just cought the bug - need help

[dbdeath]

new to the forum and looking to buy my first real flashlight. I am leaning towards a surefire but cannot pick which model, E1, E2, C2 ?? I will carry it often,walking the dog pre dawn and after dusk and to work. I would also like it to have tactical aplications since I work in some tough areas. Is surefire the way to go? If so which model? If not which other light to get? Thanks.

 

[FlashlightOCD]

Please do not rely on any flashlight to help you much in a tough situation [unless it has an attached pepperspray or stun gun]. The "Temporarily Blinds an Attacker" is way oversold, especially in the hands of a layman.

Tigerlight makes a very bright rechargeable light with a pepper spray dispenser for around $100, but it is large and heavy as compared to most of the Surefire product line.

Surefire makes excellent high-end flashlights. The E2e is an very good small sized light under $100, but it doesn't leave many options for expansion. The C2 is a bit larger and is also more expensive but it provides more opportunities for expansion.

The Surefire L4 is a great little 5W LED, but beware that Surefire is getting ready release L5 and L6 in the near future. You may want to hold off if your interest is in a LED light.

I suggest you read about the various options in this forum and the various review sites until you feel ready to buy one, then go out ... and buy all of them!

 

[hula]

Welcome dbdeath,

Surefire are indeed trusted flashlights and personally I'd go for something like an E2E. Small, powerful and not too expensive but it is incandescent. Whilst this is no disadvantage you might find you prefer the very white light offered by a Luxeon Star LED alternative. In this case a Surefire L4 might be more suitable if a touch more expensive. A Pelican M6 is similar to a E2E and has a long throw but it is cheaper and therefore not quite of the same quality. The l4 and other similar commercially available LED flashlights could be argued to offer less of a tactical advantage as they do not offer a bright hotspot at distance. There are alternatives that can offer the best of both worlds however these are modified lights and therefore have a premium to match. If you fancy one of these checkout the postings on these forums. Really the adage -
'Speeds just a question of money - how fast do you wanna go?' does apply.

Hula.

 

[sunspot]

Don't forget the Sure-fire G2. The least expensive (<$30)light at SF and uses the same lamp as the 6P.

 

[Hoghead]

dbdeath
My vote goes to the Surefire A2. With the A2 you gain regulation for the incandescent and 15 to 20 hour runtime with the LEDs. Read a lot before you buy and enjoy your search.

 

[mporter]

Don't decide without checking out the Arc LSH-P. It may be the best combination of pocketable size, quality build, pure white beam, and power there is. It's always in my pocket even when my Surefire A2 stays home.