[AUTIGER04]

Are they worth the money?:uhoh:

[Skunkabilly]

Which model? This for carry, attachment onto a gun, searching or what?

Surefires in general are worth it, but don't buy the wrong light for the wrong application. An M4 is a neat light but not the best for carry. L4 is a neat light but if you're in a rural area and will be using it to search outdoors, forget it.

In general I don't like their rechargeables. I had an 8NX that I HATED and had a 6P that was neat, but with the cost of batteries now at $15 for a dozen, the price of running them has changed the equation to where I think the lithium powered lights are the best choice for most people.

In short, yes, they are worth it!

[Zak Smith]

In short, yes.

I have a E2e-HA (60 lumens) I carry every day. It fits nicely into a pants pocket. Then I have two G2's. These are I think 65 lumens, and a little bigger. They are made of plastic-- I mean "Nitrolon" -- and are cheap. (I got the second one off the prize table at RM3G.) Finally, I have an M2 Centurion with the 120 lumen bulb. It's much more heavilty built than the E2e, better for shooting with, and much brighter.

You should be able to find batteries for less than $1/per.

-z

[444]

Absolutely. For years I wished for a good flashlight. The ones I had were cheap, had no power, had a very poor beam with dark spots in it, and half the time they didn't work at all. Then I discovered MagLites. They were very well made, they had a more intense beam, and they seemed reliable. I never liked the fact that they were so big and heavy, and the quality of the beam was nothing to write home about, but they were a significant step forward. I carried the 2 D-Cell model at work for years.
One night I was walking through an apartment complex trying to find an address with another paramedic. I had a maglite and he pulled his light off his belt. It was a fraction of the size of mine and it was way brighter. There were no dark spots in the beam and he could easily carry it on his belt. Obviously I asked him about it. I had discovered the current state of the art in flashlights; Surefire.
I got one as soon as I could. Since that time I have purchased a half dozen of them. I carry two at work now. A G2 (the plastic $30 model) on my belt, and an E1-Executive in my pocket. Why two ? Well the G2 is actually too bright for some of the uses. I work as a paramedic and shining a super bright light into the eyes of the patient isn't always the best thing to do, but there are many occasions where I need a bright light. The Executive has a clip on it which allows me to clip the light to the bill of my hat and use it hands free.
I have even purchased two Surefire Weaponslights; a 500 series and a 900 series. If you actually take a weapon out at night and shoot it, you will quickly see the shortcomings of your light. These lights were expensive, but there is nothing else out there that comes close to them.

[shadow 1]

Surefire is the best! I rely on them everyday! I generaly carry to and L4 for GP work and an E2e for "tactical" work.
They are some of the best made for the money you spend. Shop around on the web to find good deals or you can just email Grant and G&R Tactical, he hooked alot if us in a group buy. He will beat any price out there. I think he has a few listed in the Accessories for Sale section.

But back to the original qestion. My whole family relies on them for work, emergencies, whatever, we do have a few Maglites in the closets for power outages and such, but we generally goto the Surefire for everything. We have them in our cars(G2's in yellow), we have E2e's, L1's(444 that's a great Paramedic tool, two settings and small), L4's, 6Ps, A2s, M2, 3, 4 and 6..I believe in the product!! I have spent alot of money on them and wouldn't trust any other handheld when the chips are down.

[jthuang]

Another "yes" vote.

However, this assumes you:

1. Need your light for defensive use (IMHO there are cheaper lights for camping/utility work that function just as well); and

2. Choose the correct Surefire for the usage.

Yes, they're expensive. But IMHO they're worth it. You can get Surefires at significant discounts off list by ordering from LPS Tactical, Brightguy and others.

I have owned/currently own a 3P, two 6Zs, 617F, 500A, E1, E2 and E2e. Never thought once that I wasn't getting my money's worth.

Justin

[DMK]

You can get a G2 for like $30. That's only a little bit more than a 6 cell Maglight but brighter and a heck of a lot more portable.

I really like my Streamlight Nightfigher also. Both are good lights.

