Surefire G2 Questions

[liquidium]

1) Does the G2 have a lockout tailcap? My Bass Pro Shops catalog specifies one for the G2, but is usually full of product spec mistakes. The light is listed in the catalog as "Nitrolon G2 BK".
2) Is replacement of the entire reflector and lamp assembly required every time a bulb flashes? No Ala Carte lamp assembly? Seems a bit absurd, but SF's style is, of course, somewhat self - wanking.
3) I was curious how many hours of service life you guys normally squeeze out of a bulb before it blows. Or, loosely speaking, do they last a good while? Or explode if you look at them slantways?

Exit greeting,
Liq.

 

[daloosh]

Sorry liquidium, no LOTC.

And yes, the entire lamp assembly must be replaced, at a cost of upwards of $14. That is the Surefire way, much more expensive than Streamlight. But the Surefire way is also top notch in fit and finish.

As to how long it lasts, I've had some last many many battery changes, and others I've dropped once, and *poof* that's it. I've had good service and prices on Surefire from William at Texas Tactical, a CPF supporter.

The G2 is a nice entry Surefire, tough body, easy to grip. But the lack of LOTC is a major detractment for me, so I tend to favor the E2es and C2s, and reserve the G2 for my desk at work.

If you like the Nitrolon, there is the G2z, with pyrex lens, LOTC, lanyard, and grip ring. I like the executive series because I can mix and match bezels, lamps, LEDs, tailcaps, it's more flexible and comes in a small package.

daloosh

 

[liquidium]

[ QUOTE ]
daloosh said:


And yes, the entire lamp assembly must be replaced.....

[/ QUOTE ]
Could you clarify this a bit for me? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Do you mean that the lamp ***'y alone must be replaced, or does the reflector go onto the heap along w/ the LA?
[ QUOTE ]
daloosh said:The G2 is a nice entry Surefire, tough body, easy to grip. But the lack of LOTC is a major detractment for me, so I tend to favor the E2es and C2s, and reserve the G2 for my desk at work.

daloosh

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed on both counts. Regrettably, the nonexistent LOTC will probably mean the G2 will suffer wish list exlusion. I still haven't entirely decided if the flaw is fatal, as I would likely holster the light for EDC. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

 

[daloosh]

This is the lamp for the G2:
SF p60

As you can see, the lamp and reflector and spring are one unit, which is great in that you get that great oval-round hole-less beam from it, and sucky in that the list price is seventeen bucks.

However, I don't think the lack of LOTC is fatal, and many here are great fans of the G2. I wouldn't use it for EDC, the G2 was my last Surefire purchase, not my first, and only because it was a nice price used. It's perfect in my desk, and other people keep it in the glovebox.

And you're right, it would be fine in a holster, especially if you carry it bezel down.

daloosh

 

[fivebyfive]

The G2 is annoying without a LOTC, but that can be modded to a clickie switch. I wouldn't worry too much about the life of the lamp. It isn't as sensitive or fragile as everyone makes it seem. The LA will either blow within the first several seconds or last for at least 30 hours, as advertised.

 

[JimM]

While not a lock-out tailcap, unscrewing the head a turn or so accomplishes the same purpose for carrying in a pack. The G2Z is a great light as well, although more expensive. Have a P61 lamp in the G2Z, and a regular P60 lamp in the G2. Bulb life has not been a problem with either. The nitrolon seem to cushion the occasional bounce off the floor better than the regular metal finish. I did blow a P60 bulb once when I put it in a 3-cell light by mistake. It was an expensive lesson.
Jim

 

[Topper]

I like them, slap in a clickie makes them better.
Topper

 

[madecov]

I have a P60 that has lasted for almost 2 years. probably 10-12 battery changes so far. I had one flash on me and go out in the first 10 seconds, Surefire replaced it free.

 

[i7r7]

For me, the lack of a lockout tailcap is not a big deal. I have never managed to get my light into a situation where it was switched on accidentally. The button requires a pretty solid push to turn it on.

