The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gladius

[kev1-1]

I am sure this has been discussed before, but I could not find a thread. Which should I get...and most importantly why? What marks out one as supperior to the other?!

I look forward to the answers!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Wits' End]

I've been wondering about Gladius vs. HDS EDC /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I think the Gladius vs the U2 is answered by size. Isn't the U2 much larger, especialy the bezel?

 

[voodoogreg]

Sorta OT, but on the subject,, since I have a E2d, and KL-1's, and my main light's are 1x123 at the moment, I know i will pick a gladius (once it's been out in the field and proven sound in design and reliablity) as my next two cell light. my reasoning:
is nothing against SF quality, but just would like a different high end brand that in the case of the gladius may fit my need's and preference's better.

I like the dimmer on the back for one hand operation. And a preferable UI.

It look's to me the gladius has a tighter beam with more throw, and I do like throw and decent spill as opposed to
SF's lux V big wash of a flood.

The ceramic coating sound's cool, and is a nice deviation from my aluminuim SFs.

seem's to be a lot of thought got put into this light, and Blackhawk seem's like they care a lot about making this
light the best it can be, and as i learned from dealing with HDS, when the company believe's strongly in there product i really feel comfortable paying my hard earned $$
for that product.(Henry at HDS answered every Q, kept in touch, even added a model for those of us that wanted a 60 in basic trim. and his suggestion's for use in my application were spot on)

If you don't own any SF light's i can see where a U2 would be a good item, if you do own any 2 cell SF's I feel light's like HDS gladius and mcgizmo seem to be the next step up. my 0.2 cent's. VDG

 

[chevrofreak]

Do you want throw or flood? Do you want a long lasting LuxIII or a shortlived LuxV?

 

[Size15's]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Why would you have to choose between the U2 and the Gladius?

I don't see how they are competition. The Gladius is a Tactical Light without a doubt. The U2 is a utility light.

It appears to me that you could have a Gladius and a U2 on your dutybelt. The U2 with a Pila rechargeable battery for your dutyrechargeable and the Gladius (if that is what you want/require) for dedicated use with your weapon.

Whilst you could have one or the other, having only one flashlight for such applications is risky to say the least.

Al

 

[dougmccoy]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

No more risky than a gun jamming (been there, done that)
Doug

 

[dougmccoy]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

OBTW another vote for the Gladius would be on cost! (It's cheaper)

 

[cliff]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

How short lived is the U2's LuxV v. the Gladius's LuxIII (or do I have it the other way around?)? Also, can a Gladius run on Pilas?

 

[jtice]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

I was looking at the U2 for a while, I have generally liked the 5W beams over the 3W beams, unless I was out in a large outdoor environment all day, Then the 3W throw is nice.

The U2 seemed the best choice for a EDC 5W light. Since I LOVE dimmable lights.

Then someone pointed out the Gladius to me.
I like it alot, seems like a well thought out light.
I like that its dimmable, sounded like it had a nice throw beam.
Seemed alittle more tactical than the U2.

I like the design of the U2 alot better though, especially for EDC.
Pocket Clip for one, was a big thing I wanted.
The U2 seemed alittle better shaped for a pocket, that craown shaped tail on the Gladius looked too sharp.
I also like the adjusting collar on the U2. I like the push button just fine, but it has downfalls.
I like that the U2 has a simple on/off clcikie, cant go wrong there.
Then there is the seperate adjustment collar. You can even change the brightness, BEFORE you turn it on.
Plus I just think the U2 looks alot better.

I also wanted a wider 5W beam, that was a major deciding factor.

soooo,,, I ended up buying a U2, and LOVE it.

Find out what you want,,,
tight throw, or wider room filler
more tactical, or more EDC

 

[jtice]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

BTW,,, dont let that "short lived" 5W stuff bother you.
Its gonna last longer than the light interests you I bet.
Besides, in a few years, when it dies, have one of us replace it for you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[wquiles]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

[ QUOTE ]
jtice said:
Besides, in a few years, when it dies, have one of us replace it for you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Or in a few years if/when it dies you will not care too much as you will be able to replace it will use the next generation 250Lumen LED that runs on 2 CR123 cells /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Will

 

[cliff]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Also, if heat is the achilles heel of the LuxV and a U2 is run mostly at the lower levels where it barely warms up, the emitter should last quite a bit longer, right?

 

[jtice]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Yes cliff, Heat is the #1 killer, so running it at lower levels will help.

Tonight I will run my U2 for a while on high, and see how hot its gets.
I have only had it a few days, im just now starting the review, wanted to USE it some befor I wrote it.
Havent had a chance to do any real testing.

Let me know if you have any more questions, you can PM me if you like.
Ill try to answer any Q you have, maybe suply a pic or ten, what ever you need.

