Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire in CPF communtiy?

[dealgrabber2002]

With the new products with great design, durablity, UI (hidden modes), moon mode, interchangeable body, and EXCELLENT service. Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire in the future?

Also, how 47 refund your money when you purchased an item and that same item went on sale. Now that's excellent customer service!

 

[greenLED]

Re: Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire?

You're comparing apples and oranges.

 

[kramer5150]

Re: Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire?

In the long run, perhaps. Surefire has nearly a 2 decade head start. Over that time they have built a fan base in the military, law enforcement, fire fighters, EMT, SAR, forest services...etc... Surefire holds many original design pattents, and helped pioneer weapon mountable lighting standards. So SF's reputation was founded in the fields of Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan... wherever US bullets pierce enemy flesh.

The Berry Ammendment stands in 4-7 way, if they try to choose the military as their business model.

I carry my 6P to different job sites and sub supplier manufacturing facilities and I have had other people (who really dont know anything about flashlights) say "Ooh its a Surefire".

So yeah, anythings possible... but I think it would be a long steep hill to climb, the financial rewards probably would not be worth the investment.

 

[dealgrabber2002]

Re: Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire?

I am sorry, what I meant was in CPF community. I did put it in the title earlier, but thought it was too long, so I took it off.

 

[Gunner12]

Re: Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire?

I think it is entirely possible that other companies are already more popular then Surefires here. There might be more Fenix users then Surefire users here, because of the difference in cost.

 

[nfetterly]

I work in industrial setting, so whether the flashlight works or not is not life & death, my flashlight is generally MUCH nicer than anyone's around me.

With that said I like surefire for the standard they set and the parts that people (FiveMega, Netkidz & others) make to upgrade the hardware part particularly for incans & then all the drop ins (malkoff, nailbender) that quickly bring the LED part beyond what Surefire does.

 

[LuxLuthor]

I agree they are apples and oranges, but both very good samples of each fruit, and for different reasons.

In case any new members don't know what "47" means, he is referring to "4Sevens" with this section of the CPF Marketplace. Website is www.4Sevens.com

 

[Mdinana]

He already is... to my wallet!

Seriously, in terms of "fun" he's great. Actually, I just got my first 47's light. But I'm totally digging it. And I'm planning on some of his new releases too. For some reason, I'd rather give my money to him than some of his competitors.

But for work, I dunno... it's a different ballpark. I like knowing that my SF is 99% reliable - I dont' say 100% because nothing in life is perfect. I don't know that any of the newer light brands (of any nationality) have the same track record of SL, SF, pelican, etc., in such rugged and varied environments.

 

[Illum]

another fenix vs surefire thread...:shrug:

Its like asking which is better? Tropicana or Dole?
Different might models get more attention than others, citing the company with the assumption of all lights held within the company does not in any way hold a compatible comparison.

 

[Owen]

With the new products with great design, durablity, UI (hidden modes), moon mode, interchangeable body, and EXCELLENT service. Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire in the future?

Durability?
I doubt it. In a constantly changing market where the newest thing will be replaced in a short period of time, and is basically disposable, it's probably a possibility, though.

The majority here may be casual users who aren't dependant on their lights, but in the long run, establishing a reputation for reliability is going to be more key than great customer service, IMO. Bottom line is that our light has to work before the other stuff really matters.
Feature-wise, 4sevens' current lights do have a lot of bases covered, but the best customer service is the one you rarely, if ever, need.
The downside of offering "what people want", the newest and greatest thing consistently over time, AND at an affordable price, is that the new products are relatively untested when they come to market, and inevitably not made of premium components. Something has to give, and with those criteria, what will give is quality and reliability...and with that will go reputation, the approval of more serious users, and(what would concern me most as a maker) repeat sales.
Some people are going to be ok with that, though. At least up to a point. Features do sell lights.
Others will be at a point where the brightness, runtime, and features available market-wide are more than adequate for them, and will have their focus elsewhere. Those people may not be ok with it.
I suppose time will tell...

 

[Beamhead]

Re: Do you think 47 will be more popular than Surefire?

You're comparing apples and oranges.

This from a glowing green pumpkin, who is the apple and who is the orange? :nana:

 

[Ajay]

Maybe more popular than Fenix if 47s releases some more lights like a headlamp and MCE/P7 behemoth etc.

