Surefire 5W LS, any news?

[r2]

I remember reading a while back that PK had some early prototypes for a 5W LS design. Has anyone heard anything new? Can someone at least make up a good rumor and then we can all flood SF with calls and emails trying to get details?

- Russ

 

[Chris M.]

Back in the spring, SureFire exhibited at a Lighting trade show in Frankfurt. They had numerous prototypes there including one with a 5 watt Luxeon LED. Acording to my friend who went there, it was "Maglite sized", and got very hot very quickly- to the point where the beam grew noticeably dim as a result of the heating (LEDs drop in luminous efficiacy at higher temperatures).
Apparently to this day they have gone no further with the technology as a couple months back, PK said on what used to be the SureFire board, that they were not working on any 5 watt LED designs at the present time.

That`s not to say they won`t- infact I`d be mighty dissapointed if the 5 watt lamps grow in avaliability and popularity, and SureFire does nothing with them. With their love of extravagent machined designs covered in cooling fins, I`m sure they could produce a viable LED light that rivals their incandescent models and doesn`t overheat!

 

[Mr Ted Bear]

I meeting with PK, I understand that the 5w LS will eventually come (very low low priority). My impression was that the A2, and the L1/L2 and variations there of, digitally controlled, and fully regualated lights will be the focus in the future.

I think everytime I talk to PK, I ask, "What's on tap for Shot 2003?" He always answers the same way ... maybe 1 or 2 led's, maybe an HID, , maybe regulated , maybe, maybe, maybe...

One thing for certain: NO MORE VAPORWARE for SureFire. Whatever they show will be available. PK told me, never again ... and I can tell you that I have had this conversation many many times with PK

 

[Chris M.]

One thing for certain: NO MORE VAPORWARE for SureFire.

This is good to know.

It also may explain why they pulled the SFDB and PK-Engineering. All that talk of what-ifs, could-bes and Maybes, all those enticing photos of things that will never be made, resulting in a barrage of calls and e-mails to SureFire wondering where they are, when will they be avaliable, and slowly resulting in the development of a reputation (all promise, no deliver)- which they are understandably not keen to have.

So, it`s not so much fun any more for us torch addicts who loved to drool over those experimental photos, but perhaps better for us in the long run. Not so frustrating!

Yay for new stuff