Surefire UM2 Ultra

[Tribull]

Waited too long, they’re gone.

 

[Greenbean]

Waited too long, they’re gone.

Sorry man,

I was going to get a second one and they were gone too.

There are some on eBay for 175.00 which is only 25 more than before. I have a feeling some more may hit eBay in the coming days. And/Or Amazon as well.

The one I ordered should be here tomorrow. Can’t wait to compare it to my old U2.

 

[270winchester]

I'm very surprised it took this long to sell these 800 UM2s. They are tremendous lights. I'm glad I was able to purchase several.

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people shell out 75-100 bucks for the latest LED and a reflector in a tube and build up a pile of them over a few years, but 150 for a Surefire running an optic and with a selector ring? oh ,no, that's too expensive.:thinking:

 

[badbs101]

I almost bought one. To me, it was a little too expensive, and a little too big. The fact that the tailcap ano didn't match bugged me too.

Still may pick one up someday tho...

 

[JohnnyBravo]

I agree with the mismatch of coloring/texture between the tailcap and body. So like the first time I called SF, they sent me a Peacekeeper clicky tailcap which perfectly matches the rest of the UM2. Plus the Peacekeeper tailcap fills in that little gap better. I offered to send back the original tailcaps, but they said no. Great customer service experience x 2!

 

[270winchester]

I almost bought one. To me, it was a little too expensive, and a little too big.

Oh good, then I am confident you can show me a cheaper alternative for a more compact American made 600+ lumen 2 cell light using an optic and changes brightness with a selector ring.

Thanks

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

I loved my original but it died, sent it in and Surefire couldn’t repair it so they replaced it with a Fury Intellibeam and I wasn’t happy. Tried it but just wasn’t the same.

I've got a Kroma Mil-Spec from the SureFire selector ring family of lights. The selector ring stop has disengaged and the ring works but keeps rotating.

I've wanted to send it to Fountain Valley for a warranty repair but after hearing a couple of stories like yours, maybe I'll just leave it like it is or try to repair it myself. I'm afraid they will send back a newer light as a replacement for the classic Mil-Spec without asking.

SureFire displayed a UM-2 prototype at the 2015 SHOT Show three years ago, Marshall's (RIP :() video is posted early in this thread. The prototype had a shiny tailcap, a clip with several holes and no index marks next to the selector ring.

We've speculated that maybe this light was spec'ed for an anticipated government buy as an update to the venerable U2 long listed on the NSN price list.

I almost bought one. To me, it

was a little too expensive, and a little too big.​

​

Three years ago 600 lumens for a two-cell SureFire was impressive, maybe by the time the lights finally went into production, the market had moved on. And smaller, brighter pocket lights probably appeal to a broader customer base as well.

The UM-2 feels like a classic PK SureFire and I thought that it might be the end of an era as I eagerly scarfed one up at the original price. But surprisingly, to me at least, the other new handheld SureFire's like the EDCL's and the E1B-MV have also gone back to that classic knurling with Lego possibilities.

Speaking of which, I never thought I would see another E1B in production after the EB1 came out. Will the UM-2 or even the U2 be resurrected in some form as well? Or are the days of the handheld SureFire selector ring lights over?

Also, is there a simple emitter swap (XM-L2 perhaps?) that will bump the UM-2 up to say 1000 lumens and get rid of the greenish tint?

Without frying the electronics that is.

I hate for my extra UM2 to get dusty on the shelf.
But I don't want to turn it into a paperweight either. :oops:

 

[sledhead]

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly people shell out 75-100 bucks for the latest LED and a reflector in a tube and build up a pile of them over a few years, but 150 for a Surefire running an optic and with a selector ring? oh ,no, that's too expensive.:thinking:

Well put.:devil: I picked one up..fantastic light. I'll pick up a second one sometime. Sorry I missed the last stock ones.

 

[Lumen83]

Oh good, then I am confident you can show me a cheaper alternative for a more compact American made 600+ lumen 2 cell light using an optic and changes brightness with a selector ring.

Thanks

An original U2 with an upgraded LED is my preferred platform. Its a cheaper alternative for a more compact American made 600+ lumen 2 cell light using an optic and changes brightness with a selector ring.

UM2 is too big and ugly for me. I find the price to be fair enough, though. Good Value.

