Surefire M-6 versus MAG 951

black bear 84 · May 28, 2005, 03:22 PM

SUREFIRE M-6 versus MAG 951

The Surefire Guardian M-6 arrived from Cabela's two days ago.
Last night with the aid of my son and a couple friends I set out to take some pictures for a COMPARISON SHOOTOUT

I mounted both flashlights in a tripod by aid of my home-made gizmo. Lacking another tripod for my camera the pictures in the basement come out blurry, but for our purposes, which is to show the amount of light projected by each one, they will serve.

I took the pictures of the shed with the camera set in the tripod from fifiteen yards and the light of both flashlights coming from 43 yards away.
At such short ranges you can see that the Surefire M-6 is impressive, although you can see the superiority of the MAG 951 without question.

In the basement picture you can observe how the side spill of the MAG 951 shows more illuminated area, even that the focus of the MAG 951 is far more concentrated than the M-6. So this is explained just by the massive output in lumens by the MAG 951.

Pictures I could not take due to our road being so busy with traffic will have shown how at 112 yards the superiority of the MAG 951 is demonstrated, as it put so much more light in the target (a tree) than the M-6 does.

I have had a stop sign ranged (with my laser range finder) at 243 yards (they are reflective, so they show very well). But the people agree with me is that if somebody would have been standing near it, the light of the MAG 951 would have been sufficient to show him well.

The Surefire M-6 flanked by the MAG 951 and the Black Bear 678 lumens
(I also took Beamshots with the Black Bear 678, but I will show them in another thread in comparison with the M-6, not to make this post too long.

Beamshot with the M-6

Beamshot with the MAG 951

Tool shed beamshots from 43 yards:

Beamshot with the M-6

Beamshot with the MAG 951

I will point out that seeing in person is easier to appreciate the difference between the two lights, even better than in these pictures.

I am very happy with the results of my shootout
If you need more information about my light please contact me at:
jcharles11784(at)yahoo(dot)com

You can find more information on my light in the B/S/T gear and accessories in this Forum under "Maglite rechargeable modified for 951 lumens" here is the link:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169074

Best regards,
black bear 84

Byron Quick · June 2, 2005, 08:14 AM

I"ll be breaking out my laser range finder in the next week or two to check my Mag 951 out more precisely. But it will light up road signs from at least 450 meters. I just ordered the second one.

black bear 84 · September 23, 2005, 06:09 PM

UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2005

I have make an improvement on the switch bulb holder to reduce internal resistance.
I provide now a ceramic switch-bulb holder bi-pin, so I have get rid of the old system with potted bulbs.

The new MAG 951 generation II is even brigther

The old bulb holder with high internal resistance is gone!!

regards
black bear 84

May 28, 2005, 03:22 PM	#1
black bear 84 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 246	Surefire M-6 versus MAG 951 SUREFIRE M-6 versus MAG 951 The Surefire Guardian M-6 arrived from Cabela's two days ago. Last night with the aid of my son and a couple friends I set out to take some pictures for a COMPARISON SHOOTOUT I mounted both flashlights in a tripod by aid of my home-made gizmo. Lacking another tripod for my camera the pictures in the basement come out blurry, but for our purposes, which is to show the amount of light projected by each one, they will serve. I took the pictures of the shed with the camera set in the tripod from fifiteen yards and the light of both flashlights coming from 43 yards away. At such short ranges you can see that the Surefire M-6 is impressive, although you can see the superiority of the MAG 951 without question. In the basement picture you can observe how the side spill of the MAG 951 shows more illuminated area, even that the focus of the MAG 951 is far more concentrated than the M-6. So this is explained just by the massive output in lumens by the MAG 951. Pictures I could not take due to our road being so busy with traffic will have shown how at 112 yards the superiority of the MAG 951 is demonstrated, as it put so much more light in the target (a tree) than the M-6 does. I have had a stop sign ranged (with my laser range finder) at 243 yards (they are reflective, so they show very well). But the people agree with me is that if somebody would have been standing near it, the light of the MAG 951 would have been sufficient to show him well. The Surefire M-6 flanked by the MAG 951 and the Black Bear 678 lumens (I also took Beamshots with the Black Bear 678, but I will show them in another thread in comparison with the M-6, not to make this post too long. Beamshot with the M-6 Beamshot with the MAG 951 Tool shed beamshots from 43 yards: Beamshot with the M-6 Beamshot with the MAG 951 I will point out that seeing in person is easier to appreciate the difference between the two lights, even better than in these pictures. I am very happy with the results of my shootout If you need more information about my light please contact me at: jcharles11784(at)yahoo(dot)com You can find more information on my light in the B/S/T gear and accessories in this Forum under "Maglite rechargeable modified for 951 lumens" here is the link: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169074 Best regards, black bear 84

June 2, 2005, 08:14 AM	#2
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	I"ll be breaking out my laser range finder in the next week or two to check my Mag 951 out more precisely. But it will light up road signs from at least 450 meters. I just ordered the second one.

September 23, 2005, 06:09 PM	#3
black bear 84 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 246	UPDATE FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 I have make an improvement on the switch bulb holder to reduce internal resistance. I provide now a ceramic switch-bulb holder bi-pin, so I have get rid of the old system with potted bulbs. The new MAG 951 generation II is even brigther The old bulb holder with high internal resistance is gone!! regards black bear 84