New high end flashlights?
- Thread starter phyhsuts
- Start date
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If you go to their main webpage there are links to a pdf price guide and a battery order fax page. Looks like some nice lights. But no address and new webpage makes you wonder how the owner's customer service might be. Maybe they'll offer a titanium flashlight knife combo /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif
"run away" if they do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
EDIT Well I was curious seems not to be Goncz but a John is the owner. And the host is earthlink /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
Who-is info
Domain Name.......... pentalite.com
Creation Date........ 2003-05-22
Registration Date.... 2003-05-22
Expiry Date.......... 2005-05-22
Organisation Name.... Pentagon Technology
Organisation Address. 2802 TIBURON WAY
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. BURLINGAME
Organisation Address. 94010
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES
Admin Name........... Johnnie W. Huang
Admin Address........ 2802 TIBURON WAY
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ BURLINGAME
Admin Address........ 94010
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
"run away" if they do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
EDIT Well I was curious seems not to be Goncz but a John is the owner. And the host is earthlink /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
Who-is info
Domain Name.......... pentalite.com
Creation Date........ 2003-05-22
Registration Date.... 2003-05-22
Expiry Date.......... 2005-05-22
Organisation Name.... Pentagon Technology
Organisation Address. 2802 TIBURON WAY
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. BURLINGAME
Organisation Address. 94010
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. UNITED STATES
Admin Name........... Johnnie W. Huang
Admin Address........ 2802 TIBURON WAY
Admin Address........
Admin Address........ BURLINGAME
Admin Address........ 94010
Admin Address........ CA
Admin Address........ UNITED STATES
madecov
Flashlight Enthusiast
Looks nice, but who knows. Seems innovative. I didn't see any warranty info
Patrick Hayes
Newly Enlightened
As stated in another thread regarding Longbow, Looks like someone has been visting CPF and taking notes. Cell phone button clips etc.etc. Very interesting.
d'mo
Enlightened
All the pictures look like CG renderings. I wonder if they have anything "real."
scrappy
Enlightened
400 dollars for their tactical light. WOW. I only paid 275 for my SF m-6. They all look like surefires.
StoneDog
Flashlight Enthusiast
They all look like bad SureFires in my opinion. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif
Those prices are MSRP, maybe retailers will be able to offer them well below that. The multi-mode lights look interesting, tail switch and turn the head for different output levels/modes (hmmm, isn't SF coming out with something like this?). Anyway, if I had too much money I might consider the big 55 LED light (how cool would that be?), and maybe the "explorer" or "mariner" models. The flashlights in that catalog aren't quite as derivative as all of the nuwai stuff on eBay, but I'd like to see a few different models wind up in the hands of the expert reviewers before I pass judgement.
Jon
Those prices are MSRP, maybe retailers will be able to offer them well below that. The multi-mode lights look interesting, tail switch and turn the head for different output levels/modes (hmmm, isn't SF coming out with something like this?). Anyway, if I had too much money I might consider the big 55 LED light (how cool would that be?), and maybe the "explorer" or "mariner" models. The flashlights in that catalog aren't quite as derivative as all of the nuwai stuff on eBay, but I'd like to see a few different models wind up in the hands of the expert reviewers before I pass judgement.
Jon
MXDan
Newly Enlightened
[ QUOTE ]
FNinjaP90 said:
Hmm, I wonder if there is a such thing as TOO many models,
[/ QUOTE ]
Probably, as I have a hard enough time deciding between what's already out there.
Seriously though, I do hope that this comes to be readily available. I personally don't feel that there are enough top quality manufacturers out there. We are limited by less than five companies, whereas quality knives, for example, are almost limitless in makers.
The more options available, the better the competition, and the better the prices will be. I like a lot of what they available, although their MSRP is too high for me to actually spend.
MXDan
FNinjaP90 said:
Hmm, I wonder if there is a such thing as TOO many models,
[/ QUOTE ]
Probably, as I have a hard enough time deciding between what's already out there.
Seriously though, I do hope that this comes to be readily available. I personally don't feel that there are enough top quality manufacturers out there. We are limited by less than five companies, whereas quality knives, for example, are almost limitless in makers.
The more options available, the better the competition, and the better the prices will be. I like a lot of what they available, although their MSRP is too high for me to actually spend.