 

[Crazyeddiethefirst]

Just ordered a nearly new U2 for an incredible price. There was a second one is slightly worse condition for the same price. When I first fell in love with Surefire, I made a list of lights I wanted to own...
Years later and one light at a time, I keep buying them. Despite the time lapse from desire to ownership, I am very rarely disappointed. I recently sold an LX2, as it wasn’t used very much. Now that I miss it I will buy another...for the right price.......

 

[270winchester]

An original U2 with an upgraded LED is my preferred platform. Its a cheaper alternative for a more compact American made 600+ lumen 2 cell light using an optic and changes brightness with a selector ring.

What optic would you you running in that U2?

it's telling when the "alternative" is someone DIY at home, that tells us there is no viable alternative. Good luck to your warranty, 1/2 reason why people buy Surefires.

See folks, this is why the UM2 was a flop and had to be all sold only through Arms Unlimited. Surefire went and created a light that checks many boxes, but the consumer says "nah, we'll just going to cut open an old U2 and throw a new LED in it". They might was well close shop now and save the trouble of developing new lights.

UM2 is too big and ugly for me. I find the price to be fair enough, though. Good Value.

Too big and ugly? It's barely bigger than the U2, check the picture fom a few pages back. Look at that big and ugly U2 :wave:

Here are three lights side by side. The UM2 is only about 0.5" longer than the U2, but the selector ring is wider. It definitely feels like a bigger flashlight.

 

[Lumen83]

What optic would you you running in that U2?

XPH-50.2 is my favorite so far

it's telling when the "alternative" is someone DIY at home, that tells us there is no viable alternative. Good luck to your warranty, 1/2 reason why people buy Surefires.

I have a bunch of them. A couple are still stock for that reason. I would tend to think that the DIY crowd isn't afraid of voiding the warranty and can fix or swap out components as needed, considering that you can purchase 3 used U2s for the price of 1 UM2

See folks, this is why the UM2 was a flop and had to be all sold only through Arms Unlimited. Surefire went and created a light that checks many boxes, but the consumer says "nah, we'll just going to cut open an old U2 and throw a new LED in it". They might was well close shop now and save the trouble of developing new lights.

Do you really think that the overwhelming majority of consumers that passed on this light cut open U2s and put new LEDs in them? I find that hard to believe. The UM2 didn't sell well because it actually didn't check the boxes that you are referring to, for many consumers. Thats simply how the market works. There wasn't enough demand for the boxes that you are stating this light checked off for you. Others didn't have those same boxes. That is why it doesn't make sense for you to ask for someone to list an alternative. There isn't enough demand for this type of light. Why do we care if there is an alternative? There isn't an alternative because other companies chose not to make a product that wasn't in demand.

I think the reason this light wasn't an overwhelming success is because it had major identity crisis. For myself and many others, its too big for an EDC light. Larger lights that aren't carried, do have their purpose for me though. Keep one in the truck, keep one in the house to light up the back yard, etc. But, it was too underpowered for that. And, for me there is no need for a light like that to be a selector ring light. So, it doesn't seem to do either of those tasks well. The UM2 can't seem to find its niche. I don't know where that light would fit in for me. I suspect many others felt the same way.

Too big and ugly? It's barely bigger than the U2, check the picture fom a few pages back. Look at that big and ugly U2 :wave:

Yes, it is bigger by enough of a margin to make it too big for me to want to carry. The bezel is quite a bit bigger throughout the length of it, and the light is longer. The U2 is bigger than I would like to carry. So, I don't want anything bigger. And, I just don't like the looks of it. Not that looks are the most important trait, but the bezel just looks way too disproportionate on the UM2. These are my opinions.

 

[270winchester]

XPH-50.2 is my favorite so far

Well if you find it to have the better lumen output and beamprofile than the UM2, I'm sure Surefire would love to hear from you! Go Lumen83 Go!

I have a bunch of them. A couple are still stock for that reason. I would tend to think that the DIY crowd isn't afraid of voiding the warranty and can fix or swap out components as needed, considering that you can purchase 3 used U2s for the price of 1 UM2

Do you really think that the overwhelming majority of consumers that passed on this light cut open U2s and put new LEDs in them? I find that hard to believe. The UM2 didn't sell well because it actually didn't check the boxes that you are referring to, for many consumers. Thats simply how the market works. There wasn't enough demand for the boxes that you are stating this light checked off for you. Others didn't have those same boxes. That is why it doesn't make sense for you to ask for someone to list an alternative. There isn't enough demand for this type of light. Why do we care if there is an alternative? There isn't an alternative because other companies chose not to make a product that wasn't in demand.

