Flashlight pioneer Surefire seems to be phasing out incandescent lights...

[Beemerguy53]

For years, I've kept a Surefire E2D Defender flashlight in my car, and carried a G2 on my motorcycle. These lights are blindingly bright, reliable, and extremely well-made. (My son, who is a federal law enforcement officer, was issued a G2 by his agency.) The only downside to these lights -- other than their admittedly high cost -- is bulb and battery life, which is relatively short.

I went on Surefire's website the other day, and was surprised to see that they now offer only 4 incandescent flashlights, with most of their production now being LED lights.

I was pretty disappointed in this. While I admit I haven't examined Surefire's LED lights, I haven't seen any LED light yet that has the range or ultimate power of a good incandescent bulb.

I went on eBay and found a NIB E2D Defender for $60 (about half of the MSRP when they were in production) and scarfed it up...it will go in my safe as a spare.

What do y'all think about this? Any experience with LED vs. incandescent lights?

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I recently picked up this Surefire G3 for 50% off at Midway. Sale ends today. Usually don't see these on sale like this so I thought they might be phasing them out. Great for a nightstand or glovebox.

Surefire G3 Flashlight Xenon Bulb with Batteries (3 CR123A Lithium) Nitrolon Black - MidwayUSA



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[Beemerguy53]

I recently picked up this Surefire G3 for 50% off at Midway. Sale ends today. Usually don't see these on sale like this so I thought they might be phasing them out. Great for a nightstand or glovebox.

Great idea, Phil! I have a D-cell Maglite in my nightstand, but this G3 will take up much less room...think I'll order one. Thanks!

 

[Dennis The B]

Incandescent bulbs...

...are going the way of the dodo. LCD "bulbs" are more efficient in their light generation, and are much easier on batteries. They also tend to run cooler than Xenons. I converted my G3 to LCD, and I bought a G2 LCD about a year ago. I couldn't be happier. The light is much whiter than Xenon or Krypton bulbs.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

[mkk41]

I think small incandescent light bulbs are gonna go the way of tube-type TVs within 3-5 years. Cars , trucks and motorcycles are coming from the factory with more and more LEDs , headlights , tail lights , turn signals. The aftermarket is pumping out LED replacements for older vehicles.

LEDs are great. Brighter and seemingly last forever. Vibration and shock/dropping doesn't kill them like filiment bulbs.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...are going the way of the dodo. LCD "bulbs" are more efficient in their light generation, and are much easier on batteries. They also tend to run cooler than Xenons. I converted my G3 to LCD, and I bought a G2 LCD about a year ago. I couldn't be happier. The light is much whiter than Xenon or Krypton bulbs.

Just my $.02 worth.

Thanks for your input. I'm curious: Does your converted L3 have the same range as the original incandescent bulb?

One of the things I really love about my E2D Defender is that it will project its beam a great distance. Inside my home or the immediate area around my car it's like instant daylight, and I would hate to give that up.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I think small incandescent light bulbs are gonna go the way of tube-type TVs within 3-5 years. Cars , trucks and motorcycles are coming from the factory with more and more LEDs , headlights , tail lights , turn signals. The aftermarket is pumping out LED replacements for older vehicles.

LEDs are great. Brighter and seemingly last forever. Vibration and shock/dropping doesn't kill them like filiment bulbs.

About 4 years ago, I converted the instrument panel bulbs on my 1995 BMW K75s to LEDs, using a kit I bought on eBay. Prior to that, the bulbs had to be replaced periodically, and they provided a weak light at best. The conversion resulted in a nice, even green glow across the instrument panel, and I've yet to have one fail.

I'm just not real sure about LED use in larger applications requiring more range...

 

[KAC]

It all depends on the quality of the LED. I have flashlights with CREE LEDs that, depending on the reflector, will project a concentrated beam at least 100 yards or flood a large area up to 50 yards. More than enough light to see a human sized object. Also, LEDs are somewhat more rugged than incandescent bulbs, but they are not completely drop proof.

 

[Chubbs103]

I too was very skeptical of the LED wonder lights. I went to a CREE LED for EDC about a year ago and have been very impressed. It throws a very bright white light. It has significantly improved battery life.

Chubbs

 

[Moondancer]

I have completely transitioned to LED lights after being a Surefire fanboy for almost a decade.
Three of my single CR123 battery LED lights that I'll put up against my SF incandesent lights are:
1. Fenix PD20
2. Ra Executive Clicky
3. 4Sevens Quark Tactical 123.

Unbelievable output with mutliple modes available and #1 & #3 are at significantly less cost than Surefire lights. My Quark Tactical and PD20 rotate duty as my EDCs. They are both small enough to fit in my jeans pockets. If I carry a light in a pouch on my belt, the Ra Clicky is my choice. Best user interface going, completely (almost infinitely) programmable, darn near bulletproof, but it's not cheap. The Fenix has less output than the 4Sevens, but the user interface is better.

If you want information but don't mind learning go to candlepowerforums.com.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I have completely transitioned to LED lights after being a Surefire fanboy for almost a decade.
Three of my single CR123 battery LED lights that I'll put up against my SF incandesent lights are:
1. Fenix PD20
2. Ra Executive Clicky
3. 4Sevens Quark Tactical 123.

Unbelievable output with mutliple modes available and #1 & #3 are at significantly less cost than Surefire lights. My Quark Tactical and PD20 rotate duty as my EDCs. They are both small enough to fit in my jeans pockets. If I carry a light in a pouch on my belt, the Ra Clicky is my choice. Best user interface going, completely (almost infinitely) programmable, darn near bulletproof, but it's not cheap. The Fenix has less output than the 4Sevens, but the user interface is better.

If you want information but don't mind learning go to candlepowerforums.com.

Moondancer, thanks for the information! I'll check it out...

 

[wheelgun28]

As a repair person I use a 3 AA cell LED Mag light everyday. Its amazing compared to the old yellow beam...

I lost the light, I was lost with out it, next day bought the same light again.

I bought some of the 3AAA cell lights different brands, they are bright but I havent found one that has a switch that wont turn itself on when in a tool bag or my pocket...

 

[Texas Star]

I've been very pleased with my Inova pocket lights. I think both have LED bulbs; the tiny one that uses a single AA batt. def. does.

 

[sipowicz]

Newer LEDS have great throw. And my eagletac P20C2 is unbelievably blinding.

Distance Beamshot Thread (Review Consolidation: 22 lights) ..run and hide,56k

 

[Dennis The B]

Thanks for your input. I'm curious: Does your converted L3 have the same range as the original incandescent bulb?...

I don't think it has quite the same range. However, the light is more white, and not as yellow as either Xenon or Krypton. The makers don't rate the LCD's the same as Xenon, so it would seem that the standard is changing, as well.