Bought one after this review. If you're on the fence, just do it. Everything about it is perfect for edc. Pair it with some reputable rechargeable batteries and your gtg.
I've been carrying an Aviator since 2017-- it's by far my favorite EDC light and is still going strong. As someone who does a lot of astro photography the red light is perfect for digging into my bag or adjusting settings without ruining my night vision. I use it purely as a utility light, so I prefer the low-high switch position. I replaced the tailcap with the Z61 to make it lower profile in the pocket at the expense of being able to stand on its tail.
I got a Surefire Backup MV in december. I am super happy with it. I was looking at the Aviator around that time as well. Seems like a cool light as well as useful if you have those needs. I have white and red light capable headlamps. I mainly use red light for search and rescue.
Surefire was really the only game in town before the wars in the middle earth ended. I was there for it all in the mid 2000s. Anything can do what a Surefire can do now.
Not really. I prefer my 500 lumen Defender (old version) over my other lights that go from 1000lumens to 3000 lumens. Throw of the surefire outperforms my 3000 lumen light, for my uses. I can spot an animal or intruder on a farm way further than my other lights Quality and reliability of surefire is very good.
@@mateodeleon1185 You can also replace the incandescent lamp assembly in the old Surefires with 3rd party LED drop-Ins. I have a Surefire M6 from 2006 with a Lumens Factory LED drop-in that makes a great combination of both worlds.
@@nOObels1 The “indestructibility” of a Surefire flashlight was just marketing. They WERE more indestructible than other flashlights, as long as you’re only comparing the old INCANDESCENT models. Surefire incandescent flashlights were the brightest and the best which is why they were so expensive and had such a short life span over more cheaply made, longer lasting bulbs from Mag-Lite or China. Once manufacturers went over to LED technology, there was no need for expensive and complicated shock dampening assemblies to protect the bulbs in the flashlight from gunfire recoil, so a $10 flashlight from China could be just as indestructible as a $1000 flashlight from Surefire. The WARRANTY and CUSTOMER SERVICE is what made the Surefire price worth it - IF you were the type of person who was going to be going into harm’s way and constantly using the warranty, that is. Like I said, Surefire was only a market leader for a few years because the military needed their incandescent lighting systems during the multiple, multiple, multiple(Yes 3 times) wars in the Middle East while LEDs were still in their infancy.
To be able to rotate the head to switch from white to red and the high/low red option makes this top tier, don’t know of any other light that can do that…super cool. Most you have to add or swap a lense. If you want to be stealthy the red light is essential, this would be great for edc, outdoorsy things like hunting and camping for sure. $260 takes it from the “I’ll buy it!!” To the “maybe some day” though😅. Very cool light, thanks for the review!!
I want to buy one but it seems to be very old at this stage (6 or 7 years old). Does anyone know if Surefire will be releasing an upgraded version anytime soon?
Would love this light. Reminds me of my Fenix mini I had overseas that I had a red filter for. However, the price is a little high. If it was closer to the $130-145 I’d probably pull the trigger on it.
I just got a Surefire Scout M640DF and wow... while not cheap, it's insanely bright,its my first Surefire light. I had used Streamlight in the fire service without fail (Vantage Helmet Light) but couldn't get what I needed,thats when I came across the Surefire and it was in front of me.
Thank you very much for the great review. Any thoughts regarding red light vs the yellow/green option as the secondary light? Is the red light so much better for not affecting the night vision? Thank you very much.
I wish this light could run 16340's as well. cr123's are just way too expensive now and the rechargeable version of the cr123 battery life is terrible.
I’m wondering if it would still be worth it to buy the surefire aviator model like this in 2024? We’re almost into 2025 and technology has really moved since 2017 when this light was introduced. Any thoughts?
@ thank you. I’m considering getting one of the current models but I hear that they have issues with quality control in regards to flickering. Does your Aviator flicker or seem to be OK if it’s Okay to ask
Can you speak to why you prefer it over the edcl1? I use one and have looked many times at the aviator but can’t get away from the gas pedal operation. Combined with a red filter it’s perfect. Just curious what made you switch.
@@BukoParcel-z7g surefire has rechargeable cr123s now. Use them in my E2D. Runtime is shorter but for edc i just recharge them at night if ive used it. Carry normal 123s for backup
Normally priced at $268, but Surefire kindly raised the price to $299 to offer “free shipping” for xmas. Lol Great lights, very useful, but costly given their output. Their saving grace is the light head emitter switching. There are alternatives for a lower cost, but only one has a similar head. For myself, the form factor is appealing and the size is ideal. Certainly not a light for everyone, and although the price is high compared to alternatives, buying one light that fulfills your needs is far cheaper than buying multiple lights in search of a cheaper alternative.
hey bro's, tracking down a 2500 to 3000 lumens tactical light for trade/swap here if you know anybody willing , send em my way please , thanks n talk soon . tom ! > i am a u.s. marine vet here 93' to 97' active !
