The $7000 flashlight

[Rubycon]

Text

:shocked:

It appears the actual price is $4800 not $7000. Bob Barker would be disappointed. I wonder how many pets could be "fixed" with $2200? :laugh:

Still, the light looks fairly badass. Not sure if it's $4800 badass though.

 

[mugs]

Is it brighter than the $25 "15 million candlepower" spotlight that Costco sells?

 

[Squisher]

Yeah, but the two D cells only last 13 seconds, however you can cut a tree in half with the beam.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: mugs
Is it brighter than the $25 "15 million candlepower" spotlight that Costco sells?

Most of the cheapies have far exaggerated claims of beam "candlepower". Even if one goes by pure lumens of filament output (and that is a very ideal condition - the THOR lamp has a serious droop issue hence its yellow-ish beam - the reflector and bulb mounts play an extremely important role of achieving optimal beam candlepower. (Think Maxxabeam) I used a Maxxabeam before - from deck 12 outside of Cagney's to the radar tower it's about 350 feet away and the beam was less than 3 feet in diameter at tightest focus! :shocked: In the mist at night it looks laser-like.

Can't beat the throw or control of a well designed HID by a long shot. LED's are catching up but for now...

Originally posted by: Squisher
Yeah, but the two D cells only last 13 seconds, however you can cut a tree in half with the beam.

Surefire uses 123's in their lights. For $4800 you'd think they'd have a really nice Li-Poly pack and induction charger.

 

[dud]

I loved this quote:

"Surefires suck through their batteries faster than a good New Orleans hooker on a Friday night with access to your paycheck."

 

[91TTZ]

Surefire is a complete ripoff. They sell decent flashlights at completely outrageous prices.

Hey, want a small LED keychain flashlight?

Here you go: $500

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Surefire is a complete ripoff. They sell decent flashlights at completely outrageous prices.

Hey, want a small LED keychain flashlight?

Here you go: $500

I agree. They make good products, but not good enough to justify the prices they charge. The only Surefire lights I own are the G2 and the G3. The highest I'd go is the 9P, but I haven't bought one yet. There are plenty of other good flashlights out there at better prices. For instance, the Brinkman Maxfire LX is almost an exact replica of the G2 (main difference is the Brinkman has a clicky tailcap, which I prefer) at half the price ($17 vs $30-35).

 

[Mrvile]

I don't see this flashlight on the Surefire site?

 

[isekii]

For that amount, it better burn off clothes

 

[biggestmuff]

Surefire: The Bose of Flashlights

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Surefire is a complete ripoff. They sell decent flashlights at completely outrageous prices.

Hey, want a small LED keychain flashlight?

Here you go: $500

I agree. They make good products, but not good enough to justify the prices they charge. The only Surefire lights I own are the G2 and the G3. The highest I'd go is the 9P, but I haven't bought one yet. There are plenty of other good flashlights out there at better prices. For instance, the Brinkman Maxfire LX is almost an exact replica of the G2 (main difference is the Brinkman has a clicky tailcap, which I prefer) at half the price ($17 vs $30-35).

the maxfires are $13 at target now, which is kind of crazy, since the batteries it comes with cost $10 at retail stores, it's like getting a free flashlight with batteries. But it is great, my bro had a surefire G2 and side by side when both were new, they were equally bright.

anyways, i got an LED cree lamp from DX for $10, almost exact fit, just as bright and hopefully battery last longer. I like how this flashlight is dirt cheap and also basically modular so i can use surefire style lamps in them.

so anyways, after playing with these, my 2AA magLED seems so weak now. I remember when i first got that mag i liked it alot but now its like nothing.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Surefire is a complete ripoff. They sell decent flashlights at completely outrageous prices.

Hey, want a small LED keychain flashlight?

Here you go: $500

For that, probably. That is neat and has a (high) gadget factor and is probably superbly crafted. However usually this niche product usually stirs a flurry of activity on CPF - regardless of price. I don't recall this being one of those products. (but I could be wrong) Either way $500 is a bit steep.

