first impressions of Surefire E2

[Coherence]

I just received an E2 today from

Lagger Professional Services

I ordered it Saturday online, arrived Tuesday, very fast service. Got the hard anodized version.

Very good beam quality, a little tighter and brighter than a focused Streamlight Scorpion.

Very solid feel, no rattling batteries when you shake it and smooth action rotating the end cap with no play in the threads.

I also own an E1, the E2 addresses all the issues I have with the E1:

For my hand the E1 is too short, and I have trouble using the button on the back reliably.

The belt clip on the E1 interferes with rotating the end cap.

The E1 is not bright enough for some uses.

That being said, I still like the E1, but the E2 is *really* nice. It has already become my "carry everywhere" light, along with a Photon 2.

About lamp modules - quote from the manual that came with the light:

"It comes with two new N-type lamps. The MNO2 Lamp (Ivory or clear collar) has a run time of 75 minutes and produces 60 lumens of light. The MN03 Lamp (Blue collar) has a run time 3 hours and produces 25 lumens of light."

Note the the manual has some obvious signs of being revised, for instance under 'Kit Contents' it lists as first item 'E1 Flashlight'

My light came with one module, the 60 lumen one.

bottom line: get one!

 

[axolotls]

The Surefire Catalog has

MN01 - 15 Lumen for E1 - 90 Min
MN03 - 60 Lumen for E2 - 75 Min

No reference to MN02.

 

[Tim Flanagan]

I just received 25 of the MN03's today. The sticker says:
MODEL MN03 LAMP ASSEMBLY
Lamp Assembly for E2 Flashlight.
60 lumen long run lamp.

I opened one of them and it's got the gray plastic spacers.

Incidentally, has anyone else noticed how clever SF is being using 35mm film canisters for lamps? The E1 lamps came in a baggie inside the film canister, but the MN03's come packed soldily in foam inside. Pretty well thought out if you ask me.

There was some talk about a long running MN02, but that may have been shelved in favor of the high output lamp that has been greenlighted for the E2 (E1 has one on the way as well).

I still have a handful of the lamps left if anyone needs any (hope this isn't viewed as too commercial- I'll edit if you feel offended).

 

[Brock]

The E2 is now my favorite light. The first one I pick up for everything.

I also have heard rumor the MN02 is slated to be a long run light, about 25 to 30 lumens. I can't wait for that, and an E3, and......

Brock

 

[ToddM]

Oh yeah, a E2 with a 60 lumen 75 min bulb and a 25 lumen 3 hour bulb oh yeah sign me up

Now if they could only get the second bulb to fit in the tailcap

Todd

 

[Size15's]

Now I really can't wait to get one!

Al

 

[Bucky]

Have you ordered your E2 yet Al?

Mine should be here by the weekend

. I cannot wait to get it. I cannot wait for the high-ouput lamp either. About 120 lumens from a light that small will really be amazing

.

Bucky

 

[Size15's]

I get paid next week, and then I can buy one.
I'm considering a variety of sources:
Tim, BrightGuy, AGR, Botach [just kidding about Botach!

]
Also, I'm giving SpyCatcher in London a chance...

I'm kinda busy in my final year at University, but I want an E2. I mean, Really WANT!!

Could be a couple weeks yet

I have some very cool SureFire proto-types to be field-testing.
I'm getting;
"What the @%&* is that?!"
And
"Wow! That's so cool!!"

Tomorrow, an Art Student is taking photos of my "big torch". She's very impressed with the M6 too

. And we'll burn a few photos onto CD... Maybe PK will post some if they're any good.

Al

Bucky,
Don't get your hopes up too high for a high output E2 Lamp Module anytime soon... I'd love one too! (I can see heat being an issue - maybe requiring cooling fins or Pyrex lens atleast...

)

 

[Bucky]

Al, why do you think that the heat from a high-ouput E2 lamp would be more of a problem than the P61 in a 6P, G2 or etc.?

I must be missing something, please help me out

.

BTW, I'm thinking a pyrex lens would do just fine, the cooling fins would add too much extra size to the E2.

