Trying a new gadget

1964 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Tangle, Oct 13, 2005

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · Oct 8, 2005

Well for a long time now I've carried this light, the Surefire C2. I can't really complain too much about it. I've used it three times while stranded in rural Arkansas and believe me having this thing in your pocket really comes in handy.

Well like I said I've been pretty happy with it and I've gotten my money's worth. The only thing I really didn't like about it was that the runtime is really poor. Oh it'll give you an hour's worth of light all right but the super bright light you want runs out pretty fast. I've also longed for an LED.

Surefire makes their own 5W LED coversion kit for it for $140! $140! Honestly, screw that. Screw that big time.

I thought about another light but there was always something wrong with it. I like the size and feel of the C2, I like the lockout tailcap, etc. etc.

So I thought I was stuck. Then I found out about this wonderful product.

How do I know it's any good? Well I've come to trust this source very much. They've never been wrong and it's a purely unbiased well informed source.

You don't lose very much of the light's output and in return you get a regulated circuit. For you non light junkies, that basically means this circuit drains the battery uniformly so it's the same brightness from beginning to end. Comparing the tests on FlashlightReviews.com confirmed my experiences: the standard C2 is plenty bright but it drains very quickly. The regulated circuitry on this head seems to give it a lot of consistency and adds a hair of total runtime.

I've ordered one. I think it should be a worthy addition to my everyday carry.

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1 - 16 of 16 Posts

rocky

· #2 · Oct 8, 2005

Streamlight makes a combo xenon and led surefire sized light now. Might want to look into one of them too.

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 8, 2005

I've seen those. They seem to be okay but I am addicted to that tailcap switch.

Bud White

· #4 · Oct 8, 2005

Stilla expensive conversion but i understand wanting it i guess im luckly i get to carry large flashlights everyday and dont worry much about it nor batterys as its normal part of tool bag

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 8, 2005

I've always been a light geek long before I was old enough to even buy a gun.

To me the light is like the holster or the belt or the spare magazines... gotta pony up the $$$ for it even though I don't like it. It's all part of the system. I still think $56 next to $140 is a great deal hehe.

If nothing else I feel the light may be far more valuable than the gun as I always have the light with me, and the light helps me avoid the trouble in the first place.

P95Carry

· #6 · Oct 8, 2005

Well - despite the absurd cost - over $50 IIRC - the LED head on my E1e is just superb. It still hurts my eyes when battery is down to a paltry 2.7 volts!!!

I feel under-sized compared to many folks but - my E1e is for me the dog's dangly bits :biggrin: No one yet has liked looking into it - in fact they call me names!

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 8, 2005

My only beef with the E1E is it's not enough to hold onto. I like the ergonomics of the C2 too much. The C3 is even better and I have one, but it's too hard to carry without a large pocket.

P95Carry

· #8 · Oct 8, 2005

Granted Euc - it is pretty darned small but - a grip between ring and middle finger works well, for me. Mine lives on my belt and being small is not too much of an incumberance. I am pleased when I see that I still have 14 new 123 cells in stock!

As ever - whatever works :smile:

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 8, 2005

Yeah it's a good light. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't cry if you gave me one. :biggrin:

I have found ordering CR123s off the internet helps a bunch, plus I carry a second light that runs off of a common alkaline cell for boring things.

chameleon

· #10 · Oct 13, 2005

R9SCarry, where is the best place to buy a E1e?

Umm, sorry I keep changing your name from P95Carry, to R9SCarry, but you do have one of those too

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 13, 2005

I'm not P95 but generally this place is excellent. I've gotten both of my Surefires from them and without some kind of sale, this is about as rock bottom as prices get. Service is good too.

http://www.newgraham.com/surefire.htm

$68.25, about as good as you're going to do.

Tangle

· #12 · Oct 13, 2005

Euc,

I say this over and over, the Streamlight TL2 LED may be the best and most versatile tact light available. The whole light only costs $51.75 from:

http://store.botachtactical.com/sttlledtali.html

Edit:
You can also buy Sanyo CR123 batts from the above for $1 each.

It is blindingly bright, it has essentially a constant intensity over the 150 minutes of full power run time and then I ran it for some 12 hours past that and it still gave a remarkably good light.

It's got a tail cap, rugged aluminum body with totally non-slip grooves and it's only 4.9 inches long. I carry one in my pocket constantly.

You owe it to yourself, save $10. Take a look at this:

http://www.streamlight.com/tris.htm

The TL2 LED is Thunder Ranch's choice too.

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P95Carry

· #13 · Oct 13, 2005

Cham' - Euc's link and price sounds about as good as it gets. Mine was bought from a THR guy as a NIB and I doubt I saved all that much in the end but have never regretted buying it.

To me - for its size and with the LED head, it is a remarkable unit.

Euclidean

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 13, 2005

Tangle said:
Euc,

I say this over and over, the Streamlight TL2 LED may be the best and most versatile tact light available. The whole light only costs $51.75 from:

http://store.botachtactical.com/sttlledtali.html

Edit:
You can also buy Sanyo CR123 batts from the above for $1 each.

It is blindingly bright, it has essentially a constant intensity over the 150 minutes of full power run time and then I ran it for some 12 hours past that and it still gave a remarkably good light.

It's got a tail cap, rugged aluminum body with totally non-slip grooves and it's only 4.9 inches long. I carry one in my pocket constantly.

You owe it to yourself, save $10. Take a look at this:

http://www.streamlight.com/tris.htm

The TL2 LED is Thunder Ranch's choice too.

Actually Tangle I want to try one of those sometime. See I want a good light to carry, a good one to leave in the vehicle, and a good one to leave by my pistol safe. I think next I'll get one of those and that way I'll have these 3 lights and I'll carry whichever one I like best.

I personally think that the filter in the Thunder Ranch illumination system is a little bit silly. Honestly, why do I need a green filter...? And I already have most of that stuff I don't need another Photon

Although I have to admit that's a good idea for a product to bundle it all together like that.

mtnbkr

· #15 · Oct 13, 2005

I feel under-sized compared to many folks but - my E1e is for me the dog's dangly bits No one yet has liked looking into it - in fact they call me names!

Check out the Nuwai Q3. Same size as the E1e, uses a 3W Luxeon and single CR123, looks like it's brighter than the E1e, and costs $30.

Chris

Tangle

· #16 · Oct 13, 2005

Euclidean said:
Actually Tangle I want to try one of those sometime. See I want a good light to carry, a good one to leave in the vehicle, and a good one to leave by my pistol safe. I think next I'll get one of those and that way I'll have these 3 lights and I'll carry whichever one I like best.

I personally think that the filter in the Thunder Ranch illumination system is a little bit silly. Honestly, why do I need a green filter...? And I already have most of that stuff I don't need another Photon
Although I have to admit that's a good idea for a product to bundle it all together like that.

Euc,
I agree on the filters and even the TR package, it was the fact that Clint could have chosen any manufacturer he wanted to. He tried the Streamlight TL-2 LED and that become his tactical light. The rest is just fluff stuff.

When you get one, you'll like it.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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