SureFire G2 Following

[this_is_nascar]

There seems to be a huge SureFire G2 following out here on CPF. I can only imagine the lowering in the price has even made the following even larger. Having both a G2 and a G2Z in the past, I see where each light has it's advantages.

My question is specific to the lexan lens in the G2. I'm assuming casual use of the P61 is just fine for the lens. My concern is with the 20-minutes of constant use with the P61. Does anyone know for sure whether or not the lens will be deformed or melted due to the heat. I'm not about to test it to see the outcome.

 

[Deviant]

that's weird a few days ago i was playing with a G2 at a store that stocks surefires and I did the tapping test on the lens and apparently it's pyrex. At least if sounded like glass to me

 

[Josh]

I got a G2 for my little bro for Xmas and he is lovin it, if I didn't have other cool lights I would be be lovin it too;) I'm going to get him a G2Z bezel for it,I really hate lexan.

 

[tkl]

the G2 is a good "cheap" light. the lexan however, does suck. why sf keeps using it is beyond me. i don't care for the beam it throws compared to the E2E, but that is the "cpf white wall" test. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif the tailcap on my latest one is a little stiff, lube didn't help. the tailcap is a little too slick for my liking.

 

[lionken07]

if only the bulb is cheap.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[ttran97]

I think the G2 is great. The low price makes it a perfect "gift light" for friends. Plus, I can leave one in my car and not worry too much about losing it in case someone breaks in. No way am I leaving my M6 in the car!

 

[Monsters_Inc]

I can't see why the lexan lens are that bad. It does its job, of protecting the bulb from stray fingers, etc and transmits light. That's good enough for me. If I wanted more, I would have paid more... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[dano]

The lens will melt. I melted mine w/a P60 left on for 15 or so minutes. Actually, it was more of a slight deformation, and not a full melt-down /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif


--dan

 

[chamenos]

i feel lexan lens deserve a bit more credit. they might deform (not melt) when the light is left on, and they scratch more easily but lexan is also more tough than pyrex, in that it cannot be shattered and its user-replaceable, at least in the C2/6P/Z2 bezels.

 

[this_is_nascar]

[ QUOTE ]
i feel lexan lens deserve a bit more credit. they might deform (not melt) when the light is left on, and they scratch more easily but lexan is also more tough than pyrex, in that it cannot be shattered and its user-replaceable, at least in the C2/6P/Z2 bezels.

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting. This is the first I've ever heard anyone defend lexan over pyrex. From what I've learned over the last year or two, pyrex will always win over lexan.

 

[monanza]

[ QUOTE ]
i feel lexan lens deserve a bit more credit. they might deform (not melt) when the light is left on, and they scratch more easily but lexan is also more tough than pyrex, in that it cannot be shattered and its user-replaceable, at least in the C2/6P/Z2 bezels.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is this true for tempered Pyrex as well?

 

[Size15's]

Tempered Glass is very tough - especially if it is thick like SureFire uses and has a small surface area. (My day job involves glass safety testing so I see all kinds of glass)

I've used G2's with Lexan lens and the 8NX with it's Lexan lens and never had a problem with melting and deforming Lexan. Much depends on your useage and environment conditions. I tend to use SureFires outside in the dark and not use constant-on.

In my experience, Lexan 'ages' faster than Pyrex when used and carried every day. This takes the form of slight dulling, scratches and the like. Pyrex lenses look brand new even after a years heavy carry and useage.

With regards to resistance to abuse - It is difficult to damage Pyrex. It is highly unlikely that the Pyrex Lens will crack or shatter etc if the SureFire is dropped and in my experience the G2Z, M2 and M3T can be thrown and tossed onto concrete and Tarmac etc without harming the Pyrex.

The G2 is SureFire's entry level model. It's $16 P60 Lamp Assembly and Nitrolon body are it's major features. It is a strong flashlight - both in terms of value for money and performance. It introduces you to the world of SureFire and I personally have five spread about in various places for use in addition to my EDC models.

I am always interested to hear about the conditions in which SureFires are used and how they performed for the user.

Perhaps I consider that the G2 is the first step in the right direction rather than the end of the road as far as illumination tools go.

Al

 

[chamenos]

this_is_nascar: lexan does have its advantages to me, at least when it comes to surefires. if surefire's pyrex bezels allowed the pyrex lens to be replaced, perhaps i would choose pyrex but at the moment i prefer lexan, since its much cheaper to replace it than buying a new bezel should a pyrex lens get damaged.

monanza: tempered pyrex is substantially harder to break than normal glass, but it still can be cracked if subjected to a point source impact with enough force, whereas lexan might flex a bit and get gouged, but not break.

Al: that is true. i've personally seen how thick the lens used in the E2e is, and breaking it would require a lot of force. however, the same would not apply to the same degree, to the lenses in larger surefires, even more so for the turboheads.

another negative about pyrex is that it can be difficult to seal it effectively (if i'm not wrong, a lot of pressure has to be applied to the O-ring), which means water-resistance can be a bit of a hit-and-miss thing. this can be seen by the issues regarding the glass replacement lenses for the tigerlights, and the complaints about leaking surefire bezels, which almost always seem to be the ones with pyrex lenses (this is not surefire's fault). though the lexan bezels might not hold out much pressure at depth, the general water-resistance of lexan bezels is still more consistant and since i regularly expose my C2 to water, this is a major plus-point for me.

as for the G2, i must say the first time i got to handle one, i was very pleasantly surprised (and impressed). there was no squeak or flex to the body whatsoever, it felt very firm and the waffle-pattern molded into the body did a much better job of providing grip than the 6P's knurling. what prevented me from buying one was the price here after the exchange rate. now that the price has dropped, i will get one in the near future, whether for myself or a friend as a gift /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Size15's]

SureFire uses an o-ring with a trapezoid cross section and a screwed and glued ring to secure the Pyrex lenses into the reflector. FYI, snap fit Lexan is far more hit and miss compared to the methods SureFire now uses to secure their Pyrex lenses.

BTW, if you hit a snap fit Lexan SureFire bezel hard enough the Lexan lens can be forced out of the Bezel. Similar hitting of Pyrex versions did not damage them.

I am pleased that SureFire switched to Pyrex but understand that Lexan is a viable alternative to tempered glass if one of the goals is to minimise price.

Al

 

[chamenos]

Al: if what you say is true, then my next surefire will be one with a pyrex lens /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif i tend to ding up the equipment that i use really fast and due to that, being able to replace the lens is a big plus for me. this is actually the sole reason why i don't use pyrex instead. if the design is changed in future to allow the pyrex lens to be replaced, then i'll switch over to pyrex without a doubt.

 

[Flashlightboy]

I know this came up somewhere but what is the price of the G2Z bezel? >$15 or <$15?