Surefire Pressure Certification.

I called up Surefire today to see if I could get one of my lights pressure-certified. Apparently according to Surefire Customer Service, who checked with somebody in tech support, sure fire does not, and never has, pressure certified lights. I said really because I have a 6PN on my desk which is pressure certified (lie), which she replied, well yes the 6PN is the only waterproof light surefire sells. She was pretty snooty about saying, "our lights are waterRESISTANT, not waterPROOF" When i asked her what that meant she said they could not be immersed. lol. Does anybody have any more info on this. i thought they pressure certified lights for divers?

AFAIK, they sell pressure certified lights, but you cannot send one in and have it certified, you have to buy it that way from the start. My 6PSN is certified to 1 atmosphere per Surefire. Most of their weaponlights are waterproof. Interestingly, my first 6P, bought around 1992 or so, says waterproof right on the box and in the manual.

well she told me no. does anyone have a light thats not a 6PN that IS pressure certified by surefire? i guess thats the only way to know if shes mistaken or trying to pull the wool over my eyes.

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Stingray said:
AFAIK, they sell pressure certified lights, but you cannot send one in and have it certified, you have to buy it that way from the start. My 6PSN is certified to 1 atmosphere per Surefire. Most of their weaponlights are waterproof. Interestingly, my first 6P, bought around 1992 or so, says waterproof right on the box and in the manual.

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1 atmosphere is sea level so I would think all there lights do that. I was told that the N certified lights where good to 100' or 33meters, which would be 4 atmospheres.

SureFire does not offer "pressure certified lights for divers". They do offer some ligts ie 6PN (Navy) that have been "pressure tested to a simulated depth of 30 meters" Note: there is no use of the term "waterproof" in this description

If you bought a SF light a few years ago, it would more than likely leak if you tried to use it as a dive light. Today, several of the lights they offer are as leak resistant as any dive light on the market.

Don't expect SureFire to use the term "waterproof"... not going to happen. Do realize that several of their lights "are", and eventually all of the product line will be... SF marketing does not recognize the term "waterproof"

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Mr Ted Bear said:
Don't expect SureFire to use the term "waterproof"... not going to happen. Do realize that several of their lights "are", and eventually all of the product line will be... SF marketing does not recognize the term "waterproof"

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Here ya go /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

This is the first page of the instruction manual to my 6P (not 6PSN).




This is the label on my 6PSN box (I'm a lousy photographer, new camera, hence the blurry focus).





My X200 also says "waterproof to 30 meters" right on the packaging.

I think the customer service rep was misinformed.

Actually, Surefire does use the term "waterproof" in the new 2004 illumination tools catalog. Here is a quote from the catalog. "SureFire flashlights are waterproof. Drop a SureFire in a puddle, immerse it in a stream, go to India for the monsoons- your trusty flashlight will emerge dripping, but working." It then goes on to say, "But "waterproof" does not mean you can join the crew of the Calypso. Scuba diving below 33 feet- one atmosphere of pressure- can cause some models to leak. If you want to dive with your SureFire we can arrange this, but it requires special custom work to render the light divable"

Sounds like someones not on the right page at SF

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woodsman said:
Drop a SureFire in a puddle, immerse it in a stream, go to India for the monsoons- your trusty flashlight will emerge dripping, but working."

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thats some trite marketing bullshit if i've ever heard it. i gues the monsoons of my sink was too much for My A2 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smoker5.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smoker5.gif

Heres a vendor link that says pressure cert is available.
http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gear/flashlights%20main/surefire_m2.htm

SureFire will not "certify your flashlight waterproof."
They will not even "certify your flashlight to a depth rating."

SureFire do offer a number of models that have been individually rated (tested). These models are identified by the use the "N" which indicates 33 metres depth rating.
In terms of flashlight models - the 6PN is the only one that has been 'standard' in the range for a long time.

As you can understand I hope, some of SureFire's customers require such rated equipment and it is pretty much made to order. Sometimes it appears that Dealers have the ability to buy up excess stock. A few here and there over the years.

For example, I have heard tell of a few M2N's that have been sold in the public sector.

Also, some Dealers may be able to optain N models for you. This is highly specialised and will cost you but then cost wouldn't be an issue or a concern I don't think.

SureFire are designing and manufacturing models that have capability to be depth rated and improvements are being made all the time.

Apart from starting off with a capable model, I would consider it more important that a light is well maintained so that it can perform when required. I believe labelling a flashlight as waterproof can be like a magic wand that voids user responsibility.

Unless something has been individually been tested, it's performance capabilities are an assumption. Should Operators assume that kit will perform? It is tested and tried out during training before use.

"waterproof" is a characteristic something gains afterwards.
Perhaps "waterproven" would be a better term?

SureFire have experimented with using the term waterproof.
They are gradually gaining confidence - the Military Series "W" and the X200 Series Handgun WeaponLights are specific examples. These are not flashlights though.

Obviously, if your SureFire manual states it is waterproof you have a strong case that it should be. However, unless it gives a depth rating is it anything other than marketing?

SureFires are not divelights and I make the general assumption that most SureFires that get wet do so being carried underwater rather than used.

A dedicated divelight will be designed for use underwater. It will have ergonomics and beam characteristics specifically designed to perform underwater. They will usually have much better runtime then the "tactical light".

If your SureFire leaks in a puddle or the sink I would think you have a good case for getting it replaced. If you need a flashlight to perform in and around shallow water then this will influence your choice of SureFire or whether to use another brand I guess.

Al

Al, what is the difference between a 6PN and 6PSN? Thanks

-Mike

The 6PSN has the shock isolated bezel on it, better for mounting on a weapon if needed, the 6PN has the regular 6P bezel. Although, I know several people who've mounted 6P's on long guns with no problems.

The TailCaps of the 6PSN and likely the 6PN are diaphragm sealed (Z23).
I believe the Z23 differs from the Z41 in that the Z41 can be locked out but the Z23 can not. The Z41 is the standard LockOut TailCap.

Al

Ideally I'd like an M2 and/or L4 waterproofed by surefire. It says right in the catalog like was stated before that they will waterproof lights for you. I think I'll call them again and get some more clarificatoin from someone else.

Allow me to apologize for the way you were treated this morning, glock. Al, very well stated. We only currently produce the 6PN as "pressure tested." We have, upon request of large military groups, pressure tested numerous other lights. However, we usually only do enough for that specific request. I hope this clears things up. Sorry.

Stuart@surefire

Hey thanks Stuart. I just got off the phone with David. He was very helpful and explained everything to me. FYI everyone, He told me that in addition to the 6PN, the only other light surefire will pressure test is a new M3 for an additional 80 dollars when you purchase the light.

One other point to remember is that even the best dive lights costing thousands of dollars will and do leak from time to time. Alls it takes is a little hair or piece of dirt in the o-ring or even a tiny little nick and any light will flood.

Hello!! from what i see, the 2002 SureFire catalog say that Special Ops Lights are waterproof.. including other handheld flaslight.. 2002 Illumination Tools <<<<The 2002 Catalog Link.. Matthew

i got no problem with my old SureFire E2, until today i LOST my O-RING!! that is in the tailcap.. like those on a SureFire G2...

Hello!! matt1987,

SureFire has provided up to date information in this very thread.

Al