I'm not exactly new here, but i've been kinda in the background for a long time. I've been wanting a surefire 6pl for a long time and finally acquired the extra funds to make it happen. The best price I've found is 69.99 from an amazon dealer which sounds like a pretty solid price. I was just wondering if you guys knew of a place with better prices, or had a better light suggestion for my dollars. Thanks a bunch.
surefire 6pl???
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carl8190
Banned
Just to try help go on ebay and type in solarforce l2 they are surefire copies but very well built just as good at around $20 have a look may save yourself a lot. I live in the uk and it cost £19 deliverd from hong kong mine arrives soon 
joshconsulting
Enlightened
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Get an L2p. For $35 you'll get a build virtually identical to the 6P with the added bonus of a HAIII coating that will be far more wear and scratch resistant then the 6Ps cheaper type two coating.
Yes, to answer the OPs actual question, the price you were quoted is a decent price. I've found some on ebay in the past that were "almost" new overstock items (without packaging) with varying success for about $50-$55. Some were in perfect condition, some were slightly dinged up. If you want a brand new one then $69.99 is a good price.
carrot
Flashaholic
IMHO don't bother with the Solarfire lights. They are decent for the money but they do not measure up to Surefire build quality.
$69 is in fact a good price but I heard recently (from EDCForums) that Lowes is closing out 6PL's for $42. This is all just hearsay as far as I'm concerned but if there is a Lowes near you, might as well check it out first. Certainly a deal worth checking up on.
Go for the real deal. Hundreds of aftermarket accessories are designed for the Surefire 6P and the only way to know they'll work for sure is to use the genuine thing, not a cheap clone.
For instance, the premium LED drop -in for the Surefire is the Malkoff Devices M61 (for when you're ready to upgrade), and it does not work quite right in the Solarforce, whereas it works perfectly in the dozens of Surefires I own.
$69 is in fact a good price but I heard recently (from EDCForums) that Lowes is closing out 6PL's for $42. This is all just hearsay as far as I'm concerned but if there is a Lowes near you, might as well check it out first. Certainly a deal worth checking up on.
Go for the real deal. Hundreds of aftermarket accessories are designed for the Surefire 6P and the only way to know they'll work for sure is to use the genuine thing, not a cheap clone.
For instance, the premium LED drop -in for the Surefire is the Malkoff Devices M61 (for when you're ready to upgrade), and it does not work quite right in the Solarforce, whereas it works perfectly in the dozens of Surefires I own.
Wait a minute... All Surefires are HA-III, aren't they? They all seem to be, IME...
I would say that's a fir price, OP... The incan. version is available locally for about $72, so that seems like a good price. Also, you get Surefire's customer service. Something you don't get with a solarforce, etc.
carrot
Flashaholic
The 6P, 9P and Z2 are the only aluminum models that do not have the option for hard anodize. Some aluminum models come in both, although I believe the non-HA models besides the 6P, 9P and Z2 are being phased out. Still, the finish on my 6P has held up great.
Wow, that was fast. I appreciate all the advice guys. I've had a Boker clone in the past and while it is good for what it is, I've been wanting to get an actual surefire for a while now. Yeah, I'll definitely check my local Lowes. I'll try not to get my hopes up just in case they aren't on clearance there. 69.99 is the best I've seen go for online, so I guess if they don't have it that will probably be the way to go. Just a little bonus add on question. Anyone have a suggestion for good economical cr123s for it?
carrot
Flashaholic
flasherByNight
Enlightened
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I'd have to imagine there must be some floating around on the marketplace if you don't need a mint one...
Let It Bleed
Newly Enlightened
FWIW I was at a Lowes in my neck of the woods and they had (1) 6PL and (1) G2L at full price - around $85 and $65 respectively. I was looking for an incan G2 at Sportsman's Warehouse b/c I passed on a great price when they were going through bankruptcy as I didn't know any better at the time. It was last year sometime and they had lots of 'em in all the different colors.
The 6PL is a nice light. It's not the brightest you can buy but it has a very uniform beam. I also got a G2L without knowing that the head was aluminum. I know why now (heat dissipation), but it kinda defeats the purpose of a polymer flashlight.
Until recently I mostly only had store bought SureFires and Inovas. While I couldn't be happier with my new Quark 123 and Olight, I now realize that my more common lights are quality lights. Opinions may differ as to what you get for the price, but I'm glad I have them. Although I now want a dropin for my 6PL and could have saved 20 bucks if I had bought a 6P instead, I didn't know that when I bought it. Plus, I've gotten good use out of it and have quickly learned it's not all about maximum output. While I haven't posted a lot nor been here long, I have read enough to discern whose opinions I value most. While a forum isn't the easiest way to quickly learn about a subject, we're talking about flashlights and it's supposed to be fun.
I even gave my Mom a 6PL thinking she wouldn't be able to appreciate it more than some of the Coast flashlights I've given her in the past. Well, who knows where those other flashlights are, but that 6PL stays in her bedside drawer and gets used often. I do need to replace the tailcap with a "clicky" one, but I know she really likes having this flashlight and it gives me a little peace of mind knowing that she uses it.
But to answer your question, I think $70 is a very good price. From what I've seen, it doesn't appear that Lowes is restocking the SureFires, so the few that might remain may get marked down. Finding a brand new 6PL for $42 would just be good luck.
The 6PL is a nice light. It's not the brightest you can buy but it has a very uniform beam. I also got a G2L without knowing that the head was aluminum. I know why now (heat dissipation), but it kinda defeats the purpose of a polymer flashlight.
