Surefire 6pled
- Thread starter hvacman
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KeyGrip
Flashlight Enthusiast
It might not be. What do you need the light to do?
Is the 6PL worth the money? YES! YES! YES!
The 6P,which is the basis of the 6PL, utilizes a P60L LED lamp module and other than a LED logo on the side is identical except that it uses a lexan lens instead of one made of glass.
The modularity of the 6P is legendary and it is undoubtedly the 'classic' Surefire flashlight. Unless you are a collector or a purist for Surefire lights it might possibly be cheaper to get a secondhand 6P and either a new P60L Surefire lamp or even one from BOG or Malkoff. Either way, get a 6P or 6PL, you won't regret it.
Doug
The 6P,which is the basis of the 6PL, utilizes a P60L LED lamp module and other than a LED logo on the side is identical except that it uses a lexan lens instead of one made of glass.
The modularity of the 6P is legendary and it is undoubtedly the 'classic' Surefire flashlight. Unless you are a collector or a purist for Surefire lights it might possibly be cheaper to get a secondhand 6P and either a new P60L Surefire lamp or even one from BOG or Malkoff. Either way, get a 6P or 6PL, you won't regret it.
Doug
I have the usual lights mags,streamlight which in my opinion are better lights I'm looking to try surefire for the first time and this light seems to be the better for the money thanks for the replies,I have a edc river rock aaa,I'm just looking to add another light to the collection.
precisionworks
Flashaholic
It's a nice-sized light, larger than some of the newer models, but still small by comparison to a C-cell light like a Mag. I thought about a 6P LED, but instead bought a 6P Original & added a Malkoff M60 drop in LED. It cost very little more than the 6P LED but puts out much more light (if that's what you want).
Gunner12
Flashaholic
Well, you could get a much brighter light for the money at around the same quality(from what I've heard, namely the Dereelight CL1H).
Malkoffdevices P60 modules.
Malkoffdevices P60 modules.
Not to nitpick, but I believe that's a Pyrex window on the 6PL. The G2L comes with the cheaper Lexan window.
For the OP, here's a link to Surefire's web page on the 6PL:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24459/sesent/00
And here's a link to Surefire's interactive demo of the 6PL:
http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgname/light6P/strfnbr/6
PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
6PL is a piece of art that is functional!
A really beautiful light. My first Aluminum SF.
A really beautiful light. My first Aluminum SF.
Retinator
Enlightened
The best thing you can do is find a place where you can handle one. Or even better if you knew someone who had one.
I'm very happy with mine, but it is overkill for me.
Lights are like food. It's hard to tell if someone's going to like Light A or B. Just as deciding to go get Greek food or Indian, if you've never had either.
Start with your needs, then add what you want to it, define a budget and either ask here or look around. Take your time, there's a lot to see!
And the most acclaimed light can still be a disappointment if it doesn't suit your needs well. No one can tell you what to buy.
I'm very happy with mine, but it is overkill for me.
Lights are like food. It's hard to tell if someone's going to like Light A or B. Just as deciding to go get Greek food or Indian, if you've never had either.
Start with your needs, then add what you want to it, define a budget and either ask here or look around. Take your time, there's a lot to see!
And the most acclaimed light can still be a disappointment if it doesn't suit your needs well. No one can tell you what to buy.
precisionworks
Flashaholic
Retinator makes an excellent point. I'd read many posts about the SF L1, bought it, handled it, sold it. Same for the Nitecore Defender, the nicest AA light I've ever seen or held - it just wasn't what I expected.
One great thing about Surefire, if you don't like it for whatever reason, list it on BST & it will sell fast (as long as price is reasonable). Both the L1 & the NDI sold within an hour of listing, for $5 less than I'd paid. It's hard to lose money on a top name light when selling on CPF, which allows you to try a number out.
One great thing about Surefire, if you don't like it for whatever reason, list it on BST & it will sell fast (as long as price is reasonable). Both the L1 & the NDI sold within an hour of listing, for $5 less than I'd paid. It's hard to lose money on a top name light when selling on CPF, which allows you to try a number out.
gary3911
Newly Enlightened
HVACman:
I'm assuming you're a fitter/technician/engineer and are crawling around voids and having your head stuck in ceilings a lot. I have a very similar job and chose a 6PL about five months ago. Although I have a lot of Surefire lights, the 6PL is the one I carry to work every day.