 

[tebore]

another fenix vs surefire thread...:shrug:

Its like asking which is better? Tropicana or Dole?
Different might models get more attention than others, citing the company with the assumption of all lights held within the company does not in any way hold a compatible comparison.

I don't know about Fenix vs Surefire or 4Sevens vs Surefire.

But Tropicana is the obvious choice.

 

[Nitroz]

I don't know about Fenix vs Surefire or 4Sevens vs Surefire.

But Tropicana is the obvious choice.

Florida's own!

I do think that 4sevens lights will be a very good brand and competition for any other brand light. I don't see the brand going away anytime soon, his threads exploded to enormous sizes very fast and his lights are not over hyped and tend to deliver as promised.

Way to go David!

 

[Search]

Look at how long SureFire has been in the game compared to brands 4sevens carries. This is an umbrella. What's inside this umbrella you ask?

Well it starts with this statement: The longer you are a company in the flashlight industry you..

..have experience exploring the ins and outs (pretty obvious what the benefits are here)

..have time to explore different markets (I'll further explain at the bottom)

..have more time to build a customer base (which can lead to more dedicated customers)

..have more time to grow (pretty obvious what the benefits are here also)

To explain the second one. Look at the time SF has put into providing lights dedicated to Military and LE applications. Now take what they learned here and use this to build all of your lights. What did they learn here you ask? Well any company that has to build a product to such high requirements is forced to build something strong and something that works. You can connect the dots at this point.

I'm a firm believer that one of the reasons SFs lights are so durable is from their experience making lights for harsh environments are use.

I think with time other companies can do the same.

Do I ever foresee SF being surpassed in quality, popularity, and use? No. Do I foresee other companies getting on the same level? Yes. Am I going to enjoy this? Yes and no.

I think when a company is far enough ahead of other companies they can look around and spend more time on things. I think when you have two companies competed head to head you start to see rushing, slacking, and trying too hard to make something better. I hope the future holds companies being friendly and not trying to out do each other. I say this because I foresee other companies stepping up and fighting right next to SF. Am I going to blunty say SF is on it's own level, higher than others? No because this is a friendly topic. However, I think when one looks at "business adventures" being taken by SF compared to others (for instance their Military contracts) it should become obvious.

 

[bluepilgrim]

I suspect 47 is getting there. I'm willing to concede that Surefires are good lights -- although expensive -- and may be the choice for some people, but I'm not a cop, a soldier, a caver, I'm too old to go stomping through the wilderness anymore, and I don't want to hit anyone with my flashlight -- and I also can't spend a fortune on a light.

As for popularity with the CPF crowd, that probably depends on what sort of people are joining. The person I last gave a link to CPF to was a lady at a dollar store, and I gave a link to a Shiningbeam page with a link to a CPF review to another old guy who is not a warrior or like that. More ordinary people ('civilians') are getting clued in to good flashlights now and they may well not be looking at Surefire as first choice.

 

[Zeroignite]

Surefire does have the significant advantage of a large marketing budget. I see ads for them in magazines not irregularly, and the very fact that they are so expensive gives them a certain credibility for people with money to spend. If someone sees a 300 dollar light compared to an 80 dollar light, and want to own "The absolute best", they are going to get the expensive torch even if the other model might fit their needs as well if not better.

 

[strinq]

Popular as in sales?

Am replying based on it applying only to CPF-ers.

Most of what needs to be said has already been said above so my simple contribution would be:

Yes.

1. Most of us here do not abuse our lights badly and due to their cheaper cost, they will outsell surefires.
2. They seem to be a step ahead in terms of applying the latest tech compared to other companies (so far) and being flashaholics, most of us want the latest tech in our lights.
3. Based on what I've read here, it seems CPF-ers already own more lights from other companies compared to surefires (though i could be horribly mistaken).

 

[Empath]

Trolling post removed.
Please don't coordinate a troll of CPF with a discussion of doing so from other boards. It can lead to permanent removal of posting privileges.

 

[loszabo]

"Buy what makes you happy and what you can afford."

I'm working in the tactical industry and have to defend US-made, high-end, high-quality, and "high-price" products here and there. I get laughed at for USD 400 backpack made in Arizona. You know, there are cheaper ones for less than 100 bucks! People make funny comments about me having a flashlight for USD 500. This discussion makes no sense.

Personally, I collect high-end because it delivers: flashlights, knives, watches, etc.

I had a 4Sevens but I didn't like it. Can't say why, but it didn't feel like a high-end flashlight. No place in my collection!