Streamlight vs. Surefire

hburner

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OK, I'm new to this forum but I'm not new to Streamlight and their lineup. It seems to me that all I see and read about is Surfire lights. The local Police and Fire/Rescue all use Streamlight, that is what got me to purchasing their products. A seasoned light users, is there that big a difference in between the 2 other than the price? It sems that surefire is a bit more expensive and not as many options for rechargeable units?
 

Size15's

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Are you referring to the whole brand vs. brand, or referring to specific models?

For example, Streamlight's Stinger models and the SL20 models are very popular as dutylights for Law Enforcement Officers etc.

However, SureFire's are very popular on MP5 and shotguns etc, and especially with the more specialist firearms operators.

I think that SureFire and Streamlight are aiming at different markets - yes there is some cross-over, more so now then in the past.

I think there are a lot of differences between the two brands in addition to the prices of their products.

Al
 

hburner

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I guess I'm looking at them as being used as around the house security lights. You know, when you here that bump in the night or the dogs start going off the deep end. I purchased a Strion and an Ultrastinger. I'm very pleased with both but after reading in this forum I started wandering if i should have looked into Surefire a little more. I purchased an XT but it had a "yellow" look in the beam so I sent it back to Streamlight for service. Pretty disappointed with that one it being brand new and all. Thanks.
 

Phaserburn

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Surefire makes ultra-high end lights for very specific applications. Their lights and Streamlight's have some similarities in function and mission. Streamlight has a much larger light lineup, and makes many types of lights that Surefire doesn't. Streamlight is also the leader in duty rechargeables, and makes a nice quality light. Surefire goes after the premium market.

To get an idea of their target market, I would picture Surefire going after business from SWAT teams, while Streamlight would supply the rest of the police force. Both are quality; Surefire goes for best construction possible, while Streamlight considers affordability a bit more. I have both brands, and like them for what they are, which is different.
 

Mags

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SureFire is the dominator brandwise among flashlights. Nobody can deny that. They offer high quality lights, at undeniably high prices. But most of us here find the price worth the quality, or vice versa rather. Streamlight offers great, sometimes even better performing lights than SureFire. Their main aim isnt quality, but the fact that their lights will work and do the job, and theyre very affordable to add to that. For example: The Streamlight TL3 is between 50-70$, yet offers more throw than a 3 celled turbo headed surefire. like the C3 with KT2. both use 3 CR123s.
 

hburner

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Thanks guys, I've got a little more insight then before.
 

connortn

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Well, I'm not a seasoned user of either of the two but have used flashlights many times in the woods (especially when young) and when in law enforcement. I have had two m*g lights (2-D) for quiet a few years and until I came across this forum I thought I had the best :crazy:

Since then I have purchased a G2 surefire and two SL twintasks in 2X123 cell configurations. I don't run over my flashlights with my truck (a least not intentionally) or tie a string to them and flush them down the commode then pull them back out to see how they faired, so all I can give is my opinion.

For general and short term emergency use I like the Streamlight TT's a lot! They have decient low light output for close up work and acceptible (for me) higher incan. output for more serious things. They weren't expensive so if one becomes misplaced I won't waste time worrying about it. I'll just go buy another one.

But...

If I were still in law enforcement or in an occupation that required a high quality light, especially in situations that could become hostile, I'd probably choose one of the Surefires. I've never owned a light that can come close to the G2's beam quality, and it's the cheapest one they make. If they made a LED/incan. this good under $75.00, that's all I would own!

You were probably looking for facts instead of opinions, so I would suggest if your occupation requires high quality lights for your and others protection, take the best light you have and compare it to some Surefires (and other brands) at a local retailer that will let you test them out. Whatever you decide, choose carefully. I generally dislike giving opinions on things as you never know just how seriously someone will accept it as fact. Don't trust me or anyone else with just opinions.

