Olight Warrior X 4 vs SureFire G2Z MV

    We live in an age where we can be overwhelmed with choices for whatever goods we want to buy. When it comes to flashlights, my first quality light was a SureFire Z2 Combat. So it would seem natural to get the updated version of an old friend, the SureFire G2Z MV. But there is another light out there that caught my attention, the Olight Warrior X 4. Both of these lights have a similar price, so if I could only buy one, which one would I buy or recommend others to get.

    The SureFire has one mode producing an 800 lumen output with the push of the tail switch. As long as the tailcap is screwed all the way down, there is no need to worry about what mode the light was left in. Just push the button and get a beam of bright light. If the tailcap is unscrewed, it prevents accidental activation when stored in a bag. In comparison to my old Z2 Combat, there is an updated bezel with knurling that makes it more useful in a self defense situation where less lethal is the appropriate response. Not much to say about a solid light from a company that has proved itself in both military and police duty. 

    When I carry the Warrior X 4, it has proven useful. While set in normal mode, a light press on the switch gives 300 lumens, which is pretty bright and will take care of most tasks that doesn’t involve upclose work. Giving it a hard press, it puts out 2,600 lumens. The 300 lumens is comparable to my Streamlight Protac 1L-1AA with a high of 350 lumens. Switching to tactical mode gives 1000 lumens and strobe. I haven’t used the tactical mode outside of experimenting. The Warrior X 4 is a lot heavier than the G2Z MV. The Warrior X 4 weighs 8.8 ounces where the SureFire is under half that with the weight 4.0 ounces. In comparison, my Work Pro 18 in 1 multitool is 9.8 ounces. The Olight has two charging options, a Type C port and a magnetic charger that snaps onto the tailcap. The light comes with a Type C cord, but I ordered the magnetic cable. The cable that I received came with the magnet installed backwards so the metal to metal connection repelled each other. I sent an email with pictures after business hours and I got a response in just a few minutes ready to correct the issue.

    These lights aren’t pocket lights so they need to hang off the belt. The Olight comes with a holster, and the SureFire doesn’t. The SureFire holster is the same one that they used twenty years ago. It will cost an additional $30+ and it carries the flashlight button down. So you would have to pull the flashlight up and turn it in the hand to manipulate the switch. I really like the Olight holster for the Warrior X 4 and I got online to search for something similar for the SureFire and bought the NextTorch V51 which works for a wide variety of lights. The SureFire brand holster has one advantage over the other two holsters. When wearing them at the 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock position, the Surefire brand does not hit the armrests like the other two holsters. It seems like with the Olight and NextTorch, every time I sit down in my office chair, the holster hits the armrest and the flashlights jab me in the side. The only thing that makes sense is that the SureFire is shorter.

    In conclusion, if you want a utility light that can handle self defense and tactical needs, the Olight Warrior X 4 is the way to go. If you need a tactical light that needs to occasionally perform utility work then the SureFire comes on top. This particular Surefire is an older model that is still available making it more reasonably priced, but many SureFire products carry a price tag of well over $250. I can’t justify spending that much on a flashlight and here is my speculation of why the SureFire brand costs so much.  When you go to their website, you will see that they have a California address. When you buy the SureFire brand, the cost of operating a business in California gets passed onto the customer. If you don’t want to support the craziness in California, the Olight would be the better option.