Surefire LX2 (Part 3)

[KDOG3]

Continued from Part 1 and Part 2


Well its here! As far as output goes its a little hard to tell if its brighter than the E2DL since its daytime. Looks roughly the same, which is fine by me since the E2DL rated around 200 lumens anyway. The tint is spectacular as well as the beam profile. Couldn't take beamshots since my camera (Samsung Glyde cell) wouldn't do them well. Here are some pics in order from its arrival, I don't know how I had the patience to take the pics before completely opening it up and playing with but I somehow I managed...

I like the black box it came with. The outer box has a flap on the back containing specs in a bunch of other languages. Enjoy!


By kdog2009



By kdog2009


By kdog2009


By kdog2009


By kdog2009

By kdog2009

[prime77]

The LX2 is the first light that I got in a while that I wasn't disappointed in at all. I have carried it everyday since I got it and have found it to be a great light. I get off from work after midnight every night and use the LX2 every night. The low level is a good output for menial tasks like walking to the car and unlocking the house door on the dark porch and the high is a scorcher and great for spotting things at a distance. All around I have come to rely on and love my LX2. It has become a trusted friend. Here are some old shots I took.

[DM51]

Part 2 was >400 posts, so the thread is continued here.

[Size15's]

What do people feel about a verion of the LX2 having one of the levels as a strobe?
To me, it would seem to make sense that the first mode would be the high output strobe and the second mode would be high output so that 'mashing down' under stress etc would result in full steady output rather than the other way around...

I suspect this would make it a rather niche tool.

Al

[Numbers]

Strobe for me is unnecessary I would not buy it, but as a second version of the LX2 if SF thinks it would sell why not. Seems it would be more appropriate for the E2DL though.

[Gimpy00Wang]

What do people feel about a verion of the LX2 having one of the levels as a strobe?
To me, it would seem to make sense that the first mode would be the high output strobe and the second mode would be high output so that 'mashing down' under stress etc would result in full steady output rather than the other way around...

I suspect this would make it a rather niche tool.

Al

To my surprise, I have come to enjoy the setup of my Arc6 where you have low -> high, but if you transition from low -> high quickly you get strobe. Kinda nice.

- Chris

[litetube]

Damn!!! These are really nice looking lights. SF really has a good design team on aesthetics. These LX2 really have combined form and function on a superior level. I truly wish they would open up the battery tubes but am well aware of their views on this. I have owned various SF lights and they really are made better than most others and deserve all the credit they get. I just cant stop looking at these new non knurled lights and I may break down and get an LX1 if I have the cash in '10 when they come out.

[Monocrom]

Al's idea is a good one. Two modes, with one being strobe; along with Surefire quality = Pure WIN!

The nearest thing to such an LX2 is the JetBeam Military model. (Too bad the clip on that one is horribly uncomfortable when you're holding the light).

As far as the battery tubes go, at first I understood Surefire's decision. Being based in America, Surefire is more likely to get sued by someone looking for a fast buck; compared to companies not based in the U.S.

Someone screws around with an 18650, then blames Surefire. So they make sure the tubes are not wide enough... But then everyone uses a 17670 or one or two RCR123 cells instead.

[pjandyho]

I for one don't fancy the strobe feature. LX2 wasn't intended to be a combat light in the first place and I don't see how a strobe would help in daily practical usage. Moreover, I am happy with the 2 stage operation as it is.

[MSaxatilus]

What do people feel about a verion of the LX2 having one of the levels as a strobe?
To me, it would seem to make sense that the first mode would be the high output strobe and the second mode would be high output so that 'mashing down' under stress etc would result in full steady output rather than the other way around...

I suspect this would make it a rather niche tool.

Al

Personally, I think this is an absolutely awesome idea and one that I've been looking for in a light for quite some time. I was thinking of this as a walking the dog light. In my neighborhood it is quite dark and rural. So alot of times cars come flying down the road and when they are too busy talking on their cell phone or texting, they don't always see me. To immediatly be ablet to go to an annoying strobe would be an excellent way to get their attention!

Al any connections at Surefire to get us a couple of custom LX2s made for that purpose?!?!

Awesome idea!!

MSax

[cue003]

I would be in for one of these "custom" LX2s with the strobe option. For sure.

[MSaxatilus]

I would be in for one of these "custom" LX2s with the strobe option. For sure.

OK that's a confirmed three! Can PK do a run for us now.

MSax

[Numbers]

Well I just got my LX2 back from SF. They replaced the head after I thought the original had particularly bad green rings at the outer edge of the spill. The new head has green rings too but they are much less objectionable.

Still, I guess I compare all my SF's to the first I bought, an L4, which had a perfect beam.
I cant seem to understand why TIR technology is supposed to be improving (??) yet the LX2 beam compares unfavorably to my L1 and my E2L (in terms of tint too). Oh well, it is what it is - it will be used outdoors and will do it's job.

[Size15's]

I fully understand that my suggested 'version of the LX2 with strobe' concept is not intended to be a everyday carry flashlight. I'm not even interested in one for myself.

I just think the ability to assign a particular output to one mode and be able to seamlessly transition from it to another using the two-stage push button pressure switch user interface is a very interesting one.

We have a community here with many skilled at modifying flashlights. I wonder just how difficult it would be to modify an LX2 so that the low beam is a high output strobe instead?

[Monocrom]

We have a community here with many skilled at modifying flashlights. I wonder just how difficult it would be to modify an LX2 so that the low beam is a high output strobe instead?

Time to head up to the roof, and switch on the Milky signal.

Hope Scott sees it.

[Paul5M]

I fully understand that my suggested 'version of the LX2 with strobe' concept is not intended to be a everyday carry flashlight. I'm not even interested in one for myself.

