Surefire flashlights

[sunspot]

I've been a member there too for a while. I don't post much, but lots of information to be gained by reading the posts. Just like here!

I joined CPF in Aug 2001. They are a fine bunch of people just as the people at TBN. I was not active for a few years mostly because of a long treatment for an illness that knocked me down. Now that is over and when I started back, I am amazed that so many new ideas and the shear number of new products that are available.
I was member 641 and now there are 30k+ on the forum. How time flies when having a good time.

JB4310.
I gave your question much thought. I would want a 3D Mag with at least one high power LED. I would prefer it to have 3 LED's. "D" cells are readily available. 3D would have a long runtime and the Mag body is rugged. The LED cannot be damaged by a drop and has a long lifespan before dimming.

 

[dirt ditch]

$1.75 a battery! Thanks to both you guys. I keep a Streamlight Scorpion in a belt pouch for emergences, partly because of the price of CR123 batteries. Only used it after a tornado. $5 for a battery is nuts. My wifes cousin use to work at walmart. He said Walmart pays 25 cents for a package of 4 alkaline batteries, then mark them up to $4. He always buys them at some place like Dollar General.

$1.75, man I love TBN

 

[sunspot]

As there is some interest in saving some money on the CR123A batteries, I thought all of you might like some links to good prices from trusted dealers.

Battery Junction
The Titanium are considered to be on par with the Surefire brand. $1.00 each.

Greg at Brightguy is the same price as Surefire but he is a very trusted dealer.

I'll update as I remember more sites.


BTW, a new rechargeable battery is on the market. Sanyo has come out with the Eneloop. It is a NiMH LSD (low self discharge). It only looses a small amount of charge when idle. Rayovac, Duracell and Kodak have come out with similar units but the Sanyo has tested as the best.

 

[fishman]

I have 3 or 4 Surefire G2 Nitrolin that can be found for $35 just about anywhere. I have been very pleased. A one hour runtime doesn't sound like much, but you get one hour of consistent bright light. I purchased 24 Surefire batteries two years ago and have used maybe 8 of them, plus the ones in the flashlights. A good flashlight that always works and provides good light is indispensable. Again, one hour is a long time.

I also have a Surefire 6p which is aluminum and puts out the same light as the G2's (65 lumins). I like it a bit better but for all practical purposes it does the same job and costs at least 50% more.

 

[sunspot]

The G2 is a great value for the $. I bought a G2 shortly after they came out. They really help in cold weather. The Nitrolin does not conduct the cold to the hand.

Here are my 6P's and a G2.
The Silver one is my Wife's.

 

[GaryM]

As there is some interest in saving some money on the CR123A batteries, I thought all of you might like some links to good prices from trusted dealers.

Battery Junction
The Titanium are considered to be on par with the Surefire brand. $1.00 each.

Greg at Brightguy is the same price as Surefire but he is a very trusted dealer.

I'll update as I remember more sites.

Just adding that I've dealt with both of these companies with no problems and been very satisfied.

 

[moss2940]

I saw the Sanyo rechargeable at Costco and was wondering about them. The last time I tried rechargeables years ago the technology was not very good.
I have been thinking about getting one of the Fenix flashlights only because it reads like they are more bang for the buck? It is amazing that flashlights can be so small and be so bright.
What exactly do I give up getting one that runs on aa's versus the cr123a's in a situation where it sits around and is only used occasionally?

 

[bigshovel]

I saw the Sanyo rechargeable at Costco and was wondering about them. The last time I tried rechargeables years ago the technology was not very good.
I have been thinking about getting one of the Fenix flashlights only because it reads like they are more bang for the buck? It is amazing that flashlights can be so small and be so bright.
What exactly do I give up getting one that runs on aa's versus the cr123a's in a situation where it sits around and is only used occasionally?

