alternatives to surefire??

fatboyclone · October 30, 2008, 09:30 PM

I have a number of Surefire lights and would like to get another compact high output light, but am astounded at how much Surefire prices have increased. is there another alternative to Surefire that have the same relative light output and quality?

Bill DeShivs · October 30, 2008, 09:56 PM

http://billdeshivs.com/bd1/modules.p...howpage&pid=18

Brighter, MUCH cheaper, uses AAA batteries, great battery life, 50,000 hour LED.
Bill

popeyespappy · October 30, 2008, 10:08 PM

I've been pretty happy with Inova lights.

http://www.inovalight.com/

Bill DeShivs · October 30, 2008, 10:10 PM

Mine are brighter, and less expensive than Inova.

hoytinak · October 30, 2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Mine are brighter, and less expensive than Inova.

I didn't even know you had lights too....off to your website to check them out.

revance · October 30, 2008, 10:29 PM

Check out candlepowerforums.com for lots of information on lights.

tranks · October 30, 2008, 11:46 PM

my Olight M20 just showed up today. its my first expensive light, the rest are cheapos.

it has three settings and two modes. 7 lumen, 90 lumen, and 250 lumen. then a 250 lumen strobe.

its easy to switch between settings with the front ring, you just loosen it and tighten it to rotate threw settings/modes and it remembers the last one when you switch it off.

the 7 lumens is more then bright enough to use for an evening walk, the 250 easily lights up the backyard. i was pretty surprised with the strength of this light at about 50 yds.

http://flashlightsunlimited.com/olight-m20r2.htm

i like it so far, i bought the rechargeable battery/charger for it too.

Bill DeShivs · October 31, 2008, 03:03 AM

The Delight is not a "combat light"-whatever THAT may be.
Just a sturdy, small light that runs forever on 3 AAA batteries, and is brighter than almost anything on the market-even at 3 or 4 times the price.
$43 bucks is about what the cheapest Surefire will cost you.

fatboyclone · October 31, 2008, 10:41 AM

wow i dodnt expcet so many replies! thanks for the other suggestions. I like the DeLight and the Olight...i'll be looking into both of these for my next puchase.

straightShot · November 1, 2008, 12:39 PM

Bill:

Where are your flashlights made?

Thanks.

shooter_john · November 1, 2008, 01:22 PM

I can't get to your site Bill... any suggestions? I'd like to see what you've got.

sholling · November 1, 2008, 04:58 PM

It depends on what you want to use them for but I keep a Fenix TK11 in the car because it's bright and I can get 10 hours between battery swaps. A Fenix TK10 in my living room and a P2D on my belt. I buy CR123s in bulk so I'm not worried about the price plus they last forever. I also keep a Pelican 7060 next to my bed.

Double Naught Spy · November 1, 2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

my Olight M20 just showed up today. its my first expensive light, the rest are cheapos.

it has three settings and two modes. 7 lumen, 90 lumen, and 250 lumen. then a 250 lumen strobe.

I have an Olight (same model) that is my carry light. I am very pleased with it. However, the 250 lumen rating is bogus. It is comparable to the Surefire U2 that is much more expensive and the Surefire U2 isn't 250 lumens either. It is much closer to 100-120 lumens.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/....php?p=2618542

Pilot · November 1, 2008, 05:35 PM

Pelican M6 LED

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...ican_m6led.htm

tranks · November 1, 2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

I have an Olight (same model) that is my carry light. I am very pleased with it. However, the 250 lumen rating is bogus. It is comparable to the Surefire U2 that is much more expensive and the Surefire U2 isn't 250 lumens either. It is much closer to 100-120 lumens.

i have to agree, doesn't seem like 250 lumens to me either. it is brighter then my friends 120 lumen streamlight though. if i had a way to measure the output, i'd test it and see what it really is. maybe with the smooth reflector and a perfect charge on the battery it can hit 250.

beats the hell out of my 3w led rayovac light. (also 4x's the price)

i have yet to charge the rechargeable battery that came with it, i don't know if it was fully charged or not.

444 · November 1, 2008, 07:34 PM

I work as a firefighter/paramedic and carry a flashlight every day that I use a lot. Being a gadget type of guy at heart I have become a very minor flashlight geek. I have been doing this for over 20 years and over the years I have owned a lot of flashlights. If I heard it was a good one, I probably bought it and carried it for at least awhile.
FWIW: I presently own 4-5 different Surefire flashlights as well as three Surefire Weapons lights: a 6v and a 9v shotgun dedicated forend as well as a rifle foregrip/light (I am too lazy to look up what the name of it is). Anyway the point is that I I have used Surefire lights extrensively.

