Re: Flashlight news from Shot Show \'05
The weekend from hell...But that's another story, but I did make it back o.k. Here's a quick rundown:
SUREFIRE:
New Executive Series Outdoorsman in LED, but at reduced power levels.
Aviator will now be offered w/a yellow-green LED color option, for night vision devices.
The G2 now has a lock-out tailcap. THE 9P IS BACK!
Surefire has purchased Earpro and is now in the high-end "tactical" earpiece/earphone business.
STREAMLIGHT
1 watt LED head for Scorpion.
Combo set w/Thunder Ranch Training Facility that will feature a 1 watt TL-2 LED, green tip-up lens cover and a DVD of training tactics feat. Clint Smith.
Denied all reports of an upcoming Stinger LED model.
QUIQLITE
Will now have two LED's in their cool pocket clipable light.
Several new start up companies were there, with rebadged Nuwai lights.
There was a cool E-series sized 3 watt LED light that was impressive in build quality and output. It also may be a Nuwai light, although it didn't have the distinctive Nuwai look to it. See:
http://www.essentialgear.com/store.cgi?action=link&sku=LUX3L2T
KNIVES AND TOOLS:
Benchmade has some really nice collaberation pieces done for H&K. Also is starting a line called "NRA" which will be distinctive designs for the NRA. Benchmade also added a few fixed blades and a bad-arse mini-Skirmish.
SPYDERCO: Had a bunch of prototypes, but nothing notable, except for the Spykar: A collaberation between Spyderco and Kershaw knives, with a design by Ken Onion.
LEATHERMAN: had many new tools, most seem to resemble the Charge series, but with different tool combinations.
BUCK KNIVES: Many new mmodels, including a folder with a built-in LED light in the handle. I liked the new Mayo designed piece. Many of the new designs are made in China.
WENGER: Redesigned their SAK handles.
That's off the top 'o my head...so far...
-dan
