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May 22, 2008, 02:23 PM | #1 |
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Opinions on weak hand flash lights? (Surefire)
I am thinking about getting my brother-n-law one of the Surefire lights to use as a weak hand light. I am not sure which one to get yet but leaning towards the model pictured below. I like the simple design and aluminum body.
I would be also getting him the high intensity bulb (120 lumens) to add to it. Does anyone have one of their lights? What do you think of them? Last edited by Playboypenguin; May 22, 2008 at 03:41 PM. |
May 22, 2008, 03:45 PM | #2 |
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Hey Playboy- when you say weak-hand, this leads me to believe you're intending to use it in conjunction with a handgun. Surefire is by far one of the most respected "illumination device" manufacturers in the world. They back their products with lifetime warranties. I myself carry the pictured model (with DNA extractor ) and use it every night; never had a problem. The only thing with these is that when the batteries get low, there is no discernable indication that they are doing so. You'll go to turn on the light and it won't work (keeping spare batteries recommended). That being said, Surefire actually has good prices on their batteries at their website.
Along those lines, I believe in "two is one, and one is none". I don't know what type of weapon you're using. If it's equiped with an accessory rail, get a weapon mounted light. I recommend this one: They can be found for under $100 and you get 120 Lumens of intense white light while not having to sacrifice your weak hand |
May 22, 2008, 03:47 PM | #3 | |
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May 22, 2008, 04:06 PM | #4 |
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What? Gun lights are NEAT!
Last edited by Incognito; May 22, 2008 at 05:20 PM. |
May 22, 2008, 08:29 PM | #5 |
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Surefire sets the industry standard. I have or have had several of their hand held models over the years: E2E, 6P, G2, and Z2. Additionally, I've had access to several of their other models through friends and collegues.
Depending on your needs, you could do much worse than deciding on the 6P defender you posted, or the G2 LED if you aren't as concerned about its use as a contact weapon. The regular 6P and G2 modelsis offer excellent bang for the buck. Note: Hammer fisting someone's grape with a flashlight doesn't require it to has cranellations to be effective; or for it to be aluminum, for that matter.
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May 22, 2008, 09:37 PM | #6 |
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PBP
That is the setup I use at work. The 120 lumen lamp will hurt, yes pain will be felt in the eyes, when flashed into them when it is totaly dark out. When I used it on people they were hurt, blinded and not able to fight back and if they did they just shot wildly (obviously missing ) It sits next to my safe now as I type this in hopes I will never need to use it over here....... |
May 22, 2008, 10:20 PM | #7 |
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You might find it useful to look into Fenix lights. They are well regarded by flashlightaholics and offer great value for the money.
https://www.fenix-store.com/index.php?cPath=22_65
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May 22, 2008, 10:33 PM | #8 |
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Advice from a confessed flashlight junky
PBP,
I have that exact light (6PD). It is an excellent choice. I also have the E2D, several G2's and two Streamlight TLR-1's (also an excellent choice in weapon mounted lights). If you decide to go the surefire route for your brother in law, take a look at the Cree LED 290 lumen upgrades currently for sale from wolfammoman on this forum. They are MUCH brighter than the standard P60 bulb assembly and increase runtime to somewhere between 5 and 8 hours as opposed to the 60? minutes of the standard P60 bulb. The P90 upgrade decreases this runtime further. My bedside gun at night is a Ruger P345 with a Streamlight TLR-1 mounted. The 6PD rests on the shelf beside the gun with that LED upgrade in it. If I can't hit the badguy he's at least gonna be blind as a bat! . |
May 22, 2008, 10:36 PM | #9 | |
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May 22, 2008, 10:36 PM | #10 |
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fisherman66
Those look very interesting. The only thing they seem to lack is that I cannot see where they can be used a "blinders" with an instant on button. Can they be used that way? Some say they are turned on and off by twisting the front like a standard light.