Most of the Pentagon brand will run on AA's as well. I have a few of these as well as Surefire and only difference is run time.

brad

 

[LMTC]

I bought 30 (yes, thirty) Eternalights in various configurations in the fall of 1999. Sold a few to friends, kept most for family, assigned one to each vehicle, and a few other important places. They throw an adequate beam for walking in the woods. Maybe 25' or so of bright useable light, 60' or so of general illumination, and they can be seen for over a mile. Chip on them allows a setting that will flash for 700 hours. Yes...seven hundred. On 3 AA batteries. Full power on all 4 leds will still get you over 100 hours. They also perform a battery strength test (1 to 4, 4 being full) in one mode. In 2005 I decided to replace all the batteries in the ones that are rarely or never used. Most of the batteries tested 3; I replaced them anyway (most had Duracell alkalines, some had lithiums). Those that get used fairly often tested 1 or 2. NONE had burned out batteries. None had failed. They do not have the small area brilliance of some newer leds I had seen, but I have yet to see a light for even close to the price that impressed me as much. Now over 7 years old, and they work like new.

Technology Associates: eternaLight LED Flashlights

 

[sunspot]

I don't see much mention of Eternalights anymore. I have one with the clear blue case and I run lithiums in it. The only problem I had with mine is, the touch pad peeled off. I just superglued it back on and it's good to go.
It's the ErgoXRay model.

 

[dirtydan]

I had read some on an earlier thread about Surefire flashlights and always being somewhat disappointed in the flashlights I have owned I checked out their website. While I was debating if I should spend that kind of money on a light when a friend of mine found a flashlight in a ditch in the snow that had obviously been there awhile. It was a G2 Surefire. It worked perfectly and he told me it really put out a beam. I decided to buy one myself so I got a G2 LED. I am very satisfied with it. We have 2 little dogs which we put out every morning before daylight to do their duty and I always check the roof peaks and a tree that is at least 100 ft. away because there is sometimes a large owl sitting there and I know he sometimes gets rabbits that are about the same size of our dogs. I can check the tree over much better than before because of the beam that it throws out. To me it was money well spent and do not regret it.
Dan

 

[LMTC]

I have 3 or 4 Surefire G2 Nitrolin that can be found for $35 just about anywhere. I have been very pleased. A one hour runtime doesn't sound like much, but you get one hour of consistent bright light. I purchased 24 Surefire batteries two years ago and have used maybe 8 of them, plus the ones in the flashlights. A good flashlight that always works and provides good light is indispensable. Again, one hour is a long time.

I also have a Surefire 6p which is aluminum and puts out the same light as the G2's (65 lumins). I like it a bit better but for all practical purposes it does the same job and costs at least 50% more.

I'd pick one up at $35 just to check it out, but I'm finding $65 everywhere I look....though I am looking only at the G2 led. Anyone have a current source for the led for less $$? Thanks.

 

[J0be269]

RonMar,
I have the streamlight Stinger. After having it a couple of years I bought the head upgrade for it. I mounted it in a cabinet next to the back door and it was an excellent flashlight...until it broke. The bulb is good, the battery is good, the charger is good, so I suspect the switch went. I know it has a lifetime warrantee, I just have to get it together and take it to the dealer. I don't know where the receipt is, so I expect this to be a pain in the neck to get fixed/replaced.

If your light has the same type of switch in it mine does this is a pretty easy fix. Take out the switch assembly and use a razor blade to gently seperate the two halves(they snap together). Inside are a couple strips of metal and a pin with a spring on it(this is that part that actuall makes the contact between the battery and the buld base) In mine the plastic of the switch housing had melted slighty and obstructed contact between the pin and bulb base from the heat of the light. I took a razor and shaved this away and re-assembled....works perfectly now.

 

[jimg]

Have owned a Streamlight rechargeable of some mdl and the batteries werent at all reliable. Currently own a small Surefire and its pretty good...no issues so far. The light Ive had the longest and one I reach for (my favorite) is a 3 D cell Maglite w/ the LED bulb. Its really bright (not as much as the Surefire), uses cheap easy to get batteries and seconds as a weapon/hammer/etc. Im not sure any other light would have taken the abuse Ive given the Maglite and kept working.

 

[sunspot]

LED's are now at or better than incandescent flashlights. The new models with the latest LED's are brighter and have a longer run time then the comparable old style bulbs.

The G2L will beat an old G2 with the even with the brighter P61 module.

Here is a link to the very best drop-ins for a MAG C or D. His Surefire drop-ins are also the best made.
Warning, the price is high and a lot of people are buying his stock. He is a farmer located in lower Alabama and the lights are a side job. He only lists his for sales on Mondays and sells out fast.
Malkoff Devices. Super bright, powerful LED modifications for flashlights, Super bright, powerful LED modifications for flashlights