American (USA) made flashlights

[jch79]

What?!? I was under the impression that the M10 was made in the US. This is worse than finding out that Santa isn't real.

Wait... ISN'T REAL?!?!?

Derek, although it was a long while ago, I remember writing them asking where it was made, and he said overseas. Now, granted, it was a while ago, and I have a memory - but this I remember being surprised and bummed about!

john

[jch79]

Ok, found Pierce's statement on it from here:

We do acquire some parts overseas. However, we do our designs, assembly, QA inspection, some manufacturing processes in the US of A.

For example, the Luxeon I get may be manufactured overseas in Malaysia, the optics we get are manufactured here in the USA. The power chips we get are a US company's proudct, etc. etc.

I'm guessing since they don't say it outright that the machining is done in the USA, I'll go ahead and assume that it's not.

john

[Trashman]

Here's one I found in a Google search: FNS USA

Viper X-11:
http://www.fnhusa.com/support/images.../FNM0106mb.png

Striker-6 Tactical:
http://www.fnhusa.com/support/images.../FNM0107mb.png

The X-11 looks nearly identical to the Dark Ops Hellfire X-15. I wonder what the connection is?

[Afraid-of-the-dark]

Useful thread, thank you.

(although, rest assured, you're making my wallet wince a tad more than it already is.)

[fresnorich]

Not sure about:

Night-ops (Gladius) - sent an e-mail requesting info.

Here's the response re: Night-ops (BlackHawk):

Hello Rich
Thank you for contacting BlackHawk Products Group.
Our night ops lights are made in several different countries depending on the light purchased.
They are made in Spain, China and S.Korea and also the United States.
I hope this information proves helpful.
Thanks

Diane Sheppard
Blackhawk! Products Group
Customer Support Service
6160 Commander Pkwy
Norfolk, Va 23502
(757)436-3101 x 3279
(757)436-3088
www.blackhawk.com
dsheppard@blackhawk.com

[adamlau]

Can anything with an SSC, or Nichia be considered Made in USA? Also, the McGizmo McClicky is manufactured in China.

[Big_Ed]

I think this thread should be a sticky!

[Size15's]

Can anything with an SSC, or Nichia be considered Made in USA? Also, the McGizmo McClicky is manufactured in China.

Cree also uses some international assembly/packaging/processing outside the USA for their XR-E LED I believe.
I don't think it's reasonable to expect 100% of everything (subcomponents etc) to be made in the USA from 100% USA-sourced raw materials.
On the other hand there is also a point at which a product is too foreign in terms of parts, processing or whatever to be considered Made in the USA.

Al

[precisionworks]

Muyshondt Nautilus is also USA made.

[Flying Turtle]

The latest Consumer Reports devoted a couple pages to the question "Made in the USA?".
To quote: "A direct made in the USA claim means that all or virtually all significant parts and processing are of U.S. origin."..."The only U.S.-made products that have to say so are seafood, cars, furs, and some clothing, textiles, and woolen goods."

Geoff

[jch79]

To quote: "A direct made in the USA claim means that all or virtually all significant parts and processing are of U.S. origin."..."The only U.S.-made products that have to say so are seafood, cars, furs, and some clothing, textiles, and woolen goods."

Geoff-
The CR article is quoting the official definition, as set by the FTC, and quoted and linked in my post (#16) above.
-john

[Flying Turtle]

Oops. Sorry to be repeating what you already said, John. I've been away for a few days and didn't read everything carefully enough.

Geoff

[jch79]

It's cool Geoff! I'd actually really like to check out the CR article... however, their website is password-protected.

[Coop]

For a product to be called Made in USA, or claimed to be of domestic origin without qualifications or limits on the claim, the product must be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S.

What does "all or virtually all" mean?
"All or virtually all" means that all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.

Wouldn't that basicly rule out most of the LED lights? Almost all of the LEDs used are made in asia. I'd say the emitter of a LED flashlight is pretty much the most significant part in the entire light.

This is not to stir anything up, I'm just wondering...

[jch79]

Coop-
It's a a valid point and concern - and one I have no answer to!
john

[Culhain]

The Heliotek website states that their light is made in the U.S.A.

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Don't forget about the superb illumination tools made by FoxFury. Makers of the first high-powered headlights using CREE.
http://www.foxfury.com/

[fresnorich]

Any other suggestions, guys?

[Marduke]

Wouldn't that basicly rule out most of the LED lights? Almost all of the LEDs used are made in asia. I'd say the emitter of a LED flashlight is pretty much the most significant part in the entire light.

This is not to stir anything up, I'm just wondering...

Cree and Lumileds are US products (at least for now). Nichia is Japan, SSC is South Korea (with US made EZ1000 dies), and who cares about the cheap blue dim junk from China?

[jch79]

Marduke, I don't think Lumileds are made in USA... Can you point us toward a link somewhere? That'd be cool to know!!

[Marduke]

Marduke, I don't think Lumileds are made in USA... Can you point us toward a link somewhere? That'd be cool to know!!

Philips Lumileds maintains manufacturing operations in San Jose, California, Penang, Malaysia and Yishun, Singapore with dedicated R&D labs in San Jose, California and Best, The Netherlands.

Source:
http://www.lumileds.com/technology/manufacturing.cfm

I believe the Rebel is US made, and who cares about their other older tech?

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Cree and Lumileds are US products (at least for now). Nichia is Japan, SSC is South Korea (with US made EZ1000 dies), and who cares about the cheap blue dim junk from China?

+1

Well said.

[jch79]

Source:
http://www.lumileds.com/technology/manufacturing.cfm

I believe the Rebel is US made, and who cares about their other older tech?

Exciting! I wonder if there's a way to confirm that the Rebel or new K2's are made in their California facility!

[BlackDecker]

Streamlight US made? I own a Streamlight Twin Task CR123 light that clearly has 'CHINA' stamped on the tailcap next to the loop for the lanyard.

[jch79]

Rich has Streamlight listed with an *, which means "some imported products" - but they also qualify as ** (imported parts assembled in USA), as some of their lights say "Assembled in USA".

So it all depends on which Streamlight you have!

[fresnorich]

Here's a new one for the list:

Leupold

Here's a thread on the new line.

[270winchester]

LRI means "Laughing Rabbit Incorporated". You'd think with such a name they had to be Chinese, but they're based in the US. Then again, at least some of the components are Chinese - Nichia LEDs, for instance.

meh, their most expensive product Proton is made in China, not sure about Rex and the other lights. The Micro is made in the US.

[Lightingguy321]

Hey where's surefire?
www.surefire.com

[jch79]

Hey where's surefire?
www.surefire.com

They're on the first post, which Rich has been updating!

[gottawearshades]

Maybe this question is off topic, but I am curious:

I have seen and own flashlights made in America, and a bunch made in Asia. Anywhere else?

Are there noteworthy light producers in Europe? England? Germany?

Cheers