SureFire 6P Over Clones- I'm a Believer

[kramer5150]

Certainly I think the market is a better place with the inexpensive clones. Its all about making choices, and knowing what features you value and are willing to pay for.

I just placed an order for a $9.71 SuperFire clone from that other place. It was a tough call, between it a real G2 or Brinkman Maxfire. I chose the clone because its all-aluminum construction should help dissipate heat better.

Its the cheapest clone I can find. Less than 1/2 the price of the Cebelas. I will use it to host a 6090 module, and I will post a dedicated thread when it gets here. As an added bonus, the Xenon OEM bulb will take up to 9V, for use with my RCR cells. My opinion is to own BOTH and pick whichever tool is right for the job.

 

[Delta]

You guys buying those clones are making America cry!

 

[kramer5150]

You guys buying those clones are making America cry!

Oh noes... Consider this a temporary little diversion for me into Cloneyville. I will always be a fan of SF and will never hesitate to recommend them over others. But, I really think in order for my thread comments and video reviews to hold any real value, I need to own a clone as well. I mean... what holds more value? someone speculating and offering second hand opinions? -OR- someone who actually owns the products and can provide first hand impressions?

 

[My3kidsfather]

What's your take on the Cabela's XPG vs. the 6p? sounds like you already did a detailed comparison but didn't type it up, and I'm sorely tempted to grab an XPG to use as a second P60 host.

Chrontius- I spoke to soon about what I expected the Cabela's XPG to be like. I just recieved two of the sale price XPG's and they are a better buy in my opinion than the Solarforce or any other clone I have seen.

Forget the knife (even though it looks pretty good to put in your bug-out-bag or whatever), that is included. The flashlight is superior because it has two o-rings on each end of the body, and the glass lens is secured by an outer screw-on ring and does not fall out when changing drop-ins or batteries. A 6v. xenon bulb is standard and quite useful. Two lithium cr123a's are included as is one of the best included sheaths I have see yet.

I scratched mine while cutting the tough bubble pack with my knife- the anodizing is average then. The threads are a little rough until cleaned and nyogel is applied. Knurling on the XPG is well done and feels better than the Solarforce, as well as being about 1/2" shorter too. It feels really good in the hand. Reverse clicky is a bit stiff- probably will loosen up a bit after some use, which this one certainly will get over the next couple of years.

The only thing I am wondering about is whether to buy another six or seven of them. Note: Thought this was good enough to start a thread on it- see new Cabela's thead.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

I really love my 6P Defender, which I upgraded with a P60L.

Comparing it side-by-side with a friend's Brinkmann with CREE drop in, I really know how much better the 6P is. The quality differential is readily apparent, from beam quality, to fit and finish, to material. :twothumbs

 

[yekim]

I hate these threads. It is one thing to state why you like what and why such and such light is a better for for you than this other light (which was the original purpose of this thread), but the animosity that followed just needs to stop.

We are all in this together. CPF has had the greatest impact on flashlights and flashlight collecting in the history of the activity. We drive the manufacturers, the dealers, and the market. This petty bickering just makes us look like fools.

 

[My3kidsfather]

I hate these threads. It is one thing to state why you like what and why such and such light is a better for for you than this other light (which was the original purpose of this thread), but the animosity that followed just needs to stop.

We are all in this together. CPF has had the greatest impact on flashlights and flashlight collecting in the history of the activity. We drive the manufacturers, the dealers, and the market. This petty bickering just makes us look like fools.

Well said. I am not sure what it is you do not like, but i like what you said. lol.

 

[ace0001a]

Then there are those of us with little in the coffers for another hobby - who enjoy 'quality' over quantity...

I'll go for quality rather than quantity.

Stainz

Yeah I've never hid the fact that for me this is more of a "quantity" hobby. Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate quality...afterall, I do own 5 Surefires. You can enjoy this hobby for both quality and quantity. So in my case with enjoying both the quality and quantity aspects of this hobby, price is still most definitely a factor.

$16 to $46 is not just $30, its 300%. Is the 6P three times the light of the L2 or Cabelas XPG? I own all 3, and I'd say while the 6P is a fantastic light, and probably worth the money if you ever have to have Surefire replace it more than once, I don't view it as three times the light.

