Surefire Flashlight Thread

“My son got me a Surefire flashlight for Christmas, the Executive Elite E2E
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/888/sesent/00

Weighs 3 ounces plus two small 3V batteries. Very pricey piece of gear, but worth it IMHO now that I own one.

Surefire flashlights really put out the lumens. They are amazing. I hesitated, but took mine with me on the Yosemite trip. Frankly I cannot imagine ever leaving it behind when I go backpacking.

I use a headlamp and usually carry a very small LED flashlight as backup. Now I will carry the Surefire and forget the other backup.

The battery life is not too great because of the intensity, but having a really strong beam when you want it is why I am going to carry it. It comes in handy. In an emergency situation the Surefire would be a major asset.

Any feedback?
last edited: 7/24/06 1:08:39 AM”

“A friend of mine gave me one for a Christmas present about 10 years ago. There's no question that it's very bright for its size, but it takes two larger lithium camera batteries to fuel it at a cost of $6 per battery and they don't last very long since it's so bright. I used the light once and never again because the batteries are too expensive for the amount of life you get. Maybe the newer models are different, but the model I have just isn't cost effective, especially with the advent of LED flashlights.”

“I use the yellow rubberized version for investigations...will out do a HUGE hand light and it is easier to operate.

The problem is for camping the battery life is like 1 or 2 hours....not really great.

I just bought the Streamlight Stylus (LED) it works on AAAA (thats right 4A) batteries...and works for quite sometime.”

“I had a SureFire torch some years ago and gave it to a young man out of the academy for a gift. The batteries/life were the issue for me. I've gone LED now and understand there are SureFire models with them that last long hours.”

“I also had a high intensity Xenon Flashlight, and ditto on the price for batteries...then, I burned out the bulb, and could not find a replacement....so like a dummy, I bought another flashlight, a cheaper one, that worked well until the battery case cracked...

Then I found Coast Led Lenser....

http://www.coastcutlery.com/?v=&pl=141&p=559



3 watt Tactical....Huge price difference, uses cheap AAA batteries, and it will blind ya.....not to mention it has a LED no more burned bulbs....



Having said all that Phil, surefire DOES make a great flashlight, and uasing one in the field makes ya wonder why you've been hiking in the dark when you don't have too.”

“After using the Tactical light, I bought this headlamp also made by Coast....

http://www.coastcutlery.com/?v=&pl=141&p=409



a Simple hands free version of the Tactical light, although a little less bright at 1.25 Watts, but still bright enough to blind ya....I wanted this one for use kayaking at night, it is bright enough to give detail to possible landing/camping sites on shore without having to leave the boat...a big plus.”

“Troll...I actually prefer the head lights to hand lights for the outdoors....I use the led lights and love them.”

“RichB - The batteries are down in price now. I buy a box of 12 for $15 on-line. If you switch to the LED lamp (not cheap to do, of course), the battery life jumps up about 4-6 times with little loss in intensity.

Anyway, nice to have a real light when you need one. The Coast LED Sensor looks like a good alternative.

Thanks for the responses so far!”

“I must say that was one bright flashlight. Dang near blind ya. I could see having one at home and in the car.”

“Ewker - The light is blinding. While not advertised for self-defense use, you could use it to temporarily blind an attacker.”

“In talking to Son O'Phil on the trail, he said something about another brand that was just as good but a whole lot less expensive.
Do you know what that brand is Phil?”

“navi - I am not sure...I suspect my son will post soon.”

“bump”

“I dont remember who... but along with surefire, Inova, streamlight(insight technologies), and pelican all make some good lights.

I was telling you about this one that was way less..Surefire g2 nitrolon comes in a few colored bodies, runs for about $28-$32 and weighs nothing for what it does... 60Lumens.

I almost think that the Surefire E1L is the perfect backpacking light it is a 25 Lumen LED with a single CR123A lithium battery.

I had the E2L, the two battery version, that was putting out 30 Lumens”

“Phil thanks for that info about the batteries. I didn't use the flashlight in such a long time I didn't know the batteries came down in price.”

“I tried a high power & pricey flashlight for work. It draws too much juice for too short a time. Didn't like it, It sits unused in my backpacking gear armoire. Tried a headlamp too, but I prefer holding a flashlight. Tried multi-LED lights too. While bright, they have NO depth-of-field.

