I know precisely how you feel. I blundered into CPF a few months ago while wandering around in the American Self Defense Institute forums. I had suffered from flashlight fascination for many years - loved the things - and already owned at least twenty of them. This bizarre preoccupation irritated my wife mightily, and puzzled and confused friends who knew about my problem. I kept searching for the flashlight - all flashaholics know exactly what I mean - but I was profoundly ignorant of how to focus or organize my quest, and the dream became blurred, the hope confounded. I grew, to say it plainly, bored. Disillusioned. Who wouldn't, thinking Mag Lites were the pinnacle? I lugged a 6D around, pretending its ludicrous size proved it was a powerhouse, and developed muscular forearms.
When this weary, perplexed wanderer discovered CPF - yes, I describe it without shame as a discovery, a minor revelation, a glittery oasis in the desert of my faltering idealism - I was astounded. These people are as ill as I am! I thought. More ill, some of them! I had believed such a possibility so remote that it didn't merit serious consideration. But here they were, a bustling city of them, a neurotic, hyperactive swarm of brother obsessives, captivated by the same sublime vision of THE FLASHLIGHT.
These forums, my lucky friend, contain a treasure cove of information that is virtually endless. They will not only inspire and educate you, they will engulf you. You will wallow in them, and be joyful. And do yourself a big favor - buy a Surefire E2 or 6P; you will thunderstruck at how deceived you were before. These flashlights are simply incredible. You will not believe the quality and intensity of light which pour out of these small instruments. You will blush when you remember your former enchantment with Mag Lites. And wait until you get your hands on a decent LED flashlight.
I remain a true novice, but the amount I've learned in the past two months has startled even me. My addiction has become more suffocating, but much more fun. Welcome to our vortex!
