E2DL Waterproof? IP Rating? Need Verification

[StriderJoenin]

Hello All,

I've recently bought a few Surefire E2DL's for myself and for family. I've been satisfied with mine until I found out that they are not really waterproof, but rather weatherproof. This has me concerned.

I've called the Surefire customer service line and asked them if it was water proof and if it had an IPX rating. The Surefire representative told me that they were ONLY weatherproof, NOT waterproof, had no IPX rating, and that water submersion should not be done. But in contrast, looking at the surefire website, I've read a few of their "real life" stories of people who've had their E2D's and E2DL's dunked in water, submerged in water (for weeks and months even), and even frozen in water and found that after retrieval, it still works just fine and that water had no effect. I'm more inclined to believe the Surefire representative than these stories, but the stories of waterproofing still make me wonder and give me hope.

I've looked through CPF and found that some claim that it is waterproof and some say that it leaks. I've looked through the forums and still have found no definate answer if it is waterproof or not. I've read the one where the person went swimming with it and found the clicky not working as well and had moisture inside and had to dry it off and lube it up again to make it work.

Basically, has anyone done any real testing and does anyone know for sure if the Surefire E2DL Defender is waterproof (fully submersible)? If so, by how many meters/feet, and IPX rating?

I am disappointed that Surefire can't put an IPX-8 waterproof rating on their flashlights and specify up to what depth unlike some other brands such as Fenix (although they say IPX-8, they don't say how deep). If someone can confirm waterproofing, I'll be alot happier and my confidence in Surefire would be boosted.

 

[Search]

That was my story you read about, where I had to clean it and re-lube it. Basically the chlorine had stiffen it up. I believe it came in through the boot. It might not have been properly tightened. If you look at the boot, it unscrews at the bottom with needle nose pliers.

That light has been submerged in water on multiple occasions. The problem was that it had been in the pool for over 2 hours. My point was to inform people mine leaked, not to warn people to never get it wet. You have to consider this:

8 feet + 2 hours = 5 "rain drops" of water. Not even enough to turn the body sideways an watch it run out. Just some drops.

Now that took 2 hours at a high pressure to get in. What would happen if it was in for half the time. Would you be swimming with a light under water for an hour? Probably not.

It's just how you look at it.

I'm the only person to have a leak problem. Others have had no problem.

I would definitely trust this light going back in the water. Just not for a long period of time. A lot of lights would leak if you left them in that long at that depth. It's a given.

As DM51 or Size15 said (two respected mods), it isn't a dive light.

Trust me, get it wet, drop it in water, let it fall in the pool, or use it to find the bottom of the fish tank, it won't leak. It's all about time + depth.

How many instances will you ever have a light in deep water for a long time? It just doesn't happen.

 

[was.lost.but.now.found]

Trust me, get it wet, drop it in water, let it fall in the pool, or use it to find the bottom of the fish tank, it won't leak. It's all about time + depth.

Just please make sure you lube it. Rubber gaskets are worthless without a good coat of lube.

 

[DimeRazorback]

Yeah a good lube job and it will be fine.

I have used mine in very heavy rain, in which the light was saturated, as well as dropped in a puddle. It was 100% fine.

The main reason SF state weather proof not water proof is so that people don't set out to see how deep they can take it, and then complain when/if it leaks.

 

[jamesmtl514]

I also commented in the other thread about this topic.

I've swam with my E2Dled. It was also use to find a pair of sunglasses at about at 7foot depth in a lake. It's a survivor.

 

[SUREFIRED]

As DM51 or Size15 said (two respected mods), it isn't a dive light.

Trust me, get it wet, drop it in water, let it fall in the pool, or use it to find the bottom of the fish tank, it won't leak. It's all about time + depth.

+1

Just please make sure you lube it. Rubber gaskets are worthless without a good coat of lube.

+2

The main reason SF state weather proof not water proof is so that people don't set out to see how deep they can take it, and then complain when/if it leaks.

+3

 

[UnderTheWeepingMoon]

I wouldn't recommend submerging the light for any period of time. I'm not convinced E-series tailcaps are well sealed at the boot. The O-rings at the head and tail of the tube should be good for short periods of time at shallow depths if kept clean and well lubed. I can't comment on the seal at the window or the seals between the head sections, because I haven't disassembled the head of my light.

If you want a light that you can rely on for underwater use, have a look at Barbolight.

