Why SureFire?

[MacDaddy]

Until a few minutes ago, I had myself convinced that SureFire was the only way to go for a rifle-mounted weapon light. I was dead set on the M962XM07 mostly because it allows the optional MN11 225-lumens bulb. And yeah, it looks pretty cool.

I know SureFire is well known for durability, but does it really make sense to buy a Xenon/Halogen light (as opposed to LED) that needs three CR123 batteries to run at 125 lumens for 60 minutes when there are other lights that have LEDs that run longer on fewer batteries? What am I missing?

Looking at Insight lights for example, it seems their lights are smaller, and require fewer batteries for same brightness and runtime. Plus, they include "thug-debilitating" strobes. But the design is more meant for a handgun.

I'm so confused. Please lend your experienced insights.

And please forget about cost for now. For purposes of this discussion, I don't care. I'm interested in functionality, ergonomics, and quality.

[DedEye]

Have you looked at Surefire's Scout line of LED rifle lights?

[technique]

I like Pentagon...they were based in South San Fransisco..belly up recently. Damn good light..

[Mississippi]

I like Pentagon...they were based in South San Fransisco..belly up recently. Damn good light..

Love my Pentagon light.

Didn't know they were in South City!

Also didn't know they went under!

[Casual Observer]

I have a 6P LED.

80 Lumens is more than enough for what I have to do with the rifle. 225 Lumens is enough to light up a whole LZ like it was one oclock in the afternoon.

[aplinker]

It really depends on what you're using the light for.

The big advantage of xenon is throw. You can't focus an LED as well as a lamp.

SureFire's electronics, innovation, and strength are second to no one. Their stuff really is bulletproof.

That being said, in many situations there are lights that are as good or even better for the task at hand.

What's your intended use for your light?

Until a few minutes ago, I had myself convinced that SureFire was the only way to go for a rifle-mounted weapon light. I was dead set on the M962XM07 mostly because it allows the optional MN11 225-lumens bulb. And yeah, it looks pretty cool.

I know SureFire is well known for durability, but does it really make sense to buy a Xenon/Halogen light (as opposed to LED) that needs three CR123 batteries to run at 125 lumens for 60 minutes when there are other lights that have LEDs that run longer on fewer batteries? What am I missing?

Looking at Insight lights for example, it seems their lights are smaller, and require fewer batteries for same brightness and runtime. Plus, they include "thug-debilitating" strobes. But the design is more meant for a handgun.

I'm so confused. Please lend your experienced insights.

And please forget about cost for now. For purposes of this discussion, I don't care. I'm interested in functionality, ergonomics, and quality.

[dchang0]

Xenon's cool if you need to blind or disorient your opponent, such as in home defense, but you are right. LED's are much more efficient and last a helluva lot longer. Plus, they don't get as hot and are can be sealed up more easily (made waterproof).

That said, I did my research and bought a Surefire M900A because I do want a ridiculously bright lamp.

[aplinker]

Xenon's cool if you need to blind or disorient your opponent, such as in home defense, but you are right. LED's are much more efficient and last a helluva lot longer. Plus, they don't get as hot and are can be sealed up more easily (made waterproof).

That said, I did my research and bought a Surefire M900A because I do want a ridiculously bright lamp.

LED and xenon lights are waterproofed the same way. Sure, you can pot up the electronics in an LED, but you still have batteries, so you still have to use gaskets.

LEDs actually run just as hot and are actually more heat sensitive.

You can blind someone just as well with an LED as xenon - that's lumens. It's only throw where xenon makes a difference.

[MacDaddy]

Have you looked at Surefire's Scout line of LED rifle lights?

Yup. Definitely an option. Thanks. Will look great on my MR762.

I like Pentagon...they were based in South San Fransisco..belly up recently. Damn good light..

Yeah, I looked at some Pentagons and then discovered they cratered. I kind of want the option to buy spare parts. Oh well.

I have a 6P LED.

80 Lumens is more than enough for what I have to do with the rifle. 225 Lumens is enough to light up a whole LZ like it was one oclock in the afternoon.

Now yer talkin'.

It really depends on what you're using the light for.

The big advantage of xenon is throw. You can't focus an LED as well as a lamp.