Originally posted by: mugs


I agree. They make good products, but not good enough to justify the prices they charge. The only Surefire lights I own are the G2 and the G3. The highest I'd go is the 9P, but I haven't bought one yet. There are plenty of other good flashlights out there at better prices. For instance, the Brinkman Maxfire LX is almost an exact replica of the G2 (main difference is the Brinkman has a clicky tailcap, which I prefer) at half the price ($17 vs $30-35).

I don't know if I'd compare a Brinkman product to a Surefire. Of course the G2 is more like a Kia of their product line and is not representative of their true professional grade lights.

Originally posted by: Mrvile
I don't see this flashlight on the Surefire site?

I don't think it was intended for the civilian market.

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Surefire: The Bose of Flashlights

No. Many professionals rely on their products and trust their lives to them - every day. They make a quality functional tool. Mag is more like the Bose of flashlights.

Originally posted by: OS


the maxfires are $13 at target now, which is kind of crazy, since the batteries it comes with cost $10 at retail stores, it's like getting a free flashlight with batteries. But it is great, my bro had a surefire G2 and side by side when both were new, they were equally bright.

anyways, i got an LED cree lamp from DX for $10, almost exact fit, just as bright and hopefully battery last longer. I like how this flashlight is dirt cheap and also basically modular so i can use surefire style lamps in them.

so anyways, after playing with these, my 2AA magLED seems so weak now. I remember when i first got that mag i liked it alot but now its like nothing.

There's lots of knockoffs - Kai Domain, Dealextreme etc. These are decent performers although I'm not sure how they would stand up to daily hard use. In any case I recommend carrying a spare light (even if it's the finest light in the world as failures can/do/will happen - often when least expected). At least with the cheapies you can carry spares for your spares without breaking the bank!

Getting back to the original topic of the beast, if 1000+ lumens and endurance is really necessary, personally I'd go with the Fox Fury and save a LOT of $$$. (or buy several for others to use. )

 

[AMCRambler]

Damn, you could prolly hunt bears with that thing. Just leave the rifle home, lol. Bear starts charging you, whip out your Beast II and just burn the hair off him! He'll be all cooked and ready to eat when it drops dead at your feet.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: AMCRambler
Damn, you could prolly hunt bears with that thing. Just leave the rifle home, lol. Bear starts charging you, whip out your Beast II and just burn the hair off him! He'll be all cooked and ready to eat when it drops dead at your feet.

LOL for some reason that reminds me of this. :Q

Burning hair really stinks too.

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Yeah, but the two D cells only last 13 seconds, however you can cut a tree in half with the beam.

WAIT..... It's a LIGHT SABER ?!??!!!!

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Surefire: The Bose of Flashlights

No. Many professionals rely on their products and trust their lives to them - every day. They make a quality functional tool. Mag is more like the Bose of flashlights.

:thumbsup:

You get what you pay for when you buy surefire lights, but paying their MSRP like they have on their site is very stupid. I go through a dealer called BrightFlashlights on Ar15.com, and he has some killer deals on Surefire lights.

 

[Rubycon]

BTW this video gives the idea of the power of an HID handheld. The light you're seeing has about 60% of the Beast. (and cost about $300 too!) :Q

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
I don't know if I'd compare a Brinkman product to a Surefire. Of course the G2 is more like a Kia of their product line and is not representative of their true professional grade lights.

Then you've never seen the Brinkman light. I'm not the only one who compares it to the Surefire. People over at CPF do too. As did the guy who writes the reviews at Flashlightreviews.com (who rated them both 4.0). "The Brinkmann isn't quite as high of a quality, but it's not all that far off either" is what he had to say. Surefire appeals to flashlight elitists who don't realize that you can make a quality flashlight for less than $200. I might consider a Surefire worthwhile if I was in the military and my life might depend on my flashlight, but there are very few people who depend on a flashlight to save their lives. Even my friend who is a cop uses a Streamlight, not a Surefire.

