SureFire U2 Ultra Variable Power LED Flashlight

The SureFire U2 Ultra Variable Power LED Flashlight has a 5-watt LED and six selectable levels of brightness, ranging from 2 to 100 lumens. The brightest setting is multiple times brighter than my large Maglite flashlight.

The U2 Ultra tailcap switch can be pressed for momentary-on and pressed further to click constant-on. A set of batteries can last up to 40 hrs of continuous use on the low brightness setting, see specifications below. I looked in both the manual and website but could not find how long a set of batteries will last on the brightest level. So, I bet it’s not very long.

SPECIFICATIONS

Various bezel fitters (red, blue, infrared, opaque, diffusion, and traffic wand) are available to expand the U2’s usability.

What might surprise some of you (this fact certainly amazed me…..) is the cost of these SureFire flashlights. At $279 for the U2 Ultra and $299 for the Kroma, they are the most expensive flashlights I have ever heard of. Last month I did a review of the BriteStrike Tactical Illumination Tool and while it is a very nice flashlight, I have to say both SureFire flashlights are definitely a step-up in quality. I also went to visit my local Fry’s, Fred Meyer’s and Walmart stores to see what type of selection of LED flashlights were available. All of these retail stores had many (10+) LED flashlights varying in size from small to moderate and ranging in cost from $10 to $50. But none these appeared to have near the quality of materials and construction or durability of the Kroma and U2 Ultra.

All that being said, if you have the need for a small compact flashlight that has the ability to produce white, red, and blue (Kroma), selectable levels of brightness (U2 Ultra), or if money is no object; you should consider a SureFire flashlight.