Surefire G2/Saint Minimus purchase dissapointment

[freq18hz]

Hey all, brand new, first post =)

Heard about this site from bladeforums.com


I've been preparing to hike the pacific crest trail, so I've been upgrading my gear. It was time to ditch the $12 mini maglite as my main hiking go to.

Currently in my pack:

mini mag lite
two photon II micros
1 eGear pico lite
1 Gerber infinity ultra II task light

So I just grabbed the Surefire saint minimus, and the G2 from REI.

I was surprised to find that the packages were barely sealed, and the batteries were already installed in the units (not wrapped in plastic etc).

The G2 doesn't have any kind of lanyard attachment? Neither light came with any kind of case etc, and looking at the saint minimus, I can see artifacts on the case from glueing, and cutting the metal. This seems like very shoddy workmanship and packaging for such expensive lights.

Is this indicative of Surefire, or did I just get two floor models disguised as new?

Also should I be looking for something better/brighter than Surefire? Thanks!

-Freq

 

[jp2515]

Last time I checked the G2 did not come with a lanyard nor a case/sheath nor were they advertised as being included in the package. Some Surefires do come with a lanyard but most of them do not.

 

[jhc37013]

I don't have a Saint but I have looked at them at stores and if I remember right they are in a box with only a strip of tape keeping it sealed. From what I have read it seems the Saint isn't Surefire's most impressive quality and as for the battery's all Surefire's that I have the battery's came loaded in the light. I don't see a problem with that because the battery doesn't drain while the light is off and it's well protected in the tube. Some lights like the LX2 will come with a nice lanyard but if you want a holster you will have to order it separately.

If you want more output or maybe even better design get a E2DL or LX2 if you want a CR123x2 light, nothing I own is better quality then these two. Not to many are brighter either.

 

[Tempest UK]

SureFire lights (with some exceptions in the case of a few older, out of production models) should come with the batteries installed and the tailcap locked-out (where applicable) to prevent activation in the packaging.

Some newer models have also been packaged in cardboard boxes as opposed to the devil's clamshell packaging or the cardboard insert with plastic sleeve of old.

The G2 doesn't come with a lanyard kit or case, and isn't (or shouldn't be) advertised as doing so. You can use the Z33 or Z34 Lanyard System with the G2.

As for a case, I don't think SureFire offers any products. There are a number of holster options for the G2, though. Both nylon (V20, V21, V25), leather (V26, V27) and polymer (V70, V85, V85A Speed Holsters).

If you think that there are problems with the build quality or performance of the Minimus, then I suggest giving SureFire a call and explaining the problem(s).

Regards,
Tempest

 

[freq18hz]

Cool thanks everyone, I appreciate the advice.

Is the E2DL with the lanyard as bright as the g2? I see the g2 is rated at 80 lumens at max.

If the saint isn't as quality as other surefire products, is there a better headlamp (and also flashlight to replace the G2) that you would recommend instead, thanks!

-Freq

 

[Solscud007]

I second the call to SF. their customer service is legendary, they will make it right.

The G2 isnt anything to get worked up about. It is the entry level light for Surefire. While it gets the job done, there are alternatives. I would recommend getting a Malkoffdevices M60 and a metal bezel to house it in. it will change your light forever!!!

 

[kramer5150]

I was surprised to find that the packages were barely sealed, and the batteries were already installed in the units (not wrapped in plastic etc).
They install the batteries in the lights. Their packaging is what it is, its not costco blister packs that need the jaws of life to get open. Neither of these are an indication of poor quality.

The G2 doesn't have any kind of lanyard attachment? Neither light came with any kind of case etc,
Its not advertised as including either of these so why would you assume or expect it? Neither of these are an indication of poor quality.

and looking at the saint minimus, I can see artifacts on the case from glueing, and cutting the metal. This seems like very shoddy workmanship and packaging for such expensive lights.
I too was not terribly impressed with the Minimus. Zebralights remain my preferred headlamps. REI has a GREAT return policy. Just bring it back for a refund or exchange it for a different one.


Is this indicative of Surefire, or did I just get two floor models disguised as new?
The G2 you got was typical. I am not sure about the minimus. REI does not have a reputation of repacking customer returns and selling them as new (like Frys does), and their return/exchange policy is very good. Just take them back for an exchange.


Also should I be looking for something better/brighter than Surefire? Thanks!
Perhaps... you should have done your homework and fully understood what you were buying before making the purchase.

 

[kramer5150]

Is the E2DL with the lanyard as bright as the g2? I see the g2 is rated at 80 lumens at max.

If the saint isn't as quality as other surefire products, is there a better headlamp (and also flashlight to replace the G2) that you would recommend instead, thanks!

-Freq

G2 is ~75L OTF
E2DL is ~210L OTF

Zebralights remain my preferred headlamps. H501 is my preference.

Where are my manners... WELCOME to CPF!!

Interesting user ID, are you into car audio and DB drags? (a previous hobby of mine)

 

[hyperloop]

I second the call to SF. their customer service is legendary, they will make it right.

