Surefire C3 Centurion

David III · January 8th, 2008, 01:01 PM

Anyone have experience with these? Are they too big for EDC? I'm out in the country, so when I'm trying to see something, I need a longer range beam.
I'm familiar with Surefires, have a 6Z but wanted something with a pocket clip and then got to thinking about just going up one battery to the C3 (and I very much like the ability to hold it like a 6Z where my palm is depressing the switch).
I did some searches but it seems that most of you carry the two-cell (or LED) lights these days.
Any comments on the C3, good or bad, would be most appreciated!
Thanks in advance.

Tangle · January 8th, 2008, 01:34 PM

I have a C2 and recently replaced the head with an LED head. I love the result. I have no experience with the C3, but I have an M3 and there are two problems with it. It's a bit big to carry, and two it's almost too bright.

It may seem odd to claim a light is too bright, but some SWAT teams had some bright lights at Gunsite and found that when their higher power lights reflected off a light colored wall, it messed up their low light level vision too much. I don't know if the C3 would do this or not, but it's something to think about.

David III · January 8th, 2008, 03:03 PM

Tangle - interesting point about too bright, I hadn't taken that into consideration for an EDC light. We have Surefire Ultrastingers at home for critter checking out back and they are really much too bright to use in a close area (like trying to repair something in the garage). Hmmm. Maybe C2...
My concern with LED is I have heard [yep, I don't really know] that an LED will not throw a focused beam at a long distance.
Thanks for your comments.

JeffLrrp · January 8th, 2008, 09:24 PM

I carry the Surefire G3 sometimes (polymer version of the C3/9P Original) and I find it fine sizewise for EDC, if just a tad long. The P90 bulb it uses isn't actually twice as bright as the P60 you'll find in the G2, 6P, etc -- however you get a much bigger area of sidespill and a bigger hotspot. If you want some serious throw power, buy a Streamlight Stinger or Ultrastinger or TL-3. The Surefires are only good for medium distances anyway. I love all 5 of mine

NY27 · January 8th, 2008, 09:40 PM

As far as the throw of an LED, I have a G2 and a G2 LED. I thought the same thing at first. But both lights throw about the same. If there is any difference, I definately don't see it. IMO the LED light is very crisp. I like it for my use of law enforcement.

retsupt99 · January 9th, 2008, 12:32 AM

Well, I have been talking about my E2e for several years...but I decided to pick up the L4LumaMax...about 40 more lumens than my E2e, it's LED lasts about twice as long, and it's almost the same size. It should be here in another day or two...I'm anxious to make a comparison. Now I'll have two great SD light.

Stay armed...stay bright...stay safe!

bzdog · January 9th, 2008, 04:21 AM

The size thing is a personal preference. I EDCed a M2 for a long time and was fine with it (inside front pocket), but a lot of people felt it was too big for EDC.

Personally, I think three cells is pushing it for comfortable EDC, but only you can answer that. Try to find a brick and mortar place that carries one of the SF 3 cell lights (probably any of them are OK for size consideration) and see what you think.

As Jeff points out, the SF lights don't have real long throw as a general rule, so if your 6P isn't cutting it, a three cell might not help as much as you'd like.

-john

black bear 84 · January 19th, 2008, 08:48 AM

The surface of the reflector in the Surefires is treated to spread the beam in a flood, (it is a heavy orange peel or light stippled pattern).

I like very much my Centurion III for EDC with a gun, I use the P-91 lamp that is giving 200 lumens. But yes I have found situations when I would like the beam to throw more.

You should try the Streamlight TL-3, it have a bigger reflector, so it will throw much better, that is the light I use when I need more throw and I am dressing to conceal.

Of course when I need even more throw and the light doesn't need to be concealed, I carry a minimum of a rechargeable Bear Cub 220
lumens, 90 minutes run time, or the rechargeable Borealis 1050 lumens.

Here is a picture of the Surefire C-3 and the Streamlight TL-3

Cheers
Black Bear

Knuckledrager · January 19th, 2008, 01:37 PM

If you want a longer throw and want to stick with SF, try the M3. I have had one for a long time and love it. One of the others that I work with has a C3. Comparing the two, the M3 has a better throw.

January 8th, 2008, 01:01 PM	#1
David III Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sturgeon, MO Posts: 745	Surefire C3 Centurion Anyone have experience with these? Are they too big for EDC? I'm out in the country, so when I'm trying to see something, I need a longer range beam. I'm familiar with Surefires, have a 6Z but wanted something with a pocket clip and then got to thinking about just going up one battery to the C3 (and I very much like the ability to hold it like a 6Z where my palm is depressing the switch). I did some searches but it seems that most of you carry the two-cell (or LED) lights these days. Any comments on the C3, good or bad, would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance.

