please help me decide which SF

[**DONOTDELETE**]

hi everyone,
im new to this board, and seem to have a flashlight obsession. (My gf thinks its OCD, haha) Anyway my birthday is coming up and I was interested in getting a surefire light. I want something fairly small that I can just keep in my pocket. I have been to the surefire website like 500 times, read this message board and still can't decide. I was looking into the E2E, and others of the same size. Is it better to get an M2 becasue it has the P61 lamp? Is that alot brighter than the E2E? Or is the C3 small enough to carry around? Arghhh, I really don't know what to do. Any info is appreciated. Thanks!
-Mark

 

[Quickbeam]

hojobones - Welcome aboard!

You're about to get an onslaught of replies that say "get an E2, you won't be disappointed". They're right. It's a great little light. Very pocketable and bright. The other lights (other than an E1) are not going to go into a pants pocket (a jacket pocket, perhaps...) as they are just a bit too large for that.

 

[revolvergeek]

Ditto Quickbeam. E2 is the 'if you could have only one surefire' flashlight.

 

[Size15's]

You want a SureFire for EDC pocket carry?

The E2e is the one to go for.

The M2 is impressive by any 2 cell standards, but it's bigger, and not suited for pocket carry.

Go for it!!

Laters,

Al

 

[WaltH]

I have to agree with the others on their recommendation of the E2e. However, if you are willing to clip it to your belt you'll be quite impressed with the M2. It is a much more durable light and substantially brighter due to the P61 lamp option, and the larger bezel.
If you don't need the shock isolation then I say E2e all the way. You will be impressed with the 60 lumens. It's equivalent to a 4D maglite with a much better beam.

 

[axolotls]

I only have one Surefire.. and it's the E2e. I think it's the best, albeit a bit pricey ($85) compared to a Gaglight. I would love a 10X but... what's that cost now $6,000?

 

[brightnorm]

hojobones,

I agree with other Flashaholics that the E2 is a superior light in a remarkably small package, and is one of the Surefire products that best fit your criteria.

Bear in mind, however, that the E2 is designed more as a general purpose light than as a true tactical light, and has a widely dispersed beam that makes it significantly "dimmer" than all other Surefire lights except the E1.

If your "fairly small" description can include something a bit larger than the E2, then I would recommend the G2 Nitrolon. This is the size of the original 6P, which is smaller than current models because of the round bezel. It doesn''t have a lockout tail cap, but has an equally effective "lockout bezel" (as does the standard E2). The G2 has some powerful advantages of its own. It is remarkably light, at 4oz only one ounce heavier than the E2, and its beam, even with the P60 lamp is much more powerful (because of tighter focus) than the E2's. With the P61 it becomes a very intense 120 L light.

If I wanted a 2x123 Surefire for EDC that was as small as the smallest non-E2, almost identical in power to the M2, and lighter than any other non-E2 I would choose the G2.

Years from now, as you gaze fondly upon your massive flashlight collection, perhaps your recollections will drift gently back to this day, as you remember with amused nostalgia the momentous decision of buying your first Surefire.

Welcome aboard!

Best regards,
Brightnorm

 

[Glow Bug]

I have the M2 and E2e. If I were carrying my pistol, I would carry the M2. If I wanted a lightweight compact very good all around light, E2e. I have to admit, of 6 different Surefires I own, the E2e is my favorite. Get the nylon holster for it too.

 

[Sean]

If you want bigger, brighter, shock isolated bezel & combat grip get the M2. (comes with both P60 65 lumen bulb for 60 min & P61 120 lumen bulb for 20 min).

If you want smaller, easier to carry everywere, everyday get the E2e. It is much samller. It comes with a 60 lumen bulb is is about the same brightness and usefulness as the M2 with P60. The E2e has longer battery life (75 min) and will very soon have a low-power 25 lumen bulb that will last 150 minutes! This makes it more economical to use.

But, eventually you will buy both anyway.

 

[txwest]

IMHO, the E2 or E2e is the only one that fits the pocket carry spec, unless you meant jacket pocket. I think I like the E2 better than the E2e, but I doubt many others would agree here.

TX

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks everyone for your help! I will soon be ordering my first, but not last, surefire. Due to your responses I think I am going to go with the E2E. Then I will save some money and wait for all the new models that I read about in the catalog to come out. Thanks again everyone, and I look forward to posting here in the future.
-Mark

 

[Lonewolf]

hojobones it is truly difficult to understand how small the E2e is and yet it puts out the same amount of light as a 4 cell mag. If you have a Versapak (Black & Decker) batteries around that is how long the light is the bezel is the same width and the body is narrower. I hope this helps you get a feel for the dimensions. I know it hasn't been mentioned but get a SC1 while you are at it. Great way to carry 6 123's in a waterresistant and crush proof container.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by txwest:
...I think I like the E2 better than the E2e, but I doubt many others would agree here.

TX<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm one of those who would agree.

BN