MXDan
Aten_Imago
Banned
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Interesting situation indeed. SF should be flattered and proud that American innovation has spawned so many copycats. The question lurking in my mind is. Is this an American or Offshore company that has copied SF or did SF quietly sell some of its patent rights to an offshore company or...is Pentalite a secret subsidiary of SureFire? The driving forces behind all the tactical flashlight explosions seem to be 1- Growing funding for the military and hence, procurement of Mil-spec flashlights 2-Growing need for EMS and Disaster Response, hence the growing need for procurement of EMT/CSI/Disaster spec flashlights. The point I'm trying to make is that fat contracts are out there to be had- the Brand Surefire ... doesn't have to be the only one winning them. In fact, they probably can't keep up with the orders. Great position for SF & Flashlight industry. The strange look of the ILLUSTRATIONS in the Pentalite catalog are due to the quick and less than perfect use of graphics software ( Illustrator/ Freehand) and not photography- they're not photographs. This type of MarCom is typical when a company is positioning itself in the marketplace and hoping to maybe win contracts or partners etc. They probably have 3 or 4 prototypes done which are paraded around at shows and VC meetings to drum up interest. They certainly have all the bases covered (Baseball ...that is) with the various niches. Now my TIP of coloring Nichias with Orange, Red and Yellow Sharpie® Pens is out of the bag!. Oh well, Surefire might have a bigger problem than that though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif
Interesting situation indeed. SF should be flattered and proud that American innovation has spawned so many copycats. The question lurking in my mind is. Is this an American or Offshore company that has copied SF or did SF quietly sell some of its patent rights to an offshore company or...is Pentalite a secret subsidiary of SureFire? The driving forces behind all the tactical flashlight explosions seem to be 1- Growing funding for the military and hence, procurement of Mil-spec flashlights 2-Growing need for EMS and Disaster Response, hence the growing need for procurement of EMT/CSI/Disaster spec flashlights. The point I'm trying to make is that fat contracts are out there to be had- the Brand Surefire ... doesn't have to be the only one winning them. In fact, they probably can't keep up with the orders. Great position for SF & Flashlight industry. The strange look of the ILLUSTRATIONS in the Pentalite catalog are due to the quick and less than perfect use of graphics software ( Illustrator/ Freehand) and not photography- they're not photographs. This type of MarCom is typical when a company is positioning itself in the marketplace and hoping to maybe win contracts or partners etc. They probably have 3 or 4 prototypes done which are paraded around at shows and VC meetings to drum up interest. They certainly have all the bases covered (Baseball ...that is) with the various niches. Now my TIP of coloring Nichias with Orange, Red and Yellow Sharpie® Pens is out of the bag!. Oh well, Surefire might have a bigger problem than that though /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
I don't know anything about this company at all, but if you ask the various people who attended the SHOT show, they can tell you a little bit about the sample lights (quite a variety, actually) they had there. A representative claimed that their lights were manufactured in the U.S., which is hard for me to believe, but their MSRP would make you think they were. They just appear to be poorly executed (luxeons not well-centered, imperfect fit and finish) copies of Surefire lights. Seems like if they weren't going to compete on quality they should at least compete based on price.
I don't know anything about this company at all, but if you ask the various people who attended the SHOT show, they can tell you a little bit about the sample lights (quite a variety, actually) they had there. A representative claimed that their lights were manufactured in the U.S., which is hard for me to believe, but their MSRP would make you think they were. They just appear to be poorly executed (luxeons not well-centered, imperfect fit and finish) copies of Surefire lights. Seems like if they weren't going to compete on quality they should at least compete based on price.
richpalm
Banned
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Looks like vaporware to me....
Rich
Looks like vaporware to me....
Rich
kakster
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Pocketlights.com has a picture of these on his Shotshow report Day 3.
Pocketlights.com has a picture of these on his Shotshow report Day 3.
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Interesting. I think it's only good for us(customers) if there will be a new company that can challenge existing ones.
Second, I've had an impression it's an american company, not offshore?
As of the lights, I like the designs. Hopefully quality will be up to par.
Now, about them being copies of SF, I donno. Yeah, they look similar but they're not copies or clones IMHO.
You could say the same about Pelican M6 then probably. I see that argument quite often in knife world /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif You can find similarities in so many places, because there are only so many basic blade types. I think same applies to flashlights. Depends how much you generalize. Every bowie knife made today is a clone or copy of the original one? I think not.
Another thing is they have new, interesting ideas and hopefully they'll execute them well. Which is what I have not seen from SF lately. I mean new ideas.
E.g L2 Lunaxeon which is Lux III produces 70 lumens for 90 mins on 2 cells. MSRP - 100 or 105$ depending on the anodization.
Closest match from SF, L4 according to specs gives 65 lumens for "over an hour" on the same 2 cells. MSRP - 160$.
Anyway, my point is the have interestig offering, and if they will be able to produce all that in reasonable timeframe I'll be more than happy to buy those, unless they disallow online dealers like some other companies do.
Yes it can be vaporware, or quality can be bad, in that case it'll be a big disappointment, but I donno upfront, I wouldn't put them down just because the designs look similar.
Interesting. I think it's only good for us(customers) if there will be a new company that can challenge existing ones.
Second, I've had an impression it's an american company, not offshore?
