Surefire

[BigMac]

I am looking for a good incandescent light, and it looks like surefire is a good place to start. I have seen their site with the "personal" lights, and have a few questions.

First, why is the g2 so inexpensive? I like the idea of two brightness levels, and the lower is alomost as bright as the E2e. Is it the nitrolon material, or mabey the lack of a lock-out tailcap?

Also, assuming there is somthing wrong with the g2, could someone compare the e2e with the g2z, z2, or 6p?

Thanks alot, I know that is a bunch of info. Any and all help is appreciated. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DavidW]

Are going about this as which one to buy and forget the rest? Or which one to buy first?

 

[BigMac]

Just which to buy first. I plan on a good collection. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tsg68]

I think, just as most folks are, you would be happy with the E2E executive in the HA finish. I noticed that alot of the folks here have several lights but carry the E2E and it's various accessories as an EDC and I can see why, it is the smallest 2 cell Surefire made and it's 60 lumen lamp is very similar in beam quality and brightness to the lights that take the P60 lamp assembly. It also has a very solid accessory base available for it.

I prefer my C2HA but I am about 6'5" tall and have huge hands so that light fits me pretty good and I can swap the G2's lamp assemblies with it.

Yes, you are correct about the G2. It is cheaper because of the nitrolon construction, lexan lens, and lack of a lockout tailcap but don't let any of this fool you it is a tough (tougher and more shock resistant than the aluminum lights), lightweight and dependable light. I own two and like having them in emergency bugout bags and such. My wife carrys a G2 in her purse also. The G2Z's are nice too and feature the LOTC.

Buy what you're gonna like to carry first and then buy some others when you feel like it.

Hope that helps!

Later,
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tkl]

the E2e is an awesome edc, sf's best 2 cell imo. it's a great do-all light as well, has been for me. i've found it hard to buy another sf when my E2e is with me all the time. it carries effortlessly clipped to my pocket.

i would recommend the E2e first, then a G2 for spare in the house or vehicle. you mentioned the G2z and i'm assuming you're interested for a gun light? if so this light is perfect. if not, it still offers an alternate grip, lotc and pyrex lens.

 

[brightnorm]

[ QUOTE ]
tsg68 said:
...Yes, you are correct about the G2. It is cheaper because of the nitrolon construction, lexan lens, and lack of a lockout tailcap ....

[/ QUOTE ]

And even that isn't so bad because you can use "bezel lockout". Less than two CC bezel turns and you're locked out as effectively as witha LOTC. This doesn't work on all Surefires, but it works best on the E2 (not the E2e).

The E2 is so sensitive to bezel position that you can hold it in a standard flashlight hold (as opposed to "combat hold")and use the bezel clip as a surprisingly convenient thumb switch. The light will cut out after the slightest fraction of an inch CC turn.

Brightnorm

 

[chamenos]

E2e is probably the most common surefire EDCed around here (small, bright, tough LA), but you might want to consider the C2 as well. i carry one everyday like tsg, and though its slightly more bulky than the E2e i like the grip ring and i find the longer clip more useful. i've dropped it numerous times from waist height to hard concrete and the P60 is holding up just fine. i even put it in the washing machine once, and besides some scratches and nicks it came out just fine, and perfectly dry inside. just my 2 cents /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[kakster]

Just a quick heads-up about the "dual brightness" levels. It actually means there are 2 seperate lamp assemblies that you can swap between, it doesnt mean the G2 has a dual level switch built into it. You need to open up the bezel and swap lamps.

 

[Blikbok]

If they'd put the Nitrolon LOTC on the G2, I'd have a pair. If they'd make a LS LED head in Nitrolon to match, I'd have dozens. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I've got to concur with the E2e as the first SF. It's a must-have. The E2e is a great bargain for that much performance in that small a package. I also heartily recommend you order the F04 beamshaper with it.

 

[llvo]

but an E2e, and then a C3.
Then you got a good edc and a 3-cell blinding light

don't forget the KL1 also

 

[Blikbok]

I second llvo!

I find the E1/KL1, E2e+F04, C3 combo to be killer. Though you might want to jump directly to the M3 or something. Because the E2e is bright enough for almost all daily tasks, but when you need BRIGHT, it can always be brighter.

 

[BrianC]

I think I'm the only one here that questions the value of the E2e price tag. It is a good light and all, but you have to consider it costs almost as much as 3 G2's. If the purpose is not EDC, the G2 in my opinion is a far better light factoring in cost.

But having said that, I do EDC my E2e because its the most compact 2 cell light currently out. And at whatever cost, there doesn't seem to be anything better then it.

 

[BigMac]

[ QUOTE ]
BrianC said:
I think I'm the only one here that questions the value of the E2e price tag.


[/ QUOTE ]

I was questioning it myself. That is why I made this post. So what you're saying is, the g2 has about as good of performance as the e2e? I don't require my light to withstand a nuclear explosion (I live in kansas after all). All I want is a really bright light, with good quality. I get the impression that anything from surefire has good quality. I don't have the money to spend on lights that are so sturdy that it surpasses usefullness. Again, I want a really bright light at a decent price. Might the g2 be a better way to go, and pick up an e2e after saving up some more money? Right now the only advantage I'm seeing (for my uses) in the e2e is the LED head (Kl1, soon to be Kl4) for extended runtime. But even then, I have a Lightwave 4000. Does anyone know how (or even if) the Lightwave compares to the KL1? One more thing, what makes the e2e such a better edc? It is just a bit smaller, and I don't think I could justify spending an extra $40 for aluminum and a lotc. Unless mabey there is somthing I'm missing.

