UPDATE: Surefire has affirmed that all current Surefire lights should be waterproof to about 33 feet/10 meters. Some reviews were posted before Surefire made the affirmation that their lights were watertight to 1 atmosphere depth. Any new Surefire lights you purchase now should be considered waterproof to 33 feet/10 meters.

Short Description:

The Executive Defender E2D is a special purpose personal light produced by Surefire. At the time of this writing, this light was not yet available for retail sale. Please be patient as Surefire ramps up production. This is a pre-release review.

The Executive Defender E2D is a little bit different from most of the E series lights made by Surefire up to this point. It provides the typical Surefire extremely bright and even beam but has the addition of some rather aggressive protrusions around the top of the bezel and around the tailcap switch which would make the light a significant hazard to the recipient of a blow from either end of the light.

The body of the E2D is machined aircraft aluminum and comes in matte black HA-III finish. The body is essentially identical to the current E2e series lights, with the exception of the color, and includes a pocket clip, checkering for grip, and a clickie tailcap switch with momentary-on position. It uses the standard E2e high pressure xenon lamp assembly which produces a very intense white light. The reflector is textured to provide a very smooth beam with no dark rings or holes. The entire assembly is pre-focused to produce a smooth spot. The body also has O-rings on the head and bezel and inside the tailcap switch assembly for water resistance

The bezel can be removed to insert the batteries and change the lamp assembly. It runs on two 123A lithium batteries (included) with a runtime of around 75 minutes.

Detailed Information:

OK kiddies, let me make this exceptionally clear from the get-go. The E2D is NOT a toy. Surefire has taken all of the quality and engineering innovations they are well known for and has made a light which, true to its name, "Executive Defender", both looks good and could do significant damage to an opponent if weilded properly. If used improperly you could get into a lot of trouble and quite possibly injured to boot..

I think that it's also important to make it clear that if you don't have training in the use of small hand-held defensive tools, you are more likely to have said tools taken away and used against you by a determined opponent than your chances of successfully defending yourself. Get trained and practice regularly before even considering using any defensive tools. It's a really good idea to get to know your state and local laws concerning personal defense as well.

I wouldn't suggest you try to take it on an airplane either, unless you relish the thought of giving someone at the TSA your brand new light as a gift.

Now that we have that all out of the way, the E2D is designed to, in the properly trained hands, give a serious wake-up call to some jackass who really deserves it. The bezel and tailcap shroud, although not sharp, have narrow edges similar to incisor teeth. When swung with force the scalloped bezel "teeth" would be able to take a good chunk out of an opponent's [insert favorite exposed body part here].

The body of the E2D is solid aircraft aluminum which has been machined, checkered, and finished with the extremely hard HA-III anodize. Around the front of the bezel is a deeply scalloped ring with 5 flat narrow points which can serve a defensive purpose and also serve to show that the light is turned on by allowing some light out if the E2D is placed on a flat surface bezel-down. Below that is a hexagonal ring which serves as an anti-roll device. A spring steel clip is attached at the top of the body just below the head which has a lanyard attachment point built in. The surface of the light body is machined flat under the clip to help prevent undue wear of the pocket in which it is clipped. O ring seals protect the light from water entry at both ends.

The aluminum textured reflector of the light is protected behind a dome shaped Pyrex lens. The shape of the lens makes it uniquely different from all the other E series lights which have a flat lens. I'm not an engineer, but I believe the domed lens helps prevent debris from collecting in the deep recess that would otherwise be created by the scalloped bezel ring.

The switch is a very smooth clickie which can be used as a tactical tailcap and provide momentary illumination with a gentle press. Unscrewing it one full turn locks out the switch to prevent accidental activation. Not that accidental activation will be a problem with this switch seeing as how it has a scalloped shroud around the switch with four flat, slightly-less-narrow points than those that are on the bezel. As a result of the shroud the tailcap poses almost as much opportunity as the bezel for giving a "wake-up call". As a result of the scalloped switch shroud the light is also the first E series light from Surefire that can stand on its tail end by itself. The scallops on the tailcap also each have a hole for the attachment of lanyards or other things. I say "other things" because it appears that two of the holes are threaded (!).

Output is very good, which is standard for the Surefire E-series lights. Beware that the end of the light will get quite warm in use and if it turns on in a pocket or a belt sheath it may get hot enough to burn you or melt nylon.

For power the E2D takes two 123A lithium batteries which should last around 60-75 minutes. These batteries are very expensive even at national discount chains ($10 for 2! Ouch!) but can be purchased online at Surefire.com for around $15 for 12 batteries at the time of this writing. To change the batteries, remove the bezel (being careful not to let the bulb assembly drop out), dump out the old batteries and drop in the new with the positive terminals pointing up toward the bezel end. Reassemble and you're ready to go.

Runtime of E2e and E2d, 2 cells, MN03 bulb:

Runtime completed with "Titanium" brand batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Numerous accessories are available for the E series lights including LED heads, beam filters, lanyards, belt sheaths, and battery carriers.

What I Liked: Water resistant, Tough, Bright, Small, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Stands up, Type III Hard Anodize finish, Pocket clip, Gorgeous beam, Dual purpose for defense if needed.

What I Didn't Like: Bulb assembly can drop out as you remove the bezel to change the batteries. Be careful!

Other Things I Noticed: Parts are generally 100% interchangable with other E-series lights. Plus the matte black finish is a really nice update to the standard "natural" greenish finish found on the other E-series lights.

Conclusions: The E2D expands upon the fine tradition of E series lights from Surefire in a very respectable manner. Known for military and police tactical lights which are bright enough to momentarily disorient an individual in low light situations, Surefire has produced a new high intensity personal carry light which caters to those crowds as well as to the civilian interested in having an additional edge over a would-be assailant.

Quick Facts Table: