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View Full Version : Experiences with Surefire Pocket Clips



jjl103
10 February 2014, 14:59
Let me start this off by saying that I carry a Surefire P2X Fury everyday. It is a pretty hefty light, and after carrying it around in my pocket loose for six months, I really started to become annoyed with it moving around and not staying in position. It got to the point to where I would really have to convince myself to put it in my pocket each morning.

I decided I needed a good pocket clip. Of course, Raven Concealment was the first company that came to mind. I promptly purchased one of them and started carrying it daily. It was definitely nice for a while, however, it had some major drawbacks in its design.

For starters, it was a single piece wire design. While this design was OK, in order to make fit it around the threads under the endcap, they had to keep a small gap in the metal. This proved to be its flaw. The metal wire was already pretty thick, and when you tightened the tailcap down, it made the wire bulge out from the sides, causing it to be very uneven. I found myself constantly readjusting it and at times, bending it back into place. This wasn't too terrible, but I hadn't experienced too much in the way of snagging just yet.

My job requires me to travel a lot and perform several network and computer installations each year. I found that the first installation would prove to be too much for this clip. As I was working, the thick metal wire snagged on a consistent basis, to the point that the wire frame was so out of shape from being bent and remolded, it didn't sit straight on the light anymore, and retention was virtually non-existent. Soon after this, the clip caught my seatbelt, which bent it beyond function.

http://jerkingthetrigger.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Raven-Concealment-Pocket-Clip-460x306.jpg
As you can see from the picture (courtesy of Jerking the Trigger (http://jerkingthetrigger.com/2013/07/01/rcs-surefire-p-and-g-series-pocket-clip/)), the Raven Concealment clip is nice in concept, but I found the real world results to be quite dissatisfying. I really wanted to like this pocket clip, but I just couldn't continue to carry it. (With all that said, RCS did attempt to do a warranty on the clip, but I turned the offer down due to the bad success with the first one. I did offer some design changes. They responded pretty quickly to my email, and were very courteous. They definitely made an effort to right the situation.)

That led me to the Prometheus Lights Titanium Pocket Clip. It's design fits the light better, and has a much lower profile. It is also a continuous one-piece design, so I don't experience the metal warping on me if it ever gets caught. I have been using this for about 3 months now (Surefire lasted 2) and it has held up to pretty much everything I could possibly throw at it. I've snagged it on wires, cables, seatbelts, and even my fingernails (to my agony) and it hasn't warped or even lost retention. It did cost a bit more than the RCS, but for the amount I use my light every day, I feel a low-profile pocket clip is well worth the investment.

http://darksucks.com/Images/Sale/SF/SF-vertical600.jpg
Image courtesy of Promethean Lights (http://darksucks.com/store%20DS_SFClip.html)

Has anyone else had similar experiences with these pocket clips? Does anyone recommend other alternatives?

jbjh
6 March 2014, 23:45
You might be asking too much from a clip for something that large. I assume you're wearing jeans? You might think of a smaller diameter light. There are some really nice ones out these days that will do the same job. You should also look into a pocket organizer. Over on the EDC Forums, there's a hy who makes something called the 'Skinth'. It's a small shingle with vertical pockets stitched in so that all the junk in your pocket doesn't end up in a heap at the bottom (I love mine)

browcs
11 June 2014, 09:04
My experience with Surefire clips has been negative. I have an LX2 with a snapped off clip. The light only was a couple of months old when it happened. I've nearly lost my E1B a few times since the clip on that light has little tension.

Ast
11 June 2014, 15:40
browcs: I agree with you about the Surefire pocket clips. In case you didn't know you can order pocket clips through Surefire's warranty system. Just get on the webpage, put in your address and the parts you want and they will ship you replacements free of charge. I've carried an LX2 daily for about the last 5 years. It seems like I order pocket clips through the website every few months to replace broken or bent ones that have no tension. Website listed below:

http://www.surefire.com/rapid-replacement-parts

browcs
11 June 2014, 17:31
Thanks for the reminder Ast; much appreciated. I've dealt with SF to get an early gen 6P repaired back in the late 90's.

Thompson
12 June 2014, 12:05
Perhaps another item you could consider: the Switchback, made by Thyrm - in collaboration with Costa Ludus; although I will say it's more so geared towards shooting. It's an aftermarket pocket clip designed to fit quite a few SF lights.

Now, I have no experience with pushing the pocket clip to its limits, nor have I had put it through any strenuous activities. I've used the Switchback on my G2X for EDC; works just fine for me.

There, are two variants. The Switchback Large can fit these SF lights: G2X, P2X (P2X Fury), P3X, 6PX (6PX Defender), Z2X, G2ZX, Z3, 6Z, 6P, 6PL, 9P, C2, C3, Z2L, and flashlights with tail cap part numbers 12708-1. Other older lights MAY be compatible but have not been tested for function/safety.SwitchBack is not compatible with SureFire models E1B, E1E, E2E, E2D, LX2, G2, G2L, G3L, or A2. (pulled from Thyrm's website)

http://thyrm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/LF-switchback-large-full-356x475.jpg
Courtesy of Thyrm

http://thyrm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/costa-shooting-large-600x475.jpg
Courtesy of Thyrm

SwitchBack Large (http://thyrm.com/product/switchback-large/)

browcs
12 June 2014, 15:11
Thompson....I have considered it as I am user of the earlier and somewhat comparable SF/Graham Combat Rings (which of course doesn't have the clip). I completely forgot these included a clip. Thanks for reminding me!

Thompson
12 June 2014, 18:35
You bet!

jjl103
2 July 2014, 13:01
8 months later...

The Prometheus clip has not broken or even lost retention. I carry this light daily and have been on 13 more installations that require the same, if not more, moving around wires and cabling. I have not had it snag on me once, and it stays clipped to even the thinnest of materials.

The costa light deal is a pretty cool concept, but I cannot see a use for it in my daily carry. It also looks quite difficult to actually carry.

I recommend the Prometheus lights surefire clip. I don't think you could have put the clip through more abuse without getting silly. Still holding up very nicely after 8 months - Even the washer is still original.

browcs
2 July 2014, 17:46
Thanks for the update jjl103; good to know this clip seems to work well.

Thompson
2 July 2014, 19:42
The costa light deal is a pretty cool concept, but I cannot see a use for it in my daily carry. It also looks quite difficult to actually carry.

Yes - you are correct. It can be awkward to carry sometimes ... especially if you have small pockets :(