EXCELLENT PERSONAL FLASHLIGHT... A REVIEW

[CWOOD]

I have been a fan of Surefire flashlight for several years.

Initially I purchase a G2 Nitrolon 6-volt flashlight. It had the standard Xenon bulb with 65 lumens. It is a very good light, and very powerful for the size of the package. Cost was a factor, but the $35 I spent was a good value for the quality.

Later I purchased a second one and also bought the higher output 120 lumen Xenon bulb. It is noticeably brighter, but the loss of run time caused me not to care for the trade off. I carry one almost all the time. I always pack one in a bag when travelling. Run time is 1 hour at 65 lumens and 20 minutes at 120 lumens.

I even tried a Cabelas 12-volt flashlight partly because of the relatively lower cost. That did not prove to be a good deal. Ended up buying two, eventually, and found reliability to be significantly below what I was hoping for.

Recently, I felt the need to upgrade. I plan to add one of my G2 lights to my home defense shotgun. The other I keep next to my pistol on the bed side table. So I was needing another every day carry light. I looked at a number of them but came back to Surefire.

The regular G2 is now $55-59 depending on output.

There is now a G2X Pro (Nitrolon case) which is a dual output LED light. 15 lumen/200 lumen which runs aobut $95. This looks to be a very good light. I like the light but did not lprefer the switch operation routine. Turn it on for momentary low and then off and then on again for momentary high. Too cumbersome for a 'tactical' situation.

I also looked at and liked the E2DL Defender LED light. It is aluminum, has crenelated front and read areas on the bezel and tail cap for use as a striking weapon. Its switch operation is more what I wanted. First press or click gives and immediate 200 lumen bright white light. It has an low output 5 lumen position also. Run time is 2 hours at 200 and 76 (not a typo)hours at 5 lumens. List price runs around $189. I couldn't find any priced much cheaper. It is new and there are not a lot out there.

The one I eventually selected was the LX2 Lumamax. It has an aluminum body, less agressively crenelated bezel (for use as a striking tool) and is a dual output LED...200/15 lumens. Run time is 2 hours at 200 lumens and 47 hours at 15 lumens. It comes with lanyard and attachment and a pocket clip. The 15 lumen setting is really quite bright for normal flashlight functions like walking on uneven ground, or sidewalks, at night, finding something behind the TV or looking up under the dash of the truck for a wire. The light is VERY WHITE. Much whiter that the incandescent Xenon bulbs on the G2. The switch operation is what sold me on this light. Partial press gives the momentary 15 lumen light and press a bit harder and you get the 200 lumen momentarily. For constant on, turn the tail cap for 15 lumens and turn it a bit further for 200 lumens. I feel that in a stress situation, where I want the brighter momentary light, I will be pressing pretty hard anyway.

Folks, 200 lumens of a very white light is BRIGHT!! It will definitely ruin the night vision of someone at night. It is a very focused beam with just a little to the side for peripheral vision.

Suggested retail is $210. That is a LOT to pay for a flashlight and I am not sure I would pay that much. I found one on craigslist for $75 but of course it was sold before I could get to it. I did find a new one on ebay for $136 delivered. That is the one I got. It is still a lot of money but I feel it will last a lifetime. The LED's are nearly indestructible, the aluminum case is extremely robust and well crafted. It is rated to be waterproof down to 1 meter. Besides I would have spend half that with tax to buy a direct replacement for my old G2. The LED and the dual output and the incredible run times of the new light all make me think that, again, I have gotten very good value for my money and a lifetime tool.

All of the above mentioned light use 2 123 3-volt batteries.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

[AEA]

I use a Surefire 6P with a CREE LED head and a push on/push off tailcap.

[Tallinthesaddle]

Thanks for taking the time for the review. I thought I was the only one with one hour run times on a G2.

[Fisherman74]

You can't have too many flashlights.

[The Annoyed Man]

You can't have too many flashlights.

I don't know..... if I had to choose between carrying 2 flashlights and 1 extra magazine, or 1 flashlight and 2 extra magazines.....well, it's a no brainer. That's why I stay home at night. I'm too lazy to carry anything.

[shipwreck]

You can't have too many flashlights.

Sho nuff!

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

You can't have too many flashlights.

Sho nuff!

Are you the backup lighting system for the Texas Rangers in case the lights at the ballpark go out?

[shipwreck]

Heck, that's not even a recent pic. I have about 4 more since that photo was taken :)