FiftyCalAl
Newly Enlightened
from the old 3 flat sided E series body and the older 4 flat side A2s to the more 'rounded' bodies? I actually like the older ones better because I think they give a better grip and are more esthetically pleasing.
Why did Surefire change...
- Thread starter FiftyCalAl
- Start date
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carrot
Flashaholic
Supposedly they are stronger and require a little less machine time. I don't know why we should care that they are stronger, they seem awfully strong already to me.
Size15's
Flashaholic
The curved tri-panel design allows SureFire is more ergonomic for gripping in the hand, it allows better use of the pocketclip and more surface onto which to laser etch. It is also visually distinctive and identifiable as SureFire.
Al
Al
Grox
Flashlight Enthusiast
I don't disagree with you that SF charge a lot for their products, although value is subjective.
I do, however, disagree with your contentions that their products are "mediocore" and are "way after the curve". Quality is a subjective value, but I think that it would be reasonable to say that SF lights are built to be fairly durable - which obviates the first complaint. SF is often slow on the uptake of new technologies but there have been instances in which SF created the curve rather than rode it: the regulated incan technology in the A2 is one case in point.
lightr07
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2006
- Messages
- 193
I disagree with every thing after and including "mediocre", I think your remarks show immaturity on your part and inability to view things for what they are, Not what you think they should be out of the box. If you really feel that SureFire's products are of "mediocre value" then i won't fight with you. We all have our own views and I'm in no position to change yours but i will end my post with saying that "mediocre products" isn't something that SureFire manufactures.
Size15's
Flashaholic
I suggest that where SureFire could be considered 'slow' is releasing new technologies to their retail arm. The products they release to the public are produced in significant quantities - finding time in the schedules to get new products to retail market is (imho) a significant hurdle for SureFire. With a large Dealer network it is important not to overwhelm them with change after change after change as the consumer market gets confused and turned off by this.
Some flashlight companies share new technologies with CPF first.
SureFire's new product development traditionally focuses on new products for specialist military, law enforcement and Government groups. Which of course is why CPFers don't get to see the cool stuff
Grox
Flashlight Enthusiast
Ah yes, Al. I should have perhaps said "slow to market".
Blacklight
Enlightened
- Joined
- Nov 8, 2005
- Messages
- 217
In defense of Surefire, it takes more time than you may think to get producut to market if you do proper consumer research. we are not aware of how many projects their teams may be working on as well, as they have a lot of military business. Their design and devlopment resources may be more focused on military as it is a great business for them. Just my two cents and prespective as I control this aspect for the company I work for. As to their pricing it would seem a matter of you get what you pay for. Surefire has strong quality standards and manufactures in the US which is very expensive. They also use very good componants from what I have seen. It's just up to you on how much you want to spend. We don't directly compete with Surefire, but overall I think they do a great job...
sween1911
Flashlight Enthusiast
I like the older faceted bodies too. Very distinctive appearance and very cool. A very techno-tool look to them rather than just a round bodied flashlight. I realize it takes additional machining and such, which takes extra cost, but the final result is worth it.
Everytime I play with my C2, I wonder what the machine looks like that carved the flat sides, the pocketclip groove, the intricate shelf that the rubber grip ring is pressed into etc. Very hi-tech, and the appearance shows it.
Everytime I play with my C2, I wonder what the machine looks like that carved the flat sides, the pocketclip groove, the intricate shelf that the rubber grip ring is pressed into etc. Very hi-tech, and the appearance shows it.
Valpo Hawkeye
Flashlight Enthusiast
The way I see it... I compare Fenix to SureFire (I know, don't open that can again). I like each manufacturer and have several of each. One thing that drves me crazy is Fenix's incremental upgrade and release strategy, if you can call it a strategy. A cool light comes out, then only a few months later, a slightly tweaked version of that same light is released. Well, as it turns out, the tweak is something they should have released on the first version.
As an example, I bought an L1D CE several months ago, as did many CPF'ers. The light was cool, but everyone wanted a 123-body. A 3rd-party body was produced just in time for the P2D CE to be released. After enough complaints about the cree-ring, Fenix then comes out with a textured reflector. Now there's the rebel version. The L1D v.2.0 now has a forward clicky. This leads me to believe that it would be foolish to buy a P2D rebel for the time being if you want a forward clicky as it is likely just a matter of time before Fenix releases a forward-clicky P2D CE or rebel. Just work out the bugs on the back end, THEN release the product.
SureFire doesn't mess around with these petty little incremental upgrades/updates.
As an example, I bought an L1D CE several months ago, as did many CPF'ers. The light was cool, but everyone wanted a 123-body. A 3rd-party body was produced just in time for the P2D CE to be released. After enough complaints about the cree-ring, Fenix then comes out with a textured reflector. Now there's the rebel version. The L1D v.2.0 now has a forward clicky. This leads me to believe that it would be foolish to buy a P2D rebel for the time being if you want a forward clicky as it is likely just a matter of time before Fenix releases a forward-clicky P2D CE or rebel. Just work out the bugs on the back end, THEN release the product.
SureFire doesn't mess around with these petty little incremental upgrades/updates.
greenLED
Flashaholic
I liked the square bodies much better.
Bullzeyebill
Flashaholic
It is personal taste, but I too like the square sided SF bodies. Since SF does not publish why they make their changes (do they?) we can only guess, and one guess is as good as another.
Bill
Bill
JNewell
Flashlight Enthusiast
I don't remember reading any posts here from anyone who preferred the newer body style! Having said that, CPF isn't exactly representative of the SF market...
I also like the older, flat sided surefire body. It looks better(IMHO) and is better for grip. I bet the machine that make the flat sides is just a milling machine, while for the round sides you probably need to use a grinder.
This is just a semi-educated guess.
This is just a semi-educated guess.
Surefire certainly charges quite a bit, but I've never felt like they were just mediocore either. They're definitly near the pinacle of the production flashlight heap.
I believe the four sided bodies were very unique and had a lot of character but have to admit that the rounded body seems more ergonomic to me.
I believe the four sided bodies were very unique and had a lot of character but have to admit that the rounded body seems more ergonomic to me.
Probably CPF member FiftycalAl and the 20 other people who have responed to this thread so far.... Fifty simply asked a question about the Surefire bodies and then shared his opinion. No problem with that right?
I said really who cares.. This is all just nostalgia for most of the people who look back longing for the four flat sides. By really I meant who really cares by people who really use these things and don't care about the esthatics like most of the people who use these tools.
