880arm
Flashlight Enthusiast
UPS came through and a review sample of the new SureFire Y300 arrived today. I literally just took it out of the box and haven't started reviewing it yet but thought I would share a few photos of this new light. I will update this post with additional information as the review progresses but others should feel free to join in with their impressions!
EDIT (7/18/2014): I have completed my Y300 Ultra review and updated the information below!
It's not completely original, as it is based on the X300 WeaponLight, but it's certainly interesting when converted to a handheld light.
The body is machined aluminum finished with a matte black hard-anodized finish. The magnetic cover and parts of the battery compartment door are constructed of some sort of tough polymer. The bezel is the same size as recent SureFire E-series lights and is compatible with the F04-A, F05-A and F06-A diffuser/filters.
The switch at the rear has two toggles, one on each side, that produce momentary output with a light press (toward the front of the light) and constant-on output by pressing the toggle up or down. The opposing toggles are connected in such a way that moving one moves the other in the opposite direction. Operation is the same no matter which way the toggles are moved producing predictable results regardless of how the light is held.
The Y300 Ultra always turns on in high mode first with low mode accessed by turning off and back on again within 2 seconds. The switch allows moving between momentary and constant-on output without changing output modes. There is no way to "lock out" the Y300 Ultra to prevent accidental activation.
The battery compartment cover is hinged so that it swings toward the top of the light exposing the batteries. Springs are provided at both ends to protect from shock or impacts. The magnet actually holds the batteries in place such that a hard shake is needed to get them out. When installing a new batteries the magnet will grab the first one and pull it to the center of the compartment, possibly making it difficult to install the second. To avoid this problem, it's best to slip them both in together at the same time.
Magnets on the light body as well as the clip make for much stronger retention than I expected and actually help align the light with the clip so that it (sort of) latches into place. The clip has 4 raised tabs that engage with the light body to ensure it is properly aligned and help avoid it twisting while on the clip. The light can be carried bezel down or horizontally.
The magnets are so strong that when you go to place the light on the clip, it's like an invisible hand guides it into place. In fact, you can lay the Y300 Ultra on a table and if you wave the clip within 1.5" inches, it will jump to the clip and snap into place. After wearing it like this for a few days I can say there is no way it will just fall off due to activity or exertion (at least for normal humans).
The "permanent" 2-way clip can be installed by removing the four screws that hold the magnet cover in place, slipping the clip around the cover, and then re-installing the four screws.
The clip is similar to the 2-way clips on the E-series lights but is much beefier and stronger. It really grabs tightly and was a little difficult to attach to a pocket, although I'm sure it would loosen up a little over time. However, when pocket carrying the Y300 bezel-down I had real problems with accidentally activating the light in momentary mode. I had a couple of meetings that day and ended up with a hot pocket more than once! After that, I tried the magnetic clip and haven't gone back.
Regardless of configuration, the Y300 is very compact, shorter than even the E1B Backup.
Beamshots
I first said the beam was about as expected when compared to the E2DL Ultra and EB2. I guess it kind of looked that way at the time (in broad daylight) but I was pretty much wrong. The beam from the Y300 Ultra has a slightly broader and creamy white hotspot/corona when compared to the EB2/E2DL. In fact, the overall beam profile is much like the new E1D LED Defender, only brighter. How could that be? Well, the Y300 definitely has a different emitter than the EB2/E2DL and it's probably the same as what is in the E1D (XP-G2?).
The Y300 won't reach quite as far as the EB2/E2DL but still throws a good distance. The broader hotspot and slight increase in spill will be advantage for some and not for others. However, I think everyone would agree the Y300 has a more pleasing tint (if that type of thing matters to you). The following photos were taken at a distance of 100 yards from the building and show (in order) the E1DL, Y300 Ultra, E2D LED Defender Ultra and EB2 . . .
Beamshots from 30 yards and side-by-side comparisons with a few other lights are in the full review.
Runtime/Output
The Owner's Manual shows the runtime as being 2.25 hours on high (500 lumens) and 45 hours on low (15 lumens). These values are different, than what is shown on the SureFire website.
I tested the Y300 Ultra High Mode using Battery Station 123A primaries and K2 Energy LFP123 rechargeable cells . . . the 100% value on the chart is the Y300's output after 30 seconds of operation.
After an initial burst, output drops rapidly over the first 20-30 seconds before it falls into more stable regulation. From that point on, output remains very steady until beginning to taper as the batteries become depleted.
Conclusions
The Y300 Ultra works surprisingly well as a handheld light. It's easy to hold and doesn't get lost in my hand like a lot of short lights would. The switch is easy to operate in an overhand grip and, aside from the incidents with the hot pockets, I had no major issues with the light. When rapidly "strobing" with the momentary switch function, mode changing was a little unpredictable but when used normally it worked fine. The magnetic mounting capability is surprisingly effective and provides some nice mounting options. The included clip works well for belt carry and I believe it would be perfect for mounting on a pack strap or tactical vest.
On another note, SureFire specifically states the light is not intended for weapon mounting. I guess that means I wasn't supposed to do this . . . :shrug:
I do wish there was some sort of lock out capability as the momentary mode was really easy for me to activate when pocket carrying in the bezel down position (no problems with bezel up). Also, it would be nice if the magnetic belt clip was reversible. As it is now, the light can be carried horizontally facing forward on the left side of the body or facing rearward on the right side of the body. Each has their advantages but if the user wants a certain orientation they have no choice with regard to which side of the body they carry the light on.
