SUREFIRE EDCL-2T

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

And, to add to the SF rechargeable discussion, SureFire has a new M600DF weapon light that, like the EDCL-2T, puts out 1200 lumens (with an asterisk, of course ) on two CR123A's. On the Surefire SF18650A rechargeable cell it puts out 1500 lumens.

The M600DF Ultra Scout Light is a lightweight, compact WeaponLight featuring an ultra-high-output LED that delivers 1,200 lumens of blinding white light with 123A batteries and 1,500 lumens of light with the SF18650A rechargeable lithium-ion battery.​

https://www.surefire.com/m600df-dual-fuel-led-scout-light.html

This seems to be a single mode light with the familiar Z68 tailcap from the catalog description.

Will a handheld two-mode version follow as the EDCL-2C perhaps?

 

[erehwyrevekool]

I know E-Series have the wall of the thread of body too thin if modded to host 18650 batteries, now I'd like to know about the new M600DF body and head threads, there are new threads w/ a new diameter? If so it is not compatible w/ all the other E-Series heads?! :thinking:

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

Good point about the E-Series head! I'm thinking the tail cap on the M600DF is standard since the description mentions a Z68 and the accessories appear to be standard Scout remote switches.

But the head must be different, as you point out, to accommodate an 18650. In the online catalog listing there are a couple of pictures of the M600DF with the head off. I suspect the front part of the head will have commonality with other E-Series lights but the back half has the larger threads for the 18650 body.

Do the CR123A's rattle in the larger M600DF body? Anybody remember the 'removable' sleeve in the early Surefire U2 lights?

Will the two-cell EDCL's migrate to a dual fuel configuration? Many of the previous Scout lights have E-Series analogues in the handheld flashlight line of products.

 

[Dingle1911]

This is what I found when I tested my EDCL2-T using K2 LPF cells. There was a drop off in brightness within the first minute or minute-and-a-half. It then leveled off at what I would estimate to be approximately 800 lumens and it held this brightness for the next 15 minutes. After that point brightness dropped off very quickly.

I am not sure if it is my particular K2 batteries or my EDCL2-T, but my 2-T does not work with the K2 batteries. I also found that the run time in the current generation Aviator is really short, approximately 1/3 of what I would get out of CR123s. For my use cases I find the K2s work very well in my EB1 back up.

I do like the EDCL-2T. I think it fits well in my collection and is useful.

 

[DayofReckoning]

Ran into something strange with my EDCL-2T. I've been using it periodically the last week or so, and a few days ago, when I put the light away, the high beam was still going strong. When I picked it up to use it today, no power. Cells completley drained. :thinking: Batteries were Surefire 123's.

No one used the light, and it didn't get accidently left on, as it was in a drawer. WTH??

Surely this light couldn't have any type of parasitic drain, could it?

 

[vadimax]

Ran into something strange with my EDCL-2T. I've been using it periodically the last week or so, and a few days ago, when I put the light away, the high beam was still going strong. When I picked it up to use it today, no power. Cells completley drained. :thinking: Batteries were Surefire 123's.

No one used the light, and it didn't get accidently left on, as it was in a drawer. WTH??

Surely this light couldn't have any type of parasitic drain, could it?

My guess: the tail cap was left twisted on the edge of a low mode activation; while putting it in a drawer or where it was the tail cap has twisted a bit (?) or got lateral force (just checked my 1-T — that does work) and low mode has been activated without being noticed by you.

Just my theory

 

[bykfixer]

When you turn it on high, it's in turbo mode. It steps down after a minute or so. Turn it off after say 22 seconds, turn it back on 14 seconds later and it's back to full blast.

So, say you turned it on 55 times at 22 seconds.... that would equal about 21 minutes.
SureFire says 1.0* hour (ansi spec). But what that means is being turned on high and left there meaning once the thermal step down occurs the drain on cells is greatly reduced from 3amps to about 1.8 amps.
Now if they left it at the full 3amp draw it would probably deplete the cells in about 25 minutes.