However, for the price of a real 6P, i was able to purchase a pair of XPG combos on sale, and a pair of the Solarforce tactical bezels. Thats two lights, two bezels, and two knives (great for cleaning trout when fishing) for the cost of one 6P. Mine are both upgraded with CREE dropins, so that drives the cost up by $20 for the pair.

For me, and for a lot of people, they'd rather chase the latest technology with cheaper lights then spend a much more significant amount on a popular brand. There's also a political/economic thing for a lot of people, supporting American workers and all that, and I understand completely. I'm more into the bang-for-the-buck, and the knockoff lights give me that.

Totally agree with you there man.

see, people always say they "understand". It's your action that speaks best.

I didn't expect much from CPFers these days anyway.

While I respect that is your opinion, I don't respect the tone or the condescending nature of it. I personally do make a conscious effort to buy American and I truely believe that any American in this hobby makes an effort on some level. But you can't deny the fact that it's a global economy that flashlights are apart of. Ultimately, I'm a consumer who has to keep an eye on my wallet...and while I empathize with those who have lost their jobs to overseas, it's not something I really feel that I am either responsible or in control of AND that it's inappropriate for others to make me feel that it is. I don't feel like I'm being less patriotic just because I don't buy everything made it the USA, it's simply the realities of a global economy...one in which ours seems to be in tough times at the moment.

With all that said, I still want to reiterate that I think the 6P clones are generally decent products and I for one don't mind have some in my collection along with my actual Surefires.

 

[yekim]

Well said. I am not sure what it is you do not like, but i like what you said. lol.

I do not like elitism. Anyone can buy an expensive light, or be thrifty, or whatever, but the moment you start thinking that your purchase makes you better than someone else.....well that annoys me...

As far as my collecting goes I like LED lights. Cheap ones mostly. I have a SF L2 and it is not the brightest light I have, nor is it the most efficient, prettiest, smallest, or versatile. It is, however, the toughest and most reliable by a long shot. It is the only light that I have not had to spend time cleaning the contacts or tearing apart to diagnose. It never flickers, blinks, flashes, etc. It is my best light and never needs work....which makes it BORING because I like to tinker. It is my EDC and house light.

 

[kramer5150]

I hate these threads. It is one thing to state why you like what and why such and such light is a better for for you than this other light (which was the original purpose of this thread), but the animosity that followed just needs to stop.

We are all in this together. CPF has had the greatest impact on flashlights and flashlight collecting in the history of the activity. We drive the manufacturers, the dealers, and the market. This petty bickering just makes us look like fools.

Agree... although I think this thread thus far has been very civil. This kind of thing can get WAY out of hand. We should respect each other for our opinions. Usually things get ugly when the USA-VS-China crap and name-calling starts to surface.

Thanks to everyone for keeping this one civil... you know the mods are watching closely.

 

[Alan]

Depends on how you define clones? All light that tail cap switch? Or all light that uses 2 CR123A?

I have all range of SF incand lights except G2, M4 and 8AX. For LED, I only have a few L1 and L4. What did I use most nowadays? It's Dereelight CL1H v3 and DBS v2, Wolf-eyes Storm, NDI, Jet-I Pro, H30 and yes, L4 as well. Do you consider Dereelight and Wolf-eyes as SF clones? It also happens that all lights are made in China except the L4 I still use. Quality wise, I consider them all in similar class.

I guess it's because I only use rechargeable nowadays.

Alan

 

[ace0001a]

I do not like elitism. Anyone can buy an expensive light, or be thrifty, or whatever, but the moment you start thinking that your purchase makes you better than someone else.....well that annoys me...

Yeah, people can get annoying when taking elitist points of view or what can be perceived as such. I don't like it either considering this place should be for friendly discussion and sharing of flashlight information.

As far as my collecting goes I like LED lights. Cheap ones mostly. I have a SF L2 and it is not the brightest light I have, nor is it the most efficient, prettiest, smallest, or versatile. It is, however, the toughest and most reliable by a long shot. It is the only light that I have not had to spend time cleaning the contacts or tearing apart to diagnose. It never flickers, blinks, flashes, etc. It is my best light and never needs work....which makes it BORING because I like to tinker. It is my EDC and house light.

