Opinions wanted on this Surefire flashlight: G2Z

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/845/sesent/00

Does anyone have one of these? I know that the Z2 is well thought of. Any thoughts on how they compare?

Thanks, Vince

The G2Z is a step up from the G2: The main differences are a pyrex window, lock-out tailcap and the rubber grip ring for use with a handgun. (Although the G2 has been updated with a lock-out tailcap recently.) Performance is on par with the other Surefire lights that use the P60/P61 lamp assemblies.

I only have a 6P and a G2, which is the Nitrolon version of the 6P.
Same power. Same toughness. Cheaper.

the only difference I noticed was about the tailcap switch (momentary) : on one G2 model, the switch seems to be less ... smooth (?) than the one on the 6P. Is this due to the material used or is it a manufacturing defect ?? ... no idea

Thanks for the info guys. The only thing I remain undecided about is the durability of the plastic case vs. aluminum. I'll probably take a chance on it.

Regards, Vince

Surefire's Nitrolon lights are just as tough as their metal counterparts and I prefer them during winter for obvious reasons. Besides, the G2 is an excellent value.

That would not be an issue for me.
Sure I prefer my 6P for EDC, the metal body has a nicer look, but for hiking the G2 is my choice : seems more sturdy, and I would not care to scratch it (and I guess it would not be easy...).
My main concern with these SF lights is the fragility of the bulb.
Thats why in my backpack there is a spare carrier with batteries and a lamp assy.

"My main concern with these SF lights is the fragility of the bulb. Thats why in my backpack there is a spare carrier with batteries and a lamp assy."

I had planned on getting the P61 high-output bulb anyway as a spare. I had thought that Surefires were supposed to be pretty bombproof. If it isn't a lot more robust than a Maglite then I'll have to pass. I'm sure I will manage to drop it occasionally, and replacement bulb assemblies are expensive.

Thanks, Vince

The G2Z is an excellent light. Lighter than the Z2 and uses the same parts internally. I carry one daily at work. I like the ammount of light output by the P60 lens, and need the purity of color that the incandescent bulb provides. I also have to go into electrical panels, and don't want metal around when they are potentially energized. So the polymer construction is a plus. As far as the NRA edition you show, same as the regular, but cheaper because not everyone a fan of the NRA. I guess a lot of folks don' believe in supporting all the ammendments of the constitution. I will go no further on that subject. Anyway, a good light. I like the lock out tali cap. If you really want one, buy a G2Z off eBay and save a lot of money. Cheaper price but same light. Probably not the NRA edition though.

As far as robust, the bulbs are plenty strong. My P60 bulb has been in my light and burning bright for over a year and a half now. I have dropped the light numerous times from heights from 3-10 feet onto concrete with no problems. Looking at my flashlight you would be hard pressed to tell it from a new one. The aluminum construction wouldn't pass the same tests. The aluminum will dent and scratch. No paint or powder coat on the G2Z. MUCH more durable. Also more waterproof.

The G2Z is a reliable and very sturdy light. The G2 (not G2Z) isn't equipped to deal with water where the G2Z is. I consider that a big issue. The G2Z also has a lock out tailcap and Pyrex lens which are nice features.

My understanding is the NRA version is the same as the G2Z version - it is really just a discount for being a NRA member. Note you will have to put in your NRA membership number in order to purchase (if you aren't a member you won't be able to purchase the discounted version).

-john

The G2 uses a completely different (inferior IMO) switch design than the 6P and the G2Z. As a result, the G2 isn't water resistaint where the G2Z and 6P are.

-john

I went ahead and bought it. From the info everybody provided it looks like it will do the job nicely. Thanks again!

Regards, Vince

I too found all the comments to be very informative. Decided to order a G2Z last night with a number of accessories.
I have had more battery corrosion issues with Mag Lights than makes sense. I feel a bit safer with the non-metalic casing.
Is the battery offer from SF any better than buying them OTC elsewhere?
Seems like even with a 10 year shelf life it is a lot of batteries to order at one time.

The Nitrolon is very tough; you won't damage it.

I like the G2Z over the G2 because of the better switch and it's easier to hold between my fingers.

There is a LED available for the G2Z (and others) available at BugOutGear.

I carry in my car a G2Z with the LED, and a Spares Carrier with a P61.

The mod is talked about here on CPF.

Batteries from Surefire, Battery Station , or Amondo Tech are a very good deal. They will cost you $5-7 apiece OTC.

For the straight skinny on how various 123A cells stack up, go no farther than this post on CPF (look at the higher amp rate charts for this application).

The SF batteries are good performers. There have been reports of some SF batteries DOA and some people avoid them as a result. Personally, I've purchased a lot of the SF batteries with no issues. However, to be on the safe side, I have switched to the Streamlight batteries which have top notch performance and no existing reports of problems. However, they are more expensive. I buy mine through brightguy.com. Many people like the batterystation.com batteries which are ok performers and cheap.

In the end, check out the graphs and avoid the really bad performers (see the Marathon and Golston) and buy in bulk over the internet and you pretty much can't go wrong.

-john

I assume you mean corrosion on the *inside*? There is a (coated) metal sleave inside the G2/G2Z lights. However, I think you are right about them being much less prone to corrosion. However, I suspect the reason is the battery chemistry, not the amount or location of metal.

