I've always been impressed by the innovation and quality of Surefire lighting products, but they've really outdone themselves this time!
I recently acquired a Surefire Backup, and am absolutely amazed at this little light. The maximum intensity is the same as their 6P light (a blazing 80 lumens), but the runtime is slightly longer. What makes this even more remarkable is the fact that the Backup only requires one CR123 battery as opposed to the two required for the 6P.
The greater runtime and smaller package is made possible by a high-efficiency Light Emitting Diode (LED). In addition to producing a much brighter, whiter light, the LED has an estimated life of over 50,000 hours. In other words, under normal usage, the LED should last a lifetime.
The Surefire Backup is a great tool for those who need to carry a flashlight on a regular basis. It is especially well suited for police officers or detectives who need a small, unobtrusive but powerful light. It is also a great tool for persons with concealed carry handgun licenses, allowing them to always have an effective light at hand without carrying another bulky item on their person.
I'm also impressed with the logic utilized in the switching circuit of the Backup. When you initially activate the Backup, it powers up in high power mode. If you hit the switch again within one second, it cuts back to lower power. But unless the switch is depressed twice within one second, it always activates in the high power mode. This is extremely important when using the Backup as a tactical tool, since you can always be sure that it will be in the brightest mode when you need it most.
In the low power mode, the Backup will produce five lumens of light for thirty seven hours. This mode is great for reading maps or documents, or navigating a dark hallway without overwhelming your night vision.
If you need a tactical flashlight that won't weigh you down, consider the Surefire Backup. You can view it at the Surefire web site at: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main.pl?pgm=co_disp&func=displ&strfnbr=6&prrfnbr=24511&sesent=0,0&search_id=1204917
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
SUREFIRE A2 Aviator
A couple of weeks ago I came into a new SUREFIRE A2 Aviator. Like all of the SUREFIRE products I've owned, it's one of the highest quality lights I've tested.
The A2--designed for pilots--is capable of providing two levels of light. The low setting activates three LEDs and gives off three lumens of light. This setting is good for general cockpit usage and close-up work. The high power illumination is provided by a fifty-lumen incandescent lamp, and is designed for pre-flight inspection or emergency use.
The three LEDs come in five different colors: Red, yellow-green, green, blue and white. For my purposes, I chose the white LEDs. I was quite surprised that the specifications on the LEDs indicated that they produced only three lumens of light. When compared side-by-side to my L2 (rated at 15 lumens on low power), it actually seemed brighter than the L2. In any case, it's an impressive amount of light with an estimated runtime of twenty hours.
I also noticed that the incandescent bulb produces fifty lumens as opposed to most of the SUREFIRE lights of this size that produce sixty. I think this may be due to the reflector being less efficient because of the three built-in LEDs. Also, I found it interesting that on the high setting, both the LEDs and the bulb were illuminated. I'm not sure how much those three LEDs add when that main bulb is on, but maybe it serves to add some peripheral illumination. Keep in mind that on the high setting, the batteries are only good for about an hour.
Whether on the low setting or high, the light was very bright and even, with no real dark spots or abberations. I did notice that the white LEDs seemed to cast a more bluish tint than my L2. But it really wasn't enough to be objectionable.
If you're looking for a high-quality, dual-level light, the SUREFIRE A2 may be the answer. Check it out on the SUREFIRE web site at: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/900/sesent/00
The A2--designed for pilots--is capable of providing two levels of light. The low setting activates three LEDs and gives off three lumens of light. This setting is good for general cockpit usage and close-up work. The high power illumination is provided by a fifty-lumen incandescent lamp, and is designed for pre-flight inspection or emergency use.
The three LEDs come in five different colors: Red, yellow-green, green, blue and white. For my purposes, I chose the white LEDs. I was quite surprised that the specifications on the LEDs indicated that they produced only three lumens of light. When compared side-by-side to my L2 (rated at 15 lumens on low power), it actually seemed brighter than the L2. In any case, it's an impressive amount of light with an estimated runtime of twenty hours.
I also noticed that the incandescent bulb produces fifty lumens as opposed to most of the SUREFIRE lights of this size that produce sixty. I think this may be due to the reflector being less efficient because of the three built-in LEDs. Also, I found it interesting that on the high setting, both the LEDs and the bulb were illuminated. I'm not sure how much those three LEDs add when that main bulb is on, but maybe it serves to add some peripheral illumination. Keep in mind that on the high setting, the batteries are only good for about an hour.
Whether on the low setting or high, the light was very bright and even, with no real dark spots or abberations. I did notice that the white LEDs seemed to cast a more bluish tint than my L2. But it really wasn't enough to be objectionable.
If you're looking for a high-quality, dual-level light, the SUREFIRE A2 may be the answer. Check it out on the SUREFIRE web site at: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/900/sesent/00
Sunday, September 9, 2007
SUREFIRE M6 Guardian Flashlight
One of the most powerful flashlights I've even seen is the Surefire M6 Guardian. I obtained mine in a trade for a couple of two-way radios, and it is one of the best deals I've ever made!