I just think the ability to assign a particular output to one mode and be able to seamlessly transition from it to another using the two-stage push button pressure switch user interface is a very interesting one.

We have a community here with many skilled at modifying flashlights. I wonder just how difficult it would be to modify an LX2 so that the low beam is a high output strobe instead?

Do you think the resistor is beefy enough to handle that high current?

[Size15's]

Only one way to find out for certain!

[RobertM]

As some of you may recall, I had sent my LX2 in to SureFire for some issues one day after receiving it. The original post with pictures is found here.

---
Here are the highlights of what was wrong:
- Finger smudge on optic
- Really mismatched anodization
- Green beam tint on low

So I called SureFire and they gave me an RMA...
They said they will look at the smudge and possibly the beam tint and mismatched ano as well. Regarding beam tint, the SF rep told me that SureFire's are illumination tools, not museum pieces.

---

Yesterday, I received my LX2 back from SureFire. To be honest, I was a little scared to open the box after reading some mixed experiences here on CPF. I had decided beforehand, that so long-as SF replaced the smudged optic and hadn't introduced any new problems (scratches, etc.), I would be happy and could live with the light perfectly fine.

So what did I find...
A body that matches, a smudge-free optic, and a perfectly white beam!!!
It appears that they replaced both the entire bezel and tailcap to achieve the matching colors and better beam tint as well as having a smudge free optic. The body is original as it has the same s/n as what I shipped them, but the bezel and tailcap are definitely not the same ones. In addition, the lanyard ring doesn't move freely on the new tailcap (it has some resistance like on my two Aviators) which I'm also very happy about (unlike the original one).

Plus, they were very quick with it. They received the light on Aug. 14 (Friday) and shipped it back on Aug. 18 (Tuesday)--only 3 business days in their possession. Impressive!

Kudos to SureFire! I am now extremely happy with my LX2.

-Robert

[Numbers]

Plus, they were very quick with it. They received the light on Aug. 14 (Friday) and shipped it back on Aug. 18 (Tuesday)--only 3 business days in their possession. Impressive!
-Robert

They turned mine around quickly too. They received it on a Monday and I had it back on Friday of the same week - shipped clear across the country no less.

[DimeRazorback]

That's excellent news to hear Robert!

Glad you can finally be happy with your decision!

[Numbers]

I removed the clip (and the lanyard ring) from my LX2 to stop it's interference with the operation of the tail switch - I use a holster with this light. I was lining the clip up at the base of my fingers and it added to the "gripability" of the light. Without the clip the light is a bit slippery, there being only the 3 slots machined into the tube. Additionally, the light will roll on an uneven surface without the clip.
Anyone have any ideas (other than ordering the traditional long clip from SF) on how to restore some grippyness to the light without using a clip at all?

[Welding Rod]

I got mine a week or two ago from Spyder Tactical.

I am really happy with it. I took it out to a friend's ranch for several days. We were an hour from asphalt, phones, and electricity.

The performance of the light in real darkness is just incredible, I think.

I am not as big an enthusiast as some here, but I have an L4, E2L, E1B, some Surefire incans with high output bulbs, etc. The LX2 is my favorite now for sure.

I am not crazy about the spinning lanyard loop on the tailcap, and will probably break if off, but other than that I think it is really a great light. Oh yeah, the clearance between the tailcap threads and the battery housing threads could be a little more precise. But overall I am quite happy with it for an every day light.

[Numbers]

I am not crazy about the spinning lanyard loop on the tailcap, and will probably break if off

You dont have to break it. Just stick a thin screwdriver or a thin blade in the seam and pop it off. You want to pry up the half without the lanyard attachment point on it.

[KDOG3]

I removed the clip (and the lanyard ring) from my LX2 to stop it's interference with the operation of the tail switch - I use a holster with this light. I was lining the clip up at the base of my fingers and it added to the "gripability" of the light. Without the clip the light is a bit slippery, there being only the 3 slots machined into the tube. Additionally, the light will roll on an uneven surface without the clip.
Anyone have any ideas (other than ordering the traditional long clip from SF) on how to restore some grippyness to the light without using a clip at all?

You can try getting the short clip from someone. I like it myself.....

[RobertM]

That's excellent news to hear Robert!

Glad you can finally be happy with your decision!

Thanks. My LX2 is quickly becoming one of my absolute favorites.

-Robert

[DimeRazorback]

I knew it would!

[Numbers]

I cant believe that this thread has been dead for a week now.
Has everyone lost interest in this SF offering already?

I have my LX2 back from SF for a couple of weeks.
My take is that this is a one dimentional light - outdoor use - spotting - at which it is very good, and I have a specific use for that characteristic.
For me the spill, such as it is, is inadequate for general usage outdoors. Indoors the spot is overpowering, and even on the low setting is distracting when trying to cover an interior space.

I know, I know, F04... But I dont like carrying the extra baggage.

I dont think any more TIR's (like the LX1) are in my immediate future.

It would be nice to have a general purpose 200 lm SF light with a better balance between flood and spill. Maybe the A2L is such a light, though not as many lumens.

[DimeRazorback]

Interest has slowly died on the LX2... The A2L didn't really have any interest after release lol

[BST07]

I just hopped onto the bandwagon! Bought my LX2 yesterday... this will be my first surefire. Hopefully it comes early next week

Hopefully I get lucky and get one with matched anodizing and white tint

[Scotty007]

Ok, someone please jump in and help me.....today my batteries finally needed to be replaced....so i figured i would get as much light out of them as i could....so i turned the light on low and pressed to see if i could get any more light on high...well believe it or not....THE LX2 STARTED STROBING!!!!! is this a low battery warning? i was unaware of this feature if it is...it was pretty cool though...why would they not incorporate that into the light to begin with....maybe a strong incentive to buy the LX2.2 version????