I'm sure I left a few things out but I've written enough for one day. More info and a ton of photos are in the review linked above. :wave:
EDIT (7/18/2014): I have completed my Y300 Ultra review and updated the information below!
It's not completely original, as it is based on the X300 WeaponLight, but it's certainly interesting when converted to a handheld light.
The switch at the rear has two toggles, one on each side, that produce momentary output with a light press (toward the front of the light) and constant-on output by pressing the toggle up or down. The opposing toggles are connected in such a way that moving one moves the other in the opposite direction. Operation is the same no matter which way the toggles are moved producing predictable results regardless of how the light is held.
The Y300 Ultra always turns on in high mode first with low mode accessed by turning off and back on again within 2 seconds. The switch allows moving between momentary and constant-on output without changing output modes. There is no way to "lock out" the Y300 Ultra to prevent accidental activation.
The battery compartment cover is hinged so that it swings toward the top of the light exposing the batteries. Springs are provided at both ends to protect from shock or impacts. The magnet actually holds the batteries in place such that a hard shake is needed to get them out. When installing a new batteries the magnet will grab the first one and pull it to the center of the compartment, possibly making it difficult to install the second. To avoid this problem, it's best to slip them both in together at the same time.
Magnets on the light body as well as the clip make for much stronger retention than I expected and actually help align the light with the clip so that it (sort of) latches into place. The clip has 4 raised tabs that engage with the light body to ensure it is properly aligned and help avoid it twisting while on the clip. The light can be carried bezel down or horizontally.
The magnets are so strong that when you go to place the light on the clip, it's like an invisible hand guides it into place. In fact, you can lay the Y300 Ultra on a table and if you wave the clip within 1.5" inches, it will jump to the clip and snap into place. After wearing it like this for a few days I can say there is no way it will just fall off due to activity or exertion (at least for normal humans).
The "permanent" 2-way clip can be installed by removing the four screws that hold the magnet cover in place, slipping the clip around the cover, and then re-installing the four screws.
The clip is similar to the 2-way clips on the E-series lights but is much beefier and stronger. It really grabs tightly and was a little difficult to attach to a pocket, although I'm sure it would loosen up a little over time. However, when pocket carrying the Y300 bezel-down I had real problems with accidentally activating the light in momentary mode. I had a couple of meetings that day and ended up with a hot pocket more than once! After that, I tried the magnetic clip and haven't gone back.
Regardless of configuration, the Y300 is very compact, shorter than even the E1B Backup.
Beamshots
I first said the beam was about as expected when compared to the E2DL Ultra and EB2. I guess it kind of looked that way at the time (in broad daylight) but I was pretty much wrong. The beam from the Y300 Ultra has a slightly broader and creamy white hotspot/corona when compared to the EB2/E2DL. In fact, the overall beam profile is much like the new E1D LED Defender, only brighter. How could that be? Well, the Y300 definitely has a different emitter than the EB2/E2DL and it's probably the same as what is in the E1D (XP-G2?).
The Y300 won't reach quite as far as the EB2/E2DL but still throws a good distance. The broader hotspot and slight increase in spill will be advantage for some and not for others. However, I think everyone would agree the Y300 has a more pleasing tint (if that type of thing matters to you). The following photos were taken at a distance of 100 yards from the building and show (in order) the E1DL, Y300 Ultra, E2D LED Defender Ultra and EB2 . . .
Beamshots from 30 yards and side-by-side comparisons with a few other lights are in the full review.
Runtime/Output
The Owner's Manual shows the runtime as being 2.25 hours on high (500 lumens) and 45 hours on low (15 lumens). These values are different, than what is shown on the SureFire website.
I tested the Y300 Ultra High Mode using Battery Station 123A primaries and K2 Energy LFP123 rechargeable cells . . . the 100% value on the chart is the Y300's output after 30 seconds of operation.
After an initial burst, output drops rapidly over the first 20-30 seconds before it falls into more stable regulation. From that point on, output remains very steady until beginning to taper as the batteries become depleted.
Conclusions
The Y300 Ultra works surprisingly well as a handheld light. It's easy to hold and doesn't get lost in my hand like a lot of short lights would. The switch is easy to operate in an overhand grip and, aside from the incidents with the hot pockets, I had no major issues with the light. When rapidly "strobing" with the momentary switch function, mode changing was a little unpredictable but when used normally it worked fine. The magnetic mounting capability is surprisingly effective and provides some nice mounting options. The included clip works well for belt carry and I believe it would be perfect for mounting on a pack strap or tactical vest.
On another note, SureFire specifically states the light is not intended for weapon mounting. I guess that means I wasn't supposed to do this . . . :shrug:
I do wish there was some sort of lock out capability as the momentary mode was really easy for me to activate when pocket carrying in the bezel down position (no problems with bezel up). Also, it would be nice if the magnetic belt clip was reversible. As it is now, the light can be carried horizontally facing forward on the left side of the body or facing rearward on the right side of the body. Each has their advantages but if the user wants a certain orientation they have no choice with regard to which side of the body they carry the light on.
I'm sure I left a few things out but I've written enough for one day. More info and a ton of photos are in the review linked above. :wave:
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