I think the reason this light wasn't an overwhelming success is because it had major identity crisis. For myself and many others, its too big for an EDC light. Larger lights that aren't carried, do have their purpose for me though. Keep one in the truck, keep one in the house to light up the back yard, etc. But, it was too underpowered for that. And, for me there is no need for a light like that to be a selector ring light. So, it doesn't seem to do either of those tasks well. The UM2 can't seem to find its niche. I don't know where that light would fit in for me. I suspect many others felt the same way.




Yes, it is bigger by enough of a margin to make it too big for me to want to carry. The bezel is quite a bit bigger throughout the length of it, and the light is longer. The U2 is bigger than I would like to carry. So, I don't want anything bigger. And, I just don't like the looks of it. Not that looks are the most important trait, but the bezel just looks way too disproportionate on the UM2. These are my opinions.

If you pay attention on this forum, well in your case you've only been around for 5 months but if you read back threads, there has been outcry of "why no updated U2?" for years before the UM2 came out. When SF does come out with one..."oh it's not smaller than the U2" "it costs more than a used U2" "Oh my U2 modded is wayyyyy better, honest!".

Yeah, I rest my case.

When you've lost interest and drift away from CPF and next time someone asks "why no follow up to the UM2?" I will be sure to quote your post here.

 

[Nimitz68]

Everyone obviously has their own set of checkboxes when it comes to lights, or anything else. Having never owned a U2 the UM2 checked many of my personal checkboxes. It's elegant, well constructed, highly useable, and really beautiful I think. That is why I purchased several of them.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I can respect them without necessarily agreeing with them. I love this light. It is one of my favorites of all the Surefires I have purchased and owned over the last 20+ years.

 

[Lumen83]

Well if you find it to have the better lumen output and beamprofile than the UM2, I'm sure Surefire would love to hear from you! Go Lumen83 Go!

Yes, I do. On all accounts. Why would surefire love to hear from me? Surefire knows there are a plethora of other manufacturers that make lights with better output, beam profile, color rendition, etc. But, that isn't their market. Its never been their market. Its been primarily LEO, Military, etc. which don't place empasis on lumen output, beam profile, etc., over reliability durability. It is well known that surefire lights place a higher emphasis on reliability and durability and are behind the times as far as lumen output. And, theres nothing wrong with that. Every manufacturer has a niche. So yes, my upgraded U2 does have better beam profile and lumen output and I'm not sure why you find that hard to believe.

If you pay attention on this forum, well in your case you've only been around for 5 months but if you read back threads, there has been outcry of "why no updated U2?" for years before the UM2 came out. When SF does come out with one..."oh it's not smaller than the U2" "it costs more than a used U2" "Oh my U2 modded is wayyyyy better, honest!".

Yeah, I rest my case.

All of the topics you just mentioned are valid arguments. It isn't smaller. Its not cheaper. It doesn't perform as well as a modded U2 for its size and cost. I'm not here to argue any further. But, you asked what is an alternative to a UM2. My answer is valid. A modded U2 is cheaper, brighter, and better for EDC. Those are the facts. Is a modded U2 the solution for everyone? No. But in my opinion its a decent enough choice, and a better performing choice in many ways, to answer your question about an alternative to the UM2.

 

[270winchester]

Yes, I do. On all accounts. Why would surefire love to hear from me? Surefire knows there are a plethora of other manufacturers that make lights with better output, beam profile, color rendition, etc. But, that isn't their market. Its never been their market. Its been primarily LEO, Military, etc. which don't place empasis on lumen output, beam profile, etc., over reliability durability. It is well known that surefire lights place a higher emphasis on reliability and durability and are behind the times as far as lumen output. And, theres nothing wrong with that. Every manufacturer has a niche. So yes, my upgraded U2 does have better beam profile and lumen output and I'm not sure why you find that hard to believe.

So you know their design emphasis and yet you complain their products are not compact enough and not cheaper than 5-10 year old used products from them. Okay.

I just received these and I could not be happier. You do great work and these lights are completely transformed. The tint and beam profiles on both are exactly what I want out of a light. And, each one is different. The XP-G2 has a tighter beam and is more of a thrower. The XP50.2 is more floody and really seems to light up a huge area very nicely. This light is such a good platform and now it has the beam, tint, and brightness it deservers. Thanks again. Great job.

