At the risk of sounding like a total Newbie: Are surefires worth the price?

[Thefumegator]

I am sick of dealing with cheap-o wally world flashlights that only last for a month, and I really have my eye on a Surefire L1 LumaMax (LED).

Its MSRP is $125, but I can find it online for $99. Better, but still kinda steep. Is it worth it? I won't just have to buy another one after a month, will I?

I really appreciate any help you could offer.
Thanks.
Wes

[10-Ring]

SF is a quality company all the way from manufacture, sale & customer service. You'll soon see after owning one for a short while how good they really are!

[Phantom Warrior]

If you don't need the ubertactical features like high-intensity bulbs and a tail-mounted switch the Maglite Series would be an excellent choice. I own six of them (one 1AAA, three 2AA, one 2D, and one 6D). They are all extremely reliable. I've never broken or worn out a Maglite. I have lost two of them though... :mad: The AAA and AA Maglites all retail for around $10. Any D size ones will retail for more like $20. With the exception of the 6D. That will run you more like $30 or $40. You should be able to get them for those prices at most any department store, hardware store, outdoors store, etc. I've found the best prices at Target, of all places. My $2*10^-2...

[Correia]

I think Surefires are worth it. I have never used an LED one though. I use a 6Z. The only bad thing is the batteries are only good for about an hour, and they ain't cheap.

[TechBrute]

The L1 is a perfect choice for someone who needs the long life over the blinding light. I am going to order an L1 in January.

[G&R Tactical]

The L1 is a great flashlight and worth the money. I sell them for $99 + $5 shipping and if you ask nicely I might even throw in a SF T-Shirt!:what:

Grant

[OF]

Yes.

- Gabe

[Denny Hansen]

Yes, it's worth it. The L1 is a great light. While not as powerful as others in the SureFire line, it lights up a very wide area which can actually be more beneficial while searching an area or performing routine tasks. I'm considering getting one myself (got to figure out a way to justify to the wife exactly why I need a ninth SureFire).:D

As for batteries, order them direct from Surefire. In a 12-pack the cost comes down to about $1.25 each, darn cheap for lithiums and a fraction of what you'll pay at Wally-World.

Denny

[Thefumegator]

If you don't need the ubertactical features like high-intensity bulbs and a tail-mounted switch the Maglite Series would be an excellent choice.

Well, even as much of a fan of Maglights as I am, the "twist to turn on" function is a no-go. I absolutely need to be able to use my flashlight one-handed. In fact, the one I have now (a wally world special :barf: ) I only bought because it has a tailcap.

I decided a while ago that I was sick of all of my myriad bruises from hitting stuff in the dark. So I got this one, which was fine for a few weeks, and now it's having issues, like flickering, sudden dimness, etc. It's not the batteries, either.

So it sounds like the L1 is perfect for what I need a light for.

Thanks, guys.

Wes :D

[bubbygator]

Find you a 6 series (Nitrolon) at about $25 - they are worth it!

[ocabj]

Surefire are arguably the best lights on the civilian market. If not the best, definitely one of the best. I was a big Maglite fan until I discovered Surefire. Now I own several personal/combat lights including a forearm shotgun light on my 870.

We use them around the house, and I keep a C2 Centurion Hard Anodized on me whenever I'm out of the house.

I don't know about the LED lights myself since I've never owned or even handled one (by Surefire), but you are guaranteed to get extremely high quality when you buy one.

FYI: If you haven't seen the threads, online sales of Surefire lights will soon be pretty much non-existent except through Surefire.com. They want to control web sales, and most of the general public will only be able to find deals at gun shows or through their local dealers.

[Lumpy196]

I jump right out on the end of the limb and maintain, beyond a doubt, that Surefire makes the best, brightest,most durable, most versitile line of hand-held and weapons mounted lights on the market...no one else comes close

[G&R Tactical]

Amen Lumpy!

[TechBrute]

I highly recommend Grant @ G&R Tactical for buying gear. I haven't been able to find cheaper prices anywhere, and he ships so friggin fast you have to duck.

