thoughts into a coherent menage for once!

Off to examine skull,
I remain,
VG
 
Blackeye,

I can promise you that they sell the G2s for $25. I just ordered from them and they were very responsive. It may be that they haven't updated their website (the sale just started - February 1st).

Send an e-mail to Robert at Sableco and I am sure he will get you any color you want for $25 plus shipping. (robert@sableco.net)

BTW - I have no connection with these guys other than being a satisfied first-time Customer.

--SAK
 
Thanks for the reply's!! Not sure why VG is running around the bedroom with handcuff keys and a LED light:D

I am in the military, that should pretty much let everyone know what I will be using a light for (desert operations real soon). I have a few keychain LED's that the PX sells and they work great, but I have already sent one to the recycle bin as they are $7 plastic keychain lights.

The 10 looks like my cup of tea, however the E1 and E2 sold here keep calling my name. I like gadgets;)

Again, thanks for all the opinions and help!
Dan
 
The Surefires are expensive, their batteries are expensive, and the bulb assemblies are very expensive. Having said that, the Surefires are the best thing going. I am a former EMT and since then I have been really interested in being able to see in the dark.
 
Originally posted by SAK
Blackeye,

I can promise you that they sell the G2s for $25. I just ordered from them and they were very responsive. It may be that they haven't updated their website (the sale just started - February 1st).

Send an e-mail to Robert at Sableco and I am sure he will get you any color you want for $25 plus shipping. (robert@sableco.net)

BTW - I have no connection with these guys other than being a satisfied first-time Customer.

--SAK
Click to expand...
I will call in the morning thanks for the heads up.That price is hard to beat.............R
 
blackeye: You have to remember that I got the Inova at $60CDN before tax at a store. $39USD probably is a decent match to the $60CDN, but you have to factor in shipping and possible duties.
It's pretty damn good for my needs though ;)
 
a G2 for $25 is IMO a fantastic deal. thats only about 5-7 bucks more than a maglite which will have 1/3 the output (if that) at 10 times the weight.
batteries can now be had for about $25/dozen.

so for the $50 you'd spend on a a 6P you can have the nitrolon equivalent and a dozen batteries. OBTW, the G2 is just about as shock resistant as the metal bodied, shock insulated M2.

when you compare it to an E2E the deal gets even better.
 
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