Surefire vs. Wolf-Eyes

[LedZep]

Quality-wise, do you think WE is comparable to Surefire? Most people feel that WE is built extremely tough, I am considering choosing one or the other (Sniper or new L1) for edc. Any thoughts?

 

[BSCOTT1504]

Get the L1..it's smaller and offers low and high beam.....

 

[MikeLip]

Quality-wise, do you think WE is comparable to Surefire? Most people feel that WE is built extremely tough, I am considering choosing one or the other (Sniper or new L1) for edc. Any thoughts?

That one is nearly impossible to answer, I think, just by looking at the lights. I only have one Wolf Eyes, the 10W HID Boxer. I do have another inbound, the Eagle 4A rechargeable incan, plus accessories. based on what I've seen on the HID light and my four SFs, I can tell you that Wolf Eyes are externally extremely nicely made. Everything works just as it should. Machining, fit and finish are first rate. Things that should turn smoothly do. Things that shouldn't turn don't I can't speak to the longevity of the switch and electronics, because I just haven;t had it that long and anyone can make a switch that will feel good and last for a little while. And I certainly wouldn't bet my life on it by mounting it to a gun without either talking it to my local shock and vibe lab and putting it through it's paces - it hasn't been around, again, long enough to prove itself in life-or-death situations.

But given all that, if I didn't know this was a Chinese light, I would have said it came from a top tier maker like SF or Peak. It's very good indeed as far as I can see and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. I didn't hesitate, and am considering a third!

 

[bondr006]

Depends on what you want the light for. Yes, they are both built like tanks, but they are two different lights. They both have high/low, but the Sniper is about twice the size of the L1. The L1 has the TIR optics with a great spot and not much spill, and is mainly an outdoor throw type light. The Sniper has a beam that is good for more all round use indoors and outdoors. The L1 is backed by the best company and warranty in the industry. I don't know how well the Wolf Eyes is covered. I have both Surefires and Wolf Eyes and like them both for different reasons and uses. Like I said...it all depends on what you want to use the light for.

Quality-wise, do you think WE is comparable to Surefire? Most people feel that WE is built extremely tough, I am considering choosing one or the other (Sniper or new L1) for edc. Any thoughts?

 

[MikeLip]

Just as a PS - I carry a SF L1 Cree 24/7. If there was ever a light I liked better than this, I never met it. I even like it better than my Novatac, which ended up on the sales board after the Surefire came in!

 

[xiaowenzu]

Quality-wise, do you think WE is comparable to Surefire? Most people feel that WE is built extremely tough, I am considering choosing one or the other (Sniper or new L1) for edc. Any thoughts?

Read this about Surefire toughness

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/525/sesent/00

Wolf Eyes (Chinese lights) might feel 'tough' to the average user but it can't be compared to Surefire. You have to understand that Surefire lights (MADE in U.S.A) are designed and rigorously tested to be used for the Military, and therefore have proven themselves in the battle field. These people depend on their lights in life and death situations, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese military themselves used Surefire lights.:thumbsup:

Many Surefire flashlights, feature shock-isolated lamp assemblies. This shock isolation acts much like the suspension in an automobile, using springs and dampers to help prevent external forces from damaging lamp parts — particularly filaments. Additionally, a machined-in barrier prevents batteries from slamming forward into the lamp assembly.:thumbsup: Surefire also uses Mil-A-8625 Type III Class 2 military specification finish, which is tougher than other 'HA's'

So, what I'm say is that, YES... Wolfeyes might feel 'tough' and so does a Maglite, but you shouldn't trust them in combat situations, ie WAR. Surefires have been tried and tested in real world battle conditions, where your life depends on it.

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/525/sesent/00

 

[FlashKat]

After owning both Surefire and Wolf Eyes for awhile and using them I have to say Surefire is built with better materials, quality standards, craftsmanship. Surefire is alot smaller and lighter, but built tougher.

 

[scott.cr]

The two lights are different animals. In terms of toughness, the Surefire will win every time. Wolf Eyes is made of sintered aluminum, which is more prone to fracture on a hard impact. Surefire is made of aluminum forgings and CNC finish machined and are more likely to bend/deform on impact.

I have several of each brand... Wolf Eyes are overpriced in my opinion (hey it's made in China), but they offer features that Surefire doesn't, like an affordable 10W HID and multi-LED lights.

Surefire has a great line of accessories; take any one of their incandescent lights and matching spares carrier and you'll have enough pieces to keep that light going for hours "no matter what."

 

[Patriot]

The WE light have a lot of metal mass and bulk. I don't think that the WE is a completely machined product like Surefire is. They seem to have many more rounded edges and I'm not sure how they're manufactured. The Surefire lights have very crisp machining and a sleek design. If you're going to EDC your light Surefire, pocket clips are about the best ever designed.