Would it activate on low? I remember one post where op was using his and it suddenly went dark. Like not even on low anymore.

This is one of those cases where the technology of light output is limited by it's fuel source. Like say... the P61 (or the M6) it was fun while it lasted.

I would surmize that those using this in those life/death situations would install fresh fuel cells before each op, much like ensuring their revolver cylinder has 6 rounds. For us mortals.... again I say it's fun while it lasts.

 

[DayofReckoning]

So, I was in that drawer a few times and the light definetley wasn't activated.

The light whould only come on in a moonlight mode when I tried turning it on, basically next to nothing.

It appears that this light does not give any warning or indication whatsoever that the cells are nearly exhaused. For a light that is supposed to be "tactical" that is bad, really really bad.

 

[InvisibleFrodo]

I was under the impression this was an EDC light, not a tactical light

 

[DayofReckoning]

I was under the impression this was an EDC light, not a tactical light

I assumed the "T" in EDCL-2T stood for tactical. Of course, what exactly defines a "tactical" light? That's a whole other can of worms.

Either way, I'm not happy about this light not giving a warning sign of depleted cells. What's really crappy is the low mode will not even run once the high beam is exhausted.

 

[bykfixer]

It's a tactical light that was designed with certain applications in mind. These days many special ops, swat etc have night vision gear as well. Folks who's life depends on it load it with fresh fuel before going out. You may notice in movies the soldiers carrying battery cases on their collarbone area.

The edc part means it's one that can be carried by all ranks of law officials from the door kicker to the plain clothes folks. But they are all trained to know the limits of their gear, including lighting tools.

True tactical lights are like firearms. When it's out of bullets, there are no more. A 357 revolver doesn't have a spare 22 round in case it is needed and the EDCL-2T is made for max brightness on demand. So if a fuel cell won't let it do it's job the user knows "it's out of bullets" so to speak.

True tactical lights are often misunderstood. The right tool for the job means it has limitations the masses don't find appealing. But to those who train with them it's like a revolver where you get 6 shots so they'd better count. Just like in the old SureFire days, runtime is short but very potent while it lasts.

This one takes things to the extreme like a 44 revolver that gives 5 shots. If the user needs more than that then it is not the appropriate tool for the task.

 

[BioMelodic]

I dissagree that this is a tactical light.... any light that has the potential to cycle to a "low" mode when the tail switch is pressed is not ideal for a tactical situation.... in fact, it could cost a life.

 

[bubbatime]

I dissagree that this is a tactical light.... any light that has the potential to cycle to a "low" mode when the tail switch is pressed is not ideal for a tactical situation.... in fact, it could cost a life.

I disagree with your disagree. THIS is the definition of a tactical light. The two stage gas pedal switch is an ideal tactical switching method. It does not "cycle" like a clicky cap.

I'm new to the board, but I can assure you I have a metric butt load of tactical training to include nighttime shooting and building clearing. These Surefire gas pedal lights are ideal for that.

 

[bykfixer]

Welcome to the site biomelodic.
I get your point.

Yet you must remember that folks train with new lighting tools before using them in their duty. They aren't issued for example a new type of tactical glove and sent out to duty right away. They spend time getting to know their new type of glove, helmet, lighting tool etc.

Now us regular folks? Yeah a gas pedal switch being used by Johnnie video gamer turned mall cop can be dangerous.

Me being a johnnie homeowner I bought a 1 setting Elzetta Bones for the reason you cite. Yet the EDCL2-T was purchased as part of a collection of SureFire tactical lights I use for recreation knowing I'm a johnnie homeowner.

Now maybe bubbatime can expand on getting familiar with a new tactical item....

 

[BioMelodic]

I stand corrected.... I was unaware this was a gas-pedal switch, thought it was clicky. So, yeah, I agree with it's tactical use. Apologies for my ignorance on the light.

