Noob, Just Got First Surefire

[oracle5]

I didn't even start getting into flashlights until about a week ago when I discovered this forum and y'all have infected me. Never been into flashlights and only have three, a tri color Coleman Max I use for hunting, a 3d led Maglite for around the house, and a Streamlight Stylus Pro that I carry everyday.

Today I finally broke down and just went straight for a Surefire rather than beating around the bush and buying a bunch of cheaper ones and then buying a Surefire anyway. So today I got a 6P Led Defender. So far I'm impressed and can't wait until it gets dark outside so I can really test it. Just from testing it indoors seems brighter than my so called 115 lumen Coleman max flashlight even though the 6P is rated at 80 lumens and definitely has a lot better color to the beam than the Coleman.

 

[Search]

I miss my 6PL. I know the runtime could have been better, but that 80 lumens was enough for 100% of my needs.

Now I'm sporting a NailBender R4 drop-in in my 6P.


The first thing I would do to someone who like the 6P type lights would be to recommend they check into drop-ins. If you like primaries then you are set because they make some good drop-ins.

If you like rechargeable, ElectronGuru over in the Custom and Modiefied Buy/Sell/Trade forum would bore it to fit 18650 batteries. Of course, 17650, which will fit in a stock 6P, is just fine for a lot of drop-ins.

 

[balou]

Just from testing it indoors seems brighter than my so called 115 lumen Coleman max flashlight even though the 6P is rated at 80 lumens and definitely has a lot better color to the beam than the Coleman.

Most manufacturers specify the lumens directly at the LED, without calculating the losses at the reflector and the front window in. Up to one third of the light is lost due to this.

Also, Surefire state the minimum what their lights have, while other stating the max what a particular LED could have as output (see the "900 lumens" SSC P7 lights).

Third, they seem to sometime silently upgrade the LEDs to a higher lumen bin, without changing the specs (long-term contracts with the military could be a reason to not changing your product description).

And last but not least, Surefires often have a tighter hotspot, giving a higher spot brightness while having the same total light output as a floodier light of same lumens.

edit: Disclaimer: I'm not a Surefire fanboy, I don't own any Surefire, and I think they're overpriced, but I disagree with people who dismiss Surefire on the 'only 80 lumens' claim alone.

 

[jhc37013]

I have a 6P incan I have had for a couple years or more and never used it so now I have a perfect 6P host awaiting a drop in and a Z59 tailcap. I can't decide on drop in but im pretty certain it will be a M60 if I can ever get one.

 

[Search]

but I disagree with people who dismiss Surefire on the 'only 80 lumens' claim alone.

I hate to be "that" guy, but the 6PL is one of the lights that isn't really underrated or overrated, but just perfectly rated. Mr. Gman tested it at 82 lumens warm I believe. Warm or cold, it's closer than what some give.

The E2DL is the best example. Even if it's now more correctly rated. A lot of people don't realize how SF rates their incan lumens. They might be surprised.

However, I think most CPFers are "lumen spoiled". People have made it by with much less than 80 lumens. Unfocused too. If you gave most CPFers an 80 lumen light and said use nothing else, I bet they would all come back and say it did the job. Even if they wanted more.

I have a 6P incan I have had for a couple years or more and never used it so now I have a perfect 6P host awaiting a drop in and a Z59 tailcap. I can't decide on drop in but im pretty certain it will be a M60 if I can ever get one.

I recommend the NailBender R4 upgrade. Best thing I've ever owned. Get him to run it at 1.4 amps and it's a solid performer with primaries.

Plus, also being from TN, you should just listen to me

It seems pretty sturdy from my testings.

 

[jhc37013]

I recommend the NailBender R4 upgrade. Best thing I've ever owned. Get him to run it at 1.4 amps and it's a solid performer with primaries.

Plus, also being from TN, you should just listen to me

It seems pretty sturdy from my testings.

Awsome its always nice to see fellow CPF members fairy local. I live about 30 min SE of Nashville, if IIRC Milan is somewhere north of Jackson. Anyways I though about the Nailbender but worried it won't have the throw I'm looking for out of the 6P since its a R4, but 1.4 amps sounds nice.

 

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

You WILL resist but this is only the first of many Surefires to come. An A2 incan is in your future. And don't resist the M3/M6 urge when it comes on - they are awesome lights as well.

 

[Search]

Awsome its always nice to see fellow CPF members fairy local. I live about 30 min SE of Nashville, if IIRC Milan is somewhere north of Jackson. Anyways I though about the Nailbender but worried it won't have the throw I'm looking for out of the 6P since its a R4, but 1.4 amps sounds nice.