FWIW, I've also had several Mag lights die due to corrosion issues. I keep 123A based lights in my car (worst case I think) and have never had a problem.

I think I've read that alkalines tend to get pretty flaky once they've discharged. I think the key is that you want put fresh batteries in a "car" type light fairly often. My guess is 1 year MAX (if you don't use it).

-john

John, thanks very much for both of your responses. The issue on corrosion in the Mag Lights has been a pain for almost all that I have owned. I have a box full of spare parts as a result. Never tied it to a particular battery type, but this could be the case.
I am looking forward to the new SF light, my first purchase from them.

Thanks again for your responses.

I have owned one 2 "D" cell Maglite for almost twenty years in my stints in maintenance and HVAC-R and have never had a rust problem. The one thing I did not like about my Maglite is that no one has spare lenses for them. I had to replace the reflector once when I got silly and messed it up while cleaning it, and my local gun store had the reflector, but no lenses. I wrote Maglite to complain about them not pushing the stocking of lenses by their dealers, and they sent me 2 lenses free of charge with an apology. The one thing I do not like is the focusing feature of Maglites. I had a small double "AA" Pelican penlite that threw a very nice intense solid beam, but the cost of replacing the bulb assembly is too impractical for the type of abuse I used to put my tools through. I am waiting to see some of the new Pelican lights with the reflector facing bulb and what kind of beam they put out. Currently my 2 "D" cell sits in my bedroom with Radio Shack High Capacity Rechargeble batteries in it and a spare set sits in the drawer so that one set is always charged. I recharge them using a 25+ year old GE slow charger that requires 13 hours plug-in for a complete charge.

When I worked regularly, I used whatever the boss supplied, and when the power started to fade, I put in new batteries. The one flashlight I have that sits in my car with 6 "AA" batteries sits empty in the glove box until I need it and then I put the batteries in to use the flashlight. No battery leakage problems so far, and if I put a set of batteries in and they are dim or not working, I have two more sets. The double "AA" flashlight in my glove box is a $0.99 cheapie that throws a nice solid beam and works. I consider it a junker and it is almost 6 years old and still works great when needed.

Bountyhunter

I am not sure what the issue is with my experience. I do have two 2 D Mag Lights that I have not had corrosion with. I tend to have better luck with composit lights. I have a number of Pelican lights I rely on now, but I do carry a few disposables in the trunk of my car as "leave behinds" if necessary. I do like the Pelican Super Saberlit submersible. It is a decent light with a great beam, a tad big. The Pelican lights with side by side AA batteries are of a nice size and easy to stow. I like to stick with lights of the same battery type as much as possible of late.
Flashlights are just one of those "tools" that you can't have too many of.

Skater:

Do you always keep batteries in all your flashlights?

The cheapie in my car is always empty because I have been taught that discharged batteries tend to leak more than good batteries.

The 2 "C" battery Eveready Captain and all the 2 "D" flashlights in my house are equipped with rechargable batteries. When rechargables start to fail, they refuse to recharge, or discharge at a rapid rate after recharging and I toss them and replace them. I will never again buy Panosonic rechargable batteries because they have not stood up under use as well as the Radio Shacks brand. The Radio Shack batteries cost more in both regular and high capacity, but they have always outlasted Panosonic in total use, and length of use after recharging.

I have ruined flashlights in my younger years by keeping batteries in them when they were not used for long periods of time, and I have even had a radio suffer battery leakage after prolonged retention of batteries in the radio when it was not used. Everything that uses batteries now, but is not used regularly has the batteries removed and packed or taped to the unit to guard against battery leakage damage.

One more thing, I have never had a regular (Rechargables have never leaked in use or long term non-use.) battery leak when not in a device, even though it may have expired and did not work any more. What is your experience in that regard?

Bountyhunter

You bring up good pionts. As usual, I find your broad base of knowledge/experience, very informative. Thank you.
Yes, I do keep batteries in many of the flashlights around the house and they are used very infrequently. I try to keep them "at the ready" and as such, do keep them filled with batteries.
I too have never found a loose battery that has leaked, so there is a tie in. I have a few flashlights in the car and have not seen a problem there, but perhaps it is just an accident waiting to happen. If I recall correctly, most of the corroded batteries were Eveready. Perhaps some Duracell. I imagine that even with the lights turned off (pushbutton) there is some leakage. That, coupled with minimum usage, could be the recipe for disaster.

As a side note, the G2Z I ordered after reading the notes arrived today with all the accessories as well. What a light! But, at about $90, I will be paranoid about losing it. I find the cases to carry the extra bulb assemblies to be a bit bulky, but I assume they will serve their purpose very well. The light and bulb storage cases each come with a lanyard, so no reason to order a separate lanyard.

Nice choice all the way around.

well, if you look closely, you will find that you can also put some spare batteries in there , too .... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Actually, 6 in each.
And, you don't have to look too close to see it.
<img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Skater:

Hey!, don't ruin it for us older fellows like Frenchy and me who use that "look closely" routine to better "see" the name tags that attractive women have pinned on their blouses. We are only compensating for the limitations age is putting on us. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Bountyhunter <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I heard all about you guys. You get close enough using the bad eyesight routine and when that works you tell them you are also learning to read Braille!

<img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Not at all !
We simply take advantage of our Italian origins : that's why we "speak with our hands" ..... <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />