In terms of quality, warranty, lumens, features, etc....
I have two Surefires and am looking for something new...
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In terms of quality, warranty, lumens, features, etc....
I have two Surefires and am looking for something new...
Check out Elzetta lights. They use malkoff heads and put out some nice lights.
I've also heard good things about the inforce WML.
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I never bought into the Surefire pricing and hype until I took a class with one of their reps and really got to see what exactly goes into the R&D for their lights. They might be a bit behind others when it comes to features but you know when a Surefire light hits the market it's ready to go and will be bombproof.
I've wanted to like Streamlight for a long time but three of the four Streamlight products I own have all shit the bed. Just can't see buying any more when a few more dollars gets me a light that lasts.
With a new LED upgrade my 10 year old 9P still rocks as a solid go-to light.
Unfortunately, none IMO. Their pricing is high, but they are bombproof.
Across the product line, nobody.
For EDC mini lights, it's possible to beat the E1BLED based on features
For IR/White WML's Inforce has a contender
For Railed Pistol Lights the TLR-1 is a good value
I've been meaning to take a picture of my current pistols and carbines - 7 X300's (4 Pistol, 3 Carbine), 2 M300's, 2 X600's, and two VTAC L4 E2D's, in addition to 5 or so G2's and an old SF IMPL. The only other lights I have are headlamps, or the lone TLR-1 that fits an STI GP6 that an X300 will not.
Elzetta.
The Malkoff MD2 is just as good compared to the 6P or similar size SF lights. I'd carry SF and Malkoff on and off duty. SF has waaaayyyy more options as far as lumens, size and style of lights tho.
Here's my pairing of SF and MD. These two together could probably be a contender? :p
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/a...SFM2MDM61W.jpg
Flashlight wise I can't think of anyone although Inforce is making quite a giant leap into the weaponlight/ handheld light arena.
As for helmet lights Princeton tec would be a contender.
SureFire all the way.
I would be interested in opinions on Elzetta lights. I bought one because they're a local company, and it's served me well, but I haven't demanded that much of it yet.
Acknowledging their line is not as diverse as Surefire's, how are they built, and how's their quality?
Insight not on par??
SF customer service is really good too.
I bought an aviator years ago. The light went out in about 3 days. Called them and before I could finish my sentence they were telling me they are sending me a new bulb assembly. That one is still running.
This light was before leds became the norm.
Insight would be my second choice. But all my lights are SF.
HDS lights are pretty sweet. Also US made, not a straight "tactical" light though.
elzetta is up there, they contain malkoff emitters which are great, and US made.
Honestly though there's enough surefire 6 series lights floating around that you may as well buy a used one and put in your own malkoff head.
I've had great experiences with the Pelican M6 series. I don't know about engineering and research that goes into it like other companies, but it's been on par with my G2 and C2 Surefires for function, lumen output and battery life as well as being utterly unbreakable. It's been my go to light on duty for the past five years. And cheaper than the high end Surefires as well.
The new pricing is making me look at alternatives to SF.
I am a big fan of Fenix lights!
1+ to this. Over the years I've gotten some decent deals on my SF lights, but those deals are getting few and far between. I bought my X300 for $149, now they are going for $275. I'd love a second once for my wife's pistol, but at that price it ain't happening unless I find a deal on a used or PD return or something.
Surefires are not bombproof, my buddy's got blown in half by an IED in trashcanistan.
They are good, but not bombproof
They appear to be built like a tank and in a pinch, they serve as a hammer. At fist I thought it was just for show, but we did spend some time pounding nails at SHOT.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5.../IMG_05371.jpg
Check out Fenix lights, they are very nice and have lots of features for the price. I have been very pleased with mine and plan to buy more in the future, it's just too bad they don't make weapon lights.
FourSevens lights are ultra bright, ultra durable, full of modes and settings, and reasonably priced. Most models run Cree XM-L emitters. Their CS has been great too (I once called them because I cracked the emitter head glass (totally my fault) and they were speedy and helpful in the response)
The only problem I can see with trying to get away from Surefire is that most of the respectable manufacturers have created mounts specifically for Surefire models
SureFire M2 Centurion with a Malkoff Devices drop-in LE.
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/a...FM2_MDM61W.jpg
That's kinda exactly it - there are quite a few non-SF makers that put out lights that outperform them (battery life, lumen output, feature listing), but when it comes to weapon mounted or extreme use, there are only certain models from certain other manufacturers.
The durability is really the only reason I'm willing to pay top dollar for previous generation CREE units in a light - SF weaponlights fill that role better than anything else.
I'd also recommend taking a look at Elzetta:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7095/7...15f0c30d_z.jpg
A Few of My Favorite Things by Triple Bravo, on Flickr
I would not buy the Fenix I don't want a Chinese anything on my weapon. SF is my 1st choice and I would buy an Elzetta.
The problem with most of the alternatives is that they cater to the light geeks, with 57 options and 18 programs. The light geeks hate Surefire for the pricing and because Surefire refuses to cater to their daily whims of what would be "neat". The alternative brands are happy to cater to this nonsense because it's their only real market share.
Despite the fact that I get checks from Surefire for writing for their magalog, I'd be happy to look at alternatives. So far the few I've bought have left me disappointed or confused, and so I continue to go back to the known standard. I want a light, not a discotheque in my pocket.
I don't like the price of the X300, but I haven't found an alternative that does everything that it does, including switching that is as good or mounting that is as flexible. Yes, the X300 is expensive, but the fact that I can move it from my handgun to my rifle in less time than it takes to type that is a huge bonus to me, and it means effectively two lights for the price of one.
If guys might die if my light ****s up, I want Surefire.
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Take Fenix, 4Sevens, Eagletac, Jetbeam, etc... filter by "single output", you get bupkis. As a non-mil or LEO, single output is the most important feature to me. I have been an advocate for Fenix in the past and have a TK10 on a rifle, but guess what happens when I decided to try timed drills of getting the rifle up from low ready and activating the light...I got light, strobe, light, strobe, etc... YAY! Look at me, im gay.
Elzetta & HDS are my last options since I think you can lock the other settings out; but now im in the realm of Surefires pricing. Im smitten with my Surefire Mini, I only wish it was brighter; perfect size, perfect controls.
I get so sick of the sf fan boy bs! People are so quick to jump to the conclusion that everything that sf builds is "bombproof" and everything else is junk...so quick to forget that the all it took was a hot halogen sf dropped...and your in the dark. Yes...nowadays surefire has leds that don't burn out easily...but unless you pay hundreds of dollars, you are still in the 80 or 110 lumen range.. with less battery life than my 340 lumen Olight....that just screams quality! There is no evidence that convinces me that sf is worth the ridiculous price they retail at...especially when I own a g2, a 6p, a fenix ta21 and 2 olights. My fenix has taken abuse that I know for a fact my g2 would not take, not so sure my 6p, or Olights would be working either.
i also run fenix as a daily light, there just as solid (if not more) than the comparable surefires.
the only other brand id trust would be the blackhawk brand "Night-ops"
dont let the parent company scare you away, these lights are not korean made junk.
the night ops gladius is to this day the best light ive ever owned.
has all the features you want and is easiest on the market to use.
I have yet to find a weapon mounted light from anyone that out performs the SF X300 or M600.
At this point the only non-SF lights I am interested in are for pocket carry.
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I'm not a fan boy. I just want stuff to work. I dont care who makes it. I do care where it is made and i am willing to pay more for an American made product. Especially one that lives depend on. I've tried other lights but have bee disappointed in quality and performance.