 

[BBL]

Some folks here take surefires warzone marketing bullshit too serious. Sure, they have plenty of lights in the field, but building a tough aluminum tube is not rocket science.

I can not imagine a wolf-eyes failing physically (aluminum tube) under conditions where a surefire survives fully functional.

And surefire indeed has weak points - the 6P bezel front is very thin and absolutely vulnerable, which could result in a broken front lens. Not to mention their clicky switches.

 

[MikeLip]

And we're off! Now taking bets on this becoming another SF bash-fest!

The thing about sintered aluminum being used for the Wolf Eyes body is interesting if true. The threads seem to engage very smoothly, and I wouldn't have expected that from sintered metal. Cool! On the other hand it does explain the smooth and rounded body features, since machining would tend to leave somewhat sharper corners than a process which is, essentially, molding.

I'm not going to bang on my Boxer or Eagle to find out about it, but it's a cool little factoid.

 

[j3bnl]

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/pgrfnbr/525/sesent/00

Wolf Eyes (Chinese lights) might feel 'tough' to the average user but it can't be compared to Surefire. You have to understand that Surefire lights (MADE in U.S.A) are designed and rigorously tested to be used for the Military, and therefore have proven themselves in the battle field. These people depend on their lights in life and death situations, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese military themselves used Surefire lights.:thumbsup:

And things made in US are all flawlessly made like your cars eh?
Lets get real here, there is no chance that the Chinese military will be using Surefire or any other Western Lights.
Surefires are well made but IMHO are way over-priced for what you get.

 

[edc3]

 

[KeyGrip]

If we can leave the country of origin and military use BS behind, perhaps we can answer the question. LedZep, the biggest difference has already been adressed, and that is size. How much will the size of the light play into your ability to EDC it. Wolf Eyes gives more rechargable options, if that makes a difference to you. Also consider that you could buy the L1, try it for a while, and if you don't like it, you can sell it on the Marketplace easily for enough money to get the Wolf Eyes to test out.

 

[BBL]

And we're off! Now taking bets on this becoming another SF bash-fest!

I dont intend on bashing sf. I just cant stand this 'mythical battlefield survivability' feature, that all surefire have from birth and all other lights dont have.

 

[MikeLip]

<snip> Also consider that you could buy the L1, try it for a while, and if you don't like it, you can sell it on the Marketplace easily for enough money to get the Wolf Eyes to test out.

Good point. L1s go quick!

 

[Trekmeister]

And things made in US are all flawlessly made like your cars eh?
Lets get real here, there is no chance that the Chinese military will be using Surefire or any other Western Lights.
Surefires are well made but IMHO are way over-priced for what you get.

Hehe, yeah I find it interesting how some people are saying made in usa == quality... To most people here in Sweden at least that has not been a sign of quality for at least ten years.

I have not had the pleasure of inspecting any wolf-eyes lights up close and personal. However I would expect the quality to be top notch, but I can't do any comparisons I'm afraid.

 

[thiswayup]

I dont intend on bashing sf. I just cant stand this 'mythical battlefield survivability' feature, that all surefire have from birth and all other lights dont have.

If you read the link provided, all SF actually commit to saying is "Some soldiers carry our lights." Sure. Some carry Maglites, Inovas, virtually anything. If you look at dedicated LEO/military suppliers like County Comm you'll see that some of the lights they sell as $1.50 plastic specials.

What SF avoid doing is making commitments to definite specs like drop survivability, or even the dust ingress that Fenix specifies. But as SF, Traser, and Maxpedition will tell you, the Rainbow 6 thing is a great marketing ploy

 

[KeeperSD]

Oh no not another SF v xxx thread hopefully this progresses better than the others but i doubt it.

I have several of each brand... Wolf Eyes are overpriced in my opinion

You are entitled to your opinion but i disagree, their small light range eg: Sniper and Raider are half the price of their SF counterparts and have the same capabilities, actually more since they can take a higher capacity rechargeable which is important to some people. The value for money is one of the biggest selling points for the WE range.

j3bnl don't take the bait you will only encourage him........

 

[LedZep]

Thanks everyone for your replies.....some good info......

It seems both have very durable bodies but as BBL and MikeLip stated, you have to consider the functional mechanical and electrical parts like switches and internal circuitry as well. Has there ever been issues with Wolf-Eyes internal parts? KeyGrip makes a good point about the L1's size advantage and the Sniper's recharging options (and buying and selling in the Marketplace!). Based on bondr006's description of the beam quality, I would think the WE has a more useful beam. I guess another option is to buy both, since they would probably complement each other, and maybe throw in a T10 for good measure. That way, I could carry whichever one I felt like that day, and not worry that any one is going to die on me at any moment. Plus, it's the cpf way!