OT Surefire L4

Discuss Spyderco's products and history.
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J Smith
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OT Surefire L4

#1

Post by J Smith »

Just thought I would say a little something about this one.I got it in a trade a couple weeks ago.It is leaps and bounds better than the incans.Just as bright as an E2e,doesn't through the beam quite as far(very close)and is much whiter.I sold my E2e after I got the chace to use it.I had it on for about 10 min and it got so hot I could not touch the bezel.The LED Surefire does not get hot is just as bright,whiter and has a slightly longer run time.



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haji
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#2

Post by haji »

The L4 is a really cool light. I keep hoping an LED version of the E1E is in the works, too...but I know I'm gonna have to hold out for the U2. Its a bit bigger than I'd like for an EDC light, but the CDI factor is too high not to have it! As a GP light, LED's are awesome, but as JSmith noted, they don't throw as far as incadecents do. There are applications where I prefer the reach of my E2E. On the other hand, there's no such thing as too many Surefires, so I'll end up with both, and several others.
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#3

Post by Zrexxer »

I bought a KL1 head for my E2e thinking I'd have the best of both worlds, but to tell the truth I've never put the original head back on it. The increased battery life on the KL1 is well worth the slight difference in tint and projection.
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#4

Post by RAT 54 »

The two things I'm never with out. My 6P and my Spyderco. :-) Swear by both of them.

We don't get may Surefires over here in NZ. Keen to find out more about the LED versions. I am hoping that one of the local stores will bring one in for me to try. So far no luck :-(


Ian
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haji
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#5

Post by haji »

Which Spyderco? That's important! My edc is an E2E, but I have a handful of them, ranging from the G2 to the M3. Head over to www.surefire.com and request a catalog. Thiers is really an outstanding book, more than it is a catalog, that runs down everything you ever wanted to know about the product line. That way, you can make recommendations to your local dealer to get what ya want!
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#6

Post by samosaurus »

Hey Jeff! Gunning for the L-4 eh? Oh well, I prefer the L-1.. Now that there the L-2, I'm kinda tempted.. But 65-lumens (L-4) for an LED is way too bright.. Has the brightness, but not the throw.. Here are some ideas..
<img src = http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/ ... m_1med.jpg>
<img src = http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v201/ ... m_2med.jpg>

Sam

Spydies for life!

Edited by - samosaurus on 8/12/2004 5:01:53 AM

Edited by - samosaurus on 8/12/2004 5:02:31 AM
RAT 54
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#7

Post by RAT 54 »

Hi Haji,

They will not ship cat's to outside the US :-( The download is not the same. The issue over here with Surefire is the Dealer is in Oz and only brings in a few models. Out of the few maybe two make it to NZ.

EDC Meerkat on weekdays in office, Delica - weekends, and Rescue when on a call out.


Ian
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Mancer
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#8

Post by Mancer »

Nice guys

Id like to get my hands on a SureFire sometime soon, Id like to see the new Defender range, I currently carry a 6D cell Maglite, its huge but a wonderful and solid flashlight.
Its plenty bright enough to make you see white dots if flashed and I would not wanna get a smack in the head with the weight of this thing.

Tis BEEEG very BEEG but I think it would also make a superb baton.

Cheers

MaNcEr

It's Time To Kick @$$ 'N Chew Bubble Gum
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Jimd
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#9

Post by Jimd »

I just received the new Surefire 2004 catalog yesterday in the mail. Wow!

The L2 looks perfect; two different power levels, 15 and 65 lumens, if I recall.

I'm totally sold on the LED lights. The LED lasts much longer than any incandescent light, and the runtime is much longer.

Like Zrexxer, I bought a KL-1 head for my E2e, and haven't looked back. I use it on my duty belt, since the runtime is VERY long, and it gives sufficient light for searching, which is what I most often use my light for.

Next, I want to get LED heads for my Z3 and C3.

Sniper -- One Shot, One Kill Email: ST8PEN01@aol.com
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#10

Post by RAT 54 »

Has anyone used the light from a Surefire in a SD role? I've heard good things but I'm not total convinced that it works. Never had to try myself - unless you count blinding a TV camera that turned up on a search on night.

Is 60 lumens enough for that sort of thing?

Ian
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J Smith
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#11

Post by J Smith »

IMO 60 lums would not be enough for SD.

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Jimd
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#12

Post by Jimd »

Occasionally, in my boredom at work, I'll shine my Surefires into the eyes of coworkers and inmates alike. ><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

I always observe them either narrow or close their eyes and reflexively look away. And this is in daylight, not darkness. In darkness, most Surefires with 60 or more lumens will destroy night vision completely when shined into a person's eyes.

Keep in mind you're not disabling your attacker, but rather distracting/disorienting him temporarily. A second or two buys you time to act.

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Al
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#13

Post by Al »

Interesting stuff. I've heard you can get a jagged bezel for the surefire for the purpose of whacking the bad guy in the heid while he's blinded.

I think the 5 'C'cell maglite makes a better club than the 'D' cell model as it's no so fat to get a secure grip...well unless you've got big hands!
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J Smith
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#14

Post by J Smith »

I was just useing the L4 last night and its is a big improvement over the ican.It will light up an area brightly 50 yards away.and the beam is a pure bright white light in the center spot with a good sized over spill of flood around it.IMO is is the perfect compromise between a flood and a spot.
BTW the only differance between the L4 and L2 is the 2 brightness levels on the L2.

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haji
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#15

Post by haji »

And the micro processor that controls those two levels of light, and the two stage tail cap...
"I've heard you can get a jagged bezel for the surefire for the purpose of whacking the bad guy in the heid while he's blinded."
The E2D and the M3 come from the factory this year with the strike bezels. Eventually, most models will have this bezel design. For those that don't, or for existing lights, there is a device called a TID (Tactical Impact Device), made by GG&G (www.gggaz.com) that will attach to the bezel of the light with set screws. They're pretty neat. You can use them for pressure point strikes, as well as strikes to the head. and/or extremities.
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#16

Post by Jimd »

J. Smith, thanks for the first-hand report of the L4. I like hearing people give their opinion on the lights after using them. It's neat to read the Surefire catalog, with it's technical data, etc. But an actual user is informative, too.

If money ever permits, I'm going to try to grab one of the L2's. Most of the time, 15 lumens is plenty of light for most tasks; but I like the availability of the 65 lumens that it has, just in case I need more.

And for anyone who doubts the brightness of these lights, try this:
Turn out the lights at night and stand in front of a mirror. Then give a quick flash of light at the mirror. See if you're not blinded for at least a few seconds. I did this tonight with my C3, and it was dazzling, to say the least. Then again, I've tried this with all my Surefires, with the same results. I guess I'm just a masochist. :-)

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