Surefire G2

Whether out in the field camping, hiking or at your local airsoft site, there will always be a need for a good reliable torch. Maglite torches where the first, must have Gucci torch to hit the market that offered a small, tough high beam portable light source. However as new tougher and lighter materials came available more and more companies copied the idea of a small powerful and hard wearing torch. Today there are hundreds of designs and makes to choose from. All have pro's and con's and are ranged in price to suit almost anyone's pocket.

This torch is undoubtedly the best torch I have ever owned, it is compact enough to slip in to any normal trouser or jeans pocket and the light beam it puts out is unbelievable. It is stated by the manufacturer that this torch is 3 to 4 times more powerful than any other 2D cell torches and I can vouch that this claim is quite believable as I have owned many torches of this type over my professional career in the forces and in my civilian occupation and this far out performs all the rest in ease of use and light output.

It takes 2xLithium batteries that are expensive to replace. This in my view is the biggest down side to this torch. It is constructed from a polymer compound called Nitrolon, this makes it light weight and corrosion proof and it is non-conductive. The body of the torch is moulded in a grid lock fashion to assist the users grip when wet or when using gloves.

It has a rear operating switch which can be rotated clockwise to turn the torch on, but also has a prestle switch that when depressed makes contact with the batteries to operate, take your finger off the switch and it turns off. I have found this handy on numerous occassions when I have found it to be an advantage to have a free hand. It really came into its own at an indoor event, I found that I could aim the torch in a direction while at arms length to my side and light up and blind my opponents to gain the upper hand and engage them with my pistol, this worked well for me as at the end of the evening I was one of the only players not to be hit at all.

One of the other downsides to this torch is that, unlike maglites and others, you are unable to buy replacement bulbs. The whole light bulb unit has to be replaced, again dependant on where you buy these from depends on how expensive it can turn out to be. Though I have had mine for nearly 12 months operating in Iraq and have had no problems at all, though a team mate of mine has had to but a replacement prestle. The light lens is made of impact proof lexan it is hard to scratch these lenses but not impossible.

There are quite a lot of extras to be bought for your torch, from Lanyards to Infa red light fiters for use with NVG's, blue and red lens filters for night use without aids to a rechargeable battery, though an extra long handle piece has to be bought.

Yes this can be quite an expensive buy in regards to batteries and replacement light units, but I feel that the over whelming superior light output and lightweight (4.1ounce with battery) and its compact size (4.9inches) and the fact that it can easily be mounted to a rifle rail system and be operated without pressure pads or wires makes this a well worth purchase for anyone.

One of the other good points to this torch is that it comes in 4 colours to suit the individuals requirements and needs, black as shown is by far the most popular though OD green, tan and yellow are also available.

Some people wont look on the set beam in a favourable light, though I have not found this to be a problem. It gives out a very strong and consistent light beam and covers evenly the area that it is aimed at, again if this type of action is a requirement the user can buy a cover guard that enables this action to be carried out.

I would advise potential buyers to consider purchasing from America off the net, on the Surefire website the prices range from $36 for the model shown through to the A2 Aviator at a mere $185. Though you will have to take shipping and the exchange rates at the time into consideration.