My first Surefire

[Illiya]

Hello All,
I am considering buying my first Surefire - a 9 volt such as the C3. In your opinions, is it worth the money? Thanks for your replies.

 

[Saaby]

Welcome Illiya. Is your name what I think it is? The french phrase "it is?"

I just got my first Surefire myself--a G2Z. It is a 6V, not a 9V. I would recommend it or a E2e. The 6V lights are very bright but should be smaller, and cheaper to run than the 9Vs.

 

[LEDagent]

Illiya, it depends on what you plan to use it for. If you are planning to use it for everyday use/carry, then a 9V may be a bit much for your needs. The 9V line is a little larger than the 6V series and do cost more to run.

But if you are considering a 9V SF and the C3 as your first choice, i'd say go for it! It is just as upgreadable as the D3 and Z3 but, in my opinion, looks better than the D3 and would seem easier to pocket than the Z3/m3/M3T.

But...like i said, it all depends on what you want to use your Surefire for. As for me, my E2 is on my ALL THE TIME and never gets in my way.

 

[FC.]

M2

Illiya is a Russian name also. Same as Illuisha.

 

[GeoffChan]

e2e,

Let Illiya start small for now, there is no doubt you'll buy another one later.

Geoff

 

[Viper]

I don't know if there is any flashaholic that is happy and content with just ONE surefire. Most people who buy one, end up having more (like me).

I went from 6P to M3 in about 2 months.

The 2 battery model is the easiet to conceal, but the 3 battery models pack a lot of light.

Again, it really depends on your use, and need for lumens.

 

[Sean]

I would start out with an E2 or E2e in HA finish. Both are brighter than a big 3D cell mag-lite and are very easy to carry. After owning a lot of Surefires I would say my E2 got used the most because it was small enough to always have with me.

If your heart is set on a 3 cell Surefire, then get the C3 in HA finish. It looks nice and holds up much longer than black. The C3 with standard bulb is not even 50% brighter (visibly) than the E2 or M2 but it is a nice light. The M3 is a bit better (shock isolated bezel and high/low bulbs included) but is more expensive. I think the C3 is a great light if it's the size & brightness you are looking for.

My personal opinion is that any light that I need bigger than a 2x123 cell light I would go straight for my Tigerlight, Ultrastinger or 10X because they are all very bright & rechargeable. M6 also works in this situation.

 

[Flashlightboy]

Illiya,

Welcome to our DB. I went through the same thing that you're thinking about and ended up buying an original 9P. (3 batteries just like the one you're considering) I've since added some upgrades and while it still remains my favorite SF, I think you'd be best served with the E2e or some other 6v model.

As others have said, a 9v light puts out a great deal of light but at what cost? Even if you buy batteries in bulk, it's still going to cost quite a bit an hour to run. I own many 6v lights and a couple of 9v models and I really think that while you'll end up with several models down the road, I like the E2e. The size/light ratio is great plus you have quite a few different lighting options. This one is a winner.

On the other hand, a regular 6v model has quite a few options available including being rechargeable and if still think you need a 9v light, you can buy the A19 adapter and have the light you want.

 

[Stingray]

I would also consider the 9P. One advantage is that it fits well inside a closed fist. The old, round ones (vs the new "flatsides" model) are even better. Thus, for defensive purposes, you can use the light to temporarily blind an assailant, then use the body as one would a roll of quarters to enhance a blow from the fist in self defense. The 9P, since it sticks out a little on each side of the fist, can also be used as a kubotan on pressure points to subdue an attacker. Add a TID and it enhances the defensive capabilities even more. Just my .02

 

[Stingray]

LOL....Jeff and I posted at the same time so I didn't see his post when I wrote mine.

Jeff makes a good point...you could get a 6P and an A19 adapter and have the best of both worlds.

However, once you get one surefire, you'll probably end up getting more, so the leggo approach may be meaningless to you in a year.

 

[Illiya]

Hello Everyone,
Thank you for all your replies and advise. This forum is great. I guess I am a Flashaholic too. I know I am getting an E2E for Christmas, so I would like a flashlight that is alot more powerful. Is there much of a difference in the distance a 6V versus a 9V Surefire flashlight shines? My thought was that if I have a E2E (6V), I should buy a 9V to see a real difference. However, I have never had flashlight of Surefire's quality. I am going to buy either a C2/Z2/G2Z or a C3/Z3.
My alias name of Illiya comes from an old TV show I used to watch in the 1960's called "Man from Uncle". The agent's name was Illiya Kuryakin.

