Does Anyone Have the New Surefire G2X?

[MrMark]

I just ordered this

http://www.surefire.com/G2X-A-BK?cm...um=email&utm_campaign=6PX-G2X_Consumer_100110


Should be pretty amazing. US made too.

 

[american lockpicker]

You sure its US made.

 

[MrMark]

Well, I guess these days one is never really sure as companies lie. I have read on facebook (jk) that it is US made and Surefire has always been a strong US manufacturer. Right here local to me.

Do you have contrary info?

 

[MrMark]

I can tell you one thing and that is if it arrives with "made in China" on it, it is going back.

 

[american lockpicker]

Well, I guess these days one is never really sure as companies lie. I have read on facebook (jk) that it is US made and Surefire has always been a strong US manufacturer. Right here local to me.

Do you have contrary info?

Well back when I was on CPF I remember one light from their company was made in China and I heard a rumor the newer ones would be to keep costs down... Anyways when you get it the tailcap should have Surefire USA on it if its American made.

Just watched the video and at 0:16 you can see the tailcap and all it says is "www.surefire.com"...

My 6P I used to have looked like this.

 

[MrMark]

That's funny, the Surefire I currently have, a G2 led, does not have anything on the tailcap. In fact, it does not say USA anywhere on it. I know the packaging said made in USA though, or I wouldn't have bought it. I wouldn't pay Surefire prices for China lights. It seems that Surefire does not put made in USA or even USA on their lights???

Maybe the Snap-on bug bit them.

 

[american lockpicker]

Always before the light bodies and batteries were made in USA and the lamp assembly was made in China and the LED assembly was made in South Korea.

You can read up on it here.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=289458

 

[leadnbrass]

I got the new 6px last week...nice light. My buddy got the G2X which has the same power.

Not marked USA the package stated "assembled in the USA" you figure that one out.

 

[american lockpicker]

Not marked USA the package stated "assembled in the USA" you figure that one out.

Ok that basically means thats the light was made here but the electonics are from somewhere else. Under CA law in order for it to be "made in USA" it has to be 100% American made. Thats why Maglites are "manufactured in USA" now and Fulton are made in USA when both are all USA made except the bulb(and I think lexan lense in the maglite.)

Also its odd they left off USA as thats an acceptable marking.

 

[HandyManny]

Haven't seen that SureFire. Noticed at Target this summer that Maglite has finally innovated and has a new LED light out that operates with an interface and has a bunch of features for $39.99. It was tempting, but I saw a demonstration of it on youtube. Too complicated for me. I don't need all those features in a flashlight. To me I want only these thing in a flashlight - Brightness, efficiency, durability, weather resistance, portability, simplicity. Feature wise I only want an ON and OFF pressure sensitive button switch. Pressure sensitive intermediate buttons are a plus.

I did puck up an Energizer 1 watt tactical LED light that operates off of 1 AA battery (looks like a Surefire). At 4 inches long and the diameter of a nickle, it's plenty convenient to carry while hunting or in the ourdoors. I also bought another to keep with my tools, it can get into tight spaces if needed when working on stuff. I'd say it's about 60 lumens and throws a wide useable beam out to about 50 yards. It's no SureFire, but it is brighter than most 2D cell flashlights and runs for 3 hrs on a 1.5V AA lithium battery. Used it all summer while working on the cars or around the house and while camping and has turned out to be a pretty good and reliable little light. Not bad for $16. Made in China too. I wonder why even Maglite can't offer something like this made in the USA at this price point?????

 

[HandyManny]

I just ordered this

http://www.surefire.com/G2X-A-BK?cm...um=email&utm_campaign=6PX-G2X_Consumer_100110


Should be pretty amazing. US made too.

200 lumens for $55 from SureFire??? I doubt it's made in the USA for all that at that price. Assembled in USA probably means that it was packaged here or the print was placed on the flashlight body here, or the battery was installed here........

Either way I don't think you can go wrong with that light at that price. Sounds like a great deal. SureFire is a great light anyway.

 

[mkdive]

Its USA made, with Global components. (95% made in the USA). Usually its the driver board (for the emitter) that is the global component.

I have a G2X. Great light, you wont be disappointed.

 

[mkdive]

@leadnbrass I have both the old version (incandescent and newer LED version with the strike bezel). Very good improvements with the model! I am about to mod my older original version of the 6P. Maybe make a new head for it or turn it into a 500mW bluray.

