do not look in here if your 'excitable'

[sabre7]

Fair enough. Let me share my personal experiences with Maglite....

Carried a Mag 3D model under the seat of my car. After about three years, I decided to check to see if it was working. The alkies hadn't leaked. The light seemed fine. But it didn't switch on. When I went to check to see if the problem was the batteries or the bulb, the light literally fell apart in my hands. Nothing would even screw on back together again. Not the tailcap, not the head, not even the bezel ring. Aparently the threads got stripped just sitting in my car for 3 years. No clue how that happened, just know it did.

I had a couple of 2AA Mini-Mags that failed on me as well. Including one that also literally fell apart in my hands. And the other one had a barrel so soft, that I accidentally flatted it between my thumb and fore-finger. Barely applied any pressure at all. Other than as hosts for better electronics and lamps, Maglite has been a huge let-down. In fact, I had a cheap, disposeable, 2D plastic light from G.E. that had a much better beam-profile than my 3D Maglite, at only $1.99. That G.E. light lasted me nearly a decade. Seven years longer than my 3D Maglite.

Sorry, don't believe you. Aluminum flashlights don't just disintegrate for no reason, or because of the brand name engraved in them. Sounds like some very creative Mag bashing by a very devout Surefire fan.

 

[Monocrom]

Sorry, don't believe you. Aluminum flashlights just don't disintegrate because of the brand name engraved in them. Sounds like some very creative Mag bashing by a very devout Surefire fan.

Clearly you have not seen my other posts in other topics. Otherwise you would not accuse me of being a "devout Surefire fan."

I critize Surefire probably more than anyone else on CPF. Difference is, I do it with specific examples. But I also give credit where it is due.

You have every right not to believe me about my experiences with Maglite. You can believe whatever you want. You can believe that the world is flat, if you want to. Your belief or lack thereof doesn't change what happened.

Is it weird? Yes. Did it happen? Yup.

If I simply wanted to bash Maglite, would I make up such a strange failure? There are far more plausible things I could have posted if I was making stuff up.

 

[M@elstrom]

im not certain having the military as your number 1 customer is a strong positive attribute, ive seen a lot of bad reports of sketchy companies working for the government/military in the last few years.

Okay lets look at the Fulton MX991/U anglehead flashlight... no huge performer by any measurement but it had a spare bulb it's the base long before Maglites were even thought of & has seen service in many theaters of war over many decades, does that equate to military reliability? :thinking:

 

[richardcpf]

Mini Maglite LED 2AA 7.3
SureFire U2 Digital Ultra 7.0
SureFire L4 LumaMax 7.0

So as you see from those rankings, the MiniMag LED is CLEARLY superior to the SureFire U2 and L4

So anybody who's looking to get rid of your worthless U2 or L4, I'll trade you a slightly used black MiniMag LED in exchange.

I would like to trade as well :D

But those reviews are based on the price, If the U2 and L4 were less than $100 they would get high rating, because that is the right price for the kind of performance they provide.

 

[Stress_Test]

Yeah, would be more fair to have price categories instead of everything lumped together. It's like doing car comparisons between a Honda Civic and BMW 5 series; apples to oranges.

 

[Barbarin]

When "life is on the line" do not carry just one light. Period.

There is one activity in which your life depends directy on your lights, and it is cave diving. Limited air, limited time, total darkness. Being left in the dark means dead with 99.9% choices. For cavediving the number of lights is 3, one main light and two secondary "back-up" lights. When your primary fails you must come back inmediately using one of the "back-ups", and even in that case you still have one as back-up.

In Spain, GEAS of Guardia Civil (diving units of a police-military unit ) use 2x U-04 (back-ups) and 1 x U-15 (main light) (actually T-04's and T-15's)

Regards,

Javier

 

[Prat]

My previous post contained no personal insults against you.

Uh, I never said it did. Sorry, that was not directed against you, it was just a general statement.

