Should the average user buy Surefire?

[Double_A]

Rant mode on...

It's my personal opinion that other than the "E series and the L4 most people should not buy Surefire Lights. The majority of surefire lights are designed for specific, not general purposes. I shake my head when I here something like this "I new here and I bought a Surefire XYZ, It's alot of money and I'm not happy with the expensive lamps and short run-time."

rant mode off..

I believe that if you can't articulate a reason why you need a specialized purpose light (like Surefire) your should buy a light of a more general purpose nature and not be critical of the very features of a SF that specifically make it a tactical light

Comments?

GregR

P.S. Buying for just "coolness" is an acceptable answer!

 

[Jim_F]

[ QUOTE ]
Double_A said:

P.S. Buying for just "coolness" is an acceptable answer!

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm guilty as charged. I started with the 2x123 Surefires, not out of need, but out of want, and appreciated them for the tool that they are and it's intended design and function. The I was going to by an M3T as my next flashlight I didn't need. Then I started thinking about bypassing the M3T altogether and just get the M6, which is what I really wanted anyway. So that's what I did. By nature I attempt to become well informed before I make a purchase and this was the case with Surefire products. I think some people want to get what they heard is the best yet don't know or understand the strong and weak points of that product. Shame on them. So, a Maglite is all I need, but my wants seem to be getting more carried away.

 

[Double_A]

Jim_F

Your not a guilty, buying for "coolness" is an ok reason. You have a reason, maybe not a need.

I doubt if your going to complain about why SF's have tactical switches, expensive shock resistant pre-focused lamps, and short runtime hi output lamps. You bought it because it was "cool" not necessarily because it was a practical and you knew that.

Your comment "I think some people want to get what they heard is the best yet don't know or understand the strong and weak points of that product. Shame on them." this is the gist of my rant.

GregR

 

[jtivat]

I would totally agree most people cringe at a $40 light and then they find out the batteries only last an hour! I know people who have purchased a Brinkman LX and never use it b/c the batteries are too much. But then there are people who want the best at any cost. The problem is when people come here for advice we assume they are nuts like use and want the best at any cost. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[gtwace]

I think an E2 series is all an average guy needs, and an ARC AAA and 4+ as EDC, nothing more nothing less. The rest is pretty much for professionals and flashaholic

 

[SMcGill]

I sell Zinc Phosphate coatings and lubricants to the steel industry, and most of the guys at the plants I call on carry 2AA Maglites to look at the surfaces of steel tubing, wire, slugs, etc. They think everything looks fine with their pre- or post-treated surfaces, until I show up with my Surefire, which reveals any imperfections (rust, pitting, oxidation, bare spots). So in my application, an ordinary light will not suffice, and a xenon lamp is needed to really see the steel surface. I also think they are really cool, thus justifying my new E2d.

 

[amlim]

I don't really need a C2 but after I got it, I just love it.....

 

[KevinL]

I agree with Greg and Jim that users should understand the nature of the product and what it is intended for before they start buying it. This applies to virtually any product - after all, people don't buy clothes without first pondering whether it will fit, yet they seem to buy everything else without pondering whether it's suitable for its intended application.

I WOULD recommend a G2 to a non-flashaholic after briefing them on the lithium cell issue and after an admonishment not to pay full retail for the cells. They are great as emergency lights. I've lost so many lights to corroded alkalines that the long-term stability of lithiums is a wonderful thing - the ability to leave it and have it work when you need it most. The G2 has decreased sticker shock, and a bright yellow color to make it easy to find in an emergency. The key thing is user education. I've seen non-flashaholics fall in love with the G2 and make a conscious decision to keep paying for the lithium it takes to run the light. These people are the same ones who refuse to pay for any other SF light because it's too expensive, but it's good to know they're getting the same essentials as some of the higher-end lights.

As for my own lights, all of them have their reason, and their place, and they're all used regularly. I myself try not to buy a light that will sit there and never be used.

 

[Aten_Imago]

Double A
Great Post!
Matching tasks and goals to the technology solution ( flashlights in this case ) is crucial to making informed purchasing decisions.If the purchasing decision has little or nothing to do with accomplishing goals, then there the reqs are different. Surefire make excellent special purpose flashlights that are also ideal for a wider end-use scope than Military, Law Enforcement and Security. They are great for EMS,Outdoor Sports,WaterSports or just plain rugged use.Frankly, with cheap SF batteries and rechargeables becoming mainstream, runtime is not that much of an issue really. If it is, then a dual power switch (L5) or a regulated LED Luxeon light should be the ticket. IMHO the best Incandescent Lithium light out there for the money is the Insight Technologies M3 and M3X, not the E series SF's. And what could be cooler than a tiny 2 cell that happens to form fit Glocks ?

 

[amlim]

sorry for being off-topic, but i would love to own a glock.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

unfortunately, guns are illegal where i come from...

but at least, it is a bit safer ...

