New 900 Lumens SureFire Handheld Flashlight

[308Mike]

The latest print version of American Rifleman magazine has a "review" ad on page 32 of the new "Handheld 900-Lumen LED Flashlight" from SureFire. Previously (July 12, 2010), the magazine had listed their 400 Lumens model as the "Brightest LED Flashlight Ever."

NOW, they are advertising the latest LED monster light, the M6LT Guardian, as 900-Lumens, and uses SIX 123A batteries in a quick-change magazine, even though the flashlight's listed run time is an impressive 3.25 hours! The only problem I can see is there are no lower-power settings, unlike their previous 400-Lumens model, which has a 70-Lumens brightness setting. Surefire also sells a spare 6-battery carrier, spare battery magazine, and red & blue lenses for the 2.5-inch bezel lens lights.

Check it out - that's a LOT of light in a damned small package (and you're gonna' pay for it):



It looks like a GREAT light, but the price is also quite steep: $425.00

Flashlight description:

Specifications
Max Output -- White Light 900.0 lumens
Tactical Runtime* 3.2 hours
Length 8.20 inches
Bezel Diameter 2.50 inches
Weight w/Batteries 17.1 ounces
Batteries 6 123A (included)
*Runtime (at highest setting for multiple-output flashlights) until output drops below 50 lumens
Description
M6LT
The M6LT Guardian—a powerful LED upgrade of our incandescent M6 model—is a long-running extended-range flashlight featuring a tight 900-lumen beam focused by a 2.5-inch Turbohead TIR lens. The brilliant white beam can dominate potential aggressors by overwhelming their dark-adapted vision, or it can reach far into the night as an amazingly effective spotlight/searchlight that fits in a coat pocket. The M6LT's high-strength aerospace aluminum body has deep machined grooves to provide a secure hold with cold, wet, or gloved hands, and is finished with Mil-Spec hard anodizing for excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance. The tactical pushbutton tailcap switch provides secure, ergonomic activation control: press for momentary-on, twist for constant-on. The M6LT is powered by six high-energy 123A batteries held in an easy-load battery magazine.

[NSN: 6230-01-529-6196]
Features

Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize output and runtime
Large Turbohead TIR lens produces tight, extended reach beam
Coated, tempered window resists impact and thermal shock, maximizes light transmission
Deep machined grooves in body provide secure hold in all conditions
High-strength aerospace aluminum body, Mil-Spec hard anodized for extreme durability
Tactical tailcap switch—press for momentary-on, twist for constant-on
Tailcap switch locks out to prevent activation during transport or storage
Weatherproof O-ring and gasket sealing
Includes high-energy 123A batteries with 10-year shelf life

[Termite]

The higher end Surefires are horribly overpriced.

800 lumens for $129, on 8 AA batteries.
2200 lumens for $399, rechargeable.

[Greg]

Looks pretty typical Surefire to me- overbuilt, overpriced and conservative. Frankly I'm a little surprised they're using such an up-to-date emitter. They must have already had this one in the planning stages when the XM-L came out.

[cu74]

You can buy a whole lot of good flashlights - albeit without the SureFire label - for $425...

[308Mike]

You can buy a whole lot of good flashlights - albeit without the SureFire label - for $425...

My 120-Lumens flashlight (using 3-AAA batteries) was a little over $20.00. Next to it was another flashlight which claimed it was rated at 220-Lumens, and it was close to $40.00. Is the technology THAT much better, harder to get that much light out the flashlight to JUSTIFY charging that much money?

Oh, and while we're discussing lights, could we PLEASE get an industry-standard for flashlights, lanterns, and flood-lights?? I understand there's a significant difference between the measuring of Lumens and Candlepower and without indicated beam angles included, they don't mix or equate well (and you ALSO need the amount of power), so IF THE INDUSTRY WOULD PLEASE establish some kind of industry-wide rating so consumers can make informed or at least semi-educated decisions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

SOMEONE, PLEASE make a standard for the consumers to use when comparing different brands of the same kinds of lights (flashlights vs. flashlights for instance). Shopping Candlepower vs Lumens is confusing and irritating at best, useless is more like it.

[HTRN]

You can buy a whole lot of good flashlights - albeit without the SureFire label - for $425...

For that kind of money, you start looking at low grade NV gear.

[Greg]

You can buy a whole lot of good flashlights - albeit without the SureFire label - for $425...

My 120-Lumens flashlight (using 3-AAA batteries) was a little over $20.00. Next to it was another flashlight which claimed it was rated at 220-Lumens, and it was close to $40.00. Is the technology THAT much better, harder to get that much light out the flashlight to JUSTIFY charging that much money?

There's more to a light than just output, like there's more to a car than top speed, or 0-to-60 time. Much more. Your $20 flashlight, hate to say, is the light equivalent of a Lorcin/Jennings/Raven, etc. Surefire is the flashlight equivalent of HK. There are lots of slots in between, and surprisingly many things that affect the measured quality of a flashlight. (And flashlight fanatics are willing to argue over ALL of them, just like fanatics in any other area.)

Oh, and while we're discussing lights, could we PLEASE get an industry-standard for flashlights, lanterns, and flood-lights?? I understand there's a significant difference between the measuring of Lumens and Candlepower and without indicated beam angles included, they don't mix or equate well (and you ALSO need the amount of power), so IF THE INDUSTRY WOULD PLEASE establish some kind of industry-wide rating so consumers can make informed or at least semi-educated decisions would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!

SOMEONE, PLEASE make a standard for the consumers to use when comparing different brands of the same kinds of lights (flashlights vs. flashlights for instance). Shopping Candlepower vs Lumens is confusing and irritating at best, useless is more like it.

There is. Lumens are a unit of energy. They describe how much light energy is coming out of the flashlight. There are 2 main ways to characterize it, out of the emitter/bulb (basically dishonest, gives falsely inflated figures because that's not the amount of light people will *see*, due to optical losses) or out the front of the light (lower # but more honest). I understand that now there's even an ANSI standard on how to measure lumen output, that's been becoming more popular recently. At least one well-known brand, Fenix, that used to use inflated 'emitter lumens' measurements has started using lower output figures in their advertising (even though the newer lights are actually brighter) because they're now using the more honest ANSI standard of measuring. Once you know lumens are a unit of energy, things make a lot more sense.

Candlepower is simply brightness, measured at a particular spot. All it indicates is how well a light focuses its output. That's it. It doesn't indicate the total output (light energy aka lumens), it doesn't indicate how *large* an area it illuminates at a particular distance, it just indicates how brightly a light lights up a certain spot at a certain distance. It really only has meaning if you're buying a spotlight, and even then it leaves much to be desired as usable information.

[Yogimus]

Surefires are over-rated. They are in the business of selling batteries, and overpriced aluminum tubes.

[Termite]

At least one well-known brand, Fenix, that used to use inflated 'emitter lumens' measurements has started using lower output figures in their advertising (even though the newer lights are actually brighter) because they're now using the more honest ANSI standard of measuring.

Yep. I love me some Fenixes. Got several.

[cu74]

.......... Lumens are a unit of energy. They describe how much light energy is coming out of the flashlight...........

Thanks for the info, Greg. That makes the selection process a bit easier.