Can't stand the cheap ass glue bead SureFire puts on the end of that light. I have the WH/IR head for the Scout 300 which uses the same construction and that shitty glue has cracked and delaminated from the outer bezel and inner retaining ring...it just cosmetically looks like ass, it's a bad design IMHO to use an unprotected bead of glue at the face of a light like that.
I’d love an Aviator but the cost for what you get isn’t worth it. $300 light for 250 lumens. For that much I could get something from Modlite and Cloud Defensive.
Bought one after this review. If you're on the fence, just do it. Everything about it is perfect for edc. Pair it with some reputable rechargeable batteries and your gtg.
I've been carrying an Aviator since 2017-- it's by far my favorite EDC light and is still going strong. As someone who does a lot of astro photography the red light is perfect for digging into my bag or adjusting settings without ruining my night vision. I use it purely as a utility light, so I prefer the low-high switch position. I replaced the tailcap with the Z61 to make it lower profile in the pocket at the expense of being able to stand on its tail.
I got a Surefire Backup MV in december. I am super happy with it. I was looking at the Aviator around that time as well. Seems like a cool light as well as useful if you have those needs. I have white and red light capable headlamps. I mainly use red light for search and rescue.
I carry the EDC L1-T Been carrying it for a couple of yrs. now. Love it.
Surefire was really the only game in town before the wars in the middle earth ended. I was there for it all in the mid 2000s. Anything can do what a Surefire can do now.
Not really. I prefer my 500 lumen Defender (old version) over my other lights that go from 1000lumens to 3000 lumens. Throw of the surefire outperforms my 3000 lumen light, for my uses. I can spot an animal or intruder on a farm way further than my other lights
Quality and reliability of surefire is very good.
@@mateodeleon1185 You can also replace the incandescent lamp assembly in the old Surefires with 3rd party LED drop-Ins. I have a Surefire M6 from 2006 with a Lumens Factory LED drop-in that makes a great combination of both worlds.
Yeah but like busse and surefire no kne offers as good of a warranty or customer service and they are reliable
True, I prefer an Zebralight. Just as close to beeing indestructible but WAY better running times and lm.
@@nOObels1 The “indestructibility” of a Surefire flashlight was just marketing. They WERE more indestructible than other flashlights, as long as you’re only comparing the old INCANDESCENT models. Surefire incandescent flashlights were the brightest and the best which is why they were so expensive and had such a short life span over more cheaply made, longer lasting bulbs from Mag-Lite or China. Once manufacturers went over to LED technology, there was no need for expensive and complicated shock dampening assemblies to protect the bulbs in the flashlight from gunfire recoil, so a $10 flashlight from China could be just as indestructible as a $1000 flashlight from Surefire. The WARRANTY and CUSTOMER SERVICE is what made the Surefire price worth it - IF you were the type of person who was going to be going into harm’s way and constantly using the warranty, that is. Like I said, Surefire was only a market leader for a few years because the military needed their incandescent lighting systems during the multiple, multiple, multiple(Yes 3 times) wars in the Middle East while LEDs were still in their infancy.
I carry a SureFire vampire v1 have for nearly ten years and love it!
What an interesting light... i'm not into Surefire, but this one is quite attractive.
Hell of a review of the Aviator! That twist-head is pretty sweet. 56 hours of red is a lot of fuel for a little light like this, enjoy it!
To be able to rotate the head to switch from white to red and the high/low red option makes this top tier, don’t know of any other light that can do that…super cool. Most you have to add or swap a lense.
If you want to be stealthy the red light is essential, this would be great for edc, outdoorsy things like hunting and camping for sure.
$260 takes it from the “I’ll buy it!!” To the “maybe some day” though😅.
Very cool light, thanks for the review!!
Streamlight sidewinder do all that stuff + blue light + ir + tilt head
I’ve had a few aviators and I can say that they are pretty indestructible, I’ve had a few drop out of my pocket while flying high power lines.
I lost mine about a year ago one night I assume when I was getting out of my truck. I still think about it about once a week 😢
I want to buy one but it seems to be very old at this stage (6 or 7 years old). Does anyone know if Surefire will be releasing an upgraded version anytime soon?