 

[billymade]

I've almost purchased at Surefire a million times; the thing that keeps stopping me are the unique batteries (123A Lithium Batteries)... am I the only one? Seems to me; if I was going to buy one, a rechargeable pack would be the way to go! The surefire batts are reasonable but they are not available in my area.... these are usually sold in stores for electronic devices and are expensive! What say you?

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I was going to order a 6PX but bought two older G3 LEDs for 40 bucks each on close out, the new X series lights do look very nice though.

 

[mkdive]

I've almost purchased at Surefire a million times; the thing that keeps stopping me are the unique batteries (123A Lithium Batteries)... am I the only one? Seems to me; if I was going to buy one, a rechargeable pack would be the way to go! The surefire batts are reasonable but they are not available in my area.... these are usually sold in stores for electronic devices and are expensive! What say you?

They make rechargeable 123s I even have a LR123 set that is 3.6v I use those in some of my modded lights and in my lasers. I have never had a problem with rechargeables & they are pretty dang cheap

Billymade, just keep fighting and don't give in and get one....once you do there is no turning back!

Only thing out there that is better IMO is a hand held HID...and those can be $,$$$ to $$,$$$ !!!!!!

 

[HandyManny]

I've almost purchased at Surefire a million times; the thing that keeps stopping me are the unique batteries (123A Lithium Batteries)... am I the only one? Seems to me; if I was going to buy one, a rechargeable pack would be the way to go! The surefire batts are reasonable but they are not available in my area.... these are usually sold in stores for electronic devices and are expensive! What say you?

Well I could be wrong, but I think those things will run great on any 123A Lithium brand of battery. It doesn't need to be SureFire brand of battery

One of the main things that has continuously stopped me from buying a SureFire is that they are just so damn expensive. They might be a great light, but I just can't justify paying that kind of money for a flashlight. I'm long over the cool factor phase, those day are far away in my rearview mirror, so seeing one on TV or seeing my favorite cartoon character use one won't influence me to buy one based on that. I have used a few several times, both Incandescent and LED versions. I figure if I was in law enforcement or SWAT and the tax payers were paying to keep my light in operation I'd probabaly get one. As it stands now I have a Streamlight Scorpion that I keep as a weapons light and keep it with my main home defense pistol. I only turn it on once every couple months to make sure it still works since it sits locked up with the gun and rarely ever gets used as a regular light. It's only good for an hour of run time and is super blinding bright, can light up a whole living room like daylight, that's why I keep it with my main weapon - I won't shoot at something in the dark if I can't identify it completely as a threat first.

I have several lights that get used a lot. Carried a 2D cell incandescent Maglite in my flight bag when I flew airplanes for a living and that was an indispensable tool to have and required on most flights that I took. For most of my career it was the best light on the market, now it's an obsolete dinosour. I've used all kinds if lights before, but have quickly discovered these days that LED is the way to go. SureFire is a great light, especially in LED, but the lights I already have provide me with more than enough light for my needs in the dark or for working on stuff with. Although if MSRP is $55 for the G2X I'm sure it can be had for much less at retailers. I might consider getting one. Right now I think Surefire is trying to burry the competition - Streamlight.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Well I could be wrong, but I think those things will run great on any 123A Lithium brand of battery. It doesn't need to be SureFire brand of battery

You might be surprised, cheap CR123 battery's tend to burn up in surefire lights especially the triple cell models.

Happens frequently enough that Surefire voids the warranty if you don't use one of the brands they specify.

From the FAQ on the surefire site.

Will using non-SureFire brand batteries void my SureFire warranty?
Using genuine Panasonic®, Duracell® or Energizer® batteries will not void your warranty, but using any other non-SureFire brand will void it.

 

[american lockpicker]

I've almost purchased at Surefire a million times; the thing that keeps stopping me are the unique batteries (123A Lithium Batteries)... am I the only one? Seems to me; if I was going to buy one, a rechargeable pack would be the way to go! The surefire batts are reasonable but they are not available in my area.... these are usually sold in stores for electronic devices and are expensive! What say you?

Lowes carries a 2 pack of Surefire batteries for only $4.99.

 

[MattT]

Right now I think Surefire is trying to burry the competition - Streamlight.

