SureFire’s Fury family welcomes yet another a new member – the dual-output P3X Fury, which is a three-cell light with a maximum output of 1,000 lumens. The P3X Fury balances an incredible amount of output with extended runtime and provides nearly two hours of regulated ultra-high output when used with three primary 123A lithium cells. Compared to two-cell 123A lights, the three-cell design of the P3X offers a solution for users that demand both higher output and longer runtime.
Key Specifications
- Output: 1,000 lumens high, 15 lumens low
- Intensity: 22,000 candela
- Runtime: 2h 30min high, 60h low
- Battery: 3 x 123A
- Length: 6.8″
- Diameter: 1.4″ bezel, 1.0″ body
- Weight with Batteries: 7.2 oz.
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
- MSRP: $250
- Actual Pricing: ~$175
Pricing & Contents
MSRP for the P3X Fury is $250 and the light is only available in black.
We received our P3X in pre-production packaging, but the retail blister packaging includes: SureFire P3X Fury, 3 x SF123A lithium battery (installed), SureFire sticker, and user manual.
Batteries
The P3X is powered by three lithium 123A batteries and fully compatible with 3.2V rechargeable lithium-phosphate batteries, such as the K2 Energy LFP123A that SureFire offers as an alternative to expensive primary batteries.
Lithium batteries have higher energy density than regular batteries, so low-quality or counterfeit batteries can be dangerous to use. SureFire recommends using only quality lithium batteries from Duracell, Energizer, Panasonic, or SureFire.
The Light
The P3X has a length of 6.8”, which is close to the length of a typical 2AA flashlight. The aluminum body is type-III anodized for protection against scratches and corrosion.
Head
The head features an anti-reflective coated glass window and a textured reflector. Flat areas on the head stop the light from rolling away when set on a flat surface, and the P3X has a dual-spring design for increased reliability.
Body
Instead of knurling, the P3X has finger notches spaced out on the body.
Tail Cap
On the tail cap is a forward click switch, which is covered with textured rubber.
To activate the lockout tailcap feature, unscrew the tail cap until the light no longer turns on (about a quarter-turn).
Modes
Two output levels can be activated using the tail switch.
Low (15 lumens)
A single press or click will activate low output.
High (1,000 lumens)
Two presses or clicks will activate maximum output.
Performance
Using a Cree XM-L LED, the P3X has a maximum output of 1,000 lumens and 22,000 candela. Beam pattern is clean with a large hotspot, and identical to that of the P2X.
Runtime
If you haven’t read our article about runtime graphs and the ANSI FL1 Standard, please click here.
SureFire uses tactical and total runtime, which are not necessarily consistent with ANSI FL-1 Standard specifications. For the P3X, maximum output runtime is given as tactical runtime (measured until output drops below 50 lumens), and lower output runtimes are given as total runtime until battery exhaustion.
During the first three minutes of operation, the P3X uses step-down regulation to reduce output to 70% and settles at 50% after 30 minutes. Output is regulated at 500 lumens for 1h 45min, crossing the 10% mark at 2h 30min. Compared to the P2X Fury, the P3X has an extra hour of output at 500 lumens.
Conclusion
There almost certainly will be discussion about the “50% step-down” during the P3X’s runtime, so before we conclude, we would like to reiterate that the output reduction is not as perceivable as implied by the numbers. Beyond ultra-high output (typically 500+ lumens) is approaches a region of diminished returns due to the non-linear perception of brightness. It’s hard for us to tell the difference between extremely bright and exceedingly bright in typical usage scenarios, and we suspect that you also won’t be able to either.
The SureFire P3X is a higher output version of existing two-cell Fury models, but using an extra cell makes a significant difference in doubling the regulated runtime compared to the P2X Fury. The odd number of cells could make the P3X impractical to use with rechargeable lithium-phosphate LFP123A’s (having two chargers would make this easier), although runtime is still acceptable with this economical alternative. When size is not of utmost concern, the larger P3X is an ideal choice for the discerning user looking for practical performance.
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Related Links
SureFire P3X Fury Product Page
How hot the light gets during operation, and ambient temp test was done in would be nice. Thank you for your hard work and excellent reveiw. Saved me money 1000 lumens my butt. This is really a 500 lumen light.
Test was performed in 72F room temperature. The P3X gets fairly warm during operation as you would expect, but I don’t have exact temperatures.
Robin
Just received mine today. It is 1000 lumen’s , comparing it to my Malkoff’s, Houndog’s, Wildcat and 9P with a M91A bulb. Don’t like the Low/High stages. Don’t like the Melted finish or the 2pc. contact ring and centering plastic washer in the head. But its my Wife’s light. Will do some night testing to see how the throw is,but for a Tactical light…NO! Back up/ search light, yes. I like the old Knurled finish with single stage boom let there be light, lights!
