Sure fire question

[TonyB]

I want to get one of those $34 sure fire flashlights..the G2 I think it is..but they have 2 listed in the catalogue...1 lasts 20 minutes and is REALLY bright,1 lasts 1 hour and is less bright...I'll mostly be using it for IDPA,although I have thought of carrying it onn a daily basis...so which would you get and why???thanks

 

[treeprof]

The less bright (65 lumens or whatever it is) will be fine. Unless there's something screwy abt the G2, you can always buy the brighter lamp and stick it in there if'n you want. I have both assemblies for my 6P and Z.

 

[Cazach]

Yeah the standard G2 is bright enough for just about anything. Treeprof is right you can always upgrade the lamp assembly later if you want to use it as a lightsaber.

 

[TonyB]

Thanks guys...

 

[woolfam]

The brightness thing is a little misleading. The P61 lamp assembly puts out about twice the amount of light as the P60, but it is not necessarily twice as bright. If you're going to EDC it, you would probably be happy with the P60 lamp. I've had both, and the longer runtime is more helpful in an EDC light than is the greater amount of light.

A couple suggestions: 1) You might also consider Brinkman's Maxfire Xeon/Lithium flashilght (not the Legend). It is sold at Wal-Mart, is under $20, has the same output as the G2/P60, and is a little smaller. The biggest advantage is that replacement lamps for the Brinkmann are about $5 while replacement lamps for the Surefire are $20. Might save you a little money. 2) Whichever you get, you can buy the CR123 lithium batteries at www.batterystation.com for $1.25 each + shipping. That's much cheaper than at Wal-mart. 3) If you really want to learn about flashlights, checkout www.candlepowerforums.com. There's more there than you can imagine.

 

[TonyB]

I'll check out the Brinkman at walmart..thanks.I don't really care about the whole"brand name deal" I just used someone's surefire at IDPA last week and liked it,so maybe the wallyworld one will do....

 

[TamThompson]

Tony,
After shooting an IDPA night shoot last month, and finding my mini-mag light horribly inadequate, I borrowed the match director's Surefire G2. WOW! Huge difference. I realize your question was about the difference between two Surefires, but I'm of the belief that more light is better, and I recommend the G2. I've since gotten a G2 Combat, and will be using it Saturday night at the next IDPA night match.

Yes, the G2 only has 20 minutes of light per 2 Surefire batteries, so my solution is to always carry extra batteries. You can buy a box of about 12 at surefire.com for around $17. And, for situations where I would need light for more than 20 minutes, that would usually be in the car, so I left my mini-mag in my Explorer.

The G2 Combat is also very light in weight.

 

[Al Thompson]

I've been using a G2 Nitrolon for about a year now on duty. I'm sold.

Shop nearby has the Executive for about 50 bucks, may have to get it.

I'll check out the flashlight woolfam mentioned (and probably buy it).

I'd rather go out without my knife than without a flashlight. I have a Photon Micro Light that's on my key ring and it's been very handy over the years.

Tam - the truck flashlight is a three D cell Maglight. Good flashlight, great impact weapon.

 

[chevrofreak]

Yup, the Brinkmann Maxfire is a great light for the money.

 

[Browns Fan]

I also have the Brinkmann Maxfire LX, based on recommendations from my fellow THR members and love it. Thanks, guys!

 

[InfernoMDM]

There is a off brand 40 dollar light built out of alluminum. It has a 100meter waterproof capablility. If I can find the name of the company I'll let you know but if you look up 100 meter waterproof xenon you can find it.

 

[45R]

Surefire has my money as light of choice. My EDC is a E1, it puts out 15 lumens of light. For little light its great.

The G2/6Ps are what I carry in my car and range gear! Great lights and if I want more power I just pop out the P60 bulb and go with the P61 Bulb. These lights can take a beating and customer service is just a phone call away.

 

[OF]

I've had my 6Z/Z2 forever and it's just as great as the day I got it. Don't waste your time with the higher output lamp. I have it and it sits in a drawer.

The best deal on batteries going is to just get them straight from SureFire. They're high quality and just as cheap (which is a relative term when you're talking about these batteries) as anything else out there.