Thanks, Bucky

 

[Size15's]

The size of the Reflector Bezel of the E Series is far smaller. The whole thing would heat up more quickly, yes?
There is less of a flashlight to conduct the heat away, and I think the bulb would be closer to the lens. So Lexan may melt...

I've run the P61 constantly for 10-15 minutes, and it does run hot! There will be other factors, but putting a 120Lu Lamp in the E2 would creat a very hot flashlight.

Now, I'm just thinking this, and maybe this isn't an issue at all!
(I hope - we all hope)

I suppose I'm just being a pessimist so I can be pleasantly surprised!

I'm working on confirming that what Tim writes is true (I want to believe)

Al

 

[Tim Flanagan]

Al,
That little tidbit of info was from your namesake at LP. They are testing and/or manufacturing the E1 hi-po and the E2 hi-po has the go-ahead for full run-ups. Unless they find a heat issue, or other impenetrable problem, I do expect a hi-po E2 lamp as well. Al assumed 30 minutes at 100-120 lumens- works for me!

Your other suppositions are correct- the lamp itself is closer to the lens as well as the walls, and it would heat up faster. OTOH, if you have the hi-po lamp in, chances are good you're NOT using it as a utility light, so you "probably" won't be running it for max burntime. That's my supposition.

BTW, I no longer have any of the MN03's available that I mentioned above. All sold in very short order.

 

[Bucky]

I guess I make the mistake of operating under the assumption that everyone uses their lights the same way that I do. I never operate my light for more than 30-60 seconds max. That is not to say that other people don't use them for longer each time, but I would guess most people use the SureFires much like I do.

It goes without saying that leaving a light on for 10-15 minutes continuously would create a small heat problem, but I don't think that is an issue for most of us.

Speaking of heat problems, I hope that those who use the E2 with the normal lamp do not experience problems after extended usage. Maybe a pyrex lens would be a good idea even without the hipo lamp.

Bucky

 

[redbird]

Add me to the list of satisfied E2 owners. Had it only one day and it is now my always carry light.

In a short time we will wonder how we got along without it.

I would add another unit to have one with a 30lu bulb, the burn time would be great to have. Ditto for the 120 bulb.

 

[Size15's]

This is good news Tim!

I have to say that I normally only use brief "flashes" of my flashlights - especially the SureFires. I find the output is of such high quality, I can quickly take in my surrounds with short bursts of light.

I have run the P60s for quite some time, same as the other standard lamps. I tend to use the high output lamps for no more than 30 seconds to a minute. I find this gives me more bursts at a higher brightness level which is more useful to me than a constant gradually reducing output...

Thanks for your update Tim. 100Lu for 30 minutes sounds fantastic!

Al

 

[Brock]

Tim, have you heard anything on the low power lamp for the E2? I beleive it was the MN02. That would be great for long use situations. If it has a smaller beam, maybe half the size, but the same intensity, I would probably use it all the time.

Brock

 

[Tim Flanagan]

Brock,
I don't have anything current on the MN02, save that the literature with all the E2's states that you receive it and the MN03 (you don't). I'll check again with my rep to find out if it's still in the works. I'll take 60 lumens for 75 minutes personally, but you use your light for work, so the extra burntime would be better for your needs. I'll post when I get further info.

 

[Size15's]

Mine's on the way...
[From Tim Flanagan]

Looks like I'll be using him again.

If you need very specific parts from SureFire, why not look Tim up under the definition of "Excellent Customer Service"?

Al

 

[paranoid9999]

Originally posted by Size15s:
[QB]I get paid next week, and then I can buy one. I'm considering a variety of sources:
Tim, BrightGuy, AGR, Botach [just kidding about Botach!

[/b]

Two days ago I received two Hard-Anodized E2's from Botach. They do have them at 56.25 plus $6 for the HA version. Yes, their service borders on the criminal...but the more orders you do, the better their service gets. Don't ask me why, it doesn't make sense to me either.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Size15s has the right idea get it from some one you can trust