Review: Surefire E2L 'Outdoorsman', what have (or haven't) we been missing out on?

I’d like to add one to my collection, as well. Why? Because, that is what collectors tend to do!

I have always had a soft spot for $urefire aesthetics. Frankly, you can (and should) acquire the basic foundation of the original P60 design at a much lower cost and even better quality when choosing SolarForce’s L2P over $urefire’s last installment of the now discontinued 6P series. Still, just like a BIC lighter gets the job done as well as a Zippo, it’s the bulky petrol lighter which makes you all sentimental. Like some of us crave a classic Royal Enfield Bullet 350 or Ford Consul next to their efficient, safe and versatile Vauxhall Corsa or BMW touring.

I personally like the $urefire E2-series for its OD-green HA (type III), the smooth, yet practical design, and because - (I have to say that, sorree) - because it’s a $urefire. Cui honorem, honorem - they were the first to come up with the P60 design (albeit the E2-series is NOT a P60. There are means to put in an incandescent bulb, though. I even have one incan dropin, solely for the purpose to be able to in case I ever wanted). Besides, $F sport the most aggressive knurling I have seen so far. Technically, the last 6P were the best (and still, they were the ugliest, melikes the first one much better, by their sleek looks)

Do I like my small collection of Yankee-Dollar lights? Sure do!
Do I use them, actually? Nope, not really.
Why do I have them, then? Easy enough - tribute to the original inventor of the P60. Would it count if I said I’ve always wanted one? (two? five?)
Would I recommend one? Well, I would, for a collector. If someone just wanted a decent torch for little money, I wouldn’t - unless he or she would be offered one, cheaply.

New-in-box, they’re all grossly overpriced, and grossly underpowered. Then again, they not only come with flat OD-green HA (in the case of E2-series, and some other serieses), big reputation (“Ya know, man, the army uses those, and those G-men, yo, man, can yo dig it, man?”) and the gorgeous logo, laser-engraved into the body (adds twenty lumens, guaranteed!); but also with a lifetime warranty (which none of us would ever need); And - you can still mod them anytime you want… :wink: …and, of course, that would surely void said warranty.

s.: if you are not familiar with sarcasm, take the last bits with a grain of salt. Those $urefires ARE good torches, hands down - but, you can get better results from other tubes of aluminium with batteries inside, a switch at one end, and an emitter at the other, from a lot of other manufacturers for far less money.

@ RedForest UK

Glad you finally got one at a reasonable price. Not an E2L-AA, though, which would be of the same design, but much skinnier at the same time. Oh blimey, that reminds me - I still have to write up a review about E2L-AA vs. Solarforce T4! So many things to do, not nearly enough time…