Why did Surefire change...Calling SIZE 15s (Al)

the bodies of the E series and A2 from flat sided to the more 'rounded' configuration? I like the older style better b/c I personally think they look better and provide more 'grip'. Anyone know why this change occurred? I'm sure SF felt it was an inmprovement -but how?

Re: Why did Surefire change...

The same thing happened when Fenix overhauled the L2P into the L2S. As far as I can figure, the change was made to ease machining and lower costs. I don't think those are Surefire's reasons, though - if they change a light, it's because they believe it's an improvement to the light itself.

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I like the flat sides. Why, I don't know I just do?

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I'm a square pants guy myself.

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The reason why Fenix did it wasn't because of machining costs it was because their HA isn't Mil-spec, and sharp edges is where it's thinnest and wears the quickest.

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the new rounded style surefires have thicker walls so structurally its much stronger. i like like function over form so i like the change personally.

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mossyoak;

the thicker walls make sense, even though in such a small light, thought they were probably already super strong. anybody have the dimensions of the difference in thickness? I don't own any "newer" A2s or Es so I can't do a measure?

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I don't know why they changed it. Maybe they were going for 'less eye appeal'. My A2 is the square sided one and I like the way it looks better than the current ones.

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Size 15s may have to come in and answer this one for us. What's the real scoop , Al?

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i like the newer bodies but this could be cuz i never felt a sqaure one but the only body i wish they wouldnt have changed would be the L1 i think the looked and performed bettter sqaure. man the L1 with a sqaure body is sexy!

and i wish i could find a place that sells a L1 with the square body:naughty:

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flat side here

just looks better,

I buy inovas and fenixes for the same reason

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benchmade_boy said:

i like the newer bodies but this could be cuz i never felt a sqaure one but the only body i wish they wouldnt have changed would be the L1 i think the looked and performed bettter sqaure. man the L1 with a sqaure body is sexy!

and i wish i could find a place that sells a L1 with the square body:naughty:

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benchmade_boy, I agree that the L1 square body looks better, but may I ask why it performs better?

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Chris201W said:

benchmade_boy, I agree that the L1 square body looks better, but may I ask why it performs better?

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glad somone agrees with me and i wish surefire would read this.

and i dont think it makes it really perform better as a light but i think that when you clip in a round body in your pocket it seems to stick out more as when a flat sided one will suck in more so it is not so out there and seems to me to be more secure. it is really hard to explain what i am trying to say but i hope you understand.

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I think it has to do with the HA issue myself,I like flats but I noticed alotof nicks where the knurling was cut off and whereone of the flats were.But I still like flats.better grip,more of a unique high end feeling to it.not many lights have flat
sides.

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The square sided bodies also provide more grip.

As for me, I prefer the round body for aesthetic purposes.

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I like how the A2 feels now, no complaints here.

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I like the flat sides better, they seem smaller in a pocket and feel better in my hand.

As for them being stronger that maybe true, but I don't see how it matters as I've not heard of any flat sided Surefires breaking.

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I have a square A2 and a round L2, and I prefer for the old square body. Feels better & looks better IMHO.

I believe the new round style body is actually more difficult to machine. As far as I can tell, the change was made to improve the ergonomics - the round body has more knurling and the knurling seems to line up with your fingers. The round body also has a greater wall thickness and is therefore stronger.

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FiftyCalAl said:

Size 15s may have to come in and answer this one for us. What's the real scoop , Al?

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Al's either busy or hasnt found the thread, try pm

Re: Why did Surefire change...

A few months ago I measured the two with calipers for comparison and the three round style does have thicker minimum wall thickness. The four flats got thin in the middle of the flats. I liked the 3 round better at first probably since I had it first and the four flats seem to be too thin in the middel, but after using both for a while now, I like them both.

I am traveling now, so I don't have access to them to measure again, but I may try to search for the post when I find a faster connection.