And, actually, your post did in that you accused me of starting a thread to rant against SF when I in fact did not start the thread, much less was ranting against anything, but merely pointing out that people pay too much money for things for irrational reasons (emotional) and then, realizing this, try to justify such purchases via flawed reasons by invoking fallacy after fallacy as I mentioned above instead of just admitting to themselves that they bought something mainly for emotional/psychological motives. I don't see why this would hurt anyone's self esteem, but I guess it does. What is wrong with just buying something unneeded mostly or mainly for emotional reasons? We do it all the time: the $9 six pack I bought last night was hardly pragmatic or necessary! :crackup:

Well, I think that this thread has run its course. The thread title and first paragraph of this thread have led me to the conclusion that "trolling" was the real purpose of the thread, and many of us took the "bait". This type of thread can bring out the worst in people as they become passionate about their points of view, and can lead to disrespectful comments between members. This thread is not out of control yet, but could get that way very quick.

Bill

Indeed I'm out. If people want to think certain flashlights can save their lives where others wouldn't, much less that a flashlight can in any conceivable way save their lives in general (there are way too many factors in dangerous situations to determine if a mere light saved you or not, too many variables, so to ascribe "life saving" to a light is totally unjustified--faulty causation), that's their right (unjustified, irrational, rationalizing, dishonest--hence why they get so easily offended--but their right). But I don't have to respect it, in fact reason/logic doesn't allow me to, and I'm not going to argue with people who chose to not be part of the rational community as they have renounced their reason on such topics, for that is pointless, as this thread evidences.

/out.

 

[burntoshine]

anyone heard any good jokes lately?

 

[berry580]

I'm not Maglite fan. (I'm a Jetbeam fan) But I refuse to believe a maglite (in fact ANY aluminum light) simply "fall apart" after 3 years sitting in the car.

My Maglite 3D LED sat in my car for 2 yrs now, and my car is ALWAYS NOT garaged. No problems as of yet and I don't forsee any problem (besides leaking batteries, and when it does, I'm throwing away that piece of crap out. Yes I'm talking abt my maglite 3D led), and I'm positive there are many people who's owned a maglite for more than 3 years with no problems.

You're either very creative or you're 1 in a million (or billion?) lucky. Go get yourself a lotto ticket.. lol

Clearly you have not seen my other posts in other topics. Otherwise you would not accuse me of being a "devout Surefire fan."

I critize Surefire probably more than anyone else on CPF. Difference is, I do it with specific examples. But I also give credit where it is due.

You have every right not to believe me about my experiences with Maglite. You can believe whatever you want. You can believe that the world is flat, if you want to. Your belief or lack thereof doesn't change what happened.

Is it weird? Yes. Did it happen? Yup.

If I simply wanted to bash Maglite, would I make up such a strange failure? There are far more plausible things I could have posted if I was making stuff up.

 

[angelofwar]

I've "broken" a few Surefires due to hard use...but they all managed to still work after they were literally "broken". I never broke an Inova, Mag-lite, Streamlight, LED Lenser...they just quit working...before I had a chance to break them...seriously...

 

[monanza]

Im very close to buying a surefire (used or new, my first) but after a quick look at lightreviews.com i see that they dont get great review numbers compared to the best reviewed on that web site ?

if i / we are to trust lightreviews.com what am i too think?

To get back on topic (my earlier post digressed), I think others have already said it, if price is a factor in your decision, then higher priced offerings from Surefire (and other manufacturers) will definitely suffer in the ratings. Personally, I set the price aside (once I know I have enough reserve cash) and then judge based on performance, uniqueness, UI, and other factors whether or not I will splurge.

I guess brand name might play a role in my decision making but generally, if I am convinced I will not like the light, I just do not buy it. Surefire, like any other company has some good offerings and some not as good. I guess a better way of saying it is that brand name is no substitute for research and informed decision making (which is why I like to see more detailed specs from vendors-and not just Surefire).

Finally, I would like to point out that, often the ephemeral qualities of a light (such as its aesthetics) play a major role in my desire to own it. So long as the light has something interesting and unique to offer, I am quite eager to consider it.

:hitit:

I think this is a good topic and I enjoyed the exercise of responding to the OP. :)

 

[Crenshaw]

Monocrom, a hardcore surefire fan?
:crackup:

In my opinion, he has one of the most balanced views on the subject of Surefire vs the rest, as stated in his really long previous post.

let me offer a theory as to why the light fell apart. Sitting in a car for 3 years subjects the light to a LOT of change in temperature. Expansion and contraction of metal can do a lot more than one might think

to the original OP. Surefire makes great lights. If you are looking for the brightest light, maybe not, but they are extremely reliable. you should never look into only ONE review on a light before buying it. Think of it as buying a laptop, or mobile phone. you check a few reviews, and find the general consensus. If you only want to read one review, we on CPF generally trust Selfbuilt a lot.