SureFire's electronics, innovation, and strength are second to no one. Their stuff really is bulletproof.

That being said, in many situations there are lights that are as good or even better for the task at hand.

What's your intended use for your light?

Thanks. That helps. I didn't know that distinction.

My intended use is to have a swiss army knife. I'm not a LEO or soldier, so I don't have specific missions. I want something flexible that would be useful in a variety of situations. You know -- zombies and fan-hitting stuff.

Xenon's cool if you need to blind or disorient your opponent, such as in home defense, but you are right. LED's are much more efficient and last a helluva lot longer. Plus, they don't get as hot and are can be sealed up more easily (made waterproof).

That said, I did my research and bought a Surefire M900A because I do want a ridiculously bright lamp.

I do like the idea of a blinding light. That's part of what attracted me to the strobing Insight lights. I don't see how it could be a bad idea to disorient your target. Heck, if I could buy flashbangs, I would. They work great in Call of Duty 4.

[CHS]

The two things that you need to realize about Surefire brightness ratings is that:

1.) They are conservative
2.) They measure actual lumens OUT THE FRONT of the light.

Almost every single other light manufacturer out there measures the lumens at the BULB and report lumens under ideal conditions.

A 250 lumen Surefire will be brighter than a 250 lumen any other brand. Period.

And one last thing, Surefires are actually war-tested.

[Shadowdrop]

A Q5 LED running on an 18650 rechargeable is plenty bright. I have a Dereelight CL1H that I use for work and it is BRIGHT. Blows away all my co-workers typical "cop" lights, i.e. - Streamlights, Surefire A2, etc.

[wash]

I've never bought a SureFire.

The reason is that they are too expensive for a hand held flashlight. When it's weapon mounted, the price might be worth it if cheaper lights fail (I have no experience with that).

I bought a couple Fenix LED lights last summer and I really like them but I don't know how I would mount one to a rifle.

If I ever do buy a light for a rifle, I would want something light weight. LED's and switch mode power supplies can make a very bright light with only 1 CR123. For a hand held flashlight I prefer a 2 CR123 model so it fits the hand better and makes a better kubaton type weapon. If I thought I was going dual purpose I might go for a two cell model but I probably would stick to one cell trading away half the run time and some of the kubaton potential in favor of lighter weight.

And why CR123's? Because they are common and have a long shelf life. I have standardized on them for my more critical battery powered electronics. I never want to be left with a dead alkaline or Nimh rechargeable and I don't want to have to buy oddball double A lithium batteries.

[what2be]

I like Pentagon...they were based in South San Fransisco..belly up recently. Damn good light..

WTF??? They went under?

Ive been waiting patiently for 6 months now for the new rechargeables that were supposed to come out, the R20 and R10.

Are you sure on your info? Are they not going to release these now or are they out?

[NeoWeird]

If you're looking for something 'just in case'; I'd recommend against these high lumen output lights. Now I have no extended experience with them, but this is just an observation:

Let's say you want something for SHTF. Do you really want something that will be broken within your first day, dead after a couple bulbs, with harder to find batteries and bulbs just so you have the brightest light on the market bar none right now? If it were me, and I was getting something for that, I'd look for something that was as common as possible with as long of a life as possible. I'd dare say that a Maglight that runs of standard batteries might be a better option for those types of scenarios. Just about EVERY household or store that sells those types of items will have both the bulbs and batteries and it will be much easier to find them if things do ever take a dump.

Now if you're talking about a home defensive gun that will get used very rarely but when it is used you absolutely NEED to see every tiny space in your house with great detail with no other light source, as well as blind the hell out of anyone else in the room, then by all means go for it. Get an extra bulb or two, and change the batteries every 6 months even if it's not being used. As you use one up, you replace it, and just set aside a couple bucks each paycheck to pay for this new bill.

If it's home defense or something similar, go for it and don't skimp. If it's for survival, it's so overkill that it would probably be to a disadvantage.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

[NinthWonder]

Surefire makes an awesome product and really stand behind it. The tail cap on my flashlight broke, I gave them a call told and them what happened and they sent me a brand new one no questions asked. I'll gladly spend a few extra bucks knowing they will take care of me when something breaks.