Surefire G2Z review

[usp_fan]

I recently got interested in surefire lights. I'd kept a mag light near the house gun but always thought it was too bulky.

My buddy picked up a Z2 combat light and I was impresed. With a little Christmas money I went out (online) to learn and shop.

I ended up buying a surefire G2Z combat light. The G2Z is a new light with the features of the Z2, but made from nitrolon (plastic).

Everything I read praised the plastic body as being more shock resistant, lighter, and possibly more durable than the standard aluminum body of the Z2. The G2Z uses the same lamp assemblies and has the same pyrex lense as the Z2. Size wise, it is a very close match. I figured the plastic would go well with my wunder-shooter H&K USPc so I took the plunge and ordered from: One Stop Knife Shop

This is what I got:

As you can see, the light is small. I don't know that I would carry it everyday in my pocket, but they make the surefire E2E for that. The G2Z is sized just right to be convenient and easy to handle.

As for brightness, the 65 lumen output shames my 3 cell mag light. It is amazing the brightness such a little package can deliver.

Durablility has been confirmed by our 14 month old son. He decided to play with Dad's new toy when I wasn't looking. Throwing things onto the floor over and over is the newest game. The light still functions great after the attentions of a toddler.

Overall, though I was skittish about spending nearly $60.00 on a light, I would do it again (and just might do it again soon for an E2E HA). This thing is bright, light, and easy to use with various light/handgun techniques (of which I am a master of none--but learning fast).

Any advice about the proper training and use of a Tactical Light is more than welcome.

--usp_fan

 

[Sven]

How would brightness compare to a 4 or 5-D cell Mag Light?

 

[lostdog]

shurefire

I carry a light anytime I carry a gun.... a m3 on my gun or a 6p shurefire in my pocket. I use the p21 bulb that gives 120 lumens for 20 min. The shurefires use lithium batt. and put out a very tight white beam. the maglights (I have one or 3) are 5 times as big and put out 1/2 the light. You cannot look at a "mag-light sized" shurefire with your eyes open. They create another "force option" B4 you use you gun. THR user "cohiba" knows a lot more about these than I do, though.

 

[Inspector Callahan]

I have the Z2. Wish they would have offered the plastic one when I purchased mine. I spent almost eighty bucks! Wonderful light though. Tough as nails. Mine's a "user". I use it at work all the time. I had hydraulic fluid on my thumb when I was looking for a leak and the fluid lubricated the rubber tailcap switch cover enough to make it fall out. I de-greased everything and worked the rubber cover back in with a pocket screwdriver. No further problems.

Great light.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

The nylotron (Surefire fancy word for "plastic" ) series seems to be extremely shock resistant. We've been speculating that it's because the polymer naturally flexes and has some give to it. In any case, the G2 and G2Z seem to protect the lamp from shock better than the standard aluminum-bodied lights, except for those lights that have shock-isolated bezels.

BTW, there's a shock-isolated bezel for the Z2, and of course the M2's bezel is shock-isolated.

Joe

 

[10-Ring]

Hey, I like your handle! I'm a HUGE USP fan myself and also just got into Surefire lights. How does the G2Z compare to the G2? I just picked one up at a smokin' price ($30) and I'm wondering how the 2 match up...

 

[lostdog]

what-in-the-heck

I think we would all like to know where to find a g2z fro 30$

 

[10-Ring]

OOOO NO, I got the G2 nitrolon black for $30. It was a open, lost box purchase, last one in the store kinda deals.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Surefire is dropping the price on the G2. Botach has it for $29.95 right now (okay, they don't have the best reputation, but still ...). I've seen it elsewhere on the net for around that price, new.

The G2Z is a G2 but with a combat grip ... both lights are pretty cool! Unfortunately, prices don't seem to be dropping that fast on the G2Z. Maybe Surefire is dropping the price on the G2 just to compete with the Scorpion, Brinkman LX, etc., but leaving the rest of the lights' prices as-is (actually, I hear we're in for another price increase this year for everything but the G2!).

Joe

 

[Inspector Callahan]

Hey Joe, that's not the only thing SF is dropping the price on. They've got lithiums listed for fifteen bucks a dozen!

 

[Joe Talmadge]

Yeah, pretty great news on the batteries! Suddenly all my Surefires are a lot less expensive to run

 

[ajacobs]

I am a surefire junky not as much as some others but I have about 20 if you count the weapon lights like the m500 and m900. I believe they are dropping the z series in metal in favor of the nitrolon. Make sure you get an led light surefire or otherwise that uses 123a's. I have a e1e with the led bezel. They make great everyday lights and you use your depleated battaries from your regular lights. Save on battaries and saves on using your regular light until you really need them. I just wish surefire's with pocket clips were arranged for bezel down carry. I know it would be more difficult to design but it makes for a more natural reach(especially with the c2/m2 series) and would keep the bezel more protested.

 

[notos&w]

sableco has the G2 for $25. gotta call since they have not revised the website yet.

G2 - lexan lens, no lock-out tailcap, no combat grip, no lanyard
G2Z - pyrex lens, LOTC, combat grip, lanyard

both use p60 and p61 bulbs.

i have never seen, and do not expect to, a G2Z for anywhere close to $30.

SF's put out a lot more light in a much smaller package when compared to a maglite. only drawbacks are shorter runtime, more expensive batts and inability to use as a club.

 

[Ed Straker]

I have a G2 that has bounced around in a cargo pocket for close to a year. Shock resistance and lack of a lockout tail cap have proven to be no problem.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I have the G2Z and an Executive, like em both, but the G2Z is incredibly bright!. Wanted the aluminum version, but the place I bought it from was out, so I got the Nitrolon version, now I'm glad I did. Also got my wife the newer Executive model, she really likes it too. They are a bit pricey, but, quality of illumination is easily twice that of anything else I've ever had. Plus, it's easier to carry than a Maglite.