ROT : Flashlights ; 1 down 2 to go

[AllenETreat]

A tirade ( NOT rant )



I had my SureFire G-2 Nitrolon all of two

(2) "daze" when it quit on me! Oh, yes!

Seeing the volatile butt cap switch I immediately reasoned the batteries had gone

dead after being bounced around in my coat

pocket. After shelling out $11 for two whole lithium batteries the SOB STILL wouldn't light. Impatient for some kinda

response I called SureFire's "800" number

and spoke to "Sandy" and explained the situation ; she related to me that "the lamp module was probably burnt out.." So much for "high techknowledgy"! SureFire is

shipping me the replacement module ( I reasoned it may have been just a matter of

a bulb, GUESS AGAIN! The "disposable society" strikes again! <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>) All very well.



What happens if the next "module" burns out?



I'm glad I didn't fork out $200 for one of their "premier" models ( like Centurion or such ) This leaves the ARC & Photon II on my

keychain ( the Photon, AOBTW has been on my

keychain, in my coat pocket for the better

part of 4mos, and cost a third of the SureFire.) So gimme LED over Xenon bulbs.



What say the augurers?



AET <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



Footnote :



"You get what you pay for!" isn't always SO!



"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke ( 1729-1797 )

[Zrexxer]

Two observations: Don't pay $4 or $5 apiece for lithium batteries locally... Surefire sells them for $15/dozen, and they have a shelf life of up to 10 years. MUCH more economical than the neighborhood photomat.

Secondly, yeah... Surefire's conventional lamp modules are known to be fragile - and expensive. But usually it takes a fall to the floor or some kind of shock like that to send one to the briny deep, so maybe yours was just a fluke. On my Surefire E2E, I replaced the head with the LED module, which you can almost beat with a hammer without damaging it. Not as much light output, but dead reliable. That's not an option on the Nitrolons unfortunately, but maybe something to consider if you change models.

~Z~

"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule." --H. L. Mencken

[chinook]

My two 6P/R's have only burnt one module in the 5 yrs I've had them.(lots of batteries tho) I don't use them constantly and I've got the p61 module which I switch in sometimes. I gave one to my wife butt took it back because she could not accept the on/sweep/off duty cycle which maximizes the battery life. She is much better off with a 6v lantern type(for potty trips) on camping trips and an led on her keychain.
I love the Surefire for its bright, even spot. I do not find the modules delicate or shortlived. I have had good service from them.

[samosaurus]

Real tough luck Al! The G-2 doesn't have a lock out tailcap which prevents accidental deployment. Its cousin, the combat version G-2Z is a slightly better improvement.. Speaking about blowing out a lamp module, I did something really stupid by fitting an E-1E module onto the barrel of my E-2E. It went bust as soon as I hit the tail switch! For daily use, I've basically narrowed down my choices to the L-1 and A-2.. Excellent lights! <img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0><img src="spyder.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

Sam

"have scars will travel.."

[seaman]

Thats why for now i will keep on using my maglites,yes i know they are not the same but they sure are cheaper.

[glockman99]

I have one of the older 9P Surefires and I've banged it around a bit with no ill-effects. Maybe I've just been lucky that the bulb hasn't gone out on me yet. But, due to the high replacement price of the bulb (lamp assembly) it looks like the Streamlights (with their low-cost) bulbs might be the way to go.

Dann Fassnacht Aberdeen, WA glockman99@hotmail.com ICQ: 53675663

[chux]

It may be time for me to get a new torch. I was thinking about getting a G2 Nitrolon, but having read this I may go for an Inova X5.

I hope your problem with the module was just a one off that will be sorted soon. Best of luck.

Chux

Edited by - chux on 12/30/2003 4:37:31 AM

[Blades]

The good thing about the Inova X5(besides a lockout switch and long run time) is the batteries that won't light up my Streamlight Scorpion(2 123a's) will still work in my Inova X5. The Inova is not as bright as a G2 or Scorpion, but I'm happy with mine!! The "dead" batteries I've collected from my Scorpion work very well in my Inova. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>



Blades

[Pyrochazm]

My roommate is an EMT, and uses his surefire everyday, he never manages to have a problem with it. Me? I'll stick with my 4-cell maglite. You can beat someone with it in a pinch

"Make a person think and they'll HATE you for it"-Unknown

[Pyrochazm]

****, maybe I'll get a 6-cell maglite; those things are like baseball bats!

[deputy tom]

I bought a Surefire 6Z Combat light and a Blade-tech kydex holster several years ago and after hearing fragile bulb stories I decided not to carry it.I use the old trusty mini-mag light or a 4 D cell mag light instead.tom.

N.R.A. LIFE MEMBER...Thig crioch air an t-saoghail, ach mairidh gaol 's ceol.

[Bruceter]

I received a G2 for Christmas this year and all I can say is wow! What a nice bright light for the size. In regards to not having a lock out tail cap, the instructions say that you can unscrew the bezel about a 1/2 turn to keep the light from turning on accidentaly.

Bruceter

[J Smith]

I have had one and want another.I think your buld problem is a fluke,the new one shouldn't give any trouble.

<img src=http://techhelpers.net/e4u/drink/trink36.gif

[AllenETreat]

Gang :

Let's hope that ( a "fluke" module ) is truly the case. I agree, the Mag Lite is
more "tried & true" ( being more traditional in design ) but I seek compactness, brightness, and relative low cost. When one goes over $50 for a blade or
flashlight I believe one get's a bit extravegant ; knifepunk had a good analogy
when he commented : "$200 for a flashlight!?! You can get'em at Wal-Mart for
$5!" Good commentary on our spending habits!

AET <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke ( 1729-1797 )

[dynaryder]

Your bulb prob sounds like a manufacturing defect. They happen. I'd advise going w/the Inova X5 or an Arc LS second. The Inova is plenty bright,tough,and has good batt life. My Arc LS second is super bright and tiny;I haven't had a single prob w/it. For the Arcs you can also get a 2 AA tailcap that lets you run cheaper batts and is still smaller than a MiniMag. I think Arc is selling their seconds for like $50 now.

[Jimd]

I use a Surefire Z3 Combatlight and an E2 with KL-4 LED head daily on the job for the past few years. Thus far, I've not had one problem, both lights are serving fine despite being banged around quite seriously a few times.

To boot, I also have a C3 Centurion for off-duty carry, and it too has served well.

There is simply no other tactical light that compares to the brightness of these lights in the same size/durability. I've tried other lights, but they don't have the range/brightness.

It's likely you got a fluke. In addition, consider that our special ops forces are all issued Surefire lights, and they don't issue junk equipment.

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

[ramlanrafie]

I've been using M2 with KL3 lately. I like the bluish white light and the idea to prolong the batteries life. But for more lumens, i'll be using the C3 or G2Z or Scorpion. The 6C maglite is always in the car for "self defend" reason. (i think i'll should kept it at home)

[Jeweler]

Streamlight makes some great lights at about half the price. My scorpion is great.
The best site for flashlight info is

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/

[AllenETreat]

I gotta wait another five days for the replacement module!Worse comes to worse, I'm shippin' the G-2 back an' gettin' a Xenon model from Cheaper-Than-Dirt ; better yet something better than "the wheel".

The higher the "tech", the lower the "quality" it seems. Go figure!

AET <img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle border=0>

"All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke ( 1729-1797 )