I read the reviews on the SureFire Sidekick and numerous users stated the flashlight fails and Surefire customer service is difficult to get a hold of. I noticed the price has dropped. Is there a difference between the early versions and the current ones? Does anyone here have one and what is your impression of the SureFire Sidekick?
Haven't had problems with SureFire WHEN I got a hold of them after 3 weeks. They replaced one after 3 months then less than a year the replacement went out. They replaced that one which I gave away. It's a good light for 6 months of use. Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
Surefire.com only post the 5 star reviews but you will see 1 and 2 star reviews on amazon.com. I have not bought a SF flashlight in a few years. Has SF quality and customer service gone to a new low? Link to SF customer reviews: https://www.surefire.com/products/illumination/flashlights/sidekick-a/ Link to amazon customer reviews: https://www.amazon.com/SureFire-Sidekick-Ultra-Compact-Triple-Output-Keychain/dp/B0177H4S5Q/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=surefire+Sidekick&qid=1598585418&sr=8-2
I've had the opportunity to handle one and I chose not to buy it. I didn't care for the bulk as a keyring light. I am not against Surefire; my favorite handheld flashlight for indoors to mid-range (not for throw) is the Stiletto Pro. I've owned a number of their lights and never had cause to contact them.
I don't know if you are interested in other recommendations or not. Keychain flashlights are a very competitive market. I've looked at many from Rovyvon and Nitecore. I wound up with a Nitecore Tube, and more recently, a Nitecore Tip SE. Fit, construction, and finish very good, easy UI. Good run time & quick recharge. Very happy with them, and a bargain at the price. https://www.nitecorestore.com/Keychain-Flashlights-s/1844.htm
I am also a fan of the Tube. I have the original as well as the newer versions and they work great and include a lock-out function if one is worried about accidental button presses.
The Tube is great. I gave away a bunch of them to friends and family. They’re good for something like two years, which at the price is not a complaint. The TIP really sang to me, again a light I gave away in bulk and secreted in various places. They tend to last longer than the Tubes, at least for me. The TIP SE is my new favorite light at that price point, with the same excellent UI and better output.
I have a NITECORE TUBE v2 55 Lumen that I often use in doors but I am looking for something brighter for outdoors. I am also considering the Nitecore Tip SE 700 Lumen since the SureFire Sidekick reviews are mixed. I have lost several small keychain lights in the past so I am only willing to spend $30 on a new keychain light.
I must be just lucky I guess. I have three of the original Tube and a Tip; the Tubes are definitely well over 2 years old and one is carried just about daily or so.... The Tip now lives on my car keys and is going strong now for couple years? Am Yisrael Chai! Moshe ben David
My Sidekick is lit when charging and it is really annoying. All Nitecore tiny lights turn on in my pocket no matter what I do. I carry a 4/7 Mini as it is a twisty and will not come on until I want it to!
Considering that I try to charge my stuff overnight it is truly just a strange and worthless feature to me. And it is not just a tiny indicator LED either but the main light is just on? They may have changed later ones but I will not buy them again.