Crenshaw

 

[Barbarin]

Monocrom, a hardcore surefire addict?
:crackup:

and accusing someone of being creative and making up a story DOES seem like a personal attack imho

In my opinion, he has one of the most balanced views on the subject of Surefire vs the rest, as stated in his really long previous post.

let me offer a theory as to why the light fell apart. Sitting in a car for 3 years subjects the light to a LOT of change in temperature. Expansion and contraction of metal can do a lot more than one might think

Crenshaw

Not to mention what anyone on the car could do to the light while you were driving...

Javier

 

[leon2245]

Monocrom & B.E.B. = Troll Poison.

Im very close to buying a surefire (used or new, my first) but after a quick look at lightreviews.com i see that they dont get great review numbers compared to the best reviewed on that web site ?

if i / we are to trust lightreviews.com what am i too think?

I wouldn't worry too much about those user reviews, because S.F.'s are among the highest rated lights around here & I don't think you'd be disappointed with that E1B you're considering. My only nitpicks with S.F.'s in general are their expensive batteries, pocket clips that must be left in place (else compromise W.R. per what I've been told here), & I just wish they'd make some more of the smaller models like the titans (I.E. thinner than 1" in dia. & no clip). Otherwise if you find one that works for you & stay ahead of your battery usage, S.F.'s are a pleasure to use. Reliable & good C.S.

 

[DimeRazorback]

Re: Monocrom & B.E.B. = Troll Poison.

:popcorn:

 

[Monocrom]

Monocrom, a hardcore surefire fan?
:crackup:

In my opinion, he has one of the most balanced views on the subject of Surefire vs the rest, as stated in his really long previous post.

let me offer a theory as to why the light fell apart. Sitting in a car for 3 years subjects the light to a LOT of change in temperature. Expansion and contraction of metal can do a lot more than one might think.

Crenshaw

Thanks Crenshaw. It seems my horrible addiction to CPF has gone unnoticed by some. I guess I should post more! :laughing:

And now it seems I've been accused of being a troll by one CPFer, and troll poison by another one. Reminds me of a couple of years ago when certain groups were protesting Santa because he had little kids sit on his lap, and other groups who loved Santa. Maybe he should have been replaced by the other guy in the red suit.... :devil:

Must admit though, that's a good theory you've got there. When I had my 3D Maglite, it was back when I used to park my car on the street. Winters can be brutal, and Summers scorching in NYC. Three years worth of tempurature extremes could have done a number on the threads.

 

[Monocrom]

Re: Monocrom & B.E.B. = Troll Poison.

:popcorn:

Oh come on now, don't sit on the sidelines eating popcorn. Jump in! I know a certain someone who enjoys his Surefires. :huh:

May you never drop your camo C2 in the woods.... Cause you'll lose it forever. :eek:

 

[DimeRazorback]

Re: Monocrom & B.E.B. = Troll Poison.

Oh come on now, don't sit on the sidelines eating popcorn. Jump in! I know a certain someone who enjoys his Surefires. :huh:

May you never drop your camo C2 in the woods.... Cause you'll lose it forever. :eek:

May I never drop it at all!!

:grin2:

Oh! I forgot :popcorn:

:nana:

 

[Monocrom]

Re: Monocrom & B.E.B. = Troll Poison.

Oh! I forgot :popcorn:

:nana:

Okay, I've got 5 Authorized Surefire dealers within driving distance from my home. How many you got? :p

Sure makes it alot easier to make those spur of the moment, emotional, buying decisions which aren't based on reason or logic. lovecpf

 

[NE450No2]

I got my first Sure Fire light in 1986 or 1987. 6P

I am still using it. I have over 30 Sure Fires, many of them have been in use for 10 or more years.

Some have sat idol "in position" for 5 or more years.

I dug one out a couple of days ago that I had not seen since 2004.
It is still working fine, with no change of batteries.

I have never had a failure. Some have seen rough duty, and bad weather.

When I press the button, they "glow in the dark".

As to the E1E clicky...

I just leave mine turned on ALL the time, back it off and use it like a twisty. When I put it in my pocket I back it off so it cannot turn on by itself.