SureFire vs. UltraFire

[325addict]

@ Crenshaw: (and others)

I looked a dozen times on the Surefire site today, they really have lots of interesting lights

My idea for my first one is: a C3 Centurion with P90 module, powered by two 17500s. These would last about an hour I guess.
An upgrade could be the Lumens Factory ES-9 (0,85 Amps and 150 Lumens instead of 105 from P90) or SR-9 (with more current draw (1,22 Amps) and 220 Lumens). More than this, and runtime would be TOO short to make it a practical light.

Of course, the C2 is a handier size, but I've come to the conclusion that (at least with Ultrafire) rechargeable CR123s runtime is VERY short indeed (19 minutes!! The 9V lamp-assembly of the 501B draws 1,3 Amps).

By fitting larger batteries, runtime will increase to about an hour with the right lamp (ES-9 draws 0,85A and will certainly make it over an hour, SR-9 draws 1,22A and will run over 45 minutes with good quality 17500s).
Of course, larger batteries require a larger flashlight, hence the choice for a C3 Centurion....

I think the E1E is a very good EDC. It will run 90 minutes from ONE CR123! That's not bad! It's small, and throws out enough light for me. I very much like incandescents, let's see what the Fenix I ordered does...
If I don't like it, I could buy that cute little E1E with a Lumens Factory 3,6V / 0,8A / 50 Lumens lamp assembly, in that case I could use RCR123s in it


Just my thoughts for today! I've learnt that you can, indeed, choose two and not three from:
1. small size
2. high output
3 long battery runtime

In the case of the 501B, it has the numbers 1 and 2, but sacrifices number 3 COMPLETELY with a runtime of just 19 minutes

My Mag 3D is exactly the opposition to it: not so bright, BIG, and has a 10 Hour runtime
When camping, and having a car with you, the Mag would be the first choice.... the 501B would be dark, before I had pitched up my tent (this is the good old TNF VE-25.... virtually indestructible, but.... you'll be the last from all people to finish pitching it

Timmo.

 

[mdocod]

Hello 325addict!

@ Crenshaw: (and others)

I looked a dozen times on the Surefire site today, they really have lots of interesting lights

My idea for my first one is: a C3 Centurion with P90 module, powered by two 17500s. These would last about an hour I guess.
An upgrade could be the Lumens Factory ES-9 (0,85 Amps and 150 Lumens instead of 105 from P90) or SR-9 (with more current draw (1,22 Amps) and 220 Lumens). More than this, and runtime would be TOO short to make it a practical light.

LF bulbs are rated in bulb lumens. SF uses a sort of average torch lumen rating. So an SR-9 and P90 are going to be remarkably similar in total output, just slightly different beam shapes. I would say, if you like the P90 get some use our of it, or use it as a backup to the SR-9.

You can get over an hour in this setup if you build a 9P equivalent from 18mm cell compatible FM or Leef bodies, and run a pair of 18500s instead

Of course, the C2 is a handier size, but I've come to the conclusion that (at least with Ultrafire) rechargeable CR123s runtime is VERY short indeed (19 minutes!! The 9V lamp-assembly of the 501B draws 1,3 Amps).

--snipped--

Timmo.

You can get better rechargeable runtime in this size class if you go with a different host option. Again, an 18 mm compatible body is the way to go, to run a single 18650 in this case. You can get around an hour on most of the 3.7V modules available, I've heard really good things about the Wolf-Eyes 3.7V module. Seems to be one of the better performers.

Eric

 

[lightplay22]

A C3 with a malkoff M60 is a very sweet combination.

 

[PhillyRube]

Aw hell yes. My first was an E30 325is. Nothing can compare to that car, enjoy yours while you can!

I don't know, my old 2002tii was a blast to drive. That was when BMW was somewhat unknown (British Motor Works?). I had a license plate that said "QSHIP". Used to knock off quite a few 4 and 6 cylinder

 

[Snow]

Thank you all for these wise words :shrug:

So I'll someday have to buy a SF and be sure, it'll live at least as long as I do, and I can always count on it. That's worth a lot indeed! Which one should I buy, to have comparable performance? There are SO many types around as I've seen now....

My 501B came with perfect reflector, NO scratches over the body too, and the hotspot is a fine circle! Maybe beginners-luck :green: or.... it's the effect I also had with Hi-Fi: You are happy with what you have until... you've heard something that's WAYYY better :naughty:

Yes, my name refers to the legendary BMW E30 325i... it's simply the best car ever built! RWD, that silky smooth 6-in-line engine, the sound, the dash, it's all perfect! I wouldn't want to swap it for the newest model...
I have two of them at the moment, a 2-door and a convertible. The 2 door in technically good shape, the convertible is near-perfect.


Timmo.

If you've driven an e30, then you know that it's about more than just horsepower. It's the same way with flashlights. You can definitely get a brighter light for less money than a Surefire, but the overall ownership experience is not the same.

I owned a lachssilber '89 325is for about 2 years and it was a fantastic car. Buy a Surefire and experience the same satisfaction.

 

[325addict]

@ Snow:

Only NOW I fully understand why I should buy a SF


Timmo.