The G2 isnt anything to get worked up about. It is the entry level light for Surefire. While it gets the job done, there are alternatives. I would recommend getting a Malkoffdevices M60 and a metal bezel to house it in. it will change your light forever!!!

+1 on the above, i hesitated so long before getting a Surefire as they are dreadfully expensive here in Singapore if you buy them retail so i ordered my first G2 off the CPF Marketplace, switched out the lamp module to an LED for longer runtime and then promptly lost that light after a night out 😢

got another G2 then got an aftermarket clip to clip it in my bag, pocket etc so that i wouldnt lose it.

The bug bit and now i recently got myself a nice Surefire A2 Aviator and i really like that light a lot. All the lights were advertised as new in box and i found that the lights came with batteries already installed and just a simple strip of tape sealing the package.

Also another +1 on zebralight headlamps, am using one now to type this post in bed (H501 on minimum) so i wont disturb the missus (screen brightness also turned down to a bare minimum).

 

[carrot]

Are you kidding? You would return a light simply because it doesn't come with a lanyard for a $200 one that does?

In any case, the Saint is a phenomenal light. I don't know what kind of marks you are talking about, as they are pretty nonspecific but if you would kindly take pictures I might have an explanation.

You should give the Saint a chance. I don't think you'll find a better small headlamp out there. I have used the Zebras. I like the Saint better. When I thru-hike the AT, the Saint will be my only light.

BTW, who says a high end product needs to come in a blister pack and with batteries on the side? Surefire has been making lights longer than most in the industry and very few Surefires have ever come in a blister pack, and all have batteries pre-installed. Surefire can do this because CR123's do not leak like alkalines are prone to.

 

[TKC]

Are you kidding? You would return a light simply because it doesn't come with a lanyard for a $200 one that does?

In any case, the Saint is a phenomenal light. I don't know what kind of marks you are talking about, as they are pretty nonspecific but if you would kindly take pictures I might have an explanation.

You should give the Saint a chance. I don't think you'll find a better small headlamp out there. I have used the Zebras. I like the Saint better. When I thru-hike the AT, the Saint will be my only light.

BTW, who says a high end product needs to come in a blister pack and with batteries on the side? Surefire has been making lights longer than most in the industry and very few Surefires have ever come in a blister pack, and all have batteries pre-installed. Surefire can do this because CR123's do not leak like alkalines are prone to.

I agree with my friend here.

 

[davidt1]

I give your friend the "most secretive Zebralight user" award. For someone who has used "the zebras", he hasn't posted a single picture of his zebraligts that I am aware of. Nor has he participated in any of the zebralight threads.

 

[csa]

I love my zebralight H30, but I don't quite trust the build quality.

I absolutely trust the build quality of the surefire, and I really like the minimus that I've used. It's high on my list of things to pick up.

 

[carrot]

I give your friend the "most secretive Zebralight user" award. For someone who has used "the zebras", he hasn't posted a single picture of his zebraligts that I am aware of. Nor has he participated in any of the zebralight threads.

I don't own any because I wasn't sufficiently impressed with the product. Lots of reports of failures or broken glass, and secondly, I have used the Zebralights on several occasions CPF gatherings, so yes, I know what the Zebras are like. Also, the UI is terrible compared to the Saint.

Just so you know, I have dozens of lights I do not mention owning, do not take photos of, and rarely bother posting about.

How many posters on CPF do you think actually post their opinions of lights only based on specs, and specs alone? Far more than is readily apparent.

 

[Woods Walker]

When I thru-hike the AT, the Saint will be my only light.

I think the Saint is listed at 9.4 oz with batteries. You are talking about 2100 miles. Just sayin…..

 

[kts]

Check out the Fenix headlamp..225 lumens and buy a TK11 to replace that weak G2 😎

 

[Woods Walker]

I love my zebralight H30, but I don't quite trust the build quality.

I absolutely trust the build quality of the surefire, and I really like the minimus that I've used. It's high on my list of things to pick up.

What is the weight of the Minimus? I like that the Saint can become one.

edit:

It's listed at 3.3 oz with 1XCR123.

 

[jp2515]

Cool thanks everyone, I appreciate the advice.

Is the E2DL with the lanyard as bright as the g2? I see the g2 is rated at 80 lumens at max.

-Freq

The E2DL does NOT come with a lanyard or holster either.

Also should I be looking for something better/brighter than Surefire? Thanks!
Perhaps... you should have done your homework and fully understood what you were buying before making the purchase.

Exactly, lots of reviews here take a look around.

 

[Ska-T]

Currently in my pack:
mini mag lite
two photon II micros
1 eGear pico lite
1 Gerber infinity ultra II task light

Why so many flashlights? Seems like redundancy and extra weight. Think about what you need light for and what will do the task at the lightest weight. How about only one or two light sources? Carrying spare batteries or not depends on the time to resupply. You should be able to do that for 4 oz total or less (a lot less depending on your selection).

 

[freq18hz]

oh its totally extra weight, thats the problem, and why I bought the surefires =)