Surefire Stratum, Is It Good?

Ok so, there is a review thread on the new Surefire Stratum but I'm wanting to see more thoughts on this new light. Is the regulation good? Does the reflector do a good job? Is this the new duty light to have? No one is saying much.

Its a Surefire not a Trustfire of course its good. Just buy it.

bullettproof said:

Its a Surefire not a Trustfire of course its good. Just buy it.

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Aaaaamen. I plan on it

I wanna try a stratum... so many on the to buy list at the moment though.

If I do get one, I will be sure to let you know what I think Rocketman

bullettproof said:

Its a Surefire not a Trustfire of course its good. Just buy it.

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If that's not a proper answer, I don't know what is!

DimeRazorback said:

I wanna try a stratum... so many on the to buy list at the moment though.

If I do get one, I will be sure to let you know what I think Rocketman

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Thanks, mate. It looks like the perfect light for general use and backup duty light. It's a lot of money for me, though. I just want some more assurance from everyday folk.

And yes, I'm saving for it.

PROS:
--Size equal to a 6P, so all the 6P related gear is compatible (i.e. cases, etc)
--Quality: Superb. The black ano. is even, the seams are tight
--Tailswitch has good resistance and definition between output levels
--Body design: scallops don't interfere with grip, and are not sharp.

CONS:
--I'm not a huge fan of multi-modes for LEO work. This isn't a "duty" or "Tactical" light. I'm not sure what market SF is pursuing. Possibly the general outdoor market?
--Emitter: It uses a K2 Flipchip. For a supposed discontinued LED, it sure seems to have made a resurgence: the A2Z, Z2-S all use it (as does the new Inforce 9VX). I bet the new SF KX4 also uses it. Makes me wonder what SF knows about the CPF latest and greatest, and why is SF using a "Discontinued" emitter?

Recommended? Yes, as a general purpose light, NOT as any type of LEO light.

Quickly, re BW, multilevel lights are good for LEOs if you don't want to be blinded by a one-level light during a quick close up check, map maybe. And preseves general night vision better during long incident. I would not dismiss that feature.

+ ... SF = bet your life on it.

Makes me wonder what SF knows about the CPF latest and greatest, and why is SF using a "Discontinued" emitter?

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Can you say, "They're cheaper"?

DLF said:

Can you say, "They're cheaper"?

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More like, SF bought a bajillion when they were brand new and now have to use them.

Just like all the MC-E's.

Bet they wish they'd picked up SST-50s and SST-90s instead.

Doesn't matter though, nobody buys Surefires for the latest and greatest, they buy them for the rock solid reputation and the no-nonsense illumination tools they are known for.

they should have made it so that if you turned the bezel the modes went low to high, and if you tighten the bezel the modes went from high to low.

dcycleman said:

they should have made it so that if you turned the bezel the modes went low to high, and if you tighten the bezel the modes went from high to low.

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That would have been really cool.

dcycleman said:

they should have made it so that if you turned the bezel the modes went low to high, and if you tighten the bezel the modes went from high to low.

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that's a really good idea!!

I'm frustrated that we don't see makers give us an option from easily presetting high to low or low to high. This feature should be the most important feature in multi-level lights. Imagine having LX1 and E1B all in one light with such a feature.

mega_lumens said:

I'm frustrated that we don't see makers give us an option from easily presetting high to low or low to high. This feature should be the most important feature in multi-level lights. Imagine having LX1 and E1B all in one light with such a feature.

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I can see the value in being able to select which order the two levels activate on SureFire's dual-output clickie models (E1B, E2L, E2DL etc). But then whether it's a high-low or a low-high model I regularly find myself with the 'wrong' level come on first! So perhaps it wouldn't make that much of a difference for my uses?

On the other hand the two-stage push button pressure switch is simple, intuitive and effective. I decide which level of output I want and I don't have to waste time getting it. I don't see any benefit of the two-stage push button pressure switch activating the light high-low.

Al

Size15's said:

I can see the value in being able to select which order the two levels activate on SureFire's dual-output clickie models (E1B, E2L, E2DL etc). But then whether it's a high-low or a low-high model I regularly find myself with the 'wrong' level come on first! So perhaps it wouldn't make that much of a difference for my uses?
Al

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If there is a selector (ring perhaps) that controls the order of which mode comes on, and there is no memory, then there should be no accidental level problem. select the order and only high comes on. When the light is on, click the 2 stage button for low. From off, only the high turns on first again. If you want the low to always come on from the off position, you'll have to switch the orders of modes from a dedicated ring/button.