As of the lights, I like the designs. Hopefully quality will be up to par.
Now, about them being copies of SF, I donno. Yeah, they look similar but they're not copies or clones IMHO.
You could say the same about Pelican M6 then probably. I see that argument quite often in knife world /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif You can find similarities in so many places, because there are only so many basic blade types. I think same applies to flashlights. Depends how much you generalize. Every bowie knife made today is a clone or copy of the original one? I think not.
Another thing is they have new, interesting ideas and hopefully they'll execute them well. Which is what I have not seen from SF lately. I mean new ideas.
E.g L2 Lunaxeon which is Lux III produces 70 lumens for 90 mins on 2 cells. MSRP - 100 or 105$ depending on the anodization.
Closest match from SF, L4 according to specs gives 65 lumens for "over an hour" on the same 2 cells. MSRP - 160$.
Anyway, my point is the have interestig offering, and if they will be able to produce all that in reasonable timeframe I'll be more than happy to buy those, unless they disallow online dealers like some other companies do.
Yes it can be vaporware, or quality can be bad, in that case it'll be a big disappointment, but I donno upfront, I wouldn't put them down just because the designs look similar.
tater_salad
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2004
- Messages
- 27
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
They look good and competetion can only benefit us.
They look good and competetion can only benefit us.
utomatoe
Enlightened
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Well, it's been said before... if it's going to cost almost the same as a surefire... why not get a surefire?
Well, it's been said before... if it's going to cost almost the same as a surefire... why not get a surefire?
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
Well, even if it will cost the same or almost the same as surefire the design is still different, at least to me they look different. Some of the models are more appealing to me than SF. Matter of taste right? Second, design and looks aside, those flashlights are different, I mean light source, functionality, etc. For now SF has no Lux III. And finally MSRPs at least on some models are lower, and hopefully we will be able to get those online at "street prices". All that is based on the assumption that Pentalites will have comparable quality.
Frankly, their descriptions do sound real hyped up, but that doesn't necessarily mean the lights will not be good. And to be fair their competitors sites are full of terms like "worlds brightest", "worlds best", "worlds most advanced", "worlds finest"... Nothing unusual /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
And one more thing, which IMHO is the most important, I'd rather have 2 (preferably a lot more than 2) companies producing similar things than one. I don't think SF or anybody elses monopoly will do any good for us flashaholics. Competition will make both, prices and the product only better. Having SF as an undisputed king of "high performance personal lights" won't do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Well, even if it will cost the same or almost the same as surefire the design is still different, at least to me they look different. Some of the models are more appealing to me than SF. Matter of taste right? Second, design and looks aside, those flashlights are different, I mean light source, functionality, etc. For now SF has no Lux III. And finally MSRPs at least on some models are lower, and hopefully we will be able to get those online at "street prices". All that is based on the assumption that Pentalites will have comparable quality.
Frankly, their descriptions do sound real hyped up, but that doesn't necessarily mean the lights will not be good. And to be fair their competitors sites are full of terms like "worlds brightest", "worlds best", "worlds most advanced", "worlds finest"... Nothing unusual /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
And one more thing, which IMHO is the most important, I'd rather have 2 (preferably a lot more than 2) companies producing similar things than one. I don't think SF or anybody elses monopoly will do any good for us flashaholics. Competition will make both, prices and the product only better. Having SF as an undisputed king of "high performance personal lights" won't do /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Streak
Enlightened
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
A distributor here who wished to distribute their products has emailed them twice with no reply.
I would start thinking vaporware, but then why go the expense of exhibiting at the SHOT show?
A distributor here who wished to distribute their products has emailed them twice with no reply.
I would start thinking vaporware, but then why go the expense of exhibiting at the SHOT show?
Brock
Flashaholic
Re: New Pentalite Flashlights - SF Clones?
I got to play with them at Shot. They aren't bad lights, but it is an obvious knock-off of Surefire, way to many similarities. In any case the lights them selves were very similar in weight and design, but the beams were not as good as you usually see in SF's. Some were off center, fuzzy, blotchy. Not like a M@g, more like what you see in most Streamlights, still quite good actually, just not SF.
Normally I am all for competition, but after seeing their booth and the lights, it is obvious they are trying to sell to people who think they are buying a SF light, that I don’t like. Just my $.02
I got to play with them at Shot. They aren't bad lights, but it is an obvious knock-off of Surefire, way to many similarities. In any case the lights them selves were very similar in weight and design, but the beams were not as good as you usually see in SF's. Some were off center, fuzzy, blotchy. Not like a M@g, more like what you see in most Streamlights, still quite good actually, just not SF.
Normally I am all for competition, but after seeing their booth and the lights, it is obvious they are trying to sell to people who think they are buying a SF light, that I don’t like. Just my $.02
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