Surefire E2D LED Defender®

[crazypilot]

I'm looking to upgrade my Surefire E2D to the LED version. I mainly want to upgrade to LED so that I don't spend money on bulbs. I was also looking into the Surefire L4 LumaMax but comparing the two, I see that I can get more lumens (120 vs 100) from the E2D LED than the L4 for about the same amount of run time. I also noticed that the LED head makes it a tad longer. For those that have it, is it uncomfortable to carry it clipped to your pocket? Any info would be great.

P.S. I couldn't find any good reviews about the Surefire E2D LED when I Googled it. I may end up selling my E2D to upgrade :supergrin:.

[crazypilot]

Anyone??

[Drew78]

Last I checked, 1 week ago, Surefire has not released it yet. This light will use a new type of LED compared to the L4. In fact I dont even see the L4 listed in their 2008 lineup anymore. I believe they will be about $135.00. Once they are released, this summer supposedly, I will be getting one for my EDC.

Best-
Drew

[von neumann]

There is essentially zero detectable difference between 100 lumens and 120 lumens. What is noticeable is how the lumens are distributed -- that is, the beam pattern. Is the beam "floody", a "thrower" (highly focused spot), or a balance?

The L4 has a very floody beam pattern. Thus, it works great indoors to illuminate a wide area of a room. But outdoors, it has poor throw beyond say about 20 yds.

An alternative is the OpticsHQ E2/L4 replacement head, which gives you over 200 lumens with a nice balance of throw and side spill.

http://www.opticshq.com/page/Optics/PROD/Flashlights/ACC-LED-Q5-E2

The downside is that you have to have an E1 or E2 host body first, which adds to the $80 cost of the replacement head.

If length is a concern, you can use the OpticsHQ head on a single-cell E1 body, driving the light with a 3.7V rechargeable Li-ion 123A sized cell. Light output is virtually the same as for a two-cell E2 host using two SureFire 123As.

von

[crazypilot]

von neumann,
Thanks, I've never heard of that.

[von neumann]

Tactical Night Vision has the same product for $5 less:

http://www.tacticalnightvision.com/illumination.htm

Not clear as to why the hard anodizing comes in a natural color, rather than something that (closely) matches the green that SureFire uses. I personally would steer away from the strike bezel style. Why that option comes in black is yet another mystery.

[skunkworks]

Tactical Nightvision now also carries a 2 stage LED for the same price. Just ordered one, will let you know how it works out.

Tactical Night Vision has the same product for $5 less:

http://www.tacticalnightvision.com/illumination.htm

Not clear as to why the hard anodizing comes in a natural color, rather than something that (closely) matches the green that SureFire uses. I personally would steer away from the strike bezel style. Why that option comes in black is yet another mystery.

[Arc Angel]

Anyone of these is better than a Surefire E2D -

Fenix T1 (https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=386)

Fenix P3D (http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-p3d-q5.html)

FenixTK20 (https://www.fenix-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=531 )

Hey, wait, just like the E2D this thread is old! :supergrin:

[skunkworks]

I got the new two stage tactical 220 Lumen LED upgrade from Tactical Night Vision. the output is nearly double the factory Surefire LED.

Great throw, very bright, and very nice fit and finish.

Two stages means there is a lower power and high power. However, the default is low power.

So in a stressful or tactical situation, you need to remember to press the button twice for momentary high power. Then if you click off, when you turn it back on, it comes back on in low power.

TNV says they are going to look into a redesign so the default is hi-power and then if you want lower power, you double click. That makes more sense for tactical use.

Also the TNV light head does not have squared off sides like the factory head from Surefire. So the new head can roll off the desk.

So on scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 5.

It would go to an 8 once they change the light so it defaults to hi power with the momentary button and a 9 if they change the housing so the light won't roll off desk.

http://www.tacticalnightvision.com/illumination.htm