 

[richardcpf]

Making a flashlight waterproof is not hard. Add few orings and the right tightness and it will do. I have few under $30 DX flashlights which i tested submerging them 1 hour at 1 meter and they were watertight. Nowadays we have far more sofisticated gadgets such as cellphones, cameras and GPS which are waterproof up to 15 feet for hours.

The Surefire representative is wrong, I don't see why such a quality product would not be waterproof, but again, of course it has a limit on how deep and how long it can stay under water.

 

[Hitthespot]

Very few things are Water "Proof". My Rolex is rated to 1000 feet but it is not considered waterproof, only water resistant.

The E2DL is very water Resistant but as said it is not a dive light and should never be used as one, but I would trust my E2DL in a tropical rain forest down pour for sure.


Bill

 

[knightrider]

Read that this has to do with something Ralph Nader passed awhile ago, not sure though.

Getting back to the waterproof vs weatherproof - waterproof is hard to state in general. If someone doesn't care for their o-rings and relube, check for damage - is that the manufacturers fault? No, it's user related. So it's weatherproof due to the fact that the water resistance is largely based on user care not the companies product - that's my take on it.

I feel that some SF lights are better than others. My M3 has dual o-rings and very tight switching, so I think it's pretty good in water. On the other hand a new 6PL I just got 2 weeks ago or so - the switch turns super easy and I wouldn't trust it as much. As for the G2/G3s, I don't have that much faith in them, mostly due to the switch and switch threads.

 

[computernut]

I've used my Surefires in the rain without a second thought. I want a light that I don't have to worry about in an emergency but at the same time I'm probably not going to have to go scuba-diving with my light.

I recommend some Nyogel or other recommended lubricant and replace the O-rings if you notice any damage. I have a torn one on my A2 and a quick phone call to Surefire is all it took to have one sent to me free of charge. If someday you're out in a torrential downpour and your light stops working, pull out your backup light and carry-on. Afterwards call up Surefire and I'm sure they'll fix you up.

 

[StriderJoenin]

Thanks for the comments and the verifications. Makes me feel alot better about my E2DL. Feels like a load of my shoulders been lifted.

True true that I'm not gonna go of to the ocean with the E2DL looking for the Titanic or treasure :). Of course I'm not gonna go scuba diving with the E2DL for 2 hours or something crazy like that. I know they're not specifically rated for diving or called "dive lights".

I just wished they had that IPX-8 rating and specific instructions saying you have to keep both ends tight (common sense but you never know), make sure it's properly lubed up, and also instructions on a specific depth/pressure that it can withstand that you shouldn't go past. Many waterproof watches say waterproof or water resistant up to 1000 meters as hitthespot mentioned... Like for example, if they said IPX-8 rated to 8 feet, I'd be happy. I'll be thinking, good to know that it's waterproof, and that I shouldn't take it past 8 ft and that if I accidently dropped it in a puddle around the house, in the sink full of water (etc), or even in the backyard pool for some reason, I won't have a fancy ~$150 paperweight on my desk the next day. If Surefire would state that (IPX-8 up to...), they'd have another one up on the other brands and with them stating a specific depth, people MIGHT stop taking them past a specific depth/pressure and messing theirs up. Past that certain depth, that's your own fault and not Surefire's.

Computernut mentioned Nyogel to lube up the o-ring. Is that silicone based? Where can I get that in a physical store (not online, ie. Home Depot, Wal-Mart)? Any other suggestions for lubrication?

I'm more confident about the o-rings being more waterproof, but now, what still concerns me is what UnderTheWeepingMoon mentioned, E-series tailcaps having waterproofing problems. If so, any troubleshooting solutions? Or as others have suggested, just don't go diving with it and don't take it too deep and it'll be ok?

Again, thanks to all of you for the verification and comments. I really appreciate it. This is actually my first time posting on CPF (or now second?).

 

[carrot]

My guess is that Surefire decided to stop rating their lights as water resistant because a lot of people don't understand the simple concept of o-ring and lube maintenance. A well-maintained Surefire has no problems being underwater.

 

[computernut]

Here's the sticky thread on lubes:
Lube Thread

I buy my Nygogel online from Lighthound but if you take a look at the recommended lubes thread you might be able to find something local. I just mentioned Nyogel as an example, the important thing is to have a good lube on hand so you can easily clean and relube your lights from time to time.