January 8th, 2008, 01:34 PM	#2
Tangle Senior Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chattanooga Posts: 5,783	I have a C2 and recently replaced the head with an LED head. I love the result. I have no experience with the C3, but I have an M3 and there are two problems with it. It's a bit big to carry, and two it's almost too bright. It may seem odd to claim a light is too bright, but some SWAT teams had some bright lights at Gunsite and found that when their higher power lights reflected off a light colored wall, it messed up their low light level vision too much. I don't know if the C3 would do this or not, but it's something to think about. __________________ "Plans fail, things fail, people fail; but, fear never fails - it must be defeated." - by Tangle, a long time ago.

January 8th, 2008, 09:24 PM	#4
JeffLrrp Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 219	I carry the Surefire G3 sometimes (polymer version of the C3/9P Original) and I find it fine sizewise for EDC, if just a tad long. The P90 bulb it uses isn't actually twice as bright as the P60 you'll find in the G2, 6P, etc -- however you get a much bigger area of sidespill and a bigger hotspot. If you want some serious throw power, buy a Streamlight Stinger or Ultrastinger or TL-3. The Surefires are only good for medium distances anyway. I love all 5 of mine __________________ “Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . ----- Thomas Jefferson NRA member

January 8th, 2008, 09:40 PM	#5
NY27 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NY Posts: 975	As far as the throw of an LED, I have a G2 and a G2 LED. I thought the same thing at first. But both lights throw about the same. If there is any difference, I definately don't see it. IMO the LED light is very crisp. I like it for my use of law enforcement. __________________ It is better to have your gun and not need it, than to need it and not have it. 2012

January 9th, 2008, 12:32 AM	#6
retsupt99 VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 14,882	Well, I have been talking about my E2e for several years...but I decided to pick up the L4LumaMax...about 40 more lumens than my E2e, it's LED lasts about twice as long, and it's almost the same size. It should be here in another day or two...I'm anxious to make a comparison. Now I'll have two great SD light. Stay armed...stay bright...stay safe! __________________ "That I cannot do." "Give this to, uh, Clemenza. I want reliable people, people who aren't going to be carried away. After all we're not murderers in spite of what this undertaker thinks." *********************************** NRA Life Member

January 8th, 2008, 03:03 PM	#3
David III Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sturgeon, MO Posts: 745	Tangle - interesting point about too bright, I hadn't taken that into consideration for an EDC light. We have Surefire Ultrastingers at home for critter checking out back and they are really much too bright to use in a close area (like trying to repair something in the garage). Hmmm. Maybe C2... My concern with LED is I have heard [yep, I don't really know] that an LED will not throw a focused beam at a long distance. Thanks for your comments.

January 9th, 2008, 04:21 AM	#7
bzdog Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle(ish), WA Posts: 451	The size thing is a personal preference. I EDCed a M2 for a long time and was fine with it (inside front pocket), but a lot of people felt it was too big for EDC. Personally, I think three cells is pushing it for comfortable EDC, but only you can answer that. Try to find a brick and mortar place that carries one of the SF 3 cell lights (probably any of them are OK for size consideration) and see what you think. As Jeff points out, the SF lights don't have real long throw as a general rule, so if your 6P isn't cutting it, a three cell might not help as much as you'd like. -john

January 19th, 2008, 08:48 AM	#8
black bear 84 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York Posts: 166	The surface of the reflector in the Surefires is treated to spread the beam in a flood, (it is a heavy orange peel or light stippled pattern). I like very much my Centurion III for EDC with a gun, I use the P-91 lamp that is giving 200 lumens. But yes I have found situations when I would like the beam to throw more. You should try the Streamlight TL-3, it have a bigger reflector, so it will throw much better, that is the light I use when I need more throw and I am dressing to conceal. Of course when I need even more throw and the light doesn't need to be concealed, I carry a minimum of a rechargeable Bear Cub 220 lumens, 90 minutes run time, or the rechargeable Borealis 1050 lumens. Here is a picture of the Surefire C-3 and the Streamlight TL-3 Cheers Black Bear __________________ Builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight and www.blackbearflashlights.com E-Mail admin@blackbearflashlights.com

January 19th, 2008, 01:37 PM	#9
Knuckledrager Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 512	If you want a longer throw and want to stick with SF, try the M3. I have had one for a long time and love it. One of the others that I work with has a C3. Comparing the two, the M3 has a better throw. __________________ If not me, who? If not now, when?, Joseph Ruffini

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