I still like & use my (double A) Mini-mags. Carry 2. Spare bulbs & batteries. Have a headstrap (think Campmor)if I really need to use my hands. Like the xenon bulbs. One set of batteries lasts me the whole hike & I night hike. Occasionally one turns on in my pack (dead batteries) & I switch to the other. I tape the head now.

I do carry mini LED lights (keychain-attached to zippere pulls) to search my packs for gear. Carry an LED multi-bulb flashlight as back-up but never used it.

For work, I like the Gordon rechargeble. Large head, very bright & batteries last a while. (aprx 3 "D" cell sized-pack) Large re-chargeble battery pack & spare bulb. Comes with a AC (house) & DC (car) charger. $19 from Harbor Freight.com. Great prices on tools but very slow shippers. Bought 2 more Gordons for spares.”

“We have two Sure Fire's. Love them :-) We also get the batteries by the box, online.

At sam's Club we found knock off's of the SF, for about $20 or so for two. Not quite as bright, but nice.

Those things blind people so easily if you flash it at them..as self defense, it never hurts to have one on you. Sure Fire actually makes a version with a metal end for using as a defensive tool.”

“Thanks Dave, I'll take that info to the camping store.”

“Well, I lost my Surefire E2E (or it was stolen at the car wash). I really liked it. Now I am trying to decide which model to get. I am considering a smaller lighter surefire such as the EIE Executive Elite, but not as bright:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/803/sesent/00

Also considering the G2 Nitrolon, as son suggested.

May upgrade to an LED. The E1L Outdoorsman looks nice, except for the price:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24263/sesent/00

Now, if I had $499 to burn:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24451/sesent/00

I am also considering other brands. Gerber has some interesting models. Cheaper but hard to compare:
http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=80105#

Any new thoughts or experiences?
last edited: 6/03/07 11:54:51 PM”

“I got my Surefire E2E as a Christmas present and I love it. I'm not fanatical about weight so I carry it to supplement my Tikka XP for those, whatthehellwasthat, moments and for route finding. It rides in a small pouch on my sternum strap.

I got a box of 12 batteries for $21.00.”

“I keep remembering how useful my E2E was on the Yosemite trip...I hate to do without now. I will have a backup to my headlamp...question is 2 ounces vs. about 4 ounces.”

“Take a swig off your water bottle before you start...you just saved a couple ounces. ;-)”

“Don't laugh until you see the website...Coast LED's are some of the best in the market, reasonably priced and VERY well designed and manufactured.

http://www.coastcutlery.com/displaySubCategories.php?catid=29&mastCat=5

I gave up Xenon when I couldn't find the bulbs, and the Batteries where priced at 10 dollars per pair.....

COAST uses 3 triple A (AAA) batteries and the LEDS are rated to 100,000 hours.

1.25 or 3 Watt tactical lights...they will BLIND you, (ask anybody that has hiked with me when I'm carrying mine) and the design of the lens (there is a hole in the middle of the crystal lens that eliminates ths SPOT).

I have TWO...the one I carry on my belt (there right now) and the one Clamped under the extended Magazine of my police model Tactical Shotgun.”

“http://www.coastcutlery.com/displayProduct.php?prodid=284&prodnums=¿285¡281¡283¡284¡282¡286¿&mastCat=5




last edited: 6/04/07 8:36:15 AM”

“ST - Nice looking products. Sadly, their product information doesn't include price, weight, or lumens for comparison purposes. I am wondering if there is a spec page somewhere that I missed.”

“I bought mine at lowes (no kidding) for $60.00 (Beats surefire at hundreds no?)It was on a display by the registers...Gander Mountain has them as well.



try here...

http://www.dealtime.com/xDN-flashlights--coast_cutlery

or here:

http://www.utilitysafeguard.com/Coast/Coast-Best-Sellers;jsessionid=ac112b1e1f43e3caebf7b6cf40728ee6a7134960e9da.e3eTaxaQbxmTe34Pa38Ta38MaNv0
last edited: 6/04/07 10:31:57 AM”

“http://www.lightsandknives.com/productid/545/17/2.html

is the one I have...I just had the Mailroom here weigh it for me...4.1 OZ WITH Batteries.”

“I use the G2 Nitrolon. Stellar performer at work and play. I use the BD Zenix for tasks or trail walking, but that 65 Lumen blast from the G2 is hard to beat for the price. You just need to keep spare batteries nearby cause when they go dead it happens suddenly.”