 

[ygbsm]

My sugestion would be an M3 for the following reason. On a recent trip, when the men were all gathered on the porch smoking cigars etc. one guy pulled out his MAG charger and proceeded to try to impress everyone by showing how bright it was. Well, all I can tell you is that when I casually slipped out the old M3 and shone its beam next Mag's "beam" I was naturally hailed as the manliest of them all. The guy with the MAG later wanted to find out what sort of light I had and where one could get it.

 

[WaltH]

That's the first thing I though of Illya. I was a huge fan of the show. I believe his partner was David Solo.
I have the M3 and it's tied with the M2 as my favorite surefire.
Here's the link to a brand new M3 for 172 shipped. I would jump on it if you can.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001402
Get it if you can swing it. Then ket the KL2 19 LED bezel.

Enjoy

 

[ygbsm]

The M3 (and M2 for that matter) also offer a number of fun add-ons. The Click-on Lock Out Tailcap ("Charlie" tailcap) is very useful allowing you to have the convenience of push button constant on as opposed to twist constant on. The FM series filters for the M3 also look very impressive to both those in the know and the uninitiated.

The only problem is that once you go down that M3 road, there is no going back. When you accept that a flashlight costing nearly $200 dollars is not unreasonable, you may well soon find yourself with a whole menagerie of different "must-have" lights. I've been there. Actually, who am I kidding, I still am there.

But since you've already signed up for this forum, you're probably already lost to the flashlight disease anyway.

 

[jtivat]

The 9 volts light do not throw much farther than the 6 volt; if you are looking for throw then you need a Turbo Head. The T-heads can be used in 6v 9v or 12v configurations. Also by buying a 6v light you can then buy A-19 battery adaptors to change it to a 9v or 12v light you just need to make sure you use the right lamps.

 

[ygbsm]

jtivat

Your idea sounds great to me. More Power!!! You see, I have an old 9Z that is literally collecting dust and a KT1 (hopefully I can find it), while at the same time I have been contemplating something with more power and more throw than the M3 (e.g. the M3T, M4 or M6), but have just not wanted to spend money that I have allocated for lights of apparently equal cost, i.e. the A2. So this conversion sounds very attractive.

Now, suppose I wanted to convert an old 9Z to M4 like power (12V). That would seem to require an A19 (and the KT), but what lamp should I get? The MN61 handles 12V but would there be any size problems because it was designed for and M4 body? (I almost just ordered the lamp anyway out of sheer impatience, but rationality kicked in and I realized it was better to seek help -- not of course about flashaholism).

Thanks.

 

[llvo]

the 6V is good, but the 9V is great

it's slightly better in range while the hotspot is actually bigger and the spilt light is bright, too.

personally, to have a 'safe' feeling alone in the dark(not in your home), a 6V surefire is just not enough while a 9V P90(105lu)would be nice!

 

[Daniel Ramsey]

Go LED, get the M2+KL3 in HA and the clicky.
Then you have three optional light outputs, 19 lumens for long duration, 60 lumens for about an hour or 120 lumens for 20 minutes.

 

[jtivat]

Originally posted by ygbsm:
jtivat

Your idea sounds great to me. More Power!!! You see, I have an old 9Z that is literally collecting dust and a KT1 (hopefully I can find it), while at the same time I have been contemplating something with more power and more throw than the M3 (e.g. the M3T, M4 or M6), but have just not wanted to spend money that I have allocated for lights of apparently equal cost, i.e. the A2. So this conversion sounds very attractive.

Now, suppose I wanted to convert an old 9Z to M4 like power (12V). That would seem to require an A19 (and the KT), but what lamp should I get? The MN61 handles 12V but would there be any size problems because it was designed for and M4 body? (I almost just ordered the lamp anyway out of sheer impatience, but rationality kicked in and I realized it was better to seek help -- not of course about flashaholism).

Thanks.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes the MN61 will work with that setup. I have the MN60 225 lumens the MN61 350 lumens and the N62 500 lumens they all work. My most used is the MN60 it seems like it throws just as far to me and gets much better run time. The others just seem to putout a larger beam similar to a P61 over a P60.

 

[ygbsm]

Thanks! The MN60 it is. I can't wait!