Surefire, and carry case?

S

SomeKid

Moderator
I have been thinking of getting a surefire for day to day carry, they seemed pretty nice when a co-worker showed me his.

Question I mainly have, is are they worth it, and does anyone know a good holster for them which would be extremely secure? I don't want to loose the thing for obvious reasons.
 
The reason I don't think they are worth it is that they are SO expensive for what you get. If you want to spend like 1/4 the price, you can have a flashlight that may not have quite all the "features" and may not be exactly as bright, but it costs you only $40. That would be this flashlight, the Inova T2, 3 watts, 40 lumens. Or the Inova T3 85 lumen flashlight for just $50. I have both, and I like them a lot.

Some argue that the light is just "not the same" from an LED, but I myself find it brighter, whiter, and clearer than from conventional flashlights (although I have admittedly limited experience with Sure Fires). My favorite benefit of the Inovas is that they are LED, and as such are far more resistant to shock breakage, and their life is expected to be "lifetime." In other words, you will probably have your T2 or T3 until they manage to make the same size flashlight three times as bright with not-yet-here technology -- not until your flashlight lamp simply breaks and you have to spend an ungodly sum to replace it.

All you'll have to replace with the Inova LED flashlights is the CR123A lithium batteries. At Walmart, they go for about $6+; at The Battery Station, you can select packs of them, shipped in various Pelican or Otter cases, for just over $1 a battery. (Scroll down in that link and you'll see several deals.)

The choice is yours, but I recommend LED lights.

-blackmind
 
I also know a few people that swear by the Inova. Have not personally used one, but those that have say they are superior.
 
I have twp G2's and my wife has one as well. They are about 40 bucks for 65 lumens in a smal package. I like mine and recommend them highly...everytime I use mine around other folks they want one too...I use pocket carry as well...if I carried a larger one, I would use the surefire holsters.
 
I have 4 Inova products, but have not yet purchased any of the tactical lights though I have played with them and believe that they could be a good value.

I have too many Surefires to count and have carried one or another since they were first introduced. Yes, they are pricey, but you are getting a lot of light in return and a level of reliability and technology commensurate with the price.

The G2 allows an intro to Surefire at a reasonable price. The E2E is just a great EDC. The lower power LED L1 is a great general purpose light. The A2 Aviator gives you the best of both LED and tungsten.

I use the pocket clip in lieu of a holster and havent lost one yet, and it frees up belt space.
 
I used one of these holsters in Iraq because G2Zs don't have belt clips:

lightsheath_dlx_body.jpg


If I didn't lose it there, you won't have to worry about losing it here.
 
G2

I found a place selling a Surefire G2 for $32, plus another 5 on shipping. Good deal, or waste? I am thinking it looks like it would be worth snagging.
 
That sounds about right to me...that is what I paid retail. I ususally see them for $39 and change around here (SC). I think you will like the G2...I was in Africa in July '04...it is quite dark at night in sounthern Mozambique...when we were out at night, I was glad to have such a powerful light...you will be too I think.
 
Bought my first Surefire and have been hooked ever since. For it's size, the most powerful flashlight I've ever owned. I have the G2. I paid $34 with batteries. Got it wet, still works. Been dropped and still works. But be careful, it's not your everyday flashlight. it gets about 2 hrs burn time and that's it and the lens gets real hot. So either buy a bulk of batts. or get a cheapy for everyday stuff. Here's an overview of the G2 if you wanna check it out...........http://www.lapolicegear.com/sug2ni.html
 
As I read more about them, do they only get one hour before the battery dies, and then only a few more hours before the bulb goes?
 
The bulb seems to be fine. I've already gone through my first set of batteries and the bulb is bright as day one. From what I've been told you can squeeze about 2 hrs of light from the batts. I just carry mine in my side pocket.
 
Cost of batteries

My advice is to get a flashlight that uses batteries that are inexpensive and common.

I bought two very bright flashlights, similar in design to the surefires, from Costco for a really cheap price, like $30 or $40 ish. They came with 4 lithium batteries (2 each). The batteries lifespan was short however. When I went to buy new batteries, I learned that the batteries were cost prohibitive so I no longer use the flashlights. Seems to me that it was about $5-10 per battery, which I think is excessive since they don't seem to last very long (in that flashlight). While I can easy "scrape up" $10, feeding a flashlight $10 isn't really that appealing to me when other flashlights function fine on batteries at 10% the cost.

Maybe surefires make their batteries last longer or use different batteries? The key is to make sure they are affordable batteries.

after writing this I saw a the above link for batteries. That may be the best way to go. I can once again afford to feed my flashlights every hour! :D
 
On batteries.

Firstly, blackmind, thanks for this link to the battery store. That said, lets find the best batteries to get.

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

At the very bottom of the list, they have rehcargables. From the look on the voltage output, they are perfect for a G2. This would save me from ever having to buy new batteries, or am I missing something?

If I read it all right, the charger for the rechargables is 15, and each rechargeable battery is 9. So, $34 gets me all the 123a batteries for my Surefire I would ever need. Or would y'all recommend against rechargeables and going for the disposables?
 
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Surefire's lithium batteries have a 10 year shelf life can be had for $15/ dozen directly from Surefire. You will probably wear out more batteries playing with (and being amazed by) these great little lights, than from actual use.
 
Hey Somekid, not a dumb question at all. It takes 2 Lithiums and I go to my local gun range and get the batteries for $4 for 2 of them (in a pack). As far as that holster. heck no man! I wouldn't trust it. I keep it in my cargo pants when I'm in the field. Far as the bulb goes, got me. I tried to figure it out last week and no clue! I have to agree though with Cazach, you're gonna burn through the first set just by playing with that little light. it's like a mini spot light and fun to use at night when you wanna glass an open field for animals or something
 
With a 10 year shelf life, I think I will just buy a whole bunch of extras, and toss a few in my car, but I still cannot shake the idea that maybe I ought to use the rechargeables, it wouldn't take long to make my money back depending how much use I give it, conversely the bulb would last longer if I ration it. But I hate rationing my toys!

Evader, why exactly would you not trust the holster? Is there something I do not know?
 
Surefire G2

I've have a G2 for sometime now and they are awesome. While driving at night recently I through mine in my back pocket and needless to say it went on due to momentary on switch. Well after a few minutes the heat from the light alerted me and I had to pull over. I opted for their V70 holster instead of dropping in my pockets. While they can be considered expensive for their features in an emergency situation they would be invaluable. Take the recent power outage in L.A. Let's face it, if they can get you out of harm's way then they are well worth the price.
 
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