Would love this light. Reminds me of my Fenix mini I had overseas that I had a red filter for. However, the price is a little high. If it was closer to the $130-145 I’d probably pull the trigger on it.
I just got a Surefire Scout M640DF and wow... while not cheap, it's insanely bright,its my first Surefire light. I had used Streamlight in the fire service without fail (Vantage Helmet Light) but couldn't get what I needed,thats when I came across the Surefire and it was in front of me.
Thank you very much for the great review. Any thoughts regarding red light vs the yellow/green option as the secondary light? Is the red light so much better for not affecting the night vision? Thank you very much.
Awesome review, thanks!
cannot find this online via Amazon.. i really want it, its so so good!
I wish this light could run 16340's as well. cr123's are just way too expensive now and the rechargeable version of the cr123 battery life is terrible.
I’m wondering if it would still be worth it to buy the surefire aviator model like this in 2024? We’re almost into 2025 and technology has really moved since 2017 when this light was introduced. Any thoughts?
@@Dad_Brad I still carry mine every day.
@ thank you. I’m considering getting one of the current models but I hear that they have issues with quality control in regards to flickering. Does your Aviator flicker or seem to be OK if it’s Okay to ask
Can you speak to why you prefer it over the edcl1? I use one and have looked many times at the aviator but can’t get away from the gas pedal operation. Combined with a red filter it’s perfect. Just curious what made you switch.
Same! Unfortunately the tailcap from the edc l1/2t alone isn't compatible, either. Sigh.
thanks man, love surefire stuff.
Can you use a 16340 battery?
Map reading for a survival kit! GP light that is light weight too!
Please tell me you can go high only !
Are the tail caps interchangeable? The aviator would be perfect for me if it had the edcl1-t tail cap
I have them both. I shared a same thought like you do so I just try, and I can tell you that unfortunately they don't share the tail cap.
I bought one it’s amazing I highly recommended it, make sure you buy rechargeable batteries if you run it a lot like I do.
What rechargeable battery u use?
@@BukoParcel-z7g I saw some Surefire CR123 rechargeables on Amazon recently, $34.50
@@BukoParcel-z7g surefire has rechargeable cr123s now. Use them in my E2D. Runtime is shorter but for edc i just recharge them at night if ive used it. Carry normal 123s for backup
What’s the knife in the thumbnail??
It's a Kershaw Launch 4. I used to have one. They're nice little knives.
Will this work with a surefire compatable weapon tape switch? This is what I need for hog hunting
prob not
@@wisemencompany It will though. You can swap any Z68 with a tape switch. Would just be weird having a tape switch on a multi-mode light.
I always took you for a fellow enlisted guy, what aircraft?
Used to sit in a red room before night watch.
Normally priced at $268, but Surefire kindly raised the price to $299 to offer “free shipping” for xmas. Lol
Great lights, very useful, but costly given their output. Their saving grace is the light head emitter switching. There are alternatives for a lower cost, but only one has a similar head.
For myself, the form factor is appealing and the size is ideal. Certainly not a light for everyone, and although the price is high compared to alternatives, buying one light that fulfills your needs is far cheaper than buying multiple lights in search of a cheaper alternative.
It's 250 on Amazon
Dude said “ it’s not that brass granola edc” lmao . It’s a good departure tho
Great Flashlight but 360€ here in Europe is too much :/
Still love the content, hope they don't kick you off like Ivan, too!!
Hopefully Ivan gets his channel back.
"crunchy granola" lol
Are you even a pilot, bro?!
No. Thank goodness.
@@wisemencompany that’s cold 😂
Red light= no bug's
hey bro's, tracking down a 2500 to 3000 lumens tactical light for trade/swap here if you know anybody willing , send em my way please , thanks n talk soon . tom ! > i am a u.s. marine vet here 93' to 97' active !
According to youtube ad algorithims red light can cure balding, skin problems and maybe hysterical pregnancy.
I’m in.
It’s also known to cause cancer in California.
I think you're thinking of infrared light, lady slayer.
Can't stand the cheap ass glue bead SureFire puts on the end of that light. I have the WH/IR head for the Scout 300 which uses the same construction and that shitty glue has cracked and delaminated from the outer bezel and inner retaining ring...it just cosmetically looks like ass, it's a bad design IMHO to use an unprotected bead of glue at the face of a light like that.
This video is jank.....who can keep up with a light for 5 years 😅
Bahahaha. Truth.
I’d love an Aviator but the cost for what you get isn’t worth it. $300 light for 250 lumens. For that much I could get something from Modlite and Cloud Defensive.
You sure could.