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May 22, 2008, 10:38 PM | #11 |
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May 22, 2008, 10:52 PM | #12 |
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Some have a click tailcap for your clickie blindie thingie
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...roducts_id=477
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May 22, 2008, 11:01 PM | #13 |
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Not sure what you mean by a "weak" light. So far everybody else has gone to tactical lights.
As a 'weak' light, MagLite products makes a few really nice kits with different colored lenses. I carry a very small one that takes a single AA battery in my pocket at all times. I have another that takes 2 AAA batteries and with the red lens can get you around in the woods without waking everybody up and destroying your night vision. Another one is the Hubble Lite Toolbox. It comes with the red lens, spare bulb and what they call a 'light bender' that makes a really good bore light. |
May 22, 2008, 11:32 PM | #14 | |
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Quote:
https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...roducts_id=362
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May 23, 2008, 02:41 AM | #15 |
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Geez, now I am torn between the Surefire I mentioned in the OP or this one from Fenix.
Anyone have experience with this one? Can it be used as an instant on blinder? |
May 23, 2008, 04:31 AM | #16 |
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With the Fenix lights there is a normal mode and a turbo mode. In normal mode it starts out on low then you soft touch your way from low-med-high-etc. Then if you turn the bezel fully clockwise you get turbo mode. In turbo mode you'll start out at the highest setting possible then go to strobe. So from that perspective, yes it can be used as an instant on blinder. I don't have the P3D so I can't comment on it's brightness, except to mention that it puts out more Lumens (215 for the Premium Q5 model) then the Surefire P6 or the L2D I have (175 lumens). Since the 175 on my light is pretty blinding I think the P3D would be as well.
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May 23, 2008, 10:55 AM | #17 | |
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May 23, 2008, 12:27 PM | #18 |
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I prefer the Fenix L1T. Instant on or constant on, and it uses a single AA battery. In the long run it is significantly cheaper than the 123A batteries, especially if he plans on using it for anything more than a bedside flashlight.
As well, there are some excellent rechargeable AA batteries out these days,
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May 23, 2008, 02:54 PM | #19 | ||
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May 23, 2008, 03:08 PM | #20 |
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I ended up ordering two of the P3D Premiums. These little babies put out 215 lumens. That should blind the hell out of someone. I like the semi-press function on the Surefires, but the strobe effect and other features on the Fenix really won me over.
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May 23, 2008, 09:04 PM | #21 | |
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A little late now, but here is JohnKSa's review of one of his Fenix lights. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...ighlight=fenix
Let us know what you think of it! Fenix is one of those companies that actually listens to their customers, so, if you see room for improvement, let them know. Quote:
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May 23, 2008, 09:11 PM | #22 |
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Playboy, the Fenix store sells tactical "forward clicky" style buttons for the Fenix lights separately for $9. I just ordered one for my L2D if you're interested I'll let you know how it works out.
And to reiterate. If you leave the bezel turned fully clockwise the light will always go straight to the brightest "turbo" mode. For the P3D premium that is 215 lumens, for the L2D premium it is 175 lumens, and for the TK10 it is 225 lumens.
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May 23, 2008, 09:28 PM | #23 |
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Axion
Does that replacement switch make it to where you do not have to click the switch to flash it on? Will it light up with just pressure and go off when you release it?
If so, I am going to order two of them tomorrow. I hope they are easy to install. |
May 23, 2008, 10:08 PM | #24 |
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In the end game, there is still nothing more important than keeping your night vision intact. The reflection from your 'bright light' will cause your pupils to contract and reduce your vision for several minutes.
In the woods I may blip a red filter on and off if it's execptionally dark or I hear a Rattlesnake. For home defense. It's mine and I know my way around, I'd prefer the BG in the dark and not knowing where he is. |
May 23, 2008, 10:08 PM | #25 |
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Hard to beat value of the Leatherman Monarch 500 for $30 dollars at Costco.
Stainless steel body with rear momentary switch. 120 lumens from a CRE LED running on 3 AAA's. http://edcforums.com/index.php?topic=12937.msg157635 http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...d.php?t=182032 |
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