Why all the people say SureFire are the best???

[maxilux]

Hi Flashlight Fans.
i can´t understand why all the people say SureFire are the best Flashlights, i can´t understand this.
I have tested a SF p6, my Scorpion or the TL2 is from the same Quality, and the Light is brighter and for more distance.
Then i have a Z3 Combatlight, the TL3 or the stinger HP is much more brighter and from a better Quality, when the bulb is down i can buy 5 from Streamlight for one from Surefire.
Then i have a 9AN Commander, my Stinger HP or my Ultrastinger are very brighter as the 9AN, for half the price (in Germany).
What is so good at the overpriced SureFire Flashlights?? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Which SureFire is brighter and for a longer distance as a Streamlight UltraStinger (for the same price) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mark_Larson]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

They're the most expensive /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif *rimshot*

 

[this_is_nascar]

I've asked myself this same question, time and time again. I believe the biggest reason is inovation around such lights as the E-Series, L2 and A2. Those lights marked some pretty nice milestones in the world of lighting. Do I think that inovation is worth the cost? I'll save that answer for another time.

I'm of the opinion that the frenzy of SF products is that of a "need to have cause Joe Blow" has one. Like anything else, the frenzy kicks in and you just have to get one. As this chain continues, you have a bunch of folks ending up asking the same question as you. Then your forced into either admitting that you just make the dumbest spending decision in your life or you hop on the bandwagon saying how great the product is. This is the human nature aspect, whereas claiming you have the "best" product in the world helps you live with the fact that you just paid so much for a flashlight.

That's my opinion, other's will vary. By the way, expect to have this thread moved shortly.

 

[mporter]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

The same question could be asked about cars? Shouldn't horsepower, 0-60 performance, and gas mileage determine the price?

Or paintings? Shouldn't they be priced by the square foot?

The answer is the Market determines the price of any object and many intangibles, like aesthetics, fashion, and perceived quality, play a big role in the Market.

 

[Ray_of_Light]

It is only my opinion, do not beat on me... I believe it is mostly matter of class.

Anthony

 

[nexro]

IMHO, Surefire make good incandescents but they are overpriced.
Arc makes the best LED lights of good quality and reasonable price (at least for some of us).
Most of the time, I will only need one incandescents while the rest, I would prefer to get an LED type /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[maxilux]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

Yes

What i mean is:
When i have at example $100 and want to buy the brightest Flashlight i can get, then it is no Surefire.
I mean the brightness is the point i look for when i want a Flashlight and not the design in front.

thanks for your answers

 

[Size15's]

Welcome to CPF!

All people here do not say that SureFire are the best flashlights.

Not even I say that all SureFires are the best flashlight.
It all comes down how you define "Best". "Best" differs depending on each person.

I can think of lots of reasons why SureFires are better but that based requirements and factors that may not be important to others. Certainly, the price of SureFires is an issue to many here. Once you take price into concideration as an important factor then for most people the "SureFire is best" disappears rather quickly.

So when it is posted that one flashlight is better than another then the poster is better to justify their opinion, and readers should understand that it is an opinion and people do have different opinions.

All good fun isn't it?

Al

 

[Roy]

Well said Al! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[DanM]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

I for one love my Arc lights. I am willing to spend the extra money on Surefire over (Streamlight, etc) because of the ability to change bezels like in the E-series.

 

[maxilux]

Of course it is my opinion,

but for myself is only the brightness in front and not the good name or the design.
The technical dates speak an other language.


papa

 

[thesurefire]

personally I like surefires for there dependability. They have nice brightness, a good throw, and are built like tanks. They take a beating and still keep working. If your testing a light, I think every test should include a large fall onto a mat. trust me a minimaglight wouldn't survive a 5 story drop onto concrete. A surefire probably would, but I wouldn't try it because of the cost.

for me it boils down to quality/reputation times cost. you pay a premium for the best quality.

 

[Size15's]

If you have $100 for the brightest then it ain't no SureFire, Streamlight or MagLite or Pelican, or Underwater Kinetics, or Princeton Tec, or Brinkmann, or Arc, or whatever. It's usually some $20-30 spotlight (Vector or something)

So my point is that if you start of with a price and work towards a product you are unlikely to reach a SureFire.

If you start of with a list of requirements (not price) then there is a small chance you will short list a SureFire. However, your requirements would have to be different from most CPF members.

Then of course you can look at the "best" from another angle. If you want a SureFire but need help justify the cost (perhaps you think the SureFire in question is cool or apply some other emotional requirements?)
Anyway, you can look at the company behind the product. Where the company came from, where it is, where it looks like it's going. Have you decided whether you really want to give your money to the company because some of the money will be going to help it on it's way?

There are some flashlight companies that I wouldn't give money to and others that I would (almost regardless of their products)

So because we are "flashaholics" we have many different ways of decided which is the best flashlight to get for us.

Al

 

[GarminGPSMap]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

I don't think brightness = "best". Heck for $30 I can get a 2 milion CP spotlight. Is that better than the Streamlight UltraStinger?

Some Surefire Pros:
A Surfire HA finish can eat through Streamlight finish for lunch.
An E2e can elegantly be carried in the front pocket of dress slacks, a Scorpion is a tad bit more difficult to do this.
A Surefire weaponlight part can be interchanged with your handheld light in a pinch, if a bulb dies right before a raid.
A 6P can be changed to a 9P, 6P KT1 Turbo Kit, 6P+A19+KT2 Turbo Kit, 6R rechargeable, Clickie tailcap, Beamshapers, Beamfilters, lanyards, HOLA lamps.......etc etc.. try that with a scorpion?

I guess there are pros and cons for any light. There can't be a light which satisfies everyone. If a light satisfies your needs (Brightness), it may not satisfy someone elses needs (size, ruggedness, etc). We should ask what is the best light for "my" (meaning yours) needs.

Surefires are very overpriced though.

 

[mporter]

Re: Why all the people say SureFire are the best??

Good points Size15s,

For me, dependability is one of the most important features in a light. I'm sorry there aren't more "drop test" stats available in addition to beam shots to compare flashlights.

I'm willing to pay more for engineering than can withstand large G forces and keep on working. It's one of the reasons I like a light like the SureFire L5. It seems about as fragile as a hammer.

Of course, there may be other lights just as rugged. I'd like to know about them.

 

[chamenos]

one of the reasons i don't mind paying a higher price for surefires (and arcs), is the excellent customer service provided by both companies. again, it all boils down to what you want from a light you purchase /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[maxilux]

The $100 was an example.
An other: I have the Streamlight TL3 Xenon, i don`t know a Surefire wich is brighter in this size, cheaper or a better finish (in my opinion)

(I have some Surefire to) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[GarminGPSMap]

You must have the Type II finish Surefires?

 

[thesurefire]

I completely agree that surefires are over priced. heck, I only own one at the moment. the scorpion will cut it until I get a E2e. Even then I think I'll end up using the scorpion some. If all you want is candle power, a spotlight is the way to go even a maglite 2-3D would out do a surefire in a pinch. 30$ for a 3D maglite and 70 for a comparable surefire? not a great deal.

surefires are strictly on a "want" basis. i think you can get every thing a surefire has for less money, except the reputation.

 

[maxilux]

I don´t know the art of the finish, but i take my Flashlights to make light in the dark and not to show my friends.