It's robust and has never ever given the slightest hint that it will do anything other than operate exactly as it should. The beam is a tight white spot with a clean corona with no blemishes. The runtime is ok. Nowhere near what SF claim, but I reckon that 2 x 123s will give you 4 hours plus about ten minutes of fast-fading "emergency" time.
Crucially, the light isn't so strong that it blinds you for close-up work; especially looking at metal or smooth walls. If you are using this for close inspections, I strongly recommend you don't go CPF-crazy and fit an aftermarket 200+ lumen monster drop-in. You'll be seeing stars for days.
All in, it's so simple it's embarassing, yet it looks and feels super-industrial. It's also big enough that it won't get lost, and if you do happen to drop it down a bottomless pit, whilst it's bad news, it's not one of those lights that costs so much that you'll be in mourning for a week.
My guys use Fenix L2ds, and whilst that's ok (and much brighter) the level settings are only a distraction. It's nowhere near as well made as the 6PL and I have already had one report of a unit failing.
Gary
I'm assuming you're a fitter/technician/engineer and are crawling around voids and having your head stuck in ceilings a lot. I have a very similar job and chose a 6PL about five months ago. Although I have a lot of Surefire lights, the 6PL is the one I carry to work every day.
It's robust and has never ever given the slightest hint that it will do anything other than operate exactly as it should. The beam is a tight white spot with a clean corona with no blemishes. The runtime is ok. Nowhere near what SF claim, but I reckon that 2 x 123s will give you 4 hours plus about ten minutes of fast-fading "emergency" time.
Crucially, the light isn't so strong that it blinds you for close-up work; especially looking at metal or smooth walls. If you are using this for close inspections, I strongly recommend you don't go CPF-crazy and fit an aftermarket 200+ lumen monster drop-in. You'll be seeing stars for days.
All in, it's so simple it's embarassing, yet it looks and feels super-industrial. It's also big enough that it won't get lost, and if you do happen to drop it down a bottomless pit, whilst it's bad news, it's not one of those lights that costs so much that you'll be in mourning for a week.
My guys use Fenix L2ds, and whilst that's ok (and much brighter) the level settings are only a distraction. It's nowhere near as well made as the 6PL and I have already had one report of a unit failing.
Gary
kramer5150
Flashaholic
holy crap this is spot-on on excellent advice.
I use my 6P incan at work. I inspect telecommunications rack gear, in large ~8 foot telco cabinets. I am looking for everything from sheetmetal defects to poorly terminated/routed cables, to loose screws and rivets. I chose the 6P non-LED for the reasons mentioned above, plus I feel that an incan helps me resolve details and shadows better. I can't explain it... but the LED lights I have (a couple nuwai and a lowes task force) tend to wash out visual details when the LED light is mixed with the flourescent lights frequently used overhead... and it can actually hide some of the defects I am trying to find. The 6P closely resembles natural sunlight and is easier on my eyes. Especially working around zinc-plated steel parts.
I have a $12 DX drop in on the way, and will see how well that goes. Light + drop in came out to $55 shipped. cant beat that value IMHO.
I posted that "what lights have failed you" thread... very few mentions of the 6PL, and surely its not from lack of sales volume.
An honorable mention should go out to all the clones too. Some excellent choices out there from ultrafire, DX and cabelas. I almost went for the Cabelas + knife deal for $19... but... its my job, I don't want to risk a failure and be somewhere without light. Words do not do it justice, the added peace of mind knowing I have a light that will survive through the next ice age.
I carry extra cells and the light is small enough to pocket in my coat easily.
Last edited:
generic808
Enlightened
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2008
- Messages
- 592
You're going to love it! The build quality, durability, and indestrctibility is something that cannot be duplicated. Next, you'll probably get a G2 
:)>
Flashlight Enthusiast
Great choice! I love the 6PL it is a beatiful work of art, tough as nails and it is as bright as the original U2's with much more runtime and much less heat!
