Leatherman Serac S3

DaveK · **on:** February 14, 2009, 02:08:17 AM

I've had mine for a few days now, and I think it's bloomin' brilliant.

It's the first torch I've owned that has different power levels, and I'm finding that this function is less of a gimmick than I thought it would be. It's actually a really useful function.

I just wondered how people think that the S3 compares to some of the other brands out there. Specifically, if I never bought another torch, what would I be missing out on?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:15:37 AM

The S3 is nice, but the S2 is way better IMO.. Tbh, I HATE carrying around 123a lights.. Sure, they have a ten year shelf life and the like, but in an emergency it will be really hard to get batteries.. I like AA/AAA lights because I could take them out of common items in case of an emergency; and the light is a lot less bulky.. If I do carry a 123a light, I ALWAYS have an Arc or similar on me.. The S3 compares well to Fenix lights, I wouldn't be surprised if Fenix manufactured them!

DaveK · **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:26:49 AM

The box says that it was designed in Portland, Oregon, Made in China - so I guess it's possible that it came from the same place as Fenix.

jzmtl · **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:33:49 AM

It is made by fenix, been confirmed, the S2's body/head is even interchangeable with L0D if I recall.

DaveK · **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2009, 03:37:04 AM

There you go then - thanks jzmtl!

Styerman · **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2009, 11:52:56 PM

I'm very impressed with the S3 , that comming from a Surefire snob who ones a McGizmo PD ! The levels are well chosen , beam quality is nice , the front end is pretty rugged due to the Stainless bezel . The stainless bezel contributes to the hand feel of the lite . Price to performance ratio appears to be good , no comment on ruggedness as I haven't beaten on one yet , but it looks to be capable of taking a pretty good hiding . The reversable pocket clip is very nice , cant see the light escaping from either a shirt or trouser pocket .

My buddy bought three of them , he was obviously rather taken by the quality . He also owns a number of Uber lites , is an engineer , and is very discerning .

For everyday use , I still think the S2 is the star of the show . I'm very happy with mine , great beam quality and well chosen light levels !

Chris

DaveK · **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2009, 11:57:25 PM

Cheers for that Styerman - I'm coming to the same conclusions now after using it a bit. I'm very happy with it.

I have the Serac S1 now too, which I prefer to my Fenix E01, so I shall be getting an S2 at some point I think.

Styerman · **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:13:39 AM

Dave , if you stick mostly to the low levels , CR123's are not too bad to operate . I buy Surefires by the dozen , an pay $2.25 Can. each , I get about 2.5 months runtime per cell . That includes both work and off duty use . That said , I still think the S2 is the real star of the show . I like the CR123 lites for their rock your world brilliance , being impervious to cold , and great shelf life , but for more mundane everyday tasks , AAA is a great option . I truly hope Leatherman also comes up with a AA lite , AA's are too plentifull to ignore . Sanyo Eneloops make AAA and AA rechargeables actually appeal .

Chris

DaveK · **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2009, 12:22:26 AM

Yeah, I'm not put off by the CR123 cells either. I shopped around a bit and stocked up. The local supermarket was doing a "2 for 1" on Duracell CR123s so I'm probably good for the next year, only having two lights that take them. (The S3 and the Blackhawk).

I'm favouring the S1 over the E01 simply because of the tail switch, which I find more convenient than the twist of the Fenix.

I take it that the S2 is a AAA is it?

Styerman · **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:12:03 AM

Yes sir , AAA , two stage 5 an 35 Lumens . With a Stainless bezel , this makes for better hand feel and more ruggedness , less likliehood of buggering up threads in the event of a hard drop . The beam is a nice combo of hotspot , and sidespill , mine isn't ringy . Tint is good , warmish , no strong hint of blue , rings of cree etc .

Chris

american lockpicker · **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2009, 01:48:36 AM

If it wasn't made in China I would get one.

Black Rose · **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 07:30:56 AM

Quote from: Styerman on February 22, 2009, 12:13:39 AM

Dave , if you stick mostly to the low levels , CR123's are not too bad to operate . I buy Surefires by the dozen , an pay $2.25 Can. each

Sorry for the hijack....where are you getting the Surefire CR123 cells at? That's a great price.

For any canucks reading this thread, MEC now carries the S2 and S3 at very good prices. It's not on their site but is in the stores.

jzmtl · **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:54:52 PM

Le baron has streamlight 123a 2 for $4.63, pretty close to that, pretty sure they are all made by panasonic anyway.

Styerman · **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2009, 06:19:03 PM

I get Surefire CR123's from Tetragon Tasse in Miss. , That price happens when you buy by the dozen . R.Nichols Distributors is higher than Tetragon . Will a Tetragon also carries Spyderco and Benchmade , Inova and other hard to find goodies .

Anyone who wants an S3 , there are still two of them in the new Burlington MEC store . My buddy and I layed a beating on their stock . They have quite a few multis , including most of the Leatherman line , and lots of Gerbers . They also carry quite a few SAK's by both Vic. and Wenger .

Price on the S3 is 54ish , the S2 is in the mid forties .

Chris

prime77 · **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:44:55 PM

I have been eying the leatherman line of lights since they first came available but can't seem to pull the trigger on them. To me there are many more better lights out there for the price of the LMs. The only thing that makes want to got one is the LM fan in me. I keep waiting to find them on sale on where.