Yea thiry minutes SE of Nashville is still around an hour from the interstate (10 minutes away from my house if you drive right). The job market is a little better yall's way though

I'll put it this way. I've got a single mode E2DL, which means it was from the very first batch they made to sell. So it's safe to say I got one before they upgraded to 200 lumens. Mine throws as far as my TK10 did. That's the best way I have to explain. It still throws pretty good. I mean, 120 lumens and 200 lumens isn't really too big of a noticeable difference. Take in the optic and SF lumens and well.. I think you get it.

My R4 drop-in throws the same distance, but with an even bigger hot spot. It even has much more spill.

I don't foresee myself getting another light for a while. It's just perfect. The tint is perfect white, even on a white wall, and the color retention is the best I've seen.

I'm done writing my paper now.

 

[Dude Dudeson]

So today I got a 6P Led Defender. So far I'm impressed and can't wait until it gets dark outside so I can really test it. Just from testing it indoors seems brighter than my so called 115 lumen Coleman max flashlight even though the 6P is rated at 80 lumens and definitely has a lot better color to the beam than the Coleman.

I got the same model for my first Surefire last spring. It amazed me at the time, then I put a Malkoff M-60 in it.

The stock P-60L stays around in case I want the longer runtime, but so far it's been 230 lumen Malkoff goodness in that light since then!

You really should give one a try, you will NOT regret it!

 

[oracle5]

You WILL resist but this is only the first of many Surefires to come. An A2 incan is in your future. And don't resist the M3/M6 urge when it comes on - they are awesome lights as well.

I've already been thinking about getting the E1B Backup that I saw in the store also. I debated on which one I wanted more before going with the 6P mostly because it was cheaper than the smaller light. But it will be a little bit so I can get my funds back up for another.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I didn't even start getting into flashlights until about a week ago when I discovered this forum and y'all have infected me. Never been into flashlights and only have three, a tri color Coleman Max I use for hunting, a 3d led Maglite for around the house, and a Streamlight Stylus Pro that I carry everyday.

Today I finally broke down and just went straight for a Surefire rather than beating around the bush and buying a bunch of cheaper ones and then buying a Surefire anyway. So today I got a 6P Led Defender. So far I'm impressed and can't wait until it gets dark outside so I can really test it. Just from testing it indoors seems brighter than my so called 115 lumen Coleman max flashlight even though the 6P is rated at 80 lumens and definitely has a lot better color to the beam than the Coleman.

You know what you just did to yourself? There is no way out of this...

 

[carrot]

You know what you just did to yourself? There is no way out of this...

I agree, there's no going back...

 

[balou]

I hate to be "that" guy, but the 6PL is one of the lights that isn't really underrated or overrated, but just perfectly rated. Mr. Gman tested it at 82 lumens warm I believe. Warm or cold, it's closer than what some give.

You're not "that guy" Ok, so this light might not be underrated, but right on the spot. Seeing that most other lights are way overrated, my assumptions still hold true.

I read MrGmans thread again. Couldn't find a SF light that was way underrated in there... maybe that particular point isn't true, or they did rerate their lights, or it's just a SF light that wasn't tested by MrGman.

 

[GRB3]

My next purchase will be a Surefire. I think one about the size of my T1 is what I'm looking for. I just want to compare them.

 

[straightpuke]

Awesome I remember buying my first Surefire...it sure wasn't my last! It's very addicting. You just want to keep buying more and more.

 

[jimbo@stn23]

Awesome I remember buying my first Surefire...it sure wasn't my last! It's very addicting. You just want to keep buying more and more.

Likewise. I thought I'd do just fine with a L1. Then it was an L2, and so on to where I now have 6 and thinking I can stop when I get the LX2 and an E2E. Kinda like to start building a rechargeable light soon.

Yep, it just may be too late for me as well.

 

[GRB3]

I'm hooked. Just recently got into the PILA P series rechargeable batteries. Will they fit in a Surefire or just PILA flashlights. Also, can batteries like AW be charged in the PILA charger? So much to learn.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I'm hooked. Just recently got into the PILA P series rechargeable batteries. Will they fit in a Surefire or just PILA flashlights. Also, can batteries like AW be charged in the PILA charger? So much to learn.

Yes! And that's the best charger. :thumbsup:

Cheers.

 

[wykeite]

It's a terrible affliction. About 6 months ago I bought my first Surefire, a C2 HA. I was very impressed by just the feel of it in my hand, very grippy but not over aggressive knurling. Switching it on was a pleasure, the beam fantastic compared to my previous quality incan - a M*glite:candle:.

Next was a Z2 then E2E, E2D, another C2 HA body Z48 and KT1, C3 HA, M2 Strider, C2 BK, A2, another E2E, and lastly an M4.

I'm seriously thinking about a M3. Thank goodness I'm not an addict.

 

[DimeRazorback]

Go the M6 :thumbsup:

Rechargeable options galore!