 

[pjandyho]

I am surprised amlim, I would love to have a Glock too. Although in the States many prefer a .40 or .45 calibre pistol for stopping power, I very much prefer to have the model 19 compact 9mm. Like what you say, it is unfortunate we can't.

I certainly agree with Greg on this post. Problem is when a newbie ask us for opinions on what to buy they would not inform us whether it is a need or a want. An E2e is in my opinion more than what an average Joe would need. I can survive on an E2e, even a KL1 at lower power and longer run-time but I wanted more power, so I ended up getting the M3. In fact, my first light was the UKE Q40 which I love and bought a few but Surefire is my want.

 

[amlim]

hi andy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

why are you surprised that i would want a glock? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

why do you choose the 9mm? i would prefer the .40 or .45 for its stopping power.

what about the 10mm?

take care and cheers !!

 

[pjandyho]

In Singapore people are so small size you don't need stopping power like 10mm, .40, .45 ACP, and even Desert Eagle's .50 calibre. Even a .38 super and .357 magnum is too much. That is why our police use .38 special for the revolver and 9mm parabellum for the pistol. In this instance I opt for higher mag capacity than stopping power.

We better stop this banal talk here. Catch up.

 

[dougmccoy]

Perhaps it's because I'm a Brit but I'm always worried by terms like 'should not'. I believe that in a democracy the right to exercise free choice is probably the cornerstone of liberty. If someone wants to buy a flashlight which is unsuitable for the purpose that they believed it would serve then it is tough on them that they didn't do enough homework first. However, that is a whole different ball game to should they be able to buy it in the first place? Why shouldn't the average Joe buy what he wants with his or her own money? 'Should's' have a bad habit of turning into 'will not be allowed'which IMHO sucks.
If we were talking Firearms here then I would understand your rant because the right to buy a gun may ultimately infringe and endanger another citizens rights. However we are not talking guns we are talking flashlights and the term
'should' begins to sound pretty dictatorial to me!

Doug

 

[NeonLights]

Anyways, back to the original topic.......I buy Surefires because of their build quality, their lifetime warranty, and their ruggedness. The cool factor is an added bonus. I've got a good sampling of SF lights across the entire range, but the ones I use most are in the E/L series and the big ones like my M6 and M4. The smaller lights are good for EDC, and the big lights are good for when I really need a lot of light in a small package.

For instance our dog has gotten out of his fence after dark twice in the last several months. He is a large (100+ lbs) black Newfoundland, and is impossible to see after dark (pitch dark) from more than a few feet away. We live close to a busy state highway with lots of semi traffic, and would hate for something to happen to our beloved Thor. Few of our neighbors have security lights, and we have corn/bean fields in front and back of our house. With the M4 and M6 we can light up our neighbors yards 100+ yards away, and see our dogs eyes glowing from even farther away. Both times our Surefire lights have helped us find our dog. From that standpoint they are well worth their premium price.

I also like how they will likely last my lifetime and then some. Buying a flashlight that will last for years and work reliably means a lot to me.

-Keith

 

[JonSidneyB]

I think the Average user would be well served by a 9volt Surefire if it suits the job he might be doing. What if this person is one using a 4-6 cell Maglight to get the utility he wants. Just think about how much weight you just saved him and gave him a cleaner brighter beam at the same time.

And the Surefire 9 and 12 volt lights are still not hard to carry when you know you will need a bright light. I would not EDC these lights but I dont see a reason why a novice would not want to use one if it would be helpful.

When I was younger and needed alot of light to do things outdoors, I used one of those exposed battery 12volt contraptions out on the prarie, I wish 9 and 12 volt Surefires existed back then.

 

[PeteBroccolo]

Maybe, for those newbies that come on here and complain about the short run time of, say, a SF M6 or Pila GL4 on 123As, could be sympathized with long enough to be, oh, I don't know - lulled into selling either one to me for real cheap!

 

[JonSidneyB]

Good Point Pete. Now if they...(shameless plug omitted)

 

[junior]

The most expensive light I own is a SF G2 and I am happy. I am aware of the run time and use it only for certain situations that merit a stong light. I use my mini-mag for general purposes etc.

By the way I also own a Glock 22 .40

 

[SJACKAL]

[ QUOTE ]
pjandyho said:
In Singapore people are so small size you don't need stopping power like 10mm, .40, .45 ACP, and even Desert Eagle's .50 calibre. Even a .38 super and .357 magnum is too much. That is why our police use .38 special for the revolver and 9mm parabellum for the pistol. In this instance I opt for higher mag capacity than stopping power.

We better stop this banal talk here. Catch up.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really, our population is getting fat, next time we got lotsa fatboys around, some of them as fat as bears. Thats why need the large caliber rounds to stop these "fat bears"

Muahhahahahahha.