I was in the market for a new everyday carry (EDC) flashlight and I had some pretty strict requirements for that flashlight to fit my intended use. I decided upon the SureFire G2ZX CombatLight, for reasons I shall discuss, and I’ll give you my opinion after carrying this flashlight for a few weeks.
The G2ZX flashlight, and the other surefire G2 series flashlights, are intended to be carried and used. Like modern firearms, the frames are mostly polymer, but the G2ZX flashlight has a tough aluminum bezel. The flashlight is simple in design and has some features handgun shooters may enjoy.
Some of the tech specs for G2ZX flashlight are…
- OUTPUT 600 lumens
- RUNTIME 1.5 hours
- WEIGHT WITH BATTERIES 4.3 ounces
- LENGTH 5.2 inches
- BEZEL DIAMETER 1.25 inches
The SureFire G2ZX CombatLight has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Please note, this guarantee might only apply if you buy it directly from Surefire. The flashlight also has a lifetime guarantee of the original owner, which I do not believe applies to the switches, batteries, or bulbs. Of course, some exclusions apply so read the actual warranty if you care about such things.
When I opened the box, my initial thoughts about the SureFire G2ZX CombatLight were that it was larger than I had thought it would be. Not by much but slightly. After removing it from the package and playing with it a little, I could tell it was tough. Shhh don’t tell but, I dropped it on the floor a few times to see if it would scratch, scuff or even break the bulb. I was quite happy no damage occurred.
After carrying and testing this for a couple of weeks I have had no issues. I would love to do rigorous torture testing and drop the SureFire G2ZX CombatLight off a roof, run it over with a truck, and submerge it underwater; sadly I don’t have the budget to burn Benjamin Franklins for your enjoyment. From what I could test, I found the switch to be intuitive which is exactly what you would want if you were in a high-stress situation. I found the light to be enough to disorient a person and light up an average size room adequately. Thanks to my friends and co-workers whom I blinded! I still have no scuffs or major scratches after carrying nearly every day for the last two weeks. And, although I haven’t actually needed to “use” the flashlight, I have been playing with it quite a bit and the original batteries are still fine.
The Pros of the Surefire G2ZX Combatlight…
- The G2ZX is designed for shooters. It is designed to be held in a modified pistol grip sometimes called the rogers, syringe, or cigar grip.
- The Intermediate grip ring ensures consistent grip for the above described 2 handed pistol shooting technique.
- The Lanyard keeps the flashlight on your person should you need to drop it, such as to perform reloads or malfunction clearance.
- At 600 lumen, the bright light of the G2ZX will temporarily blind or disorient someone enough to give the user an advantage. But is also bright and wide enough to light up an entire room if necessary.
- The activation switch is on the but cap, instead of on the side.
- Simplicity is something you want in a flashlight you might be using in a life and death situation. The controls are straight forward. Press the button on the end of the flashlight to activate the flashlight momentarily. If you want a constant on, turn the base of the flashlight.
The Cons of the Surefire G2ZX Combatlight…
- I would have preferred if this flashlight recharged via USB, which is a modern trend in flashlights. Then again that likely would negate some of the “weatherproof” features, which I don’t really care too much about anyways.
- The 1.5 hours run time, is more than adequate if you remember to periodically replace the batteries, but murphy’s law says what can go wrong will go wrong. This wouldn’t be an issue at all if the light were USB rechargeable.
- The flashlight is a little pricey at about $95 depending on where you shop. The price will put it outside of the budget for average-joes.
- I wish it was a fraction of an inch smaller in length and width which would make gripping the G2ZX easier while shooting.
On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being I’m glad I purchased the G2ZX flashlight and 1 being I wouldn’t purchase the Surefire G2ZX again; I would rate the G2ZX Combatlight as a 5 for anyone looking for a good quality flashlight for a handgun shooting and everyday carry with a $100 budget.
The exact item I purchased and reviewed above is: G2ZX-C-BK 084871320399