[G&R Tactical]

Thanks TB!



Grant

[MLH]

Streamlight flashlights, also. The Scorpion is an excellent light that only costs $25-30.

[bvmjethead]

Originally posted by techbrute

I highly recommend Grant @ G&R Tactical for buying gear. I haven't been able to find cheaper prices anywhere, and he ships so friggin fast you have to duck.



Roger that!

Grant gave me a G2 for my first Surefire, since then I have purchased 2 more Surefire models from him.

Yes they're worth it.

:D

[jthuang]

Yes, Surefires a great and worth the price. I've owned or currently own many Surefires -- 3P (lost), 6Z, E1, E2e, E2, 617F and 500A ... all great lights for their purpose. I'm prolly gonna get myself a M3 as a Xmas present (and also so I can interchange with my 500A).

That said, you are considering one of the new LED models. None of the models above are LED models so I cannot express an opinion as to the durability or quality of SF LED lights. I bought one of my buddies a KL1 conversion head for his E2e as a b-day present but I did not have a chance to use it. Based on past experience I would not expect any lesser quality from the Surefire LED lights but I would ask one of the posters here who own SF LED lights (e.g. Skunk).

[762x51]

I just got an L4 from Grant at G&R. GREAT light.....I am amazed by how much pure white usable light it puts out. Well worth the price and much more useful for me than my G2.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/198651/L4small.jpg

[jthuang]

Hey, how's the "reach" on that L4? That's the main knock on LED defensive lights, that they don't have the "throw" of a tungsten lamp flashlight.

[bvmjethead]

Justin,

The "reach" is not far at all. I'd say off the top of my head 25 foot max of useable light.

I don't think the L4 is meant to be a "defensive" light. The one I've seen working has alot of light but it is more diffused, intended to light up a wider area.

It just does not have the focused intense beam of light like so many of the other Surefire lights do.

I think it's meant more for a personal flashlight, looking for things in the dark floorboards of your car, changing your tire at night that sort of thing.

Grant will most likely chime in here shortly.

[TechBrute]

It works very well as a "personal" flashlight, but at close ranges at night time, it will definately blind you. No, it doesn't throw as well as the P60 surefires, but it will definately light up an area. I called mine into use in a recent parking lot confrontation at the local libation establishment. The antagonist wanted nothing to do with my group once he couldn't see.

[OF]

A2, E2e or L4. That! is the question.

- Gabe

[Pheonix]

GRD YES!! is the answer!

[Kevlarman]

That's easy: all three!

Another idea is to just buy an E2E and buy the KL4 bezel so you can interchange between them.

[762x51]

Throw is not as far as an E2e or P60, but it certainly has more usable light compared to the narrow beam or the P60 and MN03 lamps. If you NEED throw, you still can't beat an incandecent.

[jthuang]

Thanks, that is what I figured. My EDC is a E2e. I was thinking about a KL1 conversion (IIRC the KL4 is not yet available for the E2e?) but I'm anticipating defensive use so I'll stick with the E2e's tungsten lamp for now.

Don't get me wrong, I think LEDs are great for utility. My favorite camping light is a Black Diamond Moonlight (?) LED lamp. It's a head-mounted unit with four bright white LEDs. Battery life and utility exceed that of a standard E2e, but I would never use it for defensive purposes. It'd be like I was Cyclops from the X-Men or something. :D

[Thefumegator]

Thanks for all of the responses, guys. You sure are a helpful bunch.

Now if I can just get my parents to stop freaking out about me wanting a hundred dollar flashlight. :rolleyes: Dear goodness, when can I move out again?

Wes

[762x51]

jthuang:

The KL4 head IS available in limied quantities. Check over at Candlepowerforums.com for dealers with them in stock. I also ordered a KL1, E1e, and MN03 to go with my L4....these together allow for a great combination that should cover all the bases. Surefire's are addictive. :(

[G&R Tactical]

LOL, well I would stop buying torches and move out of your parents house first! The L4 doesn't have the range of say an M2, but it provides a purer light and covers a wider area. So for clearing a house you want a light with a shorter range and wider coverage IMHO. The L4 is my choice and is what I carry if that says anything...

