Surefire 6PX Pro - First impressions

[Millhouse]

Just got this today from Heinnie's.



It is the first Surefire light I have bought in about 7 years.

The light is powered by 2 CR123A batteries and has 2 modes, 15 and 200 lumens. The light has a forward clickie switch, allowing for momentary on. The switch is also used to change modes. Powering on the light gives you low mode, turning off the light and back on within 2 seconds gives high. This can also be done in momentary mode, and this offers the quickest way to get into high mode. It may sound confusing, but is quite intuitive after a while.

In terms of size, the light is about the same as the old 6P and it fits into the 6P sheath. The light fits very nicely in the hand and feels very solid.

The beam on mine is very smooth, with a small intense hotspot and plenty of spill. The tint on mine is quite white with no hint of blue or green that has been reported by some users. Can't wait for it to get dark so I can have a proper play.

The only thing I don't like about this light is the use of a polycarbonate lens.

I bought this light for winter sub-zero (maybe 4-6 weeks a year) EDC and as an emergency light (Surefire reliability), and for that purpose it is fine. My general EDC will remain 1 or 2 AA lights on Sanyo Eneloops.

[jzmtl]

I EDC one, and have used it many times in below -10 temperatures, it works nicely.

Only complaint is it's a bit fat and will have a problem carrying it when it warms up to not need a coat.

[prime77]

Love the 6PX. It's a great light and should serve you well.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

That's one stunning light

[Sean]

Very nice, throws a very cool beam as well.  Good you didn't get any blue tinting as
well.

So... one of the things that bothered a "few" people on CPF was hitting the light
against the palm of one's hand would change the modes on the light?  Some were
saying they really had to smack it, others a light tap?

I'm really tempted to grab one of these now since getting the 17670 rechargeable
batts.  These lights are being hit with a substantial price increase very soon I've
heard, so get 'em now if your so inclined.

[Gareth]

Thanks for the thoughts Millhouse, I've always wanted a Surefire but I've never been able to justify the cost of one.

[jekostas]

Very nice, throws a very cool beam as well.  Good you didn't get any blue tinting as
well.

So... one of the things that bothered a "few" people on CPF was hitting the light
against the palm of one's hand would change the modes on the light?  Some were
saying they really had to smack it, others a light tap?

I'm really tempted to grab one of these now since getting the 17670 rechargeable
batts.  These lights are being hit with a substantial price increase very soon I've
heard, so get 'em now if your so inclined.

House of Knives warranty'd nearly their entire stock of Surefire flashlights last month, so it wasn't just a few people.  There was a batch of lights with bad tailswitches that went out.

[jzmtl]

So... one of the things that bothered a "few" people on CPF was hitting the light
against the palm of one's hand would change the modes on the light?  Some were
saying they really had to smack it, others a light tap?

Light smack of butt end on your leg or other hand would do.

If you hate it, cut a foam donut, cut a few loop off a spring from a ball point pen, assemble and stick into the battery tube. I did that and it no longer changes mode no matter how hard I smack.

[Millhouse]

I can get mine to change from low to high by smacking the tailcap, but not from high to low. I'm not overly concerned as it took quite a hard smack to do it, not something that would happen in normal use.

[prime77]

Mine did the changing mode thing when I first got it. I stretched the spring in the tailcap out a little and haven't had any problems with it since.

[NutSAK]

That's a nice light you have there Millhouse.  Thanks for posting your impressions of it.

[Styerman]

Good piece of kit , will serve you well when the chips go down . I have battered hell out of quite a few Surefires , great lights .

Chris