Any Surefire Z-series addicts out there?

[Captain Spaulding]

Great Kestrel...now I miss mine...6Z with a malkoff=flashlight nirvana :0(

Nirvana indeed! I had been running incands only in my Z's, but my z3 with either 2x18500 IMRs or 3X123 primaries behind my M91W is about as perfect as anything I have owned.

[angelofwar]

Here is my Z2

Wow! First off, welcome camaroman! Second, that's the only model of Z2 I've ever seen like that (Markings wise), and is a very rare specimen indeed! Low S/N...most of these got beat to crap by cops I'm guessing...but, man, that is one noce Z2!!! You have a pic of the other side???

[Kestrel]

Both of my 'user' Z's have been out for boring so I've been using my C2 & C3 exclusively.
I miss using my 6Z (posted earlier) and am looking forward to its return soon ...

Well, it's a slow day both here and on CPF, so I thought to celebrate the return of my 6Z (from it's boring trip & subsequent new internals) by posting some new pics.

Old:

New:


Previously I had 2xIMR123's and a generic XR-E dropin in this 'beater' 6Z. Around the turn of the year I picked up one of Vin's XM-L dropins - really liked it but not so much the new runtime of the combo. So, a boring trip was in order.

Result, a 6Z 'blaster' (w/ reasonable runtime) on a budget - total cost of $117 for the whole package, not bad at all. These 6Z's have just the best ergonomics. A good length as well - this one measures 4.9" - considerably shorter than a standard 6P (at an official length of 5.4").

[bugsy714]

Glad you like it Kes! I was majorly jocking that 6z.....now I'm on the hunt!

[RI Chevy]

Nice!

[Kestrel]

So, does anybody actually know the production timeline for these? What were the approximate years of the 6Z's etc, and then the approximate years of the Z2's etc? I was a few years late to the party and the only thing I know is that the Z2's & Z3's were discontinued around 2010 ...

Edit: It sounds like the Z3's were discontinued in 2009-2010 while the Z2's went until 2011.

[JNewell]

I once figured out the 6Z/9Z -> Z2/Z3 transition (approximately) from old catalogs...I'll see if I can either find my notes or check the old pdfs. To make matters slightly more interesting, there were two different 6Z body tubes.

So, does anybody actually know the production timeline for these? What were the approximate years of the 6Z's etc, and then the approximate years of the Z2's etc? I was a few years late to the party and the only thing I know is that the Z2's & Z3's were discontinued around 2010 ...

Edit: It sounds like the Z3's were discontinued in 2009-2010 while the Z2's went until 2011.

[angelofwar]

I once figured out the 6Z/9Z -> Z2/Z3 transition (approximately) from old catalogs...I'll see if I can either find my notes or check the old pdfs. To make matters slightly more interesting, there were two different 6Z body tubes.

There also appears to be roughly 1,000 error Z2's with a patent number for a toilet etched onto it...

[CLBME]

Well how about a working picture? I had to replace my idler ram today- it's dark inside the undercarriage so my Z2 helped out........no beauty queen here but functional- Just like me!

[Camaroman_99]

angelofwar, thanks! Here is a pic of the other side:

[angelofwar]

angelofwar, thanks! Here is a pic of the other side:

Whao! A cross hairs Z2!!! Very Nice camaro!!! Thanks for sharing! (if you ever decide to part with it, shoot me a pm...that is one sexy light!)

[Kestrel]

Whao! A cross hairs Z2!!! Very Nice camaro!!! Thanks for sharing!

Wow, I'm guessing this is a pretty rare variant, I didn't know that the 'crosshairs' logo went as far as the Z2 introduction.
I've never seen one of these, but I'm not as knowledgeable as some others here. Very nice collectors light.

A prior post from earlier this month:

You have a pic of the other side???

AoW, did you suspect it would have been a 'crosshairs' version? Good call if so.

[angelofwar]

Wow, I'm guessing this is a pretty rare variant, I didn't know that the 'crosshairs' logo went as far as the Z2 introduction.
I've never seen one of these, but I'm not as knowledgeable as some others here. Very nice collectors light.

A prior post from earlier this month:

AoW, did you suspect it would have been a 'crosshairs' version? Good call if so.