Hey, keep telling yourself that your life depends on a flashlight while you - what do you do? concert lighting on a cruise ship? I'm content with paying half price for a nearly identical product.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: mugs

Hey, keep telling yourself that your life depends on a flashlight while you - what do you do? concert lighting on a cruise ship? I'm content with paying half price for a nearly identical product.

Police and particularly firefighters most definitely trust their lives to their lights. Our fire brigade uses Pelican lights due to their intrinsically safe ratings and requirements by SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea).

Streamlights are good lights. My newest light is a Novatac EDC120P and it's so versatile it can replace several lights. I'd still would like an Orb Wee and Lumencraft but that's the flashlight fetish speaking more than the requirements of daily duty. Of course basic incandescent lights like the Mag are boring.

The last place anyone wants to be is in a totally dark area if there is a problem with power or lighting. Anyone that spends time backstage knows this - a reliable light is paramount! People that work in buildings with windows never really see what total darkness is like. I even keep a 10 curie traser in the rainlocker because losing the lights while in the shower or tub and getting plunged into total darkness is no fun at all. Combine that with a ship that can be pitching and rolling and it's an experience that can only be described as terrifying. :Q

Thank goodness ship power is extremely reliable. But it's like insurance and knowing that I have a light that will work at all times makes things a notch easier.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
<snip>

And my point, as you have reaffirmed, is that there are great lights that cost a lot less than a SureFire. The beam from my Streamlights might not be as pretty as the beam from my Surefires, but I would still trust them to work when I need them to.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: mugs

And my point, as you have reaffirmed, is that there are great lights that cost a lot less than a SureFire. The beam from my Streamlights might not be as pretty as the beam from my Surefires, but I would still trust them to work when I need them to.

Oh the beam quality...

Yeah I've gone down that road. In a perfect world a flashlight will paint a perfect ball of light on the wall with a gentle transition outside of the main hotspot with a slight sidespill. It gives me nightmares to think about the countless hours wasted in the past bumping lights, using shims, rotating bulbs - you name it - to get the perfect beam out of a Mag. Then it gets dropped, the filament supports bend and put it out of perfect focus AGAIN! Ugh! :|

At least with LED's this problem is gone forever and the beams are very nice. Admittingly the smooth reflector versions of the Cree XE emitter (Fenix P1D-CE come to mind) have lots of rings but still a nice beam and fine tint. Now they have OP (orange peel) finished reflectors which smooth out such abberations with these new generation emitters. Technology changes so fast in this realm it isn't funny. It's getting as bad as video cards. At least the lights maintain their outputs and still can be used down the road unlike the former.

It's like a disease - oh wait; they call it 'flashaholism' on the other forum...

When the brownstuff hits the fan, however - only one thing matters - being able to see and as long as it takes.

 

[merlocka]

How about 3000 lumens for as low as $25? My local sams was $96, but I was able to nab one for $39 from samsclub auctions. Can't wait to freak out my neighbors. Maybe a bit bulky, but no one on the other end will be able to see that.

Not fair comparing surefire to Bose. Surefire stuff is pricey, but it performs very well. Not fair posting the $500 titan, when the $59 6P is one of the most popular "service" lights out there. And with a bit of tweaking, it's a very bright very reliable light... and will last forever as the latest incan and LED drop-ins are made available to keep you up to date with the technology.

People buy em because they are high quality and they work well. Are they the brightest? Well, basically it's a tube + batteries + bulb. So sure you can do it for less just like any other stuff. But they work (except for the first batch of CREE L1's), and they are bright.

That said, I want a Hellfighter!!! I want to mount it on my car.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Surefire is a complete ripoff. They sell decent flashlights at completely outrageous prices.

Hey, want a small LED keychain flashlight?

Here you go: $500

QFT. The only reason they've been getting away with it is because they market it as being used my military and law enforcement professionals.