Why do some really good lights seem to get no press on cpf?

[sonrider657]

From my experience there are some excellent quality lights on the market from companies like Inova, Peak, Elzetta, and Insight yet these brands rarely seem to be discussed on this forum. Why is that?

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

From my experience there are some excellent quality lights on the market from companies like Inova, Peak, Elzetta, and Insight yet these brands rarely seem to be discussed on this forum. Why is that?

CPF's current trend seem to be aimed at super-bright budget lights. Nowadays, new emitters-- the so-called "latest and greatest"-- get a lot more press time than the hosts/drivers/design and quality itself. It's all about maximum brightness at the cheapest cost.

Take a good look at the LED section, a great deal of new threads start with something along these lines: "I need something to illuminate the surface of the moon for under 30 bucks". No wonder most people who come here these days don't bother with Elzetta, Inova or Peak...

 

[Flying Turtle]

It's hard for me to imagine that the CPF membership has missed a good light. I'm sure it hasn't happened intentionally. If you know about some good ones please feel free to "enlighten" us. I've certainly started threads on some of the most miserable and goofy lights you'd want to see.

Geoff

 

[recDNA]

I've read threads on most of them here. Inova doesn't seem to make anything cutting edge. Good solid lights but the output is topped by others here.

Peak is pretty specialized (small light - big output - hot fast - requires rechargeable Li Ion or IMR...and then there's the weird web site. I swear that web site costs them sales) but I'm intrigued by brass just as a novelty.

Elzetta is just great but price may be the problem there. Seems like it is designed primarily for use on a gun mount but I love the rotating tail cap UI.

I must admit I haven't seen a thing on Insight but I bet it's here if you search it.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I've read threads on most of them here. Inova doesn't seem to make anything cutting edge. Good solid lights but the output is topped by others here.

Peak is pretty specialized (small light - big output - hot fast - requires rechargeable Li Ion or IMR...and then there's the weird web site. I swear that web site costs them sales) but I'm intrigued by brass just as a novelty.

Elzetta is just great but price may be the problem there. Seems like it is designed primarily for use on a gun mount but I love the rotating tail cap UI.

I must admit I haven't seen a thing on Insight but I bet it's here if you search it.

They have a new Law Enforcement line of bigger lights with very high-output. Check them out. :thumbsup:

 

[JWRitchie76]

Take a good look at the LED section, a great deal of new threads start with something along these lines: "I need something to illuminate the surface of the moon for under 30 bucks". No wonder most people who come here these days don't bother with Elzetta, Inova or Peak...

Followed up by a "My light went POOF!" thread! :grin2:

 

[recDNA]

They have a new Law Enforcement line of bigger lights with very high-output. Check them out. :thumbsup:

Don't send me back to that web site - I beg you!

j/k I've seen them. Also very specialized but very cool. I wish they made something in 1 X 18650. I'd love a single 18650 SST-50 in brass! Their stuff is all single mode though right?

 

[ma_sha1]

a great deal of new threads start with something along these lines: "I need something to illuminate the surface of the moon for under 30 bucks".

LMAO :crackup:

 

[recDNA]

LMAO :crackup:

Hey, wait til DX copies Lumablaster then see who's laughing when you see MY spot on the moon!

 

[sol-leks]

The companies that get the most press are the ones that release the most new lights. I remember when the new inova x1 came out a few months back and it got a good amount of press, and that was just an update not even a new light of course