“60.2 lumens for $65.00 (3AAA Batteries - LED)

http://www.lightsandknives.com/productid/657/17/1.html

G2 is Xenon and Lithium batteries (2 3V @ $10.00) I have no problem with Surefire other than the huge cost of batteries (1 Hour of use) and the need for bulb replacement...”

“I buy the batteries from a local sporting goods shop for $21/dozen. A dozen lasts me about a year.

My Zenix has a HO led - and it's nice and bright, but it doesn't compare to the G2 for that blinding flood of light effect. I use a flashlight frequently in my work, and battery usage is still not an issue. I've been using the same light without bulb replacement for over two years.”

“I was at 9000 ft elevation in the San Gorgonio Wilderness over the weekend and it got down to below 15 degrees. My switch doesn't work right, but the button usually works. But my Surefire wouldn't work in the cold. I assumed the switch was finally broken. But when I got home in warmer temps it worked.

Anyone know anything about Surefires not working well in extreme cold?”

“not sure phil, I will ask a few buddies of mine who have em. I recently bought a g2 LED that sucker is crazy bright.”

“birch - thanks! I love my Surefire...so nice to have real light when you need it!”

“Phil - what type batteries did you have in the Surefire @15 deg.? Lithium or other?”

“I was using the Surefire batteries (I tried two different ones). They are lithium.”

“i use surefire batteries in my steripen and they are the bomb... totally stable in cold temps. i would be really shocked if this was a battery problem. just fyi. i buy them by the case direct from their web site. they are not only the best batteries i have ever bought -but- the price when you buy direct from them in bulk is outstanding.

i don't own one of their flashlights.”

“I really don't think it is a battery problem. When my Surefire works, it is the bomb!”

“phil, LED or regular bulb?

I wont see my buddies who have em till the 6-8th of june. Try freezing it to duplicate the issue.”

“I lost my regular one (I think it was stolen actually), so this is my LED one.”

“Is it the G2 phil? I have beenreading up on them and cant find similar issues. Have you tried swapping out the LED and reflector?

Have you seen one of these before? You can carry a spare LED and reflector plus 6 batteries, very cool setup.

”

“I used a G2 for a while, since started using a LiteFlux LF3 (CR123) while backpacking and carry a LF2 (AAA/10440) in my pocket everywhere.
Surefire lights are nice but you pay too much for the name IMHO.”

“I have the E1L. Once cell LED. It rocks. Yes, a bit expensive. After using it on several backpacking trips I hate to be without it or something like it.

I'll look into the LiteFlux.”

“I find the new LF2X a particularly appealing flashlight (if like me you enjoy AAA cell size lights that can also use 10440 lithium cells. I already have 6 different AAA cell LED flashlights ((Ultrafire, Fenix(2), LumaPower, Tiablo, and LiteFlux)) otherwise I would be buying one.

LiteFlux lights are just about infinitely adjustable, so you can change the intensity to give yourself more runtime. Every setting is programmable (including on time, off time, and delay time in flashing modes; overdischarge protection for rechargeable lithium cells, etc.). The programming takes a bit of practice to figure out but they do provide a nice flow chart to navigate the menus. The light even comes with a snap on diffuser so you can use it as a lantern.

Their web site is somewhat informative
http://www.liteflux.com/english/index.php

Khoo aka LED Cool sells them on candlepower forums' market place area (http://www.cpfmarketplace.com).

Dealextreme.com (DX) also picked up the LiteFlux brand but personally I would email LiteFlux to ensure they are authorized resellers as DX has been accused of selling "grey" items by Lumapower.

Also realize if you order from Khoo the light will come from his location Malaysia and if you order from DX the light will come from Hong Kong; it will take a couple weeks to arrive.

Be warned, flashlight addiction can strike you if you spend too much time on CPF. There are many people on there who have many $500+ flashlights I managed to stop buying lights before I reached a dozen and the LiteFlux ones were the most expensive ones I purchased.
last edited: 6/09/08 9:33:37 AM”

“I see a lot of people here have E2E

I have one too and I just got new batteries for it probably 2 weeks ago and used it for around 30 mins the other night. Today I find my batteries dead

just want to ask if anyone else here with surefires have similar issues? is the flashlight using up batteries even it's not on while you don't take the 123As out ?”