- Gabe

 

[KevinB]

Tony,

I own the surefire G2 and highly recommend it. Even with the 65 lumen output it's surprisingly bright. Its size and weight really makes it a good everyday carry flashlight. So far I've been getting batteries from surefire. A friend of mine just got a surefire recharger for his G2 so depending on how he likes his I may be picking up one as well. The only thing I wish my G2 had was a pocket clip. Sometimes I find myself having to adjust the light in my pocket. Been looking for a low profile holster or something for it but haven't run across anything yet.


-Kevin

 

[SunBear]

WARNING I have an old Surefire 9P (3 batteries) that I retrofitted with their new high-output "combat" light and it is indeed a light saber! However, that melted the Lexan lens which they were kind enough to replace with their new Pyrex lens.

 

[Al Thompson]

I have the 65 lumens model and it works fine - the light is bright enough to "zap" somebody when you light'em up.

Pocket carry - be careful, I've had to park the car and bail out when the G2 got turned on and tried to torch my thigh....

 

[LiquidTension]

I have the standard G2 and it's awesome. I also like the Streamlight Scorpion. Same size, but it has a slightly different tail cap and adjustable beam. I'll upgrade to a different one sometime, but I'm poor right now.

Botach Tactical has batteries $20/20. Some people have issues with botac, but I've never had a problem. They also have pretty good prices on the flashlights.

 

[TonyB]

I ended up getting the Brinkman one at walmart...hopefully we'll have some no light shooting this weekend and I'll let you know how I make out....who knew a question about flashlights would create such an interest....

 

[woolfam]

Let us know how you like it, TonyB. I think you made a wise choice.

 

[BuffaloBill]

I have two G2s, one with the std bulb assy and one with the 120 lumen upgrade. I picked up two Brinkmann Maxfires at wally world today because of this thread and other recommendations like it. It's really a great light. Period. (No need to add "for the money") When you factor in the price... it's a no-brainer.
One thing that I feel it has over the Surefire is the switch. If you bump or put even the slightest pressure on the G2 switch, it's on. Also, you have to twist the tail cap for constant on with the G2. The Maxfire has a much better switch, imo, because it's not so sensitive and you can get constant on by pressing the tailcap button until it clicks.
Just my $.02
BB

 

[Zach S]

I have a G2 with the P60 lamp. I'm on my third box of batteries, I rarely go anywhere without it. I've been thinking about getting another for my toolbox at work, howver since I'm bored I may right out to wally world and have a look at the brinkman.

Tam - the truck flashlight is a three D cell Maglight. Good flashlight, great impact weapon

Mine is a 6D

 

[roo_ster]

I bought a Surefire G2 a while back because my wife was complaining that my 3 D-cell maglight was dinging the end table. (To be used along with SW1911 to investigate bumps in the night)

The G2 made a Surefire believer out of me...and my wife! She pretty much bogarted it full time. I tell ya, what's hers is hers & what's mine is hers.

So, I bought a 6P, because of the LOTC feature.

Good lights. candlepowerforums.com was mentioned. It is a good source that lead me to the G2.

BTW, I like quality lights & own:
Maglight 6 D-cell
Maglight 3 D-cell
Maglight 2x AA-cell
Maglight AAA-cell
NSN L-shaped 2 D-cell light...the yellow & black one safe for operating near flammable gas

Maglight is just no longer the leading edge. To put an automotive spin on it:
Maglight is a flat head inline 6-cylander.
Surefire & imitators is a OHV Chevy small-block V-8

 

[NMshooter]

I have SureFire's factory plastic belt holster for my well worn 6P, both work great.

 

[mete]

The G2 with the standard lamp should last about one hour, not 20 minutes. My G2 was a gift and I was amazed that the little light illuminates out to 100 yds ! I always use plastic flashlights since I work with electricity too often. For $34 it's a good deal.

 

[TonyB]

I used the Brinkman last night to put the snow blower away in the dark..this flashlight rules..I'm getting another one for the car...for $20 you can't go wrong!