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…
…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…