Now to the point: this is the flashlight I have carried for the last year or so. https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...roducts_id=227
I consider it the best thing out there. Everybody that sees it wants one. Out of every flashlight I have ever seen or used, this is my pick.

A quick story that I thought was funny.
I was on the scene of rollover accident, at night, in an area with very little ambiant light. The whole scene had a few rather interesting tidbits.
When the police arrived I started telling them the story and as I spoke I was pointing out things with my flashlight. There were probably 8-9 people standing there listening.
Right in the middle of the report the cop said: "Wait a minute. Where did you get that ****ing flashlight ? Let me see that."

wahsben · November 1, 2008, 08:20 PM

I have been pleased with the flashlights I have purchased from:
www.LIOTEC.com

sylathnie · November 2, 2008, 10:04 PM

I will put in another vote for Fenix (TK10\P3D specifically) and www.candlepowerforums.com.
Depending on what you want out of a light you may want to consider having multiple lights for different purposes.

Bill DeShivs · November 3, 2008, 02:20 AM

Shooter John
www.billdeshivs.com doesn't work for you?

Bill DeShivs · November 3, 2008, 02:21 AM

Straightshot-
They are made where everything else is made-China, unfortunately.

cabbynate · November 7, 2008, 05:32 PM

Novatac 120P. Drop it, through it, sink it in the lake for 10 weeks. It will still come out shining.

Kinda like a Glock 17.
Here's a link.
http://www.novatac.com/edc-p.html
It's also programmable.

Recon7 · November 7, 2008, 05:40 PM

I have been quite happy with this

115 lumens in a small package for $25 at wallyworld

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...i_sku=10196614

shooter_john · November 7, 2008, 06:58 PM

Bill... I get 'cannot find server' for your site from all four computers I have access to.

ryanl · November 7, 2008, 07:41 PM

No problems with my fenix. Good battery life, and EXTREMELY BRIGHT.

Bill DeShivs · November 7, 2008, 10:06 PM

Shooter John
I have found what I consider to be the best value in high performance flashlights. I call it "DeLight." These little lights are simply amazing. They are brighter than most Surefire lights. The manufacturer rates them at over 200 lumens, and they run on 3 AAA batteries, not expensive CR123 batteries. Spot to flood focusable beam. Premium Cree LED bulb. Amazing battery life, and the LED is rated for 50,000 hours of use. Tailcap push on, push off switch. Anodized aluminum construction. Here are the specs: 4-3/8" long, 1" body diameter, 1-3/8" head diameter 4.4 ounces (with batteries) 50,000 hour Cree R2 LED bulb. 225 Lumens brightness! Zoom spot-to-flood All aluminum construction. Colors are black or gray (pictured) Push button end switch 3-AAA batteries. Battery life is extremely good.
Price is $43.00, including shipping to US addresses. Paypal or money order, please.

October 30, 2008, 09:30 PM	#1
fatboyclone Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Posts: 81	alternatives to surefire?? I have a number of Surefire lights and would like to get another compact high output light, but am astounded at how much Surefire prices have increased. is there another alternative to Surefire that have the same relative light output and quality?

October 30, 2008, 09:56 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	http://billdeshivs.com/bd1/modules.p...howpage&pid=18 Brighter, MUCH cheaper, uses AAA batteries, great battery life, 50,000 hour LED. Bill __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 30, 2008, 10:10 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Mine are brighter, and less expensive than Inova. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 30, 2008, 11:46 PM	#7
tranks Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 272	my Olight M20 just showed up today. its my first expensive light, the rest are cheapos. it has three settings and two modes. 7 lumen, 90 lumen, and 250 lumen. then a 250 lumen strobe. its easy to switch between settings with the front ring, you just loosen it and tighten it to rotate threw settings/modes and it remembers the last one when you switch it off. the 7 lumens is more then bright enough to use for an evening walk, the 250 easily lights up the backyard. i was pretty surprised with the strength of this light at about 50 yds. http://flashlightsunlimited.com/olight-m20r2.htm i like it so far, i bought the rechargeable battery/charger for it too. __________________ -Mike "Stan, what did I tell you about watching the Osbournes? It's going to make you retarded!" Stan's Mom (south park)

October 31, 2008, 03:03 AM	#8
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The Delight is not a "combat light"-whatever THAT may be. Just a sturdy, small light that runs forever on 3 AAA batteries, and is brighter than almost anything on the market-even at 3 or 4 times the price. $43 bucks is about what the cheapest Surefire will cost you. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

October 30, 2008, 10:08 PM	#3
popeyespappy Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Posts: 337	I've been pretty happy with Inova lights. http://www.inovalight.com/

October 30, 2008, 10:29 PM	#6
revance Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2007 Posts: 305	Check out candlepowerforums.com for lots of information on lights.