[TechBrute]

I would stop buying torches
What are you, British? :neener:

[G&R Tactical]

Actually I am!:fire:


Grant

[jthuang]

The KL4 head IS available in limied quantities. Check over at Candlepowerforums.com for dealers with them in stock.

Wow, the KL1 is new for this year (2003) and they already introduced the KL4??? Surefire is quick on the draw. No kidding, they are addictive!

[TechBrute]

Grant, you don't type with an accent! :D

hehehe

[Denny Hansen]

P3, P6, Z6, E1, E2 KL1, M951XM05, etc.
Dizzyin' ain't it?:D

Understand that John Matthews (SureFire's founder) has patents which will cover SureFire into 2020. Technology hasn't yet caught up to some of the ideas he has.

Denny

[OF]

There's nothing quite so satisfying as the look on your average mini-mag user's face when you light up a treeline 50 yards away at night with your Z2 :)

- Gabe

[TechBrute]

Understand that John Matthews (SureFire's founder) has patents which will cover SureFire into 2020. That's Doctor John Matthews. Gotta love a guy that took all that science and finally came up with a decent flashlight.

[carpettbaggerr]

Yeah, if you're still living at home save your money. The Streamlight Scorpion puts out more light than you need , and it only costs about $20 if you shop around. Maglights aren't quite as bright, but they're better if you have to hit something.

Now if you want a light once you move out, I'd get the Surefire M6 Millenium. 500 Lumens output.
And a bargain at only $398 :what:

[SapperLeader]

I personally use streamlights for my utility led lights and surefire for my combat lights. I have 2 surefire g2, 1 e2, and a shotgun weapons light. I also have a streamlight scorpion, and the polymyer 2aa and 4aa led lights by streamlight. Walmart also sells a few decent led lights, mainly the brinkman series. Im slowly building up my led light collection, with cr123 lights for pocket sun types, and aa leds for utility purposes. I definitly believe that surefires are worth every penny. But streamlights are just as good in the utility light segments and even better with their rechargables.

[k say]

is on sale @ surefire 56$

[Skunkabilly]

To the original poster: yes they are worth it, but not if you buy the wrong light for your purposes.

THe L4 is nifty, but not enough to light up street signs when inserting into a tactical potluck zone.

However, the E2e is too bright to work behind a computer with and reading maps if your interior lights are duct taped over for tacticality.

So I carry an A2; best of bofe worlds :cool:

[TechBrute]

reading maps if your interior lights are duct taped over for tacticality Uh... you know that Honda put a switch in your Crisis Response Vehicle for that.:D Oh well, knowing Skunk, it's probably taped over in black 100MPH tape, not the cheapo grey crap duct tape.

[Skunkabilly]

But what about the instrument panel?

Is it time to get gas yet? :scrutiny:

[G&R Tactical]

K Say, I sell the 6P for $50! :D

[TechBrute]

Yeah, and he doesn't take 2-4 weeks to ship it. :D

[G&R Tactical]

4-6 weeks! :what: :barf:

[762x51]

I got my L4 from Grant in about 3-4 days. Hard to beat that. Thanks Grant! :cool:

[shadow 1]

All in all, the answer to your question which is obvious by now is YES! But beware, you by one, you'll buy..oh 6 to 7 of them. Think I am kidding? Buy one and you'll see...but when you buy, buy from Grant.

[David]

It might be a good idea to check-out ebay for Surefire lights.

I have found some very good deals there.

:D :what: :D

Just my 2 cents...

[TechBrute]

Pretty much all the "deals" that are found on ebay are the same prices Grant sells for. I watched ebay for weeks prior to getting my FIRST light from Grant.

[G&R Tactical]

You can find good prices on SF's on EBAY. The problem you can run into is that the dealer is selling old stock. If the price looks to good to be true it probably is...