I would tend to think that the DIY crowd isn't afraid of voiding the warranty and can fix or swap out components as needed, considering that you can purchase 3 used U2s for the price of 1 UM2

is this the light you are talking about, the one Nitroz modded for you? Isn't that XPH50.2 still running the original U2 reflector and not an optic? I thought you were the DIYer?

All of the topics you just mentioned are valid arguments. It isn't smaller. Its not cheaper. It doesn't perform as well as a modded U2 for its size and cost. I'm not here to argue any further. But, you asked what is an alternative to a UM2. My answer is valid. A modded U2 is cheaper, brighter, and better for EDC. Those are the facts. Is a modded U2 the solution for everyone? No. But in my opinion its a decent enough choice, and a better performing choice in many ways, to answer your question about an alternative to the UM2.

Like I said, if your arguments are valid, then Surefire might as well close shop and everyone can just try to find used U2s to mod. Why bother making anything new along the lines of the U2 when the new products are sure to be at least as big and definitely going to cost more than a used U2?

You are proving my point with every post you make, Internet has seldom been this easy. :laughing:

 

[270winchester]

What optic would you you running in that U2?

XPH-50.2 is my favorite so far

Huh.

 

[archimedes]

The discussion is interesting, but how about we try to avoid making things personal, ok ?

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

I think the reason this light wasn't an overwhelming success is because it had major identity crisis. For myself and many others, its too big for an EDC light. Larger lights that aren't carried, do have their purpose for me though. Keep one in the truck, keep one in the house to light up the back yard, etc. But, it was too underpowered for that. And, for me there is no need for a light like that to be a selector ring light. So, it doesn't seem to do either of those tasks well. The UM2 can't seem to find its niche.

Someone at SureFire probably came to the same conclusions after the light had already gone into production and decided that it wasn't a viable product for a downsizing company.

Several past selector ring lights never made it out of the catalog. The UA2, UB2, and UB3 were never sold and the UB3T finally made it to market a couple of years later.

The original U2 was developed as a military project according to some of the catalog narrative. It apparently attracted DARPA funding for the development of the DEF series, a couple of which I believe later became the KROMA's:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...nd-Def-3C-5K&p=5145777&viewfull=1#post5145777

The U2 was first listed in the 2004 SF catalog and was on the NSN price list as late as 2015. Like many of us here, I bought several. I gave a couple away and modded one.

Is the UM-2 the end of the line for the handheld SF selector ring light? Will an emitter update or a military buy resurrect it?

Looking at the SureFire 2018 catalog, the only selector ring light I see is the behemoth UDR Dominator which takes a dozen CR123A's.

 

[Lumen83]

So you know their design emphasis and yet you complain their products are not compact enough and not cheaper than 5-10 year old used products from them. Okay.

Yes. Why is that hard to believe? This simply means that I understand the market that they are designing their product for, but I do not fit into that target audience. I'm sure you can think of many products that do not suit your use because they are not intended for your typical use, but maybe there were products from said company that did suit your use better than the ones they currently produce, particularly if there is an upgrade available.

is this the light you are talking about, the one Nitroz modded for you? Isn't that XPH50.2 still running the original U2 reflector and not an optic? I thought you were the DIYer?

Yes, that is one of the modded U2s that I have. And, that one is my favorite. Yes, its the original reflector and not an optic. That is also something that I prefer. So, again I feel that modded U2 is a better alternative for me that the UM2 for all of the reasons I've listed. You asked for an alternative, and I am submitting that as mine. Is that the best/most common route for the general consumer to go down? Probably not. But that is my alternative, as you asked. I am not the DIYer, and nor did I ever claim to be. And, nor do I feel like that changes whether or not the my preferred alternative satisfies your question, and I don't see how that is relevant to the discussion.

Like I said, if your arguments are valid, then Surefire might as well close shop and everyone can just try to find used U2s to mod. Why bother making anything new along the lines of the U2 when the new products are sure to be at least as big and definitely going to cost more than a used U2?

Again, surefire made a light that was demonstrably out of touch with the demand of the general consumer. I can't help you or surefire there. But, I am one those uninterested consumers. My alternative was to have original U2s modded to outperform the UM2s in the categories that were important to me. I've discussed those in detail, and don't feel the need to add any more.

You are proving my point with every post you make, Internet has seldom been this easy. :laughing:

With that said, I don't see any value in continuing this discussion.