The M6 is so bright it's hard to describe. Why would anyone need a handheld light this bright? A friend of mine, a local gun shop owner, related the following story. He became aware that there were deputies in the area searching for a missing juvenile female. They had searched the area and turned up no sign of the girl. My friend, Jim, brought his M6 out to the search area and shined it down a long drainage ditch. Where the officer's lights hadn't been bright enough to see her, the M6 had the power and range to illuminate her clearly.
My own M6 came in rather handy back in May, 2007. I was working in my garage when I heard the distictive sounds of an automobile accident on the roadway behind my home. I immediately jumped into my car and headed to the accident scene. Upon arrival, I grabbed my M6 and CERT first aid kit and headed to a Jeep convertible flipped up on the driver's side. The vehicle had dark tinted windows and the one person at the scene with a flashlight couldn't see inside the vehicle. I hit the switch on the M6 and the interior of the car lit up like daylight! I could see the lone occupant of the vehicle and where it was safe to cut to get to her. Her condition was too precarious for me to move her, but I was able to comfort her until help arrived. Once the fire and EMS crew arrived, I was able to provide light for the rescue while remaining out of the way of emergency personnel.
The only real disadvantage to this light is the rate at which it consumes batteries. With the 500 lumen bulb, six batteries (at $1.75 each) will last only twenty minutes. With the more modest 250 lumen bulb, it will burn for a full hour on a set of batteries.
At a list price of nearly $400, this light is not in everyone's budget. But if you require one of the brightest, most rugged lights money can buy, you can't find one better than the M6!
The M6 is so bright it's hard to describe. Why would anyone need a handheld light this bright? A friend of mine, a local gun shop owner, related the following story. He became aware that there were deputies in the area searching for a missing juvenile female. They had searched the area and turned up no sign of the girl. My friend, Jim, brought his M6 out to the search area and shined it down a long drainage ditch. Where the officer's lights hadn't been bright enough to see her, the M6 had the power and range to illuminate her clearly.
My own M6 came in rather handy back in May, 2007. I was working in my garage when I heard the distictive sounds of an automobile accident on the roadway behind my home. I immediately jumped into my car and headed to the accident scene. Upon arrival, I grabbed my M6 and CERT first aid kit and headed to a Jeep convertible flipped up on the driver's side. The vehicle had dark tinted windows and the one person at the scene with a flashlight couldn't see inside the vehicle. I hit the switch on the M6 and the interior of the car lit up like daylight! I could see the lone occupant of the vehicle and where it was safe to cut to get to her. Her condition was too precarious for me to move her, but I was able to comfort her until help arrived. Once the fire and EMS crew arrived, I was able to provide light for the rescue while remaining out of the way of emergency personnel.
The only real disadvantage to this light is the rate at which it consumes batteries. With the 500 lumen bulb, six batteries (at $1.75 each) will last only twenty minutes. With the more modest 250 lumen bulb, it will burn for a full hour on a set of batteries.
At a list price of nearly $400, this light is not in everyone's budget. But if you require one of the brightest, most rugged lights money can buy, you can't find one better than the M6!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
SUREFIRE L2 LumaMax
Of the several dozen flashlights I own, the SUREFIRE L2 LumaMax is one of the most useful. There's hardly a day that goes by that I don't put this light to use around the house.
Its most outstanding characteristic is the brilliant, white LED as the illumination source. You really can't appreciate the purity of the light until you shine it side by side to a conventional incandescent bulb. The incandescent light just looks pale and yellow in comparison.
The other noticeable characteristic of this light is the widely dispersed beam. Though over long distances this makes it a less than ideal defense light, it's absolutely awesome for working around the house. When you need a very intense, bright light with an even illumination, the L2 really (warning: bad pun approaching) shines! For example, when working in a very tight space while wiring our new HD TV, I could shine the light right at the wall and the reflected light was intense enough to read the small lettering on the connections.
Though the diffused nature of the light from the L2 doesn't illuminate objects as well at a distance, its still pretty impressive for an LED. Inside of my home, it easily lights up even the largest rooms with enough light to prevent anyone from hiding in the shadows. And being on the receiving side of that light can leave a bad guy temporarily blinded, giving you the tactical advantage!
The L2 puts out an impressive 100 lumens of light for one hour on high power. But at a more modest 15 lumens on low power, it will stay on continuously for 14 hours. (For comparison, most of the other SUREFIRE line of lights put out 60 lumens).
My only real complaint with the light is the heat that it generates. After 15 minutes of continuous use, my light heated up to a measured 145 degrees. Though this isn't hot enough to cause serious burns on initial contact, it can sure take you by surprise if your not expecting it! But when you have a light that burns this bright, there's going to be a substantial amount of associated heat to dissipate.
Like most SUREFIRE lights, this one has a bit of sticker shock. The current retail price on this light is $175 on the SUREFIRE website. But given the fact that this is one of the most rugged, dependable, and bright lights you can own, it may money well spent!
