Gatsby
Enlightened
I don't have a collection worthy of the c/e series addicts threads, but having recently dipped my toes into the Surefire waters I have to admit that they do have "something" about them that is kind of addicting.
I started with a 6PL - partly to use as a host for a drop in I'm considering (I think it is time for a real flamethrower - SST or MCE or P7) and while I still love my Dereelight host, I do see why the 6P is a classic. Then I picked up an E1L - love it. E2L - also love it but as much to use the KX2 head on the E1L body with RCR123s. L1 Cree - don't love it as much as the E1L but ... well ... i'm struggling to sell it as there is something about the UI that is kind of cool and how it feels in your hand. Pondering a mod to that one even though I really should sell it.
Now I am a devoted fan of the Arc4/HDS/Novatac and by extension Ra lights. Love the UI and the form factor (it could be a bit smaller but still...) and the PEU bezel with trits I put on it, and I'm excited to get it back after a K2 TVOD mod which will really pump up the output and tint. I've tried a lot of others and come back to the Novatac (and HDS in the past) again and again. It is a great EDC.
By comparison, the Surefires aren't quite as bright, don't offer as many levels (although they are well chosen by and large) and don't have a low low that I use a lot, aren't terribly friendly toward rechargeables, have a useless clip (E1L, L1) or better but still the wrong way (E2L), and have a sort of puzzling (to me) at least array of product offerings compared to others, bring products to market at a snails pace (but well tested to their credit), and don't really care to push the technology envelope.
But, for some reason, there is something about the build quality, the tactile feel, the overall design that makes one of them find their way into my pocket an awful lot these days... I find that I kind of like the TIR optics, the anodizing, the pocket peeling knurling, the lego options, lumps and tacticool bumps and all they really do make a compelling product for a flashaholic that, in some (or many) ways defies reason... but after resisting for some time I do understand (much like with my Benchmade Mini Grip) finally what all the fuss was about!
I started with a 6PL - partly to use as a host for a drop in I'm considering (I think it is time for a real flamethrower - SST or MCE or P7) and while I still love my Dereelight host, I do see why the 6P is a classic. Then I picked up an E1L - love it. E2L - also love it but as much to use the KX2 head on the E1L body with RCR123s. L1 Cree - don't love it as much as the E1L but ... well ... i'm struggling to sell it as there is something about the UI that is kind of cool and how it feels in your hand. Pondering a mod to that one even though I really should sell it.
Now I am a devoted fan of the Arc4/HDS/Novatac and by extension Ra lights. Love the UI and the form factor (it could be a bit smaller but still...) and the PEU bezel with trits I put on it, and I'm excited to get it back after a K2 TVOD mod which will really pump up the output and tint. I've tried a lot of others and come back to the Novatac (and HDS in the past) again and again. It is a great EDC.
By comparison, the Surefires aren't quite as bright, don't offer as many levels (although they are well chosen by and large) and don't have a low low that I use a lot, aren't terribly friendly toward rechargeables, have a useless clip (E1L, L1) or better but still the wrong way (E2L), and have a sort of puzzling (to me) at least array of product offerings compared to others, bring products to market at a snails pace (but well tested to their credit), and don't really care to push the technology envelope.
But, for some reason, there is something about the build quality, the tactile feel, the overall design that makes one of them find their way into my pocket an awful lot these days... I find that I kind of like the TIR optics, the anodizing, the pocket peeling knurling, the lego options, lumps and tacticool bumps and all they really do make a compelling product for a flashaholic that, in some (or many) ways defies reason... but after resisting for some time I do understand (much like with my Benchmade Mini Grip) finally what all the fuss was about!