You mean Fenix? Having owned all 3 brands I wouldn't consider Streamlight if I was shopping for a new light. Streamlight isn't close to Surefire, or Fenix, quality.

 

[billymade]

Good to know.... thanks for the info!

 

[HandyManny]

You might be surprised, cheap CR123 battery's tend to burn up in surefire lights especially the triple cell models.

Happens frequently enough that Surefire voids the warranty if you don't use one of the brands they specify.

From the FAQ on the surefire site.

Well...... yeah I wasn't meaning cheaper batteries, just meant less expensive other brands. Had Duracell and Energizer in mind. Don't know if those are less expensive or not.

200 lumens at that price......sounds tempting. Don't know of anyone else offering a light like that at that price.

 

[Beerman]

Gotta admit-I've always used Maglites. I pick them up at the local flea market for next to nothing.

Just so I'll know-what makes Surefire, or one of these other brands "better" than a Maglite?. Some guy was selling a bunch of used Surefires at the local flea a few months ago and I asked him-I wasn't trying to give the guy a hard time-just wanted some quantifyable reason as to why one was better than the other. He took it the wrong way and got pissed. Thing of it was, he was selling Maglites as well. Just couldn't explain objectively why Surefire was better than Maglite.




Beerman

 

[Bolster]

About the OP's light...sounds like a torch that will burn holes though walls. 200 lumens is bright. Probably a very focused beam (for tactical). It's a "thrower," for going long distances. Not what I'd choose for a work light...unless my work was shooting perps.

What's your intended use for the light, MrMark?

 

[Bolster]

Maglite is a high quality, low innovation light IMO. Generally several generations behind what the innovators are doing in terms of brightness. haven't been paying attention to them recently, maybe they are catching up.

 

[american lockpicker]

You mean Fenix? Having owned all 3 brands I wouldn't consider Streamlight if I was shopping for a new light. Streamlight isn't close to Surefire, or Fenix, quality.

That does make sense. Last year when I was getting a light for my BIL who was a cop I looked at Surefire and Streamlight and went with SL as their Scorpion LED not only out performed the 6PL it was over 50% cheaper and had an on/off switch as opposed to one where you hold down for a momentary burst of light of twist for constant on...

 

[IndyGarage]

Gotta admit-I've always used Maglites. I pick them up at the local flea market for next to nothing.

Just so I'll know-what makes Surefire, or one of these other brands "better" than a Maglite?. Some guy was selling a bunch of used Surefires at the local flea a few months ago and I asked him-I wasn't trying to give the guy a hard time-just wanted some quantifyable reason as to why one was better than the other. He took it the wrong way and got pissed. Thing of it was, he was selling Maglites as well. Just couldn't explain objectively why Surefire was better than Maglite.




Beerman

In 1990 maglite was the best thing going. Today they are not.

just turn on a surefire G2 next to one and you'll understand in an instant.

I love the surefires, but I recently bought a couple pelican AA LED lights that are 85 lumens, a bit thinner and longer than my beloved G2 and were only 29.99. The light output is better than my G2 LED. Just because of the batteries alone, I think they might be a better value.

 

[HandyManny]

Gotta admit-I've always used Maglites. I pick them up at the local flea market for next to nothing.

Just so I'll know-what makes Surefire, or one of these other brands "better" than a Maglite?. Some guy was selling a bunch of used Surefires at the local flea a few months ago and I asked him-I wasn't trying to give the guy a hard time-just wanted some quantifyable reason as to why one was better than the other. He took it the wrong way and got pissed. Thing of it was, he was selling Maglites as well. Just couldn't explain objectively why Surefire was better than Maglite.




Beerman

Maglite is a high quality, low innovation light IMO. Generally several generations behind what the innovators are doing in terms of brightness. haven't been paying attention to them recently, maybe they are catching up.

Basically what Bolster said sums it up. Maglite was king of the castle in the late '70's and through the decade of the 1980's, but by the mid to late 1990's most police departments had switched to something better (smaller and brighter).