Have p2x (500l lumens max)and unr commander(800 lumens max).Just got the p3x tactical (1000 lumens max). This light diffentally pushes out 1000 lumens. Slightly brighter than the unr commander. Just doesn’t have the throw that the commander does. Gets warm after a few minutes. but nothing that is noticeable or uncomfortable to hold. Have the URDR Dominator on order. Should have it in two weeks. Let you know how that beast is.
P frank,
I agree with you that this more of a 500 lumen light. For the price it ain’t worth it.
If you want a light with constant brightness at all times get an ARMYTEK.
Their are lights are amazing from what I’ve read. Definitely a lot cheaper than greedy Surefire (I guess money is never enough..) and durable as well. They even have pretty good warranty/customer service. Maybe not on par with Surefire but still worth it.
For most countries Surefires are not PRACTICAL lights for backup use because they use CR123 batteries. I live in Malaysia and hardly any store sells CR123s. Those that do put a high price on it. I have a G2X Pro(320lumen) and it is nice but I would not use it much as a backup light. There were people who had their Surefire lens (made of plastic) melt and had to send it to Singapore’s distributor for warranty claim. For backup lights it is best to stick to AA/AAA/C/D batteries. Just an honest tip from me.
Hope I did not offend any Surefire fans…
Just picked one of these up to replace my P2x which I unfortunately lost a few weeks ago on duty.
When you hit the switch on a tactical P3x or any 1 mode light you get its max. All lights regulate or not have a burn down as heat protection kicks in. That this light will maintain at 500 lumens is really pretty good.
I’ve opted for the two mode which puts the 15 lumen first then, off on to full power. You will get 1000 lumens and then the slow dimming, 15 lumens has little effect on the light’s output.
The light has just about a perfect form factor. Being just long enough to get a hold of. But not cumbersomely long as most of the rechargeable lights seem to be.
Us folk that buy SureFire are not just being patriotic and buying US. SureFire is a particularly good product.
You pay a premium for this. Just as you do for brand over generic when you buy vitamins. They might work just as well but the name brand established the benchmark not the other way around. I know when I hit the switch the thing will work. For me it has to work!
Great review. I’d just like to say that one of the cons you mentioned, the one about the non-tactical UI, that can be avoided by buying the tactical version (pressing the button gives momentary 1,000 lumens, twisting the tail cap gives constant 1,000 lumens). The problem with that is that there’s only the 1,000 lumen setting. But it’s also cheaper, so if you want a 1,000 lumen tac light, try looking at the tactical version.
Everyone that keeps crying about the p3x’s 2 stage cap being a downside obviously can’t operate the flashlight correctly. I’m tired or reading the same comments over and over again. I am a tactical operator for the ESU division in Suffolk County , NY and use the non-tactical version of this light in tactical settings consistently. Why? Because some settings demand lower light output for obvious reasons and that is that. As a side note, my p3x is a secondary handheld (used primarily with my sidearm) separate from my mounted weapon light on my carbine or sub. Overall I guess it’s what your comfortable with but, the light is way more versatile than the masses keep saying. Here’s a tip, if your concerned about wanting 1000 lumens quickly (and I mean QUICK) and still want a low lumen setting, utilize the momentary on feature as it is supposed to be used. Most people who I have seen use the light make the same mistake when cycling through the modes, they click their way through the outputs. All that has to be done is not click the tail cap until you have the light output you want. For example, I need bright light now. I quickly double push (not click) the tail cap to activate the 1000 lumen setting, glazing over the 15 lumen setting. Once at 1000 if I need to keep it there, while keeping pressure on the cap, I click to lock. The same can be done for the 15 lumen setting. The time difference between reaching the 1000 lumen vs. the tactical? Negligible if you do it this way. The versatility? Immeasurable.
I’ll stick to my Nitecores which is far brighter and cheaper, thank you very much.
I have a P3X Tactical and it’s freakin awesome! I’ve replaced the tail cap with a clicky and I love it. Far brighter than my P2X Defender, which is blindingly bright by the way. If you can afford one get one!
If those are indeed pictures that you took of the light that you reviewed. You reviewed a fake surefire. The dead giveaway was the blister pack, CE, and F markings on the head of the light.
Tyler,
We received the light directly from SureFire. The markings may be slightly different, as the review was done in 2013 and SureFire has recently started putting the serial number on the head instead of the body.
Robin
I broke the lens on my P3X Fury, great flashlight but is there a way to replace the lens?
Joe
Joe,
Unfortunately, you will have to send the light back to SureFire as the bezel is sealed.
Robin
Not fake, ive bought from lehit surefire dealers. All lights have hot watnings and CE on them
As Frank says above, it can be used as a tactical light with practice ! I am able to switch back and forth from 15lm to 1000lm without clicking the tail cap in less than a half a second. It comes in handy when on a security check on the unit at the prison.