Yup, with you there man. That's one thing I noticed about the Solarforce L2 was how smooth the threads were when compared to other Chinese made lights like Ultrafire and such. Also like the glossy Maglite-like type-II glossy black anondization. Really for $16, the base L2 is quite a bargain and the parts are totally interchangeable with Surefire 6Ps and such. In fact, I have Solarforce Stainless Steel Strike Bezeled Heads on both my 6Ps.

 

[270winchester]

Anyway you can rationalize it, it's your freedom.

there is a difference between having no choice but buy foreign versus openly buying knock-offs while waving the American flag.

While I respect that is your opinion, I don't respect the tone or the condescending nature of it. I personally do make a conscious effort to buy American and I truely believe that any American in this hobby makes an effort on some level. But you can't deny the fact that it's a global economy that flashlights are apart of. Ultimately, I'm a consumer who has to keep an eye on my wallet...and while I empathize with those who have lost their jobs to overseas, it's not something I really feel that I am either responsible or in control of AND that it's inappropriate for others to make me feel that it is. I don't feel like I'm being less patriotic just because I don't buy everything made it the USA, it's simply the realities of a global economy...one in which ours seems to be in tough times at the moment.

With all that said, I still want to reiterate that I think the 6P clones are generally decent products and I for one don't mind have some in my collection along with my actual Surefires.

 

[ace0001a]

Anyway you can rationalize it, it's your freedom.

there is a difference between having no choice but buy foreign versus openly buying knock-offs while waving the American flag.

As a proud American, I know and appreciate that it is my freedom and you said it that I am being rational in my actions and thinking. With my choices, I have not only bought actual Surefires, but Solarforces and Cabellas and others. Having a choice is great in this hobby. :twothumbs

 

[Norm]

Anyway you can rationalize it, it's your freedom.

there is a difference between having no choice but buy foreign versus openly buying knock-offs while waving the American flag.

Not wanting to stir the possum but I wonder; how many of you that are promoting buy American when it comes to flashlights are driving foreign cars?
Norm

 

[generic808]

Hey, I'm a die-hard Surefire guy but I drive a Nissan, which was made in the good ol' U S of A, of course! :thumbsup: Actually, a good majority of "foreign" cars are made domestically, creating thousands and thousands of jobs for our American people.

 

[ttran97]

I'm a hardcore Surefire fan and I drive a foreign car...but I never said "Only Buy American". I just like Surefires...period. If they were a Chinese company but the lights were the same quality and level of innovation, I would continue to buy Surefires. I like them because they're quality illumination tools, regardless of where they were made.

 

[ace0001a]

You know I can understand and appreciate having a passion for something as many here voice their love for Surefire and American made products, but we shouldn't let politics get in the way of enjoying this hobby. The truth is, it really doesn't matter to me where any product I buy is made so long as I like and enjoy it. Even "knock offs" have their place to consumers and I for one will not impose my beliefs on someone else as to what I think they should buy. As for the actual topic, I will reiterate my opinion again that I think Surefire 6P clones like the Solarforce L2 are actually pretty good products and well worth the attention of any flashlight enthusiast here. :thumbsup:

 

[jefflrrp]

I love the 6p/G2 form factor. Its great. I have 2 G2s, a G2L, a 6PL, a 6pD. I love the p60/p60L 2xCR123 system.

 

[My3kidsfather]

Depends on how you define clones? All light that tail cap switch? Or all light that uses 2 CR123A?

I have all range of SF incand lights except G2, M4 and 8AX. For LED, I only have a few L1 and L4. What did I use most nowadays? It's Dereelight CL1H v3 and DBS v2, Wolf-eyes Storm, NDI, Jet-I Pro, H30 and yes, L4 as well. Do you consider Dereelight and Wolf-eyes as SF clones? It also happens that all lights are made in China except the L4 I still use. Quality wise, I consider them all in similar class.

I guess it's because I only use rechargeable nowadays.

Alan

Alan- I was thinking of the flashlights that seem to make an effort to copy the design and look of a 6P that i was thinking of. I have a UF Alpha-C1 that stands alone in looks and is a trooper too, a real work light that uses 18650's too. This is probably UF's shot at the 6P genre but it works for me.

By the way, if I was American I would be proud to buy American. As a Albertan, I like to buy American because it is usually better built and easier to get serviced too. I am proud to be one of America's neighbours.