Couple of questions about a SF 6P and G2L

[BJE]

I have been looking for a first good light to edc. I checked out my local B&M store and it seems they have some decent prices on Surefire lights. They had a 6P incan and a G2 LED for about the same price. I am a little torn, I like the look and quality feel of the 6P but I like that the G2 is brighter and has MUCH longer runtime. I also like the fact that the G2 won't show as much wear, although I take good care of my stuff so it isn't that big a deal.

I am not sure if I want to go incan or LED, what are the pros and cons of both (as it applies to these models, I know there are many that are brighter, ect.)? From my limited understanding, LED offer longer runtimes and cooler opperation in addition to near indestructability. Wheres the incans are brighter with a more natural color and offer longer throw? If I get the 6P, I forsee an LED upgrade for longer runtime in the future. Would it just be worth it to get the LED version in the G2 now? If I do stay incan on the 6P, do they take well to rechargeables? I am leaning towards the 6P now because I like the design a little better, and picking up some upgrades down the road when money is more plentifull.

Do either models come with a holster? I will be carrying the light on my belt but I didn't see one in the package. They did have a V70 for $30 but it looked bulky and like it would scratch the light. Do you think it can be modded to allow the light to sit lower and to remove the metal clip while keeping some retention? Any reccomendations for a budget holster?

I am going to go back tomorrow and look at them again. I am very new to this and I hope I am making good choices in reguards to my light choices. The G2 is actually a few dollars higher than the 6P but I am not sweating a couple bucks if it will be a better value in the long run. Please help me out as I hope to return in the morning with a new light.
Thank You,
Brian E.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Welcome to CPF. Do you have some time to do a little searching on CPF tonight? If so, type in G2L in the Google Search, cpf only bar at the top of every CPF page, and click on Google Search. Some good info should come up.

Bill

 

[Yoda4561]

My suggestion is the 6p. The aluminum body will allow you to run full power LED aftermarket dropins (like the malkoffs which are very popular around here) as well as allow you to bore out the battery tube 1mm to fit 18650 rechargables without affecting the integrity of the light. If you get a G2 I'd suggest finding an incandescent one cheap, and getting a medium power LED dropin that is NOT a p60l. You can use rechargables in both lights, but the 6p is capable of running 18650's after boring out the battery tube, the G2 will be stuck with 17mm or smaller batteries. Be sure to do plenty of research here on the safe use of lithium rechargables, do it right and its as safe as charging your cellphone or laptop, but the wrong kind or improper charging can result in serious fires and explody things.

 

[Policetacteam]

I use the G2L and run a Malkoff M60 in it! Great light that is now blindingly bright! The G2L has the aluminum head so no issues with heat. As for the holster..I would not try to mod the holster or you will risk damaging it and rendering it useless. The V70 works very well and should be left as is. The holster will not cause any damage to the G2L so I would not worry about it! Good luck and welcome to CPF!

 

[jbosman1013]

:welcome: Buy what ever one you want for now because it won't be your last.

 

[Grox]

Welcome to CPF!

Aesthetics are something only you can decide As someone who has the G2LED and the 6P, I think that both look nice. If you are getting the G2LED with a metal bezel (bezel=head bit) you might not like that as much.

Be aware that the G2LED only puts out its 60-80 lumens for maybe 3.5-4 hours before dropping off - however, this is considerably better than the incandescent P60 which only runs for an hour! If the colour of light is important to you, you might prefer one over the other. Whether LED or incandescent is better to see by is a controversial topic on this forum but it's safe to say that only YOU will be able to tell which you prefer. I personally prefer incandescent colour rendition.

The great thing about the 6P/G2 is that there are so so many 'drop ins' (aftermarket modules) you can just put into the light. The 6P is more flexible with taking dropins later on.

I can highly recommend the stock SF P60LED and the malkoff M60 dropins.

You can't run the stock P60 with rechargeables - you'll have to buy a new bulb and batteries. I will say that there is a GOOD variety of incandescant dropins that run on rechargeable batteries - you can run your light for pennies (cents here)!!! We call that guilt free lumens

Neither come with a holster - but aftermarket holsters are readily available.

Good luck! With many of these things there is no right answer - you'll have to buy and find out for yourself what you prefer. Check out the CPF marketplace - you can pick up GREAT bargains there.