I've always used Maglites too and have always thought they were and are a high quality flashlight. Even upgraded my existing maglites with factory LED modules within the last couple years. Those factory LEDs have made them an much better product than the original ever was, but even with those upgrades they still are not as bright as any of the lights made by Surefire, Pelica, or even Streamlight. Plus the fact that those Aluminum tactical 1 AA LED lights that sell under the Energizer brand are pretty much as bright as a 2 D cell LED Maglite but at 80% lighter in weight and size, and throws a wider beam of light too. Basically there are less expensive much smaller lights that are as bright or brighter than the D cell Maglites. Maglite for as good as they are have become too complacent and have allowed the competition to outpace them as far as performance goes. I've seen only two major innovation changes that Maglite has done and only in the last 4 years, the LED upgrades and new XL100 light they now offer, but it's really far too little way too late. Maglite will aways be an option and available, but I think they have a long way to catch up to the current market. Still a fan of Maglite though The big advantage the new LED mags have in D cell is their superior run time. The more D cells you have the longer run time you will get in LED maglites.

 

[Wakefield]

A runner needs a flashlight that will put out or adjust to a soft beam that will light up the trail rather than make a small blinding hotspot. The light needs to be easy to carry all night and should be able to run all night without needing new batteries.
The new high tech flashlights seem to push brilliance at the expense of runtime. Also their batteries may be exotic and expensive or hard to get.
In the 1980's mini maglites were popular but the AA batteries probably wouldn't go all night and the bulb could blow. Now everyone seems to have gone to LEDs.
Beware Energizers. I just had one of the D cells leak and badly corrode a 4 cell Maglite. I had to drill into it and skewer it to pull it out of there,nearly destroyed the flashlight.
There was a Maglite branded LED bulb for their big flashlights sold online for a while that promised to end the constant worry of burnout but last time I looked those bulbs were not there anymore. LEDs seem to give less battery drain for the same light and the manufacturer can choose the color.
I have carried a 3 cell big Maglight for part of a night.

 

[mkdive]

A runner needs a flashlight that will put out or adjust to a soft beam that will light up the trail rather than make a small blinding hotspot. The light needs to be easy to carry all night and should be able to run all night without needing new batteries.
The new high tech flashlights seem to push brilliance at the expense of runtime. Also their batteries may be exotic and expensive or hard to get.
In the 1980's mini maglites were popular but the AA batteries probably wouldn't go all night and the bulb could blow. Now everyone seems to have gone to LEDs.
Beware Energizers. I just had one of the D cells leak and badly corrode a 4 cell Maglite. I had to drill into it and skewer it to pull it out of there,nearly destroyed the flashlight.
There was a Maglite branded LED bulb for their big flashlights sold online for a while that promised to end the constant worry of burnout but last time I looked those bulbs were not there anymore. LEDs seem to give less battery drain for the same light and the manufacturer can choose the color.
I have carried a 3 cell big Maglight for part of a night.

The U2ultra is a great cross between a thrower and flood. It has an adjustable digital bezel that allows the amount of lumen output to be adjusted from very low to full. It is a great light, maybe a little large for running but the run time is very good when you can have control of the lumen output.

I go on nightly runs with my dog, I carry my E2DL every night. It serves many purposes, and has come in handy more than a few times.

The LED drop in for the mag lights are still available? I still see it in my local HD. I have 3 or 4 mags, all of them have the LED bulb. Great improvement IMO. Really extends the run time, and adds more output.

For a size comparison of the U2Ultra compared to a E2DL, E2D, 6P & 9P
(The U2 is the upper left light)

 

[Danglerb]

Fenix is that brand that tempts me the most, but I have no issues with China bodies on my Chinese LED and electronics, so I tend to buy $10 to $15 slightly lower power versions.

I only buy standard battery models, AA or AAA.

 

[mkdive]

The more D cells you have the longer run time you will get in LED maglites.

That's just adding up the mAh of the cells being used. I wish the 123s had the runtime of larger cell batteries. Something the industry needs to improve IMO. Until then I will continue using rechargeable

I always get caught up in these flashlight threads!

