Vintage 6P. Glass lens replacement available?

[anonymoususer]

What the title says ^^

 

[rjr104]

Not glass - lexan plastic. Surefire Z17. About $4.00. If you want glass you can buy some that nearly fit from the china outlets and "glue" them in with RTV. Last time I called surefire they had them. If yours is melted or deformed from heat it should be a warranty thing. The operative word is "should be". They have sent them, and they have told me to take a hike. It's a crap shoot. Their lifetime warranty has good days and it has bad days.

 

[JNewell]

Not glass - lexan plastic. Surefire Z17. About $4.00. If you want glass you can buy some that nearly fit from the china outlets and "glue" them in with RTV. Last time I called surefire they had them. If yours is melted or deformed from heat it should be a warranty thing. The operative word is "should be". They have sent them, and they have told me to take a hike. It's a crap shoot. Their lifetime warranty has good days and it has bad days.

Mostly I used to get good results but last time I called I was told they were out. Are people still getting these from SureFire?

 

[ampdude]

I think they make or receive small runs from time to time, but that's just my guess. There are times when they are out and times when they have them.

 

[Chrontius]

If you don't mind replacing the bezel with a modern one, you can go glass. Is this vintage 6P a collector or a beater?

 

[JNewell]

I think they make or receive small runs from time to time, but that's just my guess. There are times when they are out and times when they have them.

Makes sense. I think they're totally out of the retail supply chain at this point.

 

[anonymoususer]

If you don't mind replacing the bezel with a modern one, you can go glass. Is this vintage 6P a collector or a beater?

I don't have one yet... But i am looking for either/or. I would prefer not to use a modern bezel.

 

[flashfan]

Hmm, is the lens kit available again, albeit only from time to time?

A couple of years or so ago, I called SF Customer Service because the Lexan lens had melted on my 9P (same size as 6P). I wanted to order the replacement lens kit, but I was told that they were no longer available. SF offered to replace the entire head with the pyrex version, but I declined, as I don't particularly care for the hex head.

I was subsequently able to get a kit from a fellow CPF member by posting in the WTB forum. If SF still does offer the kit from time to time, that would be great!

 

[JNewell]

Pyrex = hex, lexan = round. Unless there's some aftermarket solution.

I don't have one yet... But i am looking for either/or. I would prefer not to use a modern bezel.

They replaced a couple of my old bezels for exactly that reason. I also prefer the round bezels, hence my interest and question.

Hmm, is the lens kit available again, albeit only from time to time?

A couple of years or so ago, I called SF Customer Service because the Lexan lens had melted on my 9P (same size as 6P). I wanted to order the replacement lens kit, but I was told that they were no longer available. SF offered to replace the entire head with the pyrex version, but I declined, as I don't particularly care for the hex head.

I was subsequently able to get a kit from a fellow CPF member by posting in the WTB forum. If SF still does offer the kit from time to time, that would be great!

 

[dano]

I have a few SF hexagonal heads with Lexan windows.

I bet you could find a suitable replacement from a hobby or crafts store, but you'd have to cut it to shape/size, then use the nickel trick to pop it into the bezel.

 

[Chrontius]

They replaced an 8X head for similar reasons for me, breaking compatibility with my old diffuser, come to think of it. Better not fry my last lexan window.

 

[Stillphoto]

I have an original round body 6p that I'm currently pimping, and I picked up a Z17 kit for it from Surefire late last year.

They're about 20 minutes from me, so when I called and explained that my old lens was broken, they offered me one free of charge, which I picked up from their will-call spot later that day. Would have been happy to pay the couple of bucks for it, but hey, they stood by their warranty, and free is fine by me.

What I did was instead of calling warranty for a replacement, I called to place an order for it, and explained that I needed one to replace the broken one. So that might be a different angle of attack to try.

Glass would be nice, no doubt, but if you got a couple of these z17 kits (which have the lens, a new o-ring, a foam sticker to aid in the "nickel" installation, and instructions), you'd be able to replace them whenever and you'd be good to go.

 

[JNewell]

I have a few SF hexagonal heads with Lexan windows.

I bet you could find a suitable replacement from a hobby or crafts store, but you'd have to cut it to shape/size, then use the nickel trick to pop it into the bezel.

:thumbsup: Ha, yes, you are right, I have a couple of those as well! IMO, they're the worst of both worlds, but YMMV.

 

[kosPap]

BTW what are this particular (Z17) lense's dimensions?

 

[Stillphoto]

Mine's still in the package (waiting to get the light back to re-assemble) but looks to be approx. 28mm x 1.5mm...give or take a smidge.