October 31, 2008, 10:41 AM	#9
fatboyclone Member Join Date: February 1, 2005 Posts: 81	wow i dodnt expcet so many replies! thanks for the other suggestions. I like the DeLight and the Olight...i'll be looking into both of these for my next puchase.

November 1, 2008, 12:39 PM	#10
straightShot Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2000 Location: MI, USA Posts: 668	Bill: Where are your flashlights made? Thanks. __________________ Take a kid shooting.

November 1, 2008, 01:22 PM	#11
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	I can't get to your site Bill... any suggestions? I'd like to see what you've got.

November 1, 2008, 04:58 PM	#12
sholling Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 1999 Location: Hemet (middle of nowhere) California Posts: 4,261	It depends on what you want to use them for but I keep a Fenix TK11 in the car because it's bright and I can get 10 hours between battery swaps. A Fenix TK10 in my living room and a P2D on my belt. I buy CR123s in bulk so I'm not worried about the price plus they last forever. I also keep a Pelican 7060 next to my bed. __________________ Proud Life Member: National Rifle Association, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. Annual Member: Revolutionary War Veterans Association (Project Appleseed) and the Madison Society.

November 1, 2008, 05:35 PM	#14
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	Pelican M6 LED http://www.flashlightreviews.com/rev...ican_m6led.htm __________________ Pilot

November 1, 2008, 07:34 PM	#16
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I work as a firefighter/paramedic and carry a flashlight every day that I use a lot. Being a gadget type of guy at heart I have become a very minor flashlight geek. I have been doing this for over 20 years and over the years I have owned a lot of flashlights. If I heard it was a good one, I probably bought it and carried it for at least awhile. FWIW: I presently own 4-5 different Surefire flashlights as well as three Surefire Weapons lights: a 6v and a 9v shotgun dedicated forend as well as a rifle foregrip/light (I am too lazy to look up what the name of it is). Anyway the point is that I I have used Surefire lights extrensively. Now to the point: this is the flashlight I have carried for the last year or so. https://www.fenix-store.com/product_...roducts_id=227 I consider it the best thing out there. Everybody that sees it wants one. Out of every flashlight I have ever seen or used, this is my pick. A quick story that I thought was funny. I was on the scene of rollover accident, at night, in an area with very little ambiant light. The whole scene had a few rather interesting tidbits. When the police arrived I started telling them the story and as I spoke I was pointing out things with my flashlight. There were probably 8-9 people standing there listening. Right in the middle of the report the cop said: "Wait a minute. Where did you get that ****ing flashlight ? Let me see that." __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

November 1, 2008, 08:20 PM	#17
wahsben Member Join Date: January 16, 2005 Posts: 48	I have been pleased with the flashlights I have purchased from: www.LIOTEC.com

November 2, 2008, 10:04 PM	#18
sylathnie Member Join Date: November 21, 2007 Posts: 32	I will put in another vote for Fenix (TK10\P3D specifically) and www.candlepowerforums.com. Depending on what you want out of a light you may want to consider having multiple lights for different purposes.

November 3, 2008, 02:20 AM	#19
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Shooter John www.billdeshivs.com doesn't work for you? __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 3, 2008, 02:21 AM	#20
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Straightshot- They are made where everything else is made-China, unfortunately. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

November 7, 2008, 05:32 PM	#21
cabbynate Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 174	Novatac 120P. Drop it, through it, sink it in the lake for 10 weeks. It will still come out shining. Kinda like a Glock 17. Here's a link. http://www.novatac.com/edc-p.html It's also programmable. __________________ FEAR NO EVIL

November 7, 2008, 06:58 PM	#23
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	Bill... I get 'cannot find server' for your site from all four computers I have access to.

November 7, 2008, 07:41 PM	#24
ryanl Member Join Date: January 13, 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 19	No problems with my fenix. Good battery life, and EXTREMELY BRIGHT.

November 7, 2008, 10:06 PM	#25
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Shooter John I have found what I consider to be the best value in high performance flashlights. I call it "DeLight." These little lights are simply amazing. They are brighter than most Surefire lights. The manufacturer rates them at over 200 lumens, and they run on 3 AAA batteries, not expensive CR123 batteries. Spot to flood focusable beam. Premium Cree LED bulb. Amazing battery life, and the LED is rated for 50,000 hours of use. Tailcap push on, push off switch. Anodized aluminum construction. Here are the specs: 4-3/8" long, 1" body diameter, 1-3/8" head diameter 4.4 ounces (with batteries) 50,000 hour Cree R2 LED bulb. 225 Lumens brightness! Zoom spot-to-flood All aluminum construction. Colors are black or gray (pictured) Push button end switch 3-AAA batteries. Battery life is extremely good. Price is $43.00, including shipping to US addresses. Paypal or money order, please. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com