 

[BJE]

My suggestion is the 6p. The aluminum body will allow you to run full power LED aftermarket dropins (like the malkoffs which are very popular around here) as well as allow you to bore out the battery tube 1mm to fit 18650 rechargables without affecting the integrity of the light. If you get a G2 I'd suggest finding an incandescent one cheap, and getting a medium power LED dropin that is NOT a p60l. You can use rechargables in both lights, but the 6p is capable of running 18650's after boring out the battery tube, the G2 will be stuck with 17mm or smaller batteries. Be sure to do plenty of research here on the safe use of lithium rechargables, do it right and its as safe as charging your cellphone or laptop, but the wrong kind or improper charging can result in serious fires and explody things.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! I am not so concerned with boring a tube out any big mods. I just want a good light now that I can tweak whenever I get the itch. I did do some research on both models, but both had very good reviews. I wasn't sure which would be the better value given the almost identical price.

How does the Streamlight Strion compare to the other two? I found one pretty cheap and am now considering that as an option.

 

[farmer17]

Either light is great and its up to you to pick which one. The polymer G2 is nice in cold weather and you can hold it in your teeth. The 6P is heavy duty and might make a better weapon, it's a pleasure to look at because of its fine machining and craftsmanship. Someone recently remarked that Gander Mountain had G2s for 25 bucks and I bought my 6P off of Ebay for 42 bucks shipped with batteries. I would buy the incan version of either light then buy a drop in LED mod from Malkoff(expensive, high quality) or Deals Extreme(cheap, toss up quality).

 

[BJE]

Well, I picked up a 6P and a nylon holster today from my local sporting goods store. I really like the way it feels and I can definatley tell it is a quality light. I am used to LED lights so the slightly yellow beam is different but welcomed. I looked at a Streamlight Scorpion and it had alot further throw than the 6P does, but didn't have the same feel and I liked the simpler design of the 6P better. I was expecting the SF to be a little brighter, but it does have a nice beam that is plenty bright enough for my uses. I will probably upgrade the bulb in the near future to reduce battery consumption. Any suggestions on an inexpensive LED drop in that is bright but is still good on runtime? I am also used to reverse clicky switches that are recessed like on my P2D, I might try to pick one of those up as well, any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks for the help in making a decision.

 

[jimmy1970]

Well, I picked up a 6P and a nylon holster today from my local sporting goods store. I really like the way it feels and I can definatley tell it is a quality light. I am used to LED lights so the slightly yellow beam is different but welcomed. I looked at a Streamlight Scorpion and it had alot further throw than the 6P does, but didn't have the same feel and I liked the simpler design of the 6P better. I was expecting the SF to be a little brighter, but it does have a nice beam that is plenty bright enough for my uses. I will probably upgrade the bulb in the near future to reduce battery consumption. Any suggestions on an inexpensive LED drop in that is bright but is still good on runtime? I am also used to reverse clicky switches that are recessed like on my P2D, I might try to pick one of those up as well, any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks for the help in making a decision.

There are many stories of people on this very site that have been tempted by the cheap prices available on the chinese drop ins -some getting good results, some not getting good results. IMHO, a Malkoff for $49-$55 is a much better investment.

You may find a slightly lower price on MarketPlace but the Malkoffs do tend to hold their value well.

Good luck with it.

James...

 

[farmer17]

I bought a Deals Extreme R2 drop in 6 or 7 months ago for my 6P and have been totally happy with it. If it breaks you are only out 13 bucks and it is very bright and I have no complaints about the beam or the color. I'm sure the Malkoffs are nice and maybe a hair brighter, ....but I ain't spend'n 55 bucks on a little light bulb! It's your money though and Malkoffs are very highly thought of. SureFire has add on forward clicky type tail caps but I have not bought one. I hear their customer serice is very good.

 

[lightplay22]

I recently purchased a 6p just to put a M60 Malkoff in and am VERY happy with it. The only negative I can find is that you can't really use it for close up work unless of course you have sunglasses on.

 

[jimmy1970]

I recently purchased a 6p just to put an M60 Malkoff in and am VERY happy with it. The only negative I can find is that you can't really use it for close up work unless of course you have sunglasses on.

I bought another 6P to use only as a host yesterday. Now I have a 6P with an M60 and another 6P with an M60 WLF.

I had been trying to find one light that can do everything - I've given up! Two separate lights that have a form factor I like and with 2 completely different beam types - the perfect combo for me.

(I must admit, I use the M60WLF most of the time, but it's nice to have another light that I can grab quick for long range use).:thumbsup:

Take care

James...