Will my 6P handle rain well?

[SarcoBlaster]

If I take my 6P out into the rain (anywhere from a drizzle to a heavy downpour), would it be OK? It's not going to leak or anything, is it?

 

[B@rt]

According to the SureFire website, the 6P is "weatherproof", so I would think it would be ok in the rain, even dropping it in a puddle should not affect it...

 

[kev1-1]

I may be wrong, but I believe older 6P's don't have a LOTC. If your one is the newer type with a lock-out-tail-cap then this is more waterproof. I read somewhere on this forum (can't remember where!) that a SureFire tech said that that the most likely place for a SureFire to leak is round the lens. This is not a problem with a pyrex lens (its fitted differently), but may be with Lexan.
So you could get a black M2 bezel (has a pyrex lens & SIS) for your 6P if your really concerned/expecting to soak the thing alot.
However, in my opinion any SureFire should stand up to some rain provided its kept clean and well lubed.

PS-Some/all of the above may be in error!

 

[nihraguk]

Sarcoblaster:

if your 6P is the old type without the lock-out tailcap, leaking is possible. if its the new type 6P with the hex bezel and lock-out tailcap, it shouldn't leak at all. some people have reported that their surefires leak around the lens, but i seem to have gotten lucky because the particular 6P (new type) does not leak at all. even when submerged, water does not leak in at all.

what you could do, is remove the batteries and lamp assembly, and place it in a basin or pail of water and see if it leaks. if it doesn't, it should be handle rain without any problems. kev1-1 is right, as the most common place that surefires leak is around the lens seal. if water leaks in through the other O-rings, some cleaning and lube should fix it.

 

[SarcoBlaster]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have the "new" version with the anti-roll bezel and LOTC so it should be alright. Maybe I'll run a test like nihraguk suggested. Thanks again!

 

[Marty Weiner]

Does Surefires lifetime guarantee cover water damage?

Marty

 

[V8TOYTRUCK]

Im pretty sure it should, they have a ''plain english'' warrenty. If it breaks they fix it*

*does not apply to bulbs and batteries

 

[guncollector]

If showers and downpours are an everpresent concern, you might opt for a Surefire 6PN.

Just picked one up for use as my SCUBA diving light, and SF Tech Support says it'll be water-resistant to 33M--so I'm guessing showers won't be a problem.

 

[GeoffChan]

it should handle it.

If you have a faulty lamp, Surefire will replace it.

Geoff

 

[nihraguk]

anyway since the 6P bezel isn't hot glued or something, disassembly shouldn't be too complicated so you should be able to fix any leaks in the lens seal easily

 

[brightnorm]

Originally posted by guncollector:
If showers and downpours are an everpresent concern, you might opt for a Surefire 6PN.

Just picked one up for use as my SCUBA diving light, and SF Tech Support says it'll be water-resistant to 33M--so I'm guessing showers won't be a problem.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Ron,

Is that a regular 6P that has been pressure tested and depth certified, and does it have a lexan or pyrex lens?

Brightnorm

 

[Stingray]

The literature that came with my 6P says it's waterproof. It's an old round body original 6P without LOTC. I've never tested it for waterproofness though. I keep a beamshaper on it so that should help the lens leakage, if there is any. The butler creek website says the "scope covers" are watertight. I read somewhere on this site that they make the surefire beamshapers.

 

[arioch]

If I remember correctly, the owner's manual that came with my 6P when I bought it back in '93-'94 stated that the model was submersible (with the tailcap screwed all the way down, and the light turned on by rotating the bezel like a minim#g).

I have carried that original 6P on my duty belt for years, at times during heavy rain, and experienced no leakage problems.

 

[arioch]

Umm ...

That previous posting about having no leakage problems was in reference to my SF 6P...

 

[guncollector]

Brightnorm inquires:
Ron,

Is that [6PN] a regular 6P that has been pressure tested and depth certified, and does it have a lexan or pyrex lens?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Brightnorm-

Re: "N" Designation. Exactly. The "N" stands for I believe "Navy", as in Navy procurement contract/specs. From what I understand a stock 6P is pulled off the final assembly line, and is given special treatment--most specifically to the lens/bezel contact area to make the unit waterproof to 30-33 Meters (as deep as I ever dive).

Re: Lens material. To be honest I don't know. The 6PN is packed away with my Scuba gear now, and being in the process of moving homes--its not accessible anytime soon.

A quick call to SF Tech Support should answer the question though. My guess would be they're using the stock Lexan lens.

FYI, cost IIRC is $80-85 additional to the regular cost of the 6P.

 

[kev1-1]

I took my Z2 down to the beach during a storm and got blasted with waves and salt! Not a drop got into the light! MERRY CHRISTMAS!