Well, I had never seen a Z2 etched like that...so, yeah, I kinda called it...I just wanted to see if such a beast existed! If I still collected old school SF's, I'd be all over this! (I wonder if camaroman knows what he has??? It's always neat to see new people bring these old classics out of the closet)

[Kestrel]

Just a for a good thread.

Speaking of Z's, I had my eye on fleabay item # 200746585760 this weekend (a near-mint SF 12ZM), it sold for ~$360.
The value of those has increased considerably over the past few years. Hope someone here on CPF got it.

[RI Chevy]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for replacement rubber cigar rings please?

[Tempest UK]

Can anyone point me in the right direction for replacement rubber cigar rings please?

helpyou@surefire.com

[aleve90]

Love this thread..... I've only recently found out that I've been a flashaholic for years and didn't know it. I've only recently "stumbled" on the Z-series and had been concentrated on 6P types and smaller EDC lights. Now I'm ready to take the plunge into the Z-series and a happy camper reading this thread.

[RI Chevy]

Thanks. I was looking for a vender, but that could do also.

[880arm]

I'm not sure I have reached addict status yet but I do like the Z series. Now that my latest additions have arrived I thought I would post some pics of my Z's.


6Z, 9Z, 12ZM, Z2, and Z3





I had to see what they would look like all Turbo'd up - 6Z and 9Z with 3" "T" type turbo heads. Z2 and Z3 with 2.5" KT turbo heads. 12ZM with its stock 2.5" TRTH


And the business ends. All are stock except for one of the new Malkoff towers in the Z3.


Now I need to find me a 7Z!

[880arm]

mini Z

Flickr 上 sunkwaichuen 的 DSC00024

What the? Where the? How the???

What is that, and is it stock? Prototype Z3? Please share!

So was there really a 3Z offered at one time? Prototype? User mod?

Probably not real practical (or tactical) with the old R30 bulb but it could be made into a little pocket rocket today!

[Kif]

Here is my Z2-S
Not very bright as other Surefire lights but I love the strobe (it's the only reason I bought this light)

[Melson]

These Z2 bodies are too sexy so I have to ask:

Where can I get a Surefire Z2 (or any Z like) body? Aftermarket or OEM?

I see oveready has them but it costs an arm and a leg.

I've searched and searched but I must not be looking at the right areas.

Mods if this needs to be posted in the marketplace I apologize and feel free to edit my post out.

[cland72]

You can check out the CPFMP and/or post a WTB ad.

They come up occasionally on ebay but are typically pretty pricey there.

[Captain Spaulding]

These Z2 bodies are too sexy so I have to ask:

Where can I get a Surefire Z2 (or any Z like) body? Aftermarket or OEM?

I see oveready has them but it costs an arm and a leg.

I've searched and searched but I must not be looking at the right areas.

Mods if this needs to be posted in the marketplace I apologize and feel free to edit my post out.

Ahh glad to see this thread still going strong despite the discontinuation of the Z2. Melson, the only Z series you are gonna find new in stores is the Z2-S which is sexy but lacks the flexibility of modifications available for the Z2.

cland72 is right, the only place to get them now is in the market place or on the bay. And good luck if you want a Z3!!!

Im glad I stocked up on them when I did!

[greatscoot]

I love my "Z" and recently picked up a "C". It's OK but I like the Z much better.

[Melson]

I am baffled as to how no company makes a aftermarket body when CLEARLY it is the sexiest body out there right?

AT LEAST there could be a body made that looked somewhat similar

But thank you everybody for the info, I'll have to post a WTB up soon then.

[ElectronGuru]

AT LEAST there could be a body made that looked somewhat similar

How close (or not) would you say are the TorchLAB Slims?

[archimedes]

....AT LEAST there could be a body made that looked somewhat similar....

L2T (Solar Force) ... ???

[Melson]

Electronguru, close but no cigar.

Archimedes, spot on!

For a second there the flashaholic universe had gotten smaller than I thought

Sorry to derail the thread guys. Kif, definitely jealous of ya with the (slightly) new Z2-S

[Captain Spaulding]

Electronguru, close but no cigar.

Archimedes, spot on!

Spot on?!?!?! no way!

No offense, but those L2T's just do not do it for me. not even close. I find those fugly.

I much prefer that TorchLAB!

Still, I prefer the original Z2 and Z3 over all of them.

Just different tastes I suppose!