The bezel lockout tecnique is well known on these forums. However, I have noticed that a few people's lamp assemblies have a longer outside spring than the inside smaller spring. If you have one of these lamp assemblies, the bezel lockout will NOT work. Reason being, that the outer spring always stays in contact with the metal shaft, my P60 & P61 lamp assemblies happen to have short outside springs.

Jeff

 

[madecov]

I use a G2Z bezel on mine and the lock out bezel function is not as good as it was, I have to screw out the bezel almost all the way.

 

[Double_A]

This is my personal opinion and certainly not shared by others.

If your new and just have to have a Surefire get a E2e. Do not buy the G2 because you have to have a Surefire, and this is the only one you can afford. Buy yourself a Streamlight TT-2L for the same price. Learn more and save up and buy yourself something more suitable like the E2e when you can.

Like I said just my opinion,
GregR

 

[chmsam]

The G2 is an entry SF, but it is flexible. You can add a different tailcap, lamp assembly, or LED head. Some of the SureFire literature doesn't make that quite as clear as it really is, but it can be done. If you want to be able to mix and match, this is one way to go.

If you're looking for a bright and durable light with less options for about $40(US), then there are other choices.

Have you ordered or downloaded (PDF file) the SureFire catalog from their website? It gives you some idea of what they can do.

-(a different) Craig

 

[daloosh]

Well liq,

You've got a host of opinions now, it's up to you to decide what to do. I don't use the lockout bezel method because it requires two full turns on my G2, and it's not necessary in a desk or car dash or door pocket. You can search CPF on the various SF models, and you'll find a lot of opinions on the G2z, E1e and E2e, C2, M2, L2 and others.

cheers
daloosh

 

[liquidium]

[ QUOTE ]
Double_A said:
This is my personal opinion and certainly not shared by others.

If your new and just have to have a Surefire get a E2e. Do not buy the G2 because you have to have a Surefire, and this is the only one you can afford. Buy yourself a Streamlight TT-2L for the same price. Learn more and save up and buy yourself something more suitable like the E2e when you can.

Like I said just my opinion,
GregR

[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks to everyone for your replies. Very insightful. I've decided against the G2 in favor of the Streamlight NF2 for these reasons:

1) Tailcap is recessed and seems less prone to accidental discharge, shall we say.
2) Beam is reputed to be round, rather than ovalish.
3) Geometry is more holsterable.
4) Two bulbs are included - one of which is ready to rock in case of failure.
5) Bulbs are far less expensive and more readily available.
6) The wasteful practice of ditching an entire ***'ly is avoided. Actually, I would have bought the G2 only with the intention of modding the LA for use with a replacement bipin - most likely a Welch Allyn.
7) Bulbs have a reputation for blowing predictably.
8) Adjustable beam. Of course, the entire spot to flood range isn't usable but it's nice to have some flexiblility.
The truth is that the G2 appealed to me because of the tailcap design subtleties (LOTC issue notwithstanding) along with the Nitrolon construction, which is just one of those abstract features that appeal to me for no good reason. The Nitrolon would likely be grippy, but I think it was mostly about aesthetics.
A fixation on the SF name had nothing to do with it, although the name has a rep for quality. Still, there are things about the SF philosophy that turn me off.

 

[Topper]

I have one of those I like it as well but I still have 3 G2's they really are adaptable.I think you will like your SL NF2. Best of luck not ending up with both /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Topper /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Two G2s and one KL3 head are my entire Surefire inventory. The G2 with a clickie from a Garrity 2AA is a fantastic light. Only reason I don't EDC it, is I have a Streamlight TT2L modded with a Kroll clickie in the Garrity holster on my belt! LEDs for most use, decent Xenon beam when I need more.

Brinkmann has a 2L light now called Maxfire that resembles a G2, has a clickie with momentary, and comes with two Lith 123s for 20 bucks at Academy!