Thanks for being polite and not ripping me a new a**hole!

 

[bykfixer]

We don't do that around here B.

Nope, not cool.

These days general folks get into tactical stuff as hobbyists. Nothing wrong with that.

Once upon a time my pop gave me the hook shaped game gutting knife that was his grandfathers. It was a rite of passage. But when he saw me using it to cut weed eater twine he just rolled his eyes and handed me a pair of poultry type industrial scissors and says "right tool for the job son".

I collect flashlights and with that am fascinated at the applications many are/were used for. And with all the hype around "all things tacti-cool" these days it's easy to see how some that are tailored for one use can be handy for others. That knife made for a mighty fine twine cutter with a quick pulling motion versus a normal blade knife.

I converted my EDCL2-T to a single mode clicky (with an EB1c tailcap) where I take advantage of the lockout feature and use a twist motion to turn it on. The gas pedal went to an EB1c I bought for the pencil beam to peer into pipes and manholes.

 

[Sean]

Ran into something strange with my EDCL-2T. I've been using it periodically the last week or so, and a few days ago, when I put the light away, the high beam was still going strong. When I picked it up to use it today, no power. Cells completley drained. :thinking: Batteries were Surefire 123's.

No one used the light, and it didn't get accidently left on, as it was in a drawer. WTH??

Surely this light couldn't have any type of parasitic drain, could it?

Check both batteries. See if one is dead and the other is still good. I've had this happen several times with Surefire batteries. Works one minute, turn it off and back on and it won't turn on because one cell died prematurely.

 

[DayofReckoning]

Check both batteries. See if one is dead and the other is still good. I've had this happen several times with Surefire batteries. Works one minute, turn it off and back on and it won't turn on because one cell died prematurely.

That very well could be the case. Unfortunately I've already pitched the cells so I can't check. But if it ever happens again, I will remember this suggestion.

 

[ch4ins4w]

I have been using my EDCL-2T for a week now and love it. This is my first E-series, and I want more! The light feels great in my hand and carries comfortably in my front left pocket. I like the two way clip. The two stage switch is a revelation. It's easy to select low and hi is always right there when you want it. I thought I would miss the clicky for full time on, but the twisty is smooth to operate. When I set the light up for bedside use, I rotate the twisty so that all I have to do is touch the tailcap to activate low. That way, there is no chance of accidentally pushing through to Hi and blinding myself when I am half asleep. Battery selection is my only dilemma. I like to use rechargeables. With a 16650, I get an excellent Hi, but the Low is too low to be useful except in full dark with night adjusted eyes. 16340 batteries have an excellent Low, a brilliant HI, and no runtime. The TIR beam is amazing on Hi. I was spotting coyotes in the woods, and the throw is good and the flood of the beam is useful like no other small light I have. I haven't tested it in the big pastures yet to see how far it really reaches, but so far, I am amazed. What type of LED is in there? I wonder if I swapped an XPL Hi in there if I would get a more lumens on Low and more throw on Hi? The icing on the cake is that I got it brand new with a coupon for $122 delivered!

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

Battery selection is my only dilemma. I like to use rechargeables. With a 16650, I get an excellent Hi, but the Low is too low to be useful except in full dark with night adjusted eyes. 16340 batteries have an excellent Low, a brilliant HI, and no runtime. The TIR beam is amazing on Hi.

I've had good results with high current IMR rechargeables on my EDCL-2T:

The only rechargeables I've had luck with on this light are high current IMR's from 4Sevens, Olight, AW and Exell.

The regular RCR123A's have a protection circuit that trips off in a couple of minutes on high from the current draw of the EDCL-2T.

I can hear the coyotes at night on the back forty but most of what I see with my light are coons and deer. This is indeed a great light for spotting wildlife. Lately I've been carrying the EDCL-2T and a SureFire T1A for stealth walks down a country road on a moonless night.
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