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.

UPDATE 2: The G2 now comes with a Lock Out Tail Cap! YESSSSS!!!! Something a lot of people have been waiting for. Now the least expensive Surefire has all the operational characteristics of their more expensive lights. Be careful, though, there are a lot of older G2's on the market still to cycle through before you can be sure that every G2 has the LOTC. I bought one of the new LOTC G2 lights and it's great! No more accidental activations in your pack or bellybag.

Short Description:

The G2 is made by Surefire as a (relatively) low cost alternative to their other personal lighting products. It has all the features of the standard 6P, but is made of a special plastic called "Nitrolon", making it lightweight and very impact resistant. The unit reviewed is labeled as a "CandlePowerForums CPF 50 Special", but other than the label on the bezel, it is identical to production run G2 lights.

The G2 is available in black, yellow, or olive-drab. As mentioned, the body of the light is made of Nitrolon, a very tough plastic compound exclusive to Surefire. The body tube has a waffle pattern molded into it for grip. Inside the body tube is a metal sleeve for conducting electricity and completing the circuit when in use. The bezel has ridges around its base, again for grip, and also to serve as an anti-roll device. The tailcap likewise has ridges and the rubber pushbutton switch is checkered for grip. The light is sealed throughout with o-ring seals.

The G2 accepts the standard P60 Surefire lamp assembly for 60 minutes of runtime at 60 lumens on a set of batteries. You can replace this with the P61 Surefire high output lamp assembly for a runtime of 20 minutes at 120 lumens. The reflector is integral in the lamp assembly and is textured to smooth out the beam of light.

The switch is a combination switch on the tail of the light. Push the button for momentary on-off or twist the entire tailcap for constant-on. (See "UPDATE 2" at top of page)

The G2 uses 2 123a lithium batteries for power. These provide a total of 6 volts with a runtime of 1 hour with the standard lamp assembly. Batteries are included.

The light has O-rings on the head and bezel and inside the tailcap switch assembly and is only considered "water resistant".

A wide variety of accessories are available for the light from Surefire.

Reviewer's Impressions:

The Surefire G2 is a very lightweight, compact and versatile flashlight. It would make a good companion for anyone who needs a durable, bright light.

Fit and finish are very good. No rough spots or sharp edges. All parts fit together tightly without rattling or moving.

Quality / Durability / Construction are all very good. The plastic body of the G2 makes it exceptionally durable and resistant to dings, scratches, dents, etc. You could toss it in a toolbox, glovebox, pocket, or holster and not have to worry about it.

Output is very good, and is on a par with other lithium powered lights this size, matching the output of a 3 or 4 D cell aluminum flashlight. The beam produced by the lamp assembly installed in the reviewed unit was a little bit oval. This is a known occurrence with the P60 modules and is considered "acceptable" by those familiar with the lamps.

Runtime completed with Duracell batteries. More information on runtime plots is available HERE.

Water Resistance is OK. It's "dunkable", provided you do not operate it underwater. (See "UPDATE" at top of page) Pick it up out of the puddle and shake it off before turning it on or off. You should not need to shield it from rain or spray.

Important things to note: Lithium 123a batteries are very expensive if bought in a retail store. Purchase them in quantities (usually 12 or more) from online retailers. Check the Links section of this site for online battery retailers. Recently Surefire has reduced the price of their batteries to $15 for a box of 12. The Surefire batteries are supposed to be specially formulated for the high drain lights.

The lithium batteries that power this unit also have the advantages of being very resistant to cold weather and have a 10 year shelf life. Coupled with the plastic body, this makes the G2 a great light for long term storage or use in cold environments.

+ + + Pluses: Water resistant, Tough/impact resistant, Bright, Easy battery change, Lightweight, Lamp assembly upgradable.

- - - Minuses: Relatively short battery life (but similar to other lights of this class), Cannot stand on end, Requires accessories for close-up use (beamshaper), not waterproof.

Quick Facts Table: