New Surefire LX2

[RyanLF]

Hey guys! I've been lurking these forums for a while, and finally decided to create an account with the purchase of my new Surfire LX2! So far I love it! It's a nice upgrade to my two year old Fenix P3D :).

Quick question for you LX2 owners out there, does the LX2 come with any manuals or papers or anything? I bought mine from B&H photo, I'm a photographer and buy a lot of my camera gear there. When it arrived it looked like it was a returned item. The Surfire box was torn some on the top, and all that was inside was the light and lanyard. No manual or warranty card or anything. Batteries already installed. Is this normal? I don't really want a light that someone else returned... it worries me that they saw something wrong with it that I don't. To me the light seems to be fine, but it's also my first Surefire, so I don't have much to compare it with.

Thanks in advance everyone, I'm excited to finally be a member here!

Edit: B&H sent me a new one, over-night. A+ customer service. They didn't even make me send the old one back before the new one got here. Beamshot comparison between the two in post #20

 

[Hot Call]

I think it is supposed to come with the batteries installed but it is also supposed to come with a user manual flyer and a sheet that contains the serial number or something... That's how mine came and I bought it a week ago.

I would say yours is a return if it didn't have those forms.

Also anyone know if the new surefire lx2 still supposed to have that mismatch anodizing? I have a feeling mine is a return also because the box arrived in horrible shape and it still has the mismatch which I thought was a problem with the older lx2's. Also my led is not 100% centered is yours? Its off by about 3 degrees.

 

[RyanLF]

thanks for the reply! I guess I'll contact B&H and see whats up then. Thats frustrating.

To me, my led looks centered, and there is no mismatched anodizing. All the parts are the same dark grey. Good luck with yours!

 

[jp2515]

Hey guys! I've been lurking these forums for a while, and finally decided to create an account with the purchase of my new Surfire LX2! So far I love it! It's a nice upgrade to my two year old Fenix P3D :).

Quick question for you LX2 owners out there, does the LX2 come with any manuals or papers or anything? I bought mine from B&H photo, I'm a photographer and buy a lot of my camera gear there. When it arrived it looked like it was a returned item. The Surfire box was torn some on the top, and all that was inside was the light and lanyard. No manual or warranty card or anything. Batteries already installed. Is this normal? I don't really want a light that someone else returned... it worries me that they saw something wrong with it that I don't. To me the light seems to be fine, but it's also my first Surefire, so I don't have much to compare it with.

Thanks in advance everyone, I'm excited to finally be a member here!

If the light is new, it should come with everything: light, batteries, lanyard (sealed in its own packaging), a small manual, registration card and a card with info about the Surefire CR123s.

The batteries are installed in the light. If they have been used, there should be some swirly style wear marks on the bottom of the batteries.

If you had any doubts, I'd say return it.

I think it is supposed to come with the batteries installed but it is also supposed to come with a user manual flyer and a sheet that contains the serial number or something... That's how mine came and I bought it a week ago.

I would say yours is a return if it didn't have those forms.

Also anyone know if the new surefire lx2 still supposed to have that mismatch anodizing? I have a feeling mine is a return also because the box arrived in horrible shape and it still has the mismatch which I thought was a problem with the older lx2's. Also my led is not 100% centered is yours? Its off by about 3 degrees.

The mismatching color is normal with the HA lights. On amost all of my HA lights (E2, A2, Centurion) the body parts are slighty off colored. This has something to do with the way they are anodized and there is no guarantee all the parts will match 100%

About the non centered LED, some people were reporting that the early batches did have some off centered LED. Give Surefire a call (CALL THEM) and see if you can RMA it.

 

[dcycleman]

every surefire I have bought came with batts installed, a warranty card, battery card, registraion card, and lanyard if applicable. sounds like a return or the stores demo model. I bet the light is funtionaly fine somebody just took it out of the box for something. though the off center led would drive me bonkers.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

As you have noticed by our responses, your SF did not arrive the way it should have. Get back to the seller and complain. I am not sure that your seller is an authorized SF seller. You can check that out with Surefire by calling them.

BTW, there is a huge thread on the LX2 on CPF. Go to google, cpf only, at the top of every CPF page and google LX2, or SF LX2, or any combination of words indicating LX2, and something will come up, many things in fact.

:welcome:

Bill

 

[RyanLF]

Thanks for the detailed list of what I should expect in the box. I have sent an email to customer service, hopefully they'll remedy it. I really would rather not have to deal with returns and such, but I guess I have to. Is the light not covered by Surefire if I don't have the warranty card/registration card?

Bullzeyebill- thanks for the warm welcome. I'm not sure if the store I bought it from is an authorized dealer or not. I kind of doubt it. They carry most surefire models it looks like, but its an odd thing for them to carry. Like I said, they are a camera store really... I didnt even think to check if they were authorized. I figured since I've bought so much camera related gear from them without issue it wouldn't be a problem. *Sigh* oh well. lesson learned!

 

[Size15's]

Thanks for the detailed list of what I should expect in the box. I have sent an email to customer service, hopefully they'll remedy it. I really would rather not have to deal with returns and such, but I guess I have to. Is the light not covered by Surefire if I don't have the warranty card/registration card?

:welcome:

If the beam of your LX2 satisfies you then I suggest it doesn't need to be returned or any action taken beyond highlighting to the retailer that you are unhappy with the condition in which it arrived.

Whilst it would be useful to register your LX2 with SureFire, and it can sometimes expedite any issues that may arise, SureFire have an excellent track record of supporting their products, often in situations that would allow other manufacturers not to have or need to help you.
So I wouldn't worry about that either.

 

[dwever]

I respectfully disagree. You spend the money for a new LX2, it is reasonable to expect the packaging to be fresh, all documentation to be present, and the light not to have a previous owner unless the dealer discloses it. In some states under certain conditions it is illegal to re-sell returned merchandise as new particularly when there are missing parts or documentation. If that light crossed state lines to get to you from the retailer, that is a whole other set of laws.

Anyway, what if the buyer takes your advice, keeps the light, and it leaks the first time it gets really wet because a small o-ring was missing from the first owner. Moreover, if the light subsequently needs warranty work, and the light was purchased where it was not legally new, the manufacturer would not be legally responsible to honor it's warranty under certain conditions.

I've worked three wrecks in the rain with my LX2 and numerous traffic stops over the last two weeks (my Stinger is being fixed). I don't want to be guessing whether or not my light has a history or not before putting it to work.

You paid for a new light - get a new light.

 

[M I K]

If I was buying an advertised NEW SureFire light from a reputable SF dealer, and paying a full SF retail price, I would expect an absolutely Brand New light in the SureFire FACTORY SEALED box. PERIOD!

And by the way, Welcome to CPF!

 

[Bronco]

Wow, this is a bit surprising. Sending out second hand items as new? I didn't think B&H operated in this manner.

 

[Size15's]

There is always the possibility that the replacement will have a beam that is not as satisfying as the one you are currently happy with.
I personally would stick with the flashlight I am happy with, if it appears to be new and everything fits and functions etc.

I agree that if you purchased a new product you should get a new product.
It is important you raise what you've experienced with the retailer because it is not normal and I'm sure the retailer will be concerned about it as well.

If you're not bothered about the beam then of course speak to them about sending it back so you can get one brand new, sealed in box.

 

[Jethro]

I've bought literally 10's of thousands of dollars in photo equipment from B&H exclusively. I have a business account with them. I don't see them doing this type of thing on purpose. If you have concerns, call them and exchange it. They don't care, they just want you to be happy and a future customer.

 

[henry1960]

I've bought literally 10's of thousands of dollars in photo equipment from B&H exclusively. I have a business account with them. I don't see them doing this type of thing on purpose. If you have concerns, call them and exchange it. They don't care, they just want you to be happy and a future customer.

That makes a lot of sence to meeeeee :twothumbs

 

[RyanLF]

thanks guys, I've contacted them, but haven't got a response yet. I'm going to see if they'll do something like send me a new one before I have to send the old one back so I don't have to be without my flashlight, and I can compare the new and old. Or maybe they'll discount the new one or something. I am happy with my light as is, but I would rather have what I paid for. We'll see what customer service offers.

Jethro- I don't have a business account, but I too have bought 10-15k worth of photo gear from them over the years, I'm sure they'll make this right. Its just disappointing that it happened in the first place.

 

[dwever]

Wow Size 15. I did not know there was variance in beam between lights of the same model - I've just used what I've been given.

My LX2 has a broader beam and is good for flooding the inside of a vehicle on traffic stops, whereas my 185 lumen polystinger is tighter and reaches out further. My Pelican 7060 is in between. All three used for duty.

So to educate myself, are you saying that if I had another LX2, the wash pattern might be different? But the total lumens would remain the same right?

If so I'm glad to know that, because I plan on getting a Defender at the store I bought the LX2 (a gun store that carries some duty gear), so I should sample a couple to make sure I liked the beam?

Thanks!

 

[sfca]

I plan on getting a Defender at the store I bought the LX2

All I can say is if you get an LED defender to get the new one with the box packaging (like the LX2) and 200 lumen rating. Then - beamshots!

New Surefire E2DL 200 LUMENS?!?!

 

[Size15's]

So to educate myself, are you saying that if I had another LX2, the wash pattern might be different? But the total lumens would remain the same right?

In my experience the tint, beam intensity and output can all vary from one light to the next. This is most obvious when directly comparing lights and I don't consider it a big deal in use unless tint, beam intensity or output are obviously a bit 'off' even when the flashlight is used by itself.
I also think that some people are more sensitive to tint and output than others in terms of what they can actually see.
Of course as Flashaholics we can also be emotionally sensitive to these differences when 'normal' people wouldn't even notice and if they did they wouldn't care!

Al :)

 

[dwever]

Ok, thanks!! I am one of those 'normal' people - reliability is the big thing for me, but working nights I love the intensity of the new lights particularly when folks have illegally dark tinting.

 

[RyanLF]

Hey guys. Small update here. B&H was very nice and sent my replacement flashlight overnight UPS. I didnt even have to send the old one back before the new one got here. Pretty cool. A+ for their customer service. Glad I asked for a return! I'm happy now.

Here's a comparison between the two lights. You guys were right that the beam profile and brightness varies between light to light.

Two LX2's, brand new batteries, pointed directly at the wall, no tilting or anything.

Its not the best picture, a little bit blurry and grainy, but as you can see, the one on the right is a little more yellow, and the hotspot is off center! Is this what yours looked like HotCall? I am keeping the one on the left. It has a few more of the rings around it, but i can live with that. I like the rings more than the off center hotspot.

The one on the right looked a tad bit brighter, but the off center hotspot bugged me too much. Hope this helps you guys when you buy yours! It's an excellent little light.