Disappointed in my new Surefire E1e.

[mrmojorising]

I've been buying and using Surefire lights for many, many years and this is the first time I've ever been less than impressed with their quality.

I just got in a new E1e and I'm shocked Surefire quality control let it out the door like this, with:

-Mismatched ano, the head, switch and body are three different colors
-Switch itself feels soft and doesn't have a firm click like my other E1e
-Threads at the head and tail are cut very rough and look horrible
-The machining around the bezel looks unfinished and has a clear burr

So far the little Surefire functions 100% which is the most important thing, but when lights costing half as much have fit and finish twice as good it does sting a bit.

And there is also the possibility I'm the lucky recipient of the rare Surefire lemon. My luck does run that way on occasion.

 

[Tempest UK]

By all means contact SureFire if you're not satisfied with the light.

The variation of colour in the anodising, however, is perfectly normal. If all of the parts of the flashlight were gathered and then anodised together they would most likely display a uniform shade of anodising, but this is not the case. Different parts are often anodised in batches, resulting in slight variations.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[Size15's]

I suggest you call SureFire and see about arranging to have it returned for replacement.

SureFire's have never had matching anodising shades from component to component. They are anodised for physical performance (thickness etc) rather than for looks.

The poor quality threads and machining are worrying and why I suggest you give SureFire a call.

Are the two clickie TailCaps you have the same internals? If you can share a photo of their insides it'd help determining whether the difference is due to a change in the mechanical design/

 

[tango44]

Send it back with a letter telling what do you think and and ask for a replacement.

For the price that we paid for those products it has to be 100% out of the box.

 

[blinder switch]

Just as everyone else is saying call SureFire. One of my E1e lights had a problem and they fixed me up and in a good time turn around at that.

 

[mrmojorising]

Are the two clickie TailCaps you have the same internals? If you can share a photo of their insides it'd help determining whether the difference is due to a change in the mechanical design/

Actually they're not. The older E1e has a soldered contact spring while the new one looks friction fit or maybe held with plastic tabs? Not sure about the actual internal differences as I'm not sure I want to break this one down or send it back.

 

[Gunner12]

Mismatched Anodizing is normal for HAIII lights. I don't remember exactly why but with HAIII it can be hard to have a consistent color. But if they are way off, them there might be a problem.

I remember reading somewhere that Surefire has switched their clickies so maybe the newer ones are softer?

The other ones do sound like a mistake though and you might want to contact Surefire as everyone else has said.

 

[superflytnt]

I'm sorry for being so off topic but I'm just curious why you went with the E1E instead of the E1L seeing as the L stomps it's incan brother in every catagory save color rendition (only in a couple of circumstances and usually outdoors)? I used to have one and, compared to their 6V+ lights, the beam was nearly as yellow/orange as a MM and the runtime was weak as well. For the price I'm surprised that they still sell these....................

 

[mrmojorising]

A quick and dirty shot of the two tailcaps.

Old on the left, new on the right....

 

[mrmojorising]

I'm sorry for being so off topic but I'm just curious why you went with the E1E instead of the E1L...

I need these to fit in a very specific location.

E1e = 3.4 inches in length
E1L = 4.0 inches in length

 

[Illum]

mismatched anodizing is something that usually can't be helped, as surefire do not anodize a batch of lights at once, batches of components are anodized at once, as a result the color will shift from barely noticeable to absolutely unbelievable

personally, I prefer a softer switch because my last Z57 became firm and eventually broke apart internally and the firmness gave me a rather negative impression.

For all machining issues, call surefire...its definitely NOT normal:candle:

 

[superflytnt]

I need these to fit in a very specific location.

E1e = 3.4 inches in length
E1L = 4.0 inches in length

Something like a Nitecore EX10 might perform a little better given that size restriction (as will many others). Unless, of course, you want to stick solely to SF in which case that's your only option...........................

 

[kramer5150]

give am a call, let SF fix it.

 

[Size15's]

Thanks for the photo - your new TailCap (Z57) is the current, latest generation and I doubt there is anything wrong with it.

 

[NoFair]

Thanks for the photo - your new TailCap (Z57) is the current, latest generation and I doubt there is anything wrong with it.

I got one like your new one as a replacement from Surefire and it is working perfectly (Thanks SF CS:wave.
Seems sturdier than the old one (1. gen Z57?) it is replacing.

Sverre

 

[PhotonBoy]

The change from a soldered connection may be due to changes in manufacturing legislation in attempts to reduce or eliminate lead in electronics components and circuit boards.

 

[mrmojorising]

Thanks for the photo - your new TailCap (Z57) is the current, latest generation and I doubt there is anything wrong with it.

No it functions fine so far, it just feels mushy compared to the older switch.

 

[CandlePowerForumsUser]

thats how the E1B clicky feels too. its the new clicky and works fine, hasn't failed yet.

No it functions fine so far, it just feels mushy compared to the older switch.

 

[CampingLED]

Don't want to start a new thread and thought I could ask my SF clicky question here.

Received my SF 6PD a week ago and the forward clicky is very hard to press, i.e. for it to click. Momentary on is fine, but the clicky needs more force than my cheap reverse clicky MTE Rebel light of which people complained about the force required on the clicky. To give an example, my 13 yr old son cannot activate the clicky by holding the light in only one hand.