Wave,

TurboHeads are my bag. They are the reason why I got interested in SureFires.

Lesson One: - Lamps
TurboHead lamps output the same Lumens for the same runtime as the standard bezel lamps. In many cases this is because they use the same bulb mounted on a different assembly.
P60 = N1 65Lu/60min (2 SF123As)
P90 = N2 105Lu/60min (3 SF123As)
N90 = N3 140Lu/40min (B90 [9xN])
R60 = N4 50Lu/40min (B65)
X80 = N5 110Lu/50min (B90 [8xX])
MN10 = MN15 125/60min (3 SF123As [Millennium])
MN11 = MN16 225/20min (3 SF123As [Millennium])

Lesson Two: - Beam Throw & Shape
The same light is focused into a tighter, more intense beam using the larger diameter reflector. Just like with the standard lamps, an increase in Lumens increases the size of the central beam and the brightness of the surround beam. It does not increase the intensity of beam nearly as much. The same is true of the TurboHead lamps - more Lumens basically means a larger beam.

Lesson Four: - Power
The 'power' requirements of a beam intended for target illumination at longer ranges means that 65 Lumens is not enough. 100 Lumens is about the minimum. 200 Lumens is a good amount. 500 Lumens is a 'wall of light'.

To sum up; SureFire makes TurboHeads so that beams can project further however more light (Lumens) is required to make these beams useful compared with standard models.

If you have a G2, the realistic way to maximise your investment in a TurboHead (and give you a reason to bother having to carry it) is to get an A19 body adapter and a KT2 TurboHead. This converts your G2 into a three SF123A body powering the N2 lamp (which has one of the best beams ever created). Add an MN16 High Output Lamp Assembly and you have quality tool.

So why isn't everybody doing it?

1) A flashlight is no good if you don't have it when you need it. TurboHead models are more difficult to carry. I find a BlackHawk M6 Pouch (although SOE also makes one now that I don't have yet) allows me to carry something like a 9V TurboHead model around far more easily.

2) Cost. I dislike putting a price in a useful tool but people don't like to invest in a TurboHead and power it with more than the usual two SF123As per hour.

3) TurboHead beams can be over-powering when used at close range. You would need to have a specific reason for use it quite often. Carrying a "normal" flashlight such as an L4 for close range work is important.

Still interested?
I don't sell SureFires but I do have a lot of them. If you would like photos of G2's with TurboHeads and A19 on, photos of beams to compare, or more detailed information about your TurboHead options, please email me ( [email protected] ) as my photos are not online yet.

Respectfully,

Al

Wave, I have been addicted to Surefires for longer than I have been addicted to ACOGs. I have probably three times as many surefires as I do ACOGs. Maybe more.

With a G2, you have stepped in at the ground floor. Let me tell you, it only gets better from there. Incredible. You picked a great light to start with. G2 is REALLY modular. There is the 3 cell kit, the rechargable battery kit, turbo heads, LED heads, the list goes on and on.

When you are ready for a new light, check into the M3 and M3T, whicked light and great sidekicks to most popular Surefire 3 cell weapon lights like the M900, M500, and M96xx.

I can second Size15s' advice.  I have a 6V Surefire with a turbohead and it is not impressive.  The turboheads are best in the 9V configuration.

Also, I don't think the turbo which will fit the G2 is shock isolated.

The KT1 and KT2 for the G2 are NOT shock isolated.
Only the Millennium TurboHead is shock isolated. It only fits on the Millennium Series bodies (M3, M4, M6 and the various WeaponLights)

Here is a pic of my M971 with a beamshaper...

[img]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid88/p47394e127a66c3478505ae48a71c215b/fa9123db.jpg[/img]