I'm reminded of a very good friend's out take on making difficult choices. His method was to make the best choice he could, given all the information he had at the time. "Never regret a decision made this way" he said. "Whatever happens, you know you would make the same decision again given only the information you had at the time."


:candle:
 

TonkinWarrior

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Hburner: Welcome. May your Streamlight purchases launch you down an ever-illuminating path (well-lit by more flashlights).

As part of your CPF crash-learning, I recommend you do the following:

1. Read the nearby thread titled "Are Surefires really worth the $$$?".
2. Use this site's Search function to research everything other CPF'ers have ever had to say about "UltraStinger" and "Strion."

I've found some Streamlights to be good values over the last 20 yrs. However, they're just tools -- each with pros and cons. It all depends on matching the right tool to your specific needs... and expectations.

After ya hang out here for a few months, read EVERYTHING, and vicariously "test drive" a whole buncha flashlights via other CPF'ers, your expectations will change.

It's a fun learning process, and the process never ends.
 

Size15's

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Sometimes if you're happy with what you've got it may be better to stick with it unless you need something better/different.
You could chase an ever increasing "high-end" or "state of the art" or "newest" but that may not be a route you want to take?

I was round my friends' house last night and they had a Princeton Tec Rage 4AAA flashlight with a SureFire lanyard, PhotonII white and Glowring - hanging on a hook by the door. I got them a bunch of flashlights as a house warming gift and in a year they've had to change the batteries twice and once on the PhotonII.
Of course I could have got them a SureFire G2 with an ArcAAA (and Glowring) but they don't need it, they'd have to come to me for fresh SF123As.

In my house there are G2's setups around, and the kitchen has an 8NX mounted. I choose to pay more and invest in SureFires when there are plenty of other options.

I can't give any advice on tools (including flashlights) for investigating [perhaps an intruder] noise in the home. I get the impression it could be an extremely dangerous activity and not one I'm prepared for.
Quite how you approach such a situation needs careful planning and practice as well as advice from those with practical experience. Proceed with caution.
 

hburner

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Yea, I get broke into a couple of years ago and ever since then I look at things a littel diiferent. I got a great house alarm system, a couple of Dobermans which stay in the house, a new Ruger .45 ACP ( they stole the old one), an UltraStinger for outside "investagating" and just looking around, a Strion for the wife and me to keep by the bed ( she has her's and I have mine) and a Stinger XT which I usually keep in the truck in case I see something upon arriving at home in the dark.
 

TKC

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Well, I have never used a Streamlight, except for one of thier pen lights, and have been a Sure Fire user for many, many, many years. (If it ain't broke, why fix it.) I keep a 6P in the center comsole of my truck. (Behind the backk seats I have a plug in spot light {from my night security officer days}, and a green 2 D Maglight that I have had forever, and it justs get transferred to each vehicle I buy.) I have an E2e that I keep in a jacket that I wear daily, when I wear a jacket, serveral SF's in the drawer next to the bed. I gave the spousal unit 2 yellow G2's for Chistmas last year; one for the vehicle, and the other for the work backpack. They make a nice non-lethal weapon!! When I was a security officer, and if I ever go back into that, or get into LE, I will always use a SF!! I carried a 6p for a long time on duty, but found that they G2 works better when working around the water or in a humid environment. such as where I live. I have given my youngest sister a SF to keep in her car or on her person, whichever she chooses. I TRUST SF's!! I trusted Maglites, until I discovered SF's, and haven't bought a Maglite since. (not that they are a bad light by any means!!!) I have said enough!!
 

Dukester

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I agree with most of the above post. Streamlight and Surefire are successful in targeting their respective markets. "Off Topic" I too feel pretty safe with 3 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and one Weimaranar roaming the street's oops I meant the hallways in my house.

Dave
 

hburner

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It is a little more piece of mind knowing that if some worthless piece of crap did break in again that they would have a welcoming comitee waiting on them!!!!!!
 
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