Until recently I mostly only had store bought SureFires and Inovas. While I couldn't be happier with my new Quark 123 and Olight, I now realize that my more common lights are quality lights. Opinions may differ as to what you get for the price, but I'm glad I have them. Although I now want a dropin for my 6PL and could have saved 20 bucks if I had bought a 6P instead, I didn't know that when I bought it. Plus, I've gotten good use out of it and have quickly learned it's not all about maximum output. While I haven't posted a lot nor been here long, I have read enough to discern whose opinions I value most. While a forum isn't the easiest way to quickly learn about a subject, we're talking about flashlights and it's supposed to be fun.
I even gave my Mom a 6PL thinking she wouldn't be able to appreciate it more than some of the Coast flashlights I've given her in the past. Well, who knows where those other flashlights are, but that 6PL stays in her bedside drawer and gets used often. I do need to replace the tailcap with a "clicky" one, but I know she really likes having this flashlight and it gives me a little peace of mind knowing that she uses it.
But to answer your question, I think $70 is a very good price. From what I've seen, it doesn't appear that Lowes is restocking the SureFires, so the few that might remain may get marked down. Finding a brand new 6PL for $42 would just be good luck.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
IMO I think there is no better light for the money than the SureFire 6P, especially since it is so upgradeable over the long term - I have one and love it, it will soon get it's fourth drop-in module. However, after using a few of the SF LED drop-ins, I'm not a big fan of them - relatively low output, bluish tint, relatively short runtime for the output. A better option might be to pick up a new or near-new SureFire 6P for ~$45-50 and get a top-flight LED drop-in like a Malkoff for ~$50. The Malkoff M60 or M61 sets the standard for a quality LED drop-in.
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revance
Newly Enlightened
Just to try help go on ebay and type in solarforce l2 they are surefire copies but very well built just as good at around $20 have a look may save yourself a lot. I live in the uk and it cost £19 deliverd from hong kong mine arrives soon
Umm... have you held both a 6P and L2? There is really no comparison between the two. Surefire is far superior.
In fact, the first time I held an L2 was after I bought a Solarforce Masterpiece. I was VERY impressed with the Masterpiece, but the L2 was a major disappointment. The Masterpiece was close in quality to my Surefires,but the L2 was nowhere close.
Thanks again guys. I'm hoping that I'll run into a good deal at my local lowes, if not I'll just cough up the 70 bucks as it seems to be about $15 cheaper than everywhere else. I would go with just the 6p in hopes of upgrading, but if i did that it might be a long time before I ever do. If I get the led and I'm pretty sure that would suffice for a pretty long time, and in the mean time save me batteries.
pwatcher
Enlightened
I agree with your intention to get the new 6pl for $69.99 - you're getting quality, authenticity, no baggage from a previous owner's misuse/abuse, and a good discount from list price. go for it! 
as time goes on, you can still experiment with a different led assembly, such as a Malkoff, or branch into another Surefire host such as a C2/C3, or maybe a completely different light like an E1B or A2 or one of the Surefire nitrolons.
Everyone here has their personal favorites, and some may want affirmation of their own choices by promoting the same to you!
I started collecting 2 months ago, and all too quickly built up to 80+. But I'm retired with time and a little extra $ for such hobbies, so my way is certainly not the only way or the best way for others! :shakehead
You'll love the 6PL!
as time goes on, you can still experiment with a different led assembly, such as a Malkoff, or branch into another Surefire host such as a C2/C3, or maybe a completely different light like an E1B or A2 or one of the Surefire nitrolons.
Everyone here has their personal favorites, and some may want affirmation of their own choices by promoting the same to you!
I started collecting 2 months ago, and all too quickly built up to 80+. But I'm retired with time and a little extra $ for such hobbies, so my way is certainly not the only way or the best way for others! :shakehead
You'll love the 6PL!
baterija
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2008
- Messages
- 1,053
I'm going to tack onto Kestrel's opinion of the P60L module in the 6PL. It's not very good. The Malkoff M60LL has similar output with longer runtimes. It's still on sale/closeout for $39. A 6P and the M60LL will cost you a little more than the 6PL but if you use it often the savings in batteries will quickly make up the difference.
timbre
Newly Enlightened
I found the same prices at my local Lowe's today...no clearance prices for me! :mecry:
shark_za
Enlightened
The function of the Solarforce vs the Surefire is going to be pretty much identical with one major difference.
The switch.
The Surefire Z41 is stone cold reliable and works on a forward movement and twist to lock on.
I have 4x Solarforce lights and the same amount of 6P based Surefires.
My ideal setup is the 18650 body of the Solarforce with the switch from a 6PDL (forward clicky Z59) and bezel from a stock 6P.
Get the Surefire but don't be too hung up on the 6PL model that comes with the Surefire P60L module. And 6P will do.
The 2x P60L's I have are both fine but you may want to put something else that is brighter or more efficient in.
Saying that I keep a stock Surefire with stock P60L and primary SF123 lithium cells handy as a survival standby tool. Just as the factory designed.
The switch.
The Surefire Z41 is stone cold reliable and works on a forward movement and twist to lock on.
I have 4x Solarforce lights and the same amount of 6P based Surefires.
My ideal setup is the 18650 body of the Solarforce with the switch from a 6PDL (forward clicky Z59) and bezel from a stock 6P.
Get the Surefire but don't be too hung up on the 6PL model that comes with the Surefire P60L module. And 6P will do.
The 2x P60L's I have are both fine but you may want to put something else that is brighter or more efficient in.
Saying that I keep a stock Surefire with stock P60L and primary SF123 lithium cells handy as a survival standby tool. Just as the factory designed.