 

[jasonck08]

IMHO Surefire is more of a marketing company than a flashlight company. Look at those ads in Popular Science full page ads and stuff. Those have to cost a fortune. When you buy a SureFire, your paying for their HUGE marketing budget. No doubt the quality is there, but it comes at an extreme cost.

I have seen surefires, but never owned one. The quality of my other cheaper lights are pretty comparable.

 

[chalshus]

A sage piece of flashaholic advice - everyone wishes that they had skipped all the cheap lights in the beginning and had just gotten one or two good lights.

Ohh - just like I did. Thank you.

 

[paulr]

You know, if you are after brute power and are in the financial bracket of owning two 325's, you may as well skip the whole P90 style of light and go directly to an M6. There is nothing else like it, even though there are some brighter lights. Even the other models of Surefires are just toys by comparison. The M6's build quality and styling is at a completely different level, and its "wow" factor when you turn it on is just visceral.

 

[carrier82]

@ Snow:

Only NOW I fully understand why I should buy a SF

Remember there are other high quality brands as well. Let's take Fenix TK20 for example, which is of superb quality, has long runtime, is bright, has two modes, has a tint comparable to incadescents and runs on cheap and common AA primaries or rechargeables. Okay, it is not incand but you already have one high output light, why not try LED?

 

[jtivat]

I have seen surefires, but never owned one. The quality of my other cheaper lights are pretty comparable.

I have seen a 357 magnum but I don't think it could kill me.

 

[paulr]

I've never owned a Surefire but I've played with a lot of them and I have four McLuxes and a Spy. I don't think anything comes near Surefire, especially the M6, if you want a tactical incan style of light. If you want a top grade LED light, SF again is probably the king of tactical production lights. If you want something more "civilian" looking, I'd suggest checking some CPF modder lights, although they tend to be even more expensive than Surefires.

 

[kaichu dento]

I have seen surefires, but never owned one. The quality of my other cheaper lights are pretty comparable.

I have seen the sun, but never up close. The output of my Maglite is pretty comparable.

 

[325addict]

@Carrier 82: I already ordered a Fenix P1D. I'll see what it has to offer.....
I think this will become my EDC, as it's small and versatile (lets me choose between different levels, and THUS running times).

@Paulr: this M6 is no practical light. It uses 6 CR123s in some special battery-case. On top of that, it's a HUGE monster!
If I want brutal power, I step into my E36 M3 with 321 Horsepower.... THAT's brutal power indeed
(yes, your conclusion is right: I own 3 BMWs at the moment....)


Timmo.

 

[DM51]

IMHO Surefire is more of a marketing company than a flashlight company. Look at those ads in Popular Science full page ads and stuff. Those have to cost a fortune. When you buy a SureFire, your paying for their HUGE marketing budget. No doubt the quality is there, but it comes at an extreme cost.

I have seen surefires, but never owned one. The quality of my other cheaper lights are pretty comparable.

In your HO? And what is the "H" supposed to stand for, in the case of the opinion you favored us with there? "Humble" or "Honest"? Can't be either of those - they don't fit there. "Half-baked" would be more accurate.

In MY opinion, your post comes close to trolling; but it is so replete with dumb ignorance that it doesn't even make the grade as a troll post. However, further nonsense of that sort from you will be treated that way. You will not be warned again.

 

[kramer5150]

IMHO Surefire is more of a marketing company than a flashlight company. Look at those ads in Popular Science full page ads and stuff. Those have to cost a fortune. When you buy a SureFire, your paying for their HUGE marketing budget. No doubt the quality is there, but it comes at an extreme cost.

I have seen surefires, but never owned one. The quality of my other cheaper lights are pretty comparable.

I understand that you are entitled to your opinion but I think the definition of what a "marketing company" is needs to be clarified. SF is one of the few flashlight companies who fabricates parts and sub-assemblies in-house. They hold several patents and pioneered various design concepts, many of which have been adopted by the weapon mount industry as standard design and cloned by many others. (The 1" diameter, weapon mountable 2xCR123 format... for starters, others will chime in with more).

Yes they spend a LOT $$$ on product marketing but they are also a flashlight manufacturing company, and not just a front who sub-contracts out-sourced fabrication.

 

[paulr]

@Paulr: this M6 is no practical light.

Welcome to CPF, where practicality is not always a concern. If you can dream it, do it .

 

[Snow]

Another thing you are paying for with SureFire is their customer service. I could call them on the phone tomorrow and tell them I flushed the head to my A2 down the toilet and they would send me a new one. That kind of support is very nice to have.

 

[325addict]

Yes, I've heard enough: I definitely must have at least ONE SureFire.... the only problem might be, according to "LA Police Gear", that SureFire doesn't ship outside of the USA.... or is LA police Gear simply not shipping outside the USA? According to them, this was "SureFire policy".
If that's true, I'll have to catch one on eBay

The first one I want to have is a C3 centurion, together with 2 (or better: 4) AW 17500s this will make a "bright" start I think

Then, an E1e is the next! But this one in especially hard to find...

Timmo.

 

[DM51]

325addict, this just a suggestion, but instead of eBay, you might consider buying on CPFMarketPlace. CPFers are very careful with their lights and you'll be able to find almost anything you want in excellent condition, often indistinguishable from new.