spacetroll said:
Just got my new PT Surge in the mail, loaded the batts and the bulb blew within 10 seconds...What a let down after a week of waiting...What a PITA trying to remove batts as well!!
The Surge puts out a lot of light for the $, plus runs on common AAs. However I generally recommend other lights -- the battery carrier is a pain, as you mentioned. The bulb shouldn't blow in 10 sec, so that's bad luck.
For that output level I think the Streamlight TL-3 is much better, albeit more expensive and requires CR123A batteries. You already have a TL-3, so IMO the Surge is sort of redundant -- approx same output level, just runs on 8x AA batteries, and poorer discharger curve.
I kept my Surge for a while then gave to my father-in-law. He still has it, likes it, and bulb hasn't blown yet.
The Surge was impressive when it came out, but there are better choices.
A great light in that price range is the Streamlight Propoly Lux 4AA. Nowhere near the output, but a very practical quality light, also runs on AAs.