Surefire M2 vs. C2, E2e - Decisions!!

[tetra-ice]

Hello everyone! I'm new to the boards, but I first wanted to thank everyone for the huge amount of helpful information on here. Ok, my quick story: I was given a Brinkmann incandescent flashllight for Christmas as a back-up light. It worked ok, I wanted something a bit more for my travels to dark and dreary locations (see my avatar). So begins a bit of research on these boards and the first purchase of my Surefire G2L

As you can imagine, my bank account begins to be depleated at an anourmous rate, now with the M6, M3, E1e, E2e, and now a 6PL that is waiting on a Malkoff M60 drop-in.

I have different uses for each light, but I really like my M3 for outdoors use - I actually prefer the incandescent tint and the throw is great. And, after accidentally dropping my M3 from a height of about 100ft, through steel girders, and onto a shipping platform where it embedded itself into a wooden crate, I'm a true believer in the internal shock protection. I was amazed that it worked perfectly, no problems.

The only problem is that the M3 is a bit large for my jacket or pants pocket -- that's why I dropped it in the first place. So, I was wondering if anyone recommended the M2 (or maybe C2)?? It has a larger bezel diameter than my E2e, so I figured it would throw farther. How would the M2 compare to the E2e or C2 in terms or throw or spill beam??

THANKS!!

 

[jugg2]

The M2 uses the same dropin as the C2, so the beam should be almost identical. I think (because I don't own one) that the shock isolation causes the dropin to sit back from the lens slightly; this would cause the spill beam to be reduced a little, but that should be the only difference.

Hope this helps!:thumbsup:

 

[kelmo]

Welcome to CPF Ice-breaker Man!

You could get a P60 lamp for your 6PL. Its a whole lot cheaper than a M2 or C2. The P60L module fits nicely in a SC1 so you can keep it protected when not in use. Same for the P60.

kelmo

 

[KeyGrip]

Kelmo's got a good idea. Unless you're set on buying a whole new light, simply getting a P60 is a good plan. In fact, I have a spare one I could send you, PM me.

 

[tetra-ice]

Thanks for all your replies and your offer KeyGrip! However, I'm probably going to use my 6PL for the Malkoff drop-in. This will be my dedicated LED light. The G2 will be my "traveling" LED backup in the car. I know that I should have just bought the 6P (non-LED) and saved a few $$ if I was going to do the Malkoff, but didn't put all the pieces together until just recently.

So, I guess that's why I need a new compact incandescent. The 6P will save $$$$ over the M2, but will it stand up to impact and rough seas?? For example, say someone leaves their new light near a 30 ton container drop?? Not that I would ever do anything like that

I'm sure the 6P would be fine, but may go with the C2 as it has an external clip that I could use plus the anodizing may hold up better in the weather (although it will be hard to part with my M3 outside on deck).

But getting back to the question: does a larger bezel diameter give more throw for the P60 lamp? Lumens out the front seem to be the same for the C2 and M2; just wondering the difference in performance. :thinking:

 

[Grox]

Since both the C2 and the 6P use the same lamp assembly, expect identical performance

Have you thought about the A2 or some of the new LED lights (eg e1b, novatac)? The A2 is a lot of fun...

 

[kongfuchicken]

That's a pretty amazing story that the M3 survived that fall.

As others have suggested, a P60 lamp assembly would give you an idea of the beam pattern and output of the C2 and M2 without having to actually buy one.

I also prefer the color spectrum of incandescent lights outdoors despite the lower efficiency and fragile nature.

The C2 and M2 are both quite large compared to the much slimmer E2e. It's tough to get an idea without holding one in your hands but if you feel the M3 is too large, the M2's bezel diameter is about the same. The E2e is basically as large as 3 cr123 batteries in a thin aluminum shell.

To answer your questions, I don't know if these lights will survive a 30ton container drop, but I do know that surefire 6Ps have survived 9mm bullets as well as being ran over with a semi.

The M2 head will not give you more reach than a regular one, in fact, at the risk of repeating what jugg2 has already said, it'll keep some of the peripheral light from coming out of it because it seats deeper inside.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

As posted earlier the M2 will have less spill and lumens than the C2, and both use the same LA. It is a trade off, and you M3 certainly seems shock resistant. I would go with a C3, using the P90 LA. It would have a slimmer profile than you M3 and be lighter. If you must have a shorter light, then the C2 is good, and beautiful in HA III.

Bill

 

[tetra-ice]

The M3 falling out of my pocket was something to see -- one of those "Oh...sh**...what...did...I...just...do" slow-motion moments. I think because it landed bezel down in the wooden crate it was saved. Plus it had rained the night before, so the wood was relatively wet. My M3 has a combat bezel and sunk about 1/4 of an inch into the crate. There were a few scratches on the glass, but nothing major.

Anyway -- thanks for the advice. Think I'll go with a C2 (for clip and Mil Spec III) and save the $$$ over the M2. It's not the bezel diameter that's the problem really, but just the length of the M3 that sticks out of the jacket or causes it to fall to one side. I'll still use it around deck to light up rats and other beasties for "relocation"...

 

[KeyGrip]

Good choice. The C2 is very secure in the hand. There are times when I'm using my E2e that I feel it's too small.

 

[dougie]

I have a C2 & M2 and can confirm what others have said about the M2 have slightly less spill due to the bulb being recessed into the bezel due to the shock insulation.

The M2 is quite possibly one of the toughest Surefires ever made and the bezel will take a huge amount of force before it is destroyed. Al (Size 15's)actually did some destruction type tests on the M2 bezel and there used to be a great thread and pictures showing the damage to various types of bezels he was testing.

From my perspective (I have the original finned version of the M2 bezel) the head is a little too heavy and quite bulky. This tends to make the light a bit unbalanced. I personally never found the clip on the C2 and M2 to be very secure or useful. The grip ring is superbly designed for tactical applications but has limited use for me. However, having said that it wasn't designed for non-tactical situations and was purpose built for the task. Aesthetically the original M2 doesn't have particualrly good proportions due to the size of the bezel. I think that the newer M2 bezel which Surefire now makes is equally as strong but has better aesthetics and appears a lot less bulky.

I would not be so imprudent as to tell you what to get but suspect that a C2 will achieve all that you need without extra cost of an M2?

Doug:thumbsup: