Swimming with surefire

[computernut]

I've used my Surefires in the pouring rain with no adverse effects but I wouldn't subject them to swimming on purpose. If some emergency arose and I had to dive into the water I wouldn't hesitate but if there is no need to I wouldn't risk it. I keep my o-rings cleaned and lubed so I'm confident that if I dropped one in a puddle there wouldn't be any problem.

 

[jamesmtl514]

I cant remember if I read it on here or on the SF site but here goes.

A member of the armed forces was conducting an exercise in a tank training field. He dropped his Surefire light, a year later he recovered it. it had been run over by tanks and lay sitting in the dirt/mud for over a year. He claimed it fired right up.

Again I would not mind getting my SF wet.

 

[Solscud007]

I find it hard to believe no one picked up the surefire in the course of a year and thought "Hey!!! Free surefire!!! SWEET!!!!"

 

[Dude Dudeson]

I find it hard to believe no one picked up the surefire in the course of a year and thought "Hey!!! Free surefire!!! SWEET!!!!"

After being run over by tanks in the dirt? The thing was probably 95% submerged in dirt most of that year! And just how many people are walking around on a tank training range?

 

[jamesmtl514]

So I had the facts slightly crossed, please forgive me.

Z2 Endures Bears Weight of a Tank & a Norwegian Winter During one of many training exercises in northern Norway, I dropped my Z2 CombatLight® while exiting a CV90 (the Norwegian equivalent of a Bradley) vehicle. The light had been tied to my combat vest, so by the time I noticed it was missing, it was long gone. Later that year at the same training area, during the spring, one of my buddies asked me, "Didn't you drop a flashlight this winter?" as he pointed at a shiny black tube protruding up from the ground—in the tracks from our tank. It was, in fact, my Z2. Just imagine the quantity of tanks that must've driven over that little light!

I brought it back to the barracks and changed the battery, and it worked just fine. You guys do quality engineering. Thanks, SureFire.

Michael N.
Sandefjord, Norway

 

[Solscud007]

Interesting, but playing devil's advocate I have to point out that getting pushed into the dirt for a few months is nothing that spectacular.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Interesting, but playing devil's advocate I have to point out that getting pushed into the dirt for a few months is nothing that spectacular.

How about asphalt?

 

[Crenshaw]

From what i recall of earlier tests, the G2 is bad for water resistance. But all the lights are bad if youre gonna be fiddleing around with the switch while under water.

fwiw, I used my Mag85 (3xLi-on C) in a pool once. Worked fine.

then i took it apart, the battery compartment had some water in it, not much, but enough so that there was a tiny pit of rust on the contact points. How that happened i dont know.

I still use it sometimes, yes yes i KNOW its unsafe. my risk.

Crenshaw

 

[SunStar]

Personally, I would not intentionally submerge a G2, however my toddler regularly plays with "his" L1 in the bath tub as his submarine and he loves the night swims in the pool with the E1B, E2DL and C3. I have never experienced a single leak with any of the 4 being played with hard while being submerged. I do however maintain the o-rings and apply lube generously. I also turn the light on before submerging it.

There is only one thing cooler to a kid than playing with a flashlight at night and that is playing with a flashlight in the pool at night. It's great entertainment and adds focus to the experience for both child and parent. I'm not familiar with dive lights, however I do know that part of the appeal of the SF to the kid is the small diameter of the tube so they can grip it well not to mention the incredible throw which hold super powers.:thumbsup:

 

[grumbler]

I read in an old SF catalog that some of the lights could be special-ordered waterproof to meet the needs of SEAL teams. I imagine that they still offer the service, but I'm unsure if they'd sell any to civilians.

 

[Solscud007]

I read in an old SF catalog that some of the lights could be special-ordered waterproof to meet the needs of SEAL teams. I imagine that they still offer the service, but I'm unsure if they'd sell any to civilians.

I thought that just involved adding a second oring. also there was the waterproof tailcap, the one with no switch but a lanyard ring at the end. It was only a twisty.

I did swim with my U2 and it was bone dry inside. I added a second oring But I couldnt use just any other SF o-ring. They mostly all were a hair too thick and the tailcap would not go on.

 

[Size15's]

There are plenty of discussions here on CPF regarding SureFire's tested & rated waterproof aka N-certified models.
I suggest we keep this thread on topic and if people want to explore the "waterproof" SureFires they can dig up the most appropriate 'grave' thread for resurrection.