Its most outstanding characteristic is the brilliant, white LED as the illumination source. You really can't appreciate the purity of the light until you shine it side by side to a conventional incandescent bulb. The incandescent light just looks pale and yellow in comparison.
The other noticeable characteristic of this light is the widely dispersed beam. Though over long distances this makes it a less than ideal defense light, it's absolutely awesome for working around the house. When you need a very intense, bright light with an even illumination, the L2 really (warning: bad pun approaching) shines! For example, when working in a very tight space while wiring our new HD TV, I could shine the light right at the wall and the reflected light was intense enough to read the small lettering on the connections.
Though the diffused nature of the light from the L2 doesn't illuminate objects as well at a distance, its still pretty impressive for an LED. Inside of my home, it easily lights up even the largest rooms with enough light to prevent anyone from hiding in the shadows. And being on the receiving side of that light can leave a bad guy temporarily blinded, giving you the tactical advantage!
The L2 puts out an impressive 100 lumens of light for one hour on high power. But at a more modest 15 lumens on low power, it will stay on continuously for 14 hours. (For comparison, most of the other SUREFIRE line of lights put out 60 lumens).
My only real complaint with the light is the heat that it generates. After 15 minutes of continuous use, my light heated up to a measured 145 degrees. Though this isn't hot enough to cause serious burns on initial contact, it can sure take you by surprise if your not expecting it! But when you have a light that burns this bright, there's going to be a substantial amount of associated heat to dissipate.
Like most SUREFIRE lights, this one has a bit of sticker shock. The current retail price on this light is $175 on the SUREFIRE website. But given the fact that this is one of the most rugged, dependable, and bright lights you can own, it may money well spent!
My Fascination With Flashlights
I’ve always been fascinated with flashlights. I guess it began around the time I was in first or second grade. My father worked on the C&O railroad, and one evening he came home with a six-volt lantern battery and a six-volt light bulb. With just a piece of wire wrapped around negative post of the battery and the other end around the base of the bulb, you could touch the bottom of the bulb to the positive terminal and there was light! I don’t know why this fascinated me so much. But I just thought this was the coolest thing in my little world at the time.
I began to experiment with lights and batteries at a very early age. We lived along what was once one of the busiest rail yards in the world, and there were numerous switchman in front of our house throughout the day and night. When their lantern battery would be depleted, they’d just pull it out of the lantern and toss it on the ground. But what was dead to them was still quite usable to me. So I’d collect them, test them with a bulb, and keep the ones that still had some life left in them. Before long, I had wired up my whole bedroom with six-volt bulbs! Tolerant of my vivid imagination and experimental nature, mom just put up with the mess.
Dad had also taken notice of my new hobby. One night after work, he surprised me a brand new railroad lantern. This was a big, clunky contraption that was built like a tank. It had two bulbs—one for flood and one for spot. I treasured it for years, and would pay a small fortune to have it again!
So since childhood, I’ve loved flashlights. I’m reluctant to call my lights a “collection,” because that implies that I put them in a display case and only take them out to dust them or show them off. Instead, all of my lights are working lights. I have several of the Surefire lights, which I believe to be the finest mass produced lights I’ve found. I also have a variety of other lights, such as a Q-Beam, several Maglites, and a host of other specialized lighting devices.
As time permits, I’ll be posting several entries in this blog about various lights that I’ve owned or read about. I’m keeping this at a fairly high level, so that it’s both easy to write and read. Hopefully, it’ll provide a person who wants to know more about a specific light a place to go for a quick and objective (but not overly-technical) reference.
As always, I welcome your feedback. All spam will be immediately deleted from the entries.
I began to experiment with lights and batteries at a very early age. We lived along what was once one of the busiest rail yards in the world, and there were numerous switchman in front of our house throughout the day and night. When their lantern battery would be depleted, they’d just pull it out of the lantern and toss it on the ground. But what was dead to them was still quite usable to me. So I’d collect them, test them with a bulb, and keep the ones that still had some life left in them. Before long, I had wired up my whole bedroom with six-volt bulbs! Tolerant of my vivid imagination and experimental nature, mom just put up with the mess.
Dad had also taken notice of my new hobby. One night after work, he surprised me a brand new railroad lantern. This was a big, clunky contraption that was built like a tank. It had two bulbs—one for flood and one for spot. I treasured it for years, and would pay a small fortune to have it again!
So since childhood, I’ve loved flashlights. I’m reluctant to call my lights a “collection,” because that implies that I put them in a display case and only take them out to dust them or show them off. Instead, all of my lights are working lights. I have several of the Surefire lights, which I believe to be the finest mass produced lights I’ve found. I also have a variety of other lights, such as a Q-Beam, several Maglites, and a host of other specialized lighting devices.
As time permits, I’ll be posting several entries in this blog about various lights that I’ve owned or read about. I’m keeping this at a fairly high level, so that it’s both easy to write and read. Hopefully, it’ll provide a person who wants to know more about a specific light a place to go for a quick and objective (but not overly-technical) reference.
As always, I welcome your feedback. All spam will be immediately deleted from the entries.
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