Leatherman123 · **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:46:53 PM

Prime, buy the S2 and then you will NEED the rest! LOL

prime77 · **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:55:56 PM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on February 22, 2009, 08:46:53 PM

Prime, buy the S2 and then you will NEED the rest! LOL

I'll get them someday. They do say LEATHERMAN on them don't they

Black Rose · **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2009, 12:35:44 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on February 22, 2009, 05:54:52 PM

Le baron has streamlight 123a 2 for $4.63, pretty close to that, pretty sure they are all made by panasonic anyway.

Yeah, but they are usually out of stock (at least the Ottawa store is).

Everyone buys the Streamlight CR123As because they are the cheapest that Lebaron offers.
The Surefire and Browning CR123As are a lot more expensive for the exact same thing.

DaveK · **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2009, 12:42:27 AM

Quote from: Styerman on February 22, 2009, 06:19:03 PM

Price on the S3 is 54ish , the S2 is in the mid forties .

Chris

These guys have them a bit cheaper than that. I got my S3 and my S1 from them, and they have cheap worldwide postage.

Sazabi · **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2009, 01:58:41 AM

Quote from: american lockpicker on February 22, 2009, 01:48:36 AM

If it wasn't made in China I would get one.

Just because an item is produced in China doesn't mean it's either inferior or produced in sweatshops, though. There are quite a few Pacific Rim-based flashlight companies producing wonderful lights. Fenix, whom is producing the S3, is a wonderful example, as is LiteFlux, and several other quality companies.

Tinnie · **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:11:00 AM

Quote from: Sazabi on February 23, 2009, 01:58:41 AM

Quote from: american lockpicker on February 22, 2009, 01:48:36 AM
If it wasn't made in China I would get one.

Just because an item is produced in China doesn't mean it's either inferior or produced in sweatshops, though. There are quite a few Pacific Rim-based flashlight companies producing wonderful lights. Fenix, whom is producing the S3, is a wonderful example, as is LiteFlux, and several other quality companies.

Your right there mate

It just depends if there is a dude looking over the workers and having good QC

Sazabi · **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:19:40 AM

Thank you, Tinnie. Both Fenix and LiteFlux have top-notch products, and stand behind them, too. Fenix has lifetime warranties, and several of the sites from which you can purchase the lights, have an additional warranty on top of the lifetime one. LiteFlux is similar, I think.

All I'm trying to say is do not judge a company based off of geographical location, to do otherwise is to not only your disadvantage, but also to the disadvantage of people both in and from that geographical region. ._.

jzmtl · **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:39:17 AM

Quote from: Black Rose on February 23, 2009, 12:35:44 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on February 22, 2009, 05:54:52 PM
Le baron has streamlight 123a 2 for $4.63, pretty close to that, pretty sure they are all made by panasonic anyway.
Yeah, but they are usually out of stock (at least the Ottawa store is).

Everyone buys the Streamlight CR123As because they are the cheapest that Lebaron offers.
The Surefire and Browning CR123As are a lot more expensive for the exact same thing.

Have you checked out online store from u.s.? I bought 50 pack from battery station and I think in the end it cost less than that per cell. Or even tenergy cells from fenix tactical ($25 cad for 10), they work fine in my experience and other user report, and performs on par with panasonic made cells in tests.

Styerman · **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:02:35 PM

Pentagon lite used to have the cheapest , good quality CR123's , if you can find a dealer with stock you might get lucky . The local dealer in Cambridge was offing them at well under 2 bucks . they are US made and appear identical to Surefire . Beware of some of the low end Chinese Batts. , they sometimes have no gas bleeder vents , and have been implicated in explosions . Check out Doug Ritter's equipped to survive blog .

Chris

Black Rose · **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2009, 05:53:34 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on February 23, 2009, 07:39:17 AM

Have you checked out online store from u.s.? I bought 50 pack from battery station and I think in the end it cost less than that per cell. Or even tenergy cells from fenix tactical ($25 cad for 10), they work fine in my experience and other user report, and performs on par with panasonic made cells in tests.

I've looked at some places in the US.
I don't need/am unable to buy in large quantities so once I add in shipping costs and factor in the exchange rate for smaller quantities, it usually negates the savings.

I have found a place in the US where I can get Rayovac CR123A cells in small quantities for the equivalent of $2.10 CDN per cell.

Styerman · **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:05:02 AM

Quote from: Black Rose on February 23, 2009, 05:53:34 PM

Quote from: jzmtl on February 23, 2009, 07:39:17 AM
Have you checked out online store from u.s.? I bought 50 pack from battery station and I think in the end it cost less than that per cell. Or even tenergy cells from fenix tactical ($25 cad for 10), they work fine in my experience and other user report, and performs on par with panasonic made cells in tests.
I've looked at some places in the US.
I don't need/am unable to buy in large quantities so once I add in shipping costs and factor in the exchange rate for smaller quantities, it usually negates the savings.

I have found a place in the US where I can get Rayovac CR123A cells in small quantities for the equivalent of $2.10 CDN per cell.

Next time I buy , I'll split with you if that helps any .

Chris

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