 

[keithhr]

The G2 is the first surefire light that I bought. The G2 is the best bang for the buck but the most attractive thing about the E2E is it's a bit smaller and it has a pocket clip for carrying high in the pocket to not get scratched. They both turn on and off the same way and the E2E seem more like a cool toy. You could also look at the Pelican M6 which is about $35 plus shipping and has a better throw the either surefire mentioned with a brighter light. Dan at tactical warehouse is a good place to get them because he has two day fed ex shipping for $5.00. I carry the ARC LSH-p and the surefire E2E for an everyday carry. I had a KL1 and didn't think very much of it. $45 plus for a purplish light, I sold mine.

 

[shiftd]

Well BigMac,
the good thing about e2e is that it is relatively versatile. You can use it with KL1, which should be brighter than lightwave4000, and also KL4. Not only that, E2E also a strong light. However, if you only looking for a cheap but bright, surefire model, then the G2 is your bet. It is brighter than E2 as G2 puts out 65 lumens and E2e only 60 lumens (if i remember correctly). The price tag also way better than E2
My take is that go get yourself a G2. If you would like a luxeon light, then get either Arc or sandwich drop. Both should be as bright and not as purple as the KL1. For the 5 watt, you can buy the one that the modders here made. However, if you want A light that has the option of using Luxeon 1W, 5W and incandescent, then by no means, get the E2E.

 

[tsg68]

While I love my C2, I do have to admit that the size difference between the E2E and the other 2 cell lights may not seem significant to read about but, is rather significant in holding the lights in comparison. At a local retailer I matched the E2E against the M2 and was pretty suprised at how little difference there was in the beam size and brightness, I was also impressed with the small package the E2E offers.

The only thing that puts me off about the E2E is that it's lamp assembly is not consistent with the other, C,G,P and Z 2 cell lights so it would require me to purchase more than one type and I already have to purchase separate LA's for my M3 and I don't like the idea of running a complicated lamp inventory for all my lights K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Is my motto and the C2 and my G2's run within that philosophy.

I still think that the LOTC for the G2 is a minor thing, as I mentioned, my wife carries a G2 daily in her purse (which is a melange of harmful Items that most of us would not recognize if our lives depended on it, including various masochistic torture/beauty implements etc.) and has yet to accidentally activate it and destroy/damage the light or lens (breaking things that resist breakage is a specialty of hers also) or run down her batteries, although after posting last night I pulled it from her purse, smearing ink from a freshly exploded pen on my hand in the process and found the light body covered in makeup, which I promptly removed with some spray cleaner. So I am confident of their durability and stability. I however prefer their use as a backup light over EDC, the clips on the other lights really do improve the pocketablilty (New Word!) of the lights for EDC.

Later,
TSG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[chamenos]

one of the reasons i chose the C2 as well was also because it used the P60/P61 lamp assemblies. the E series is rather new, and there's no telling if surefire might decide to discontinue it in future (highly unlikely), similar to the 3P. the P60 and P61 lamps have been in use for a long time, with a whole slew of different models that use the same lamp assembly and have interchangeable components, including weapon lights (both classic and millenium series) that are used all over the world by LEOs and the military, which more or less guarantees the P60/P61 will be around for a long time. this is important to me because i saw the purchase of my C2 as a long term investment, not a new toy that i was going to play with and sell once the novelty wore off.

anyway i never lock out the tailcap on my C2 whether i'm carrying it on my person or in a bag and it has never turned on unexpectedly. i carried the E2e for a while before deciding it was not for me, so i am speaking from experience here. the light output of the E2e is roughly the same as a P60, though slightly dimmer and more defused. i only use the C2 when i absolutely need a LOT of light when my arc AAA and LSH-P won't do, so the added output and throw of the C2 over the E2e does make a noticeable difference. if i decide the P60 isn't enough, i can always change it to a P61, whereas with the E2e 60 lumens is the most you'll get out of it (at least for now). with this setup, i can use the LSH-P to kill off batteries from my C2 that are starting to turn the light from the C2 yellow.

btw, if you're going to carry the light in a bag, then just go for the G2 since the increase in size over an E2e won't really matter that way. however if you're going to carry it on your person, then a C2 or E2e would be more ideal because of the pocket clip. the C2 also has a grip ring which is very handy, and it appears to be more water-resistant than the E2e (at least from my experience).

 

[paulr]

You can use an e2c adapter on your e2, or if you're really determined, you can transplant the p60/p61 lamps into the e2 head (there's another thread about how to do that).

I wouldn't worry about the e2 being discontinued and lamps drying up. There's too much profit in those lamps. Anyway, once the KL4 is out and you put one on your e2, you won't need any more incandescent lamps for it.

 

[Size15's]

The E1 & E2 have been discontinued!

The Elite version will be with us for some time me thinks - it is very popular.
Also, SureFire still support discontinued models with replacements lamps - the 3P, 3BL and Classic handgun WeaponLights are still in use. The 12PM's N62 is still available.

With regards to there being too much profit in the lamps - I'd love to see your figures (in a different thread perhaps?)

The C2 does give you the interchangeability of the P60/P61 if you have a number of two-SF123A models (useful if you have WeaponLights)

Al

 

[this_is_nascar]

Everyone needs an E2/E2E/E2O. In my opinion, it's the best light on the market for size and performance + versatility.