Typical D Cell mAh:

<table class="wikitable"><tbody><tr><th>
</th> <th>Zinc–carbon</th> <th>Alkaline</th> <th>Li-FeS₂</th> <th>NiCd</th> <th>NiMH</th> </tr> <tr> <td>IEC name</td> <td>R20</td> <td>LR20</td> <td>FR20</td> <td>KR20</td> <td>HR20</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ANSI/NEDA name</td> <td>13D</td> <td>13A</td> <td>13LF</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Typical capacity</td> <td>8000 mAh</td> <td>12000 mAh</td> <td>
</td> <td>
</td> <td>2200–12000 mAh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Nominal voltage</td> <td>1.50 V</td> <td>1.50 V</td> <td>1.50 V</td> <td>1.25 V</td> <td>1.25 V</td></tr></tbody></table>

Typical 123 mAh:

<table class="wikitable" width="100%"><tbody><tr><th width="20%">Most common name</th> <td>CR123A</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Other Common Names</th> <td>Camera Battery, 123, CR123, R123 (Li-Ion), RCR123A, RCR123 (Li-Ion), 17345, 16340 (Li-Ion rechargeable)</td> </tr> <tr> <th>IEC Name</th> <td>CR17345 (lithium)</td> </tr> <tr> <th>ANSI/NEDA Name</th> <td>5018LC (lithium)</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Typical Capacity (mA·h)</th> <td>1500 (lithium), 700 (Li–ion)</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Nominal Voltage (V)</th> <td>3 (lithium), 3.6 (Li-ion)</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Shape</th> <td>Cylinder</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Terminal layout</th> <td>+ Nub cylinder end, − Flat opposite end</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Dimensions</th> <td>L 34.5 mm, D 17 mm</td> </tr> <tr> <th>Comments</th> <td>CR (cylindrical lithium) 1 X 2/3A which breaks down further as 2/3 the size of an 'A' cell (an 'A' size cell is an industrial size)</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Bolster]

Something to remember about LED flashlights:

Bright, but they're not great for color rendition. They don't output a full spectrum of light. Which means you get this odd effect, where it seems you aren't able to "see" things very well with LED lights, despite their brightness.

Police report having problems spotting hiding perps with LEDs...so often they use dimmer incans instead.

I bought a high quality Zebralight headlamp as a gift for my electrician. After using it, he claimed he could not "see" what he was doing with it, despite its being very bright. I know exactly what he means. It's sort of, but not quite like, seeing only in B/W. Obviously there's SOME color seen, but it's an odd, flat sort of color that's reflected from an LED source.

So LED drop-ins give, and take. Give runtime and brightness, take away resolution.

The emitter manufacturers are trying to get full-spectrum LEDs out there but AFAIK there are none available yet.

 

[HandyManny]

A big factor that's needed with high output LEDs is a heat-sink. Most LED flashlights have it. Maglite seems to have forgotten about needing this important feature. Basically when the module gets to the point that it's reached it's maximum abilty to dissipate heat and can no longer dissipate anymore it will run at a lower output to prevent from cooking itself thereby reducing the light output after a while of use. I've used real inexpensive LED lights for long periods of time that did not suffer from the lack of heat sink, yet all the LED upgrades from Maglite seem to suffer this problem. Noticed this happen with my maglites after I upgraded some of them and could not figure it out. Went online and found where someone (with much more knowlege than me about lights) was speaking about this issue with LED modules. It was probably candlepower forum, can't recall.

 

[mkdive]

A big factor that's needed with high output LEDs is a heat-sink. Most LED flashlights have it. Maglite seems to have forgotten about needing this important feature. Basically when the module gets to the point that it's reached it's maximum abilty to dissipate heat and can no longer dissipate anymore it will run at a lower output to prevent from cooking itself thereby reducing the light output after a while of use. I've used real inexpensive LED lights for long periods of time that did not suffer from the lack of heat sink, yet all the LED upgrades from Maglite seem to suffer this problem.

Extremely important and a 100% true observation.

The emitter that the maglights use...is not a high output emitter. It is true that any and all emitters would benefit from the use of a heat sink in one form or another.

I actually make my own heat sinks for my laser builds. Heat sinks are needed each and every time when modding laser diodes. If not used, the diode would burn out (sometimes in a matter of seconds) depending how "hot" its being driven.

I use aluminum for my HS builds, but recently I'm experimenting with copper.

A good "drop in" conversion for a Maglite.....actually has a heat sink, but your right the cheap $20 led conversions are missing that quality. But again they are not high output emitters like this beast!

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=252279

This guys attention to detail is unparalleled IMO!

 

[FJ 432]

I love the surefire U2 and lusted over the titan.

For a small 1 AAA keychain/ pocket flashlight you may also want to consider a maratec. I have a couple of these that are pretty handy for putting in a shirt pocket. 3 different levels of brightness.