SureFire U2 Ultra Flashlight Review*

  by Alan Jordano

• The SureFire U2 Ultra is soon to have some brothers, but at the moment it remains the pinnacle of SureFire's stable of LED flashlights.

• Build quality is typical SureFire. Fit and finish are excellent. The U2 is a bit longer than some of SureFire's other flashlights due to a slightly larger head to accomodate a fairly large and deep reflector. As with all SureFire flashlights the body is O ring protected at both ends.

• The primary switch for the SureFire U2 Ultra is a tailcap forward clicky with both momentary output and lockout features. Power levels are adjusted via a rotating collar ring switch located just below the head. Unlike the Kroma, there are no detents in the selector ring switch. But the lowest setting is at the end of left rotation and the highest setting is at the end of right rotation. Thus you can select low, mid, or high levels very easily even while the light is turned off.

• Some users at Candlepowerforums.com have reported problems with the tailcap clicky. I have used mine heavily for over a year with no problems whatsoever. I do lubricate it from time to time as regular maintenance. The feel of the clicky is good with both tactile and audible feedback.

• Output is in the form of a nice hotspot and a bright, wide, and generous side spill. Many folks consider the SureFire U2 as one of the best all around utility flashlights because of the output. It has the best of both worlds: A hotspot that provides very reasonable throw and a wide bright side spill. All in all a very useable beam.

• Battery life is manufacturer rated at forty hours at the lowest setting (1), twenty hours at setting 2, ten hours at setting 3, five hours at setting 4, two and one-half hours at setting 5, and one hour at setting 6. Now that one hour at the full 100 lumen output sounds short, but because of the design and quality of the reflector you will most likely rarely use high power. The middle levels provide plenty of light for most tasks. The lowest level provides enough light for both close up tasks and still manages to throw a useable hotspot for about 40 feet. The flexibility in the output and the very long runtime on low maks the U2 the one light to have in an emergency situation. With fresh batteries you could run it ten hours a night for four days before you would drain the batteries. That's darn good in my book. As the batteries get close to the end of their useful life you will lose the highest levels of output. Thus you do have some warning and plenty of time to cut back on the power and find new cells.

*The preceding independent review was supplied by a customer of BrightGuy, Inc. (with the author's permission). The opinions expressed in this review are those of its author. BrightGuy assumes no responsibility for the information provided in this independent review.