Why two ? Well the G2 is actually too bright for some of the uses. I agree with that 444. I use my lights a LOT at work also. I use a tiny little Underwater Kinetics 2AAA LED light for most general "just need a little light" stuff. The batteries are side by side in this little number so it's super compact and handy. It can even be put on a keychain.

[rebbryan]

the G2's 30 bucks. i've dropped it on floors, dirt, concrete, and no breaking of the bulb or anything else. no too pricy and does a nice job, it's doubles as my firefighting flashlight b/c it's so bright

[TechBrute]

I have half a dozen or so of the G2s. I used to carry a 6Z, but was petrified of losing my $80 (at the time) flashlight. I still use the 6Z for low-light training, carry it when I CCW, and keep it next to the bedstand gun, but I carry the G2 and don't worry about losing it. I also have several of their weaponlights. I have a 962SU on an AR, and integrated forends for a Benelli and Mossberg. You're going to think I'm nuts, but I have an integrated foreend for an 870, but I don't own an 870 YET. It's on my list of things to do. I also want an M6, if for nothing else then flashlight envy.:D

[AUTIGER04]

Thanks for the info. ;)

[CWL]

If you get the handheld ones, stick with a 65 lumen bulb. I upgraded to a 120 lumen bulb for my Z2 and now I get less than 20 minutes before it starts to dim.. that's 6 lithium batteries an hour! ($6-10/hr cost to operate!!!)

With a 65 lumen bulb, it lasts about 2 hours for me.

[ruger357]

YES. Right now I own the E-1, E-2-E, and the Z-3. I am thinking about getting the L-1.

[shadow 1]

Ruger, I highly recommend the L1, it's a great two stage utility light. My wife carries one for work for her "lighter" jobs and I keep one in an E&E kit for work. Plus we have a couple sitting in the BoB.

[MolonLabe416]

Absolutely.

I carry an E2 Executive everywhere. It comes in very handy.

I also have a 6z, but find it a bit large for every day carry.

Surefire has a good price on the here-to-fore expensive batteries direct from their website.

Raven Wayne at LPS - Lagger Pro has good prices and outstanding service. He has a website.

The little Photon lights attahced to a key ring are great as well, but obviously don't put out the lumens that a SureFire does.

[444]

I certainly also carry a Photon light. Maybe I am a light fanatic; I probably am. I suppose that flashlights take on a greater importance when you work at night. But lights seem to be one of those tools, like a pocket knife, that once you start carrying one, you realize that you use it a lot. If you don't have one, you get by usually, but if one is in your pocket you find yourself using it all the time.
Those little Photon LED lights are very handy. They can be hung on a key ring and you wouldn't notice the extra bulk. I carry mine clipped to my belt look. I hardly notice it being there, but it is available just by dropping my arm to my side. It doesn't take the place of a more powerful flashlight, but it is a nice addition to one.

[AngryBassets]

I carry a E1E w/ the LED head clipped in my pocket when I am not working, an E2E when doing plainclothes stuff, a G2 on my duty belt and a C2 on my tac rig. I have an old Surefire weapon light (w the 120 lumen bulb) on my AR.

If you notice, they are like guns, (but cheaper) and potato chips (but more expensive). You can't stop at just one.

Yes, I am a nerd and yes, they are worth it.

[AUTIGER04]

Which would be a better general purpose flashlight? :uhoh:

[AngryBassets]

It depends on what your "general purpose" is....

If you have the money, the E2E is small to clip into your pocket everyday, but it may be *too* bright for everyday tasks. Get the LED head as an accessory; suprisingly even illumination and the battery life is drastically extended, and not as blinding.

[Spark]

G2 - cheap enough that every car, closet and cupboard. There's no reason not to have several. P60 or P61 lamp assemblies give it all the power of the more expensive 2 battery models.

[AUTIGER04]

Cool! Thanks for the info.:D

[shooter.45]

Yes, I have the G2Z, 6P, E1E and I am also thinking about picking up the L1:D

[Sportcat]

My news E2E just keeps amazing me. I can't believe how much light comes out of such a small package. I keep it with me when I let my dog out at night. It lights up the tree line better than the flood lights on my deck!

I also bought the LED head for "around the house" stuff.