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#34035 - 11/07/04 12:35 AM Flashlight came in handy
Paul810 Offline
Veteran

Registered: 03/02/03
Posts: 1428
Loc: NJ, USA
I was working out on stage during school preparing for our school drama and as always I had my Surefire A2 on me. Well, the power went out and all the lights went off. This wasn't good as two kids were 25ft up on a ladder, another was 10ft up on a ladder, and there was a good 15 kids wandering around in pitch black. I yelled out, "no one move". I grabbed my flashlight out of my pocket, made sure the guys on the ladders were off and made sure everyone was off the two story set, I directed everyone out into the hallway which had emergency lighting. If I didn't have that flashlight someone could have easily knocked the guys of the ladder or fell off the set. Just shows that being prepared can really be handy <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

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#34036 - 11/07/04 02:49 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Chris Kavanaugh Offline
Carpal Tunnel

Registered: 02/09/01
Posts: 3824
Sort of gives new meaning to "break a leg!" Well Done. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

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#34037 - 11/08/04 01:28 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Mr_Dead Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/30/04
Posts: 34
I've been on a flashlight tear lately, learning a lot in the process. I recently aquired a Surefire L4. A few years ago I would not have believed that any flashlight is worth what this one cost, but it's very, very impressive.

It seems to be like some other items, you don't miss not having it until you try it EDC and see how handy it really is.

Of course, that wasn't so much the case just a little while ago, before you could easily pocket a really powerful, reliable light.
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#34038 - 11/08/04 01:42 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Anonymous
Unregistered


Mr Dead,
Im very interested in what makes a Surefire worth its price. As I have no experience with the brand.

Also on the news the other night they showed a US soldier with, I think, a surefire strapped underneath his rifle. Are they on current issue with the military? And isnt it also used in the recent fim "SWAT"?

Reinhardt

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#34039 - 11/08/04 02:28 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Mr_Dead Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/30/04
Posts: 34
Quote:
Im very interested in what makes a Surefire worth its price. As I have no experience with the brand.


Well, that's a value judgement I can't make for anyone else, of course.

In researching for my own needs I bought a number of flashlights. I ended up wtih an Inova, an Infinity (now Gerber), a Streamlight, an Underwater Kinetics (UK), and I previously had several MagLite versions, Tektites, and a Pelican Stealthlite (my past favorite).

Based on what I had read on the candlepower forums, broke down and bought the Surefire L4. At the time I thought I was being very foolish to get caught up in the enthusiasm, but then I don't tend to skimp on things I think I might really depend on. That's a matter of outlook.

When it arrived, I was just flat-out amazed. Even though I had done a fair amount of research, my first impression was that it was MUCH smaller and lighter than I expected. It also has the distinct feel of precise machining in a tiny jewel-like object. Then I turned it on...

The beam is the brightest flashlight I've ever used, by far, and outshines any of the others very easily- most, shone on the same surface next to the beam from the L4, simply become invisible. It is not only blinding to look into the beam, it is quite painful. It's white, very even, almost free of artifacts- that is, there's a "hot spot" in the center, and a "corona" or "spill" around that, but almost no uneveness, and no shadows.

So, is it worth the very high price? That's hard to say, but it is certainly true that it makes every other flashlight I own or have used seem some combination of bulky, heavy, clunky, fragile, or dim.

If I lost the Surefire, I would buy another. I'm not sure that's true of any of the others.

Second choice would clearly be the Streamlight, but, even though the specs look comparable, it subjectively feels about a third larger and twice the weight, is much less pocketable, it rattles, the switch is a bit awkward, and it's generally is much less confidence-inspiring.

That having been said, please see my remarks about the Nuwai QIII in the "Rail Crash" thread.

Quote:
Also on the news the other night they showed a US soldier with, I think, a surefire strapped underneath his rifle. Are they on current issue with the military? And isnt it also used in the recent fim "SWAT"?


I understand that they are issued to some elite troops, although apparently the company makes a number of products for the military and police that might not be marked, so it's not always obviouis.

I haven't seen the film, but they have become quite popular lately, and show up in a lot of movies... not the least, because the beams are actually visible against the background lights used in Hollywood even for night filiming.
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#34040 - 11/08/04 02:41 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Anonymous
Unregistered


Out of curiosity how long do the batteries typically last on the L4? As that has always been my main concern about the surefire (hence why I currently don't own one).

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#34041 - 11/08/04 03:24 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Mr_Dead Offline
newbie

Registered: 10/30/04
Posts: 34
All things are compromise..

I haven't gone though the first set yet, so can't say from experience.

Surefire says the L4 puts out full (regulated) light for an hour, followed by 1.5 hours of declining light. Their estimates tend to be conservative (very conservative, compared to other manufacturers). That doesn't sound great, but there are some mitigating factors:

Cells tend to actually last longer (in total "on" time) with intermittent use than with constant use, and that's how they tend to be used in the real world.

The lithium cells (CR123) are now much less expensive ($1 - $1.25 on-line) and are very lightweight, so it's no trouble to carry a spare set or two (do NOT buy them in a store, where they range from $5-7 EACH).

I've already ordered a "McGizmo" 2-stage switch for the L4, which should provide me with about 8-10 hours of lower level light. This is helpful anyway, as the stock L4 is too bright for many common tasks.

There is always the L2- which is an inch longer, almost the same price, but comes with a 2-stage switch. Surefire says it lasts the same hour on full-out high (which is listed as brighter than the L4), but an amazing 18 hours at the lower setting, which I understand is still pretty bright, and adequate for routine use.

Another option, of course, is to carry a small, lightweight, low-power but long-lasting LED light for prolonged use where you don't need the bright light. The Inova X5, for example, isn't all that much smaller, and not nearly as bright, but it does have a reputation for sucking the last bit of energy (and hours of use) out of the same lithium cells that are already drained too far to be useful in the more powerful lights.
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#34042 - 11/09/04 12:57 AM Re: Flashlight came in handy
X-ray Dave Offline
Addict

Registered: 11/11/03
Posts: 572
Loc: Nevada
A few years ago I would have laughed at buying an expensive flashlight. Now I EDC a SureFire. Stopped at an MVA a while back and the S.O. Deputy was impressed with it.

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#34043 - 11/09/04 02:05 AM Re: Flashlight came in handy
Burncycle Offline
Addict

Registered: 09/16/04
Posts: 577
Paul: A surefire came in handy?! Not possible! They're horrible for emergency use!

(sorry, that was a little jab about an earlier conversation <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

Anyway.....

Quote:
Im very interested in what makes a Surefire worth its price. As I have no experience with the brand.


Here ya go

http://www.messerforum.net/showthread.php?t=15783

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#34044 - 11/09/04 04:16 PM Re: Flashlight came in handy
brian Offline
Veteran

Registered: 07/28/04
Posts: 1468
Loc: Texas
That's actually a point well taken. I was one of those pro-mini-led people on the "other" thread and after initially reading this post I couldn't help but look at my trusty photon and my trustier (not really a word...I know) ArcAAA-P and think about how neither would would really illuminate someone up on a 25' ladder all too well. Of course they would give me enough light to atleast get myself out of the way of a falling 25' ladder with a 200# theatre student on it. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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