Eagletac lights are indeed designed here in the USA.
Which aspects of the light are/were designed here? The circuits, reflectors, windows, and details of the light host body such as pocketclip, bezel rings, knurling, etc.
I'm at a bit of a loss here. Eagletac designed the circuits from scratch? Here, in America? The reflectors too? How exactly do you design a reflector from the ground up? There's textured, there's smooth, and then you have the half & half design. (Olight was the first company I saw using that one). Not really sure how Eagletac can claim a new reflector design.
The basic concept of a pocketclip has been around for awhile. But I will admit that the pocketclip design on my P10A is likely an American design. It was clearly borrowed from Surefire's E1B design. Eagletac made it thicker, and cut a groove straight down the middle. But it's still the same basic design. And I'm sorry, but knurling? I've seen Eagletac's latest offering. (The one that looks like an Olight M20 Warrior). The knurling on the bezel is far from unique.
While the overall outward appearance may resemble various other lights one may stop to consider just why so many lights do look alike before simply dismissing them as clones.
Main reason would be that they're made in the same factory in China as other Brands made in China. Ultrafire and Trustfire for example. Ultrafire's basic WF-500 design is available under half a dozen other Brand names. Meanwhile, it's the same exact light. And that light is a clone of the G&P Scorpion.
Wolf-Eyes is a clear example of a Made in China Brand that makes their own lights. While an Eagletac might get mistaken for a Fenix or an Olight from a grainy pic, no one will mistake a W.E. Raider for a Surefire 9P; based on looks.
Copying the basic shape of other lights is a good cost-cutting measure. But it's not as though every tailcap or bezel design has already been done. Thing is, when you copy the basic flashlight design of lights from other companies, you do indeed end up with a clone.
Furthermore Eagletac was just about the first production light to use XP-E. There's no questioning that the MC2 design is an original concept. Nor is there any question that eagletac has some of the best production optics out there available in affordable flashlights.
No doubt Eagletac has definitely done some things right.
Eagletacs are manufactured in China, which is an unfortunate necessity if you want to stay in the game nowadays. But they're a legitimate American company designed and owned by actual americas who live and work here in the states. Ask some of your dealers, like Mike@PTS for example who deal with Eagletac and have met the owner and talked with him about design ideas.
The issue is, what constitutes an American light? And, What does one consider to be an American company?
Eagletac lights are Made in China. Their lights are imported into America. I'm sorry, but to me (and I suspect to many other CPFers) that means Eagletac lights are not American lights. They are not put together by Americans, no one on CPF can travel to part of America, and ask to tour the plant where Eagletac models are made. Much of Eagletac's product-line is clear copies of Fenix and Olight models. Both of those companies also make their lights in China. It would be tough to argue that Eagletac is an American company when their product-line is all Made in China.
Also, it's not an unfortunate necessity that your product has to be Made in China in order to make money in this business. True, some Streamlight models are Made in China. But what about Surefire and Inova? Or smaller companies such as First-Light USA? You don't need a product-line made overseas to be competitive.
