Best light and best of all it's rechargeable! - SureFire P1R Peacekeeper Flashlight

This is a review for the dual-output 15/600 lumens model.

Although I am not the target audience (law enforcement) for this light, this is my favorite SureFire flashlight (I also own the 6P LED Defender and the EB2 Backup). I have had the Peacekeeper slightly over five months, which has given me time to developed several observations/opinions.

First Impressions: The Peacekeeper is a stunning piece of craftsmanship; there are no complaints whatsoever about the design. Several of my friends were envious (in fact, one friend bought a Peacekeeper after seeing mine.) This light appeared longer than my 6P, and definitely heavier. The distance on the beam is truly incredible, and the low-output setting was a much better choice than the five lumens of my EB2 Backup. The bezel does not have a crenelated bezel like the 6P LED Defender, which allows for carry in a variety of environments; although, with a larger head, it could still be used in a self-defense situation.

Five Months Later: The light is certainly longer and heavier than my 6P. I actually enjoy the heavier weight, and do not worry as much if the light takes a beating. I also haven't experienced any difficulty in terms of carry. I use the same SureFire holster for the Peacekeeper as I did for the 6P (SureFire V15 Nylon Clip-On Holster, now discontinued), carrying the light bezel up (it won't fit bezel down). I also utilize a Vertx Tactigami pouch in one of their bags if I am not wearing a belt. With regard to brightness, it seems every company has a light with more lumens than would ever be needed in a standard light, ignoring all other concerns. I think SureFire found the right balance in the Peacekeeper; while I can easily see 220+ yards on 600 lumens, the battery life is outstanding. Additionally, there is ample spill to illuminate a wide area. It's much better than my EB2 Backup (500 lumens, not as much spill). The wide beam pattern really helps me when I go for a walk in the evenings. Additionally, SureFire found the perfect number of lumens for the low setting. I find myself grabbing the Peacekeeper more often than the EB2 Backup simply because of the low setting (15 vs. 5 lumens). I realized there are very few things I need a 5 lumens setting for; the 15 lumens setting is better for my needs. There is one significant difference with the Peacekeeper and my other lights. If you have seen the SureFire videos for the Peacekeeper, it has a white light with a slight blue tint. This is not accurate. Rather, the color of the light is different. It has a white light, though it's a softer light with a slight yellow tint (more noticeable against a light colored wall, such as tan). This apparently is used to provide a more accurate representation and display more vivid colors. The technical details (and rationale) are more than I can explain here; however, SureFire has several pages on the topic, though after further research I decided the Peacekeeper was still the right choice for me.

Now to the battery! SureFire batteries are not cheap, but if you use one of their lights, it's strongly recommended to use their batteries. I decided to switch to LFP 123A batteries when SureFire began selling them, and used them in my 6P and EB2 Backup after they discontinued them (afterward, I purchased them directly from the manufacturer for the EB2 Backup). When I saw the rechargeable Peacekeeper, I knew this was the light I wanted. The battery itself is an Li-ion rechargeable, and includes an SF branded charger (wall and car). The battery initially took several hours to charge (around 4, I think). After that, a partially depleted battery will take about 1-2 hours to recharge.

Overall Impressions: This is my favorite light, primarily for the weight of the flashlight and the appearance of colors compared to other lights. It also just looks and feels awesome. I think my beard grew two inches when I held the Peacekeeper for the first time. If that doesn't convince you, then read my review, and see for yourself what a true quality illumination tool could do for you. Everything else in your life from your smartphone to your razor is rechargeable, shouldn't your flashlight be as well?

I have no affiliation with SureFire or OpticsPlanet. I'm just a happy customer.