~John

 

[dougmccoy]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

I hope I'm not showing undue bias here but as I have a Gladius I hope I can make some objective observations?

The beam: The Gladius manages the difficult job of providing an excellent throw combined with a brilliant side spill. The transition between the hotspot and sidespill is not easily noticeable. As with all single LED's when powered down the beam does loose some of it's whiteness but only when it is set to extreme low light does it take on a blue cast. However, the beam has no artifacts or doughnut holes evident on any or its various light settings and remains easy on the eye.

Style: It is really simple in design and doesn't need to display aesthetic charm, it is after all designed for function over form! Due to the low reflectivity of the subdued ceramic coating I'm willing to bet that it will find favour with the people who really need it, i.e military and law enforcement.

Tailcap design: looks can be deceiving? The star like protusions are really rounded off and apart from grip considerations do allow the tailcap good lateral protection in the event of a fall. I've carried the light in coat and trouser pockets and have experienced no discomfort from them.

The Switch: It is honestly better than it's looks, with good tactile feel and simple switching. Due to it's design it is completely water proof and providing it doesn't get dropped directly on its tail I dont see it as being any better or worse than alternative switching methods?

Switch interface: Brilliant! intuitive, foolproof and intelligent. Can be reprogrammed by a monkey (prefers a human) and can be set to remember the last light level used when switching it on.

Positives: can be used with 3rd party accessories, ie, holsters and filters from other manufacturers. Can be weapon mounted! Very, very water resistant. Easy use, great beam.

Negatives: No accessories by the maker out at present. Ceramic coating is not 'time' proven in flashlight use.
Other negatives? Time will tell!

OBTW You will notice I've deliberately avoided the strobe function as I consider this to be a completely spurious factor when comparing the U2 and the Gladius.

As the U2 was designed before the Gladius and the intended market was not tactical it seems unfair to compare them directly? Both have strengths and possible weaknesses but both are excellent products and were made to perform to different criteria.

Doug

 

[KevinL]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Yup, that's true. Dial down the power and the LEDs will last longer.

Every month, some variation of a thread asking about 5W LED lifespans and whether Surefire will replace them or whether they really last 500 hours or whether they will die etc.etc. comes up on CPF in some form or another. To the best of my knowledge nobody here has actually had one die of old age even though there have been some determined attempts to try - I recall someone co-opting a KL4 head for use as a fixed-installation lighting source on regulated 6V.

In fact, an interesting correlation with the incandescent world - 500 hours would be considered 'practically infinite' for an incandescent light.

And LEDs don't go 'pop' at the end of those hours and plunge you into darkness. It's x number of hours till output decreases by a certain percentage of lumens. You will still get quite a lot of light, but perhaps, not as much as you used to.

Lastly, I recall reading in some material that LumiLEDs stated that 500 hours was preliminary, they are revising things to upwards of 1000 hours as more test data becomes available.

If I ran my U2 hard - half an hour each night on rechargeables, at full blast, the light would still last me more than 5 years at 1000 hours. Realistically, my U2 gets closer to five minutes per night average. At that rate it'll last literally forever.

By then I will be right here waiting for my 500+ lumen LuxV and I'll do the emitter swap to turn that U2 into a *SERIOUS* fire breathing monster.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[code09]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

[ QUOTE ]
If I ran my U2 hard - half an hour each night on rechargeables, at full blast, the light would still last me more than 5 years at 1000 hours. Realistically, my U2 gets closer to five minutes per night average. At that rate it'll last literally forever.

[/ QUOTE ]

OT for a bit. What kind of rechargeables are you running off of? the ones that top off at 4.2 volts will kill it....right?

Thanks

 

[cliff]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

The U2 runs like a charm for a very long time on Pila 168s and 168a batts which are 4.2v off the charger. This is less volts than 2 CR123 batteries put out and doesn't hurt it a bit.

That's another thing - will the Gladius run on Pilas? If not, that would be a problem for me.

 

[jtice]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Im running my U2 on UN protected 18650 cells /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Even longer runtime than with the Pilas.
And its safe even though unprotected, i hear the U2 wont draw the batts too low, though I will be testing that tonight.

I have heard that you shouldnt use 2x123R in it though (the 4.2V ones)

 

[scudinc]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

Gladius. The U2 is overpriced, even for a Surefire.

 

[jtice]

Re: The BIG question! Surefire U2 or Blackhawk Gla

[ QUOTE ]
scudinc said:
Gladius. The U2 is overpriced, even for a Surefire.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, ill agree there, but I think most lights from the major brands are over priced.
but, you arent paying just for the light, are you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

hm, what is the cost of the Gladius?
Couple sites i saw it wasnt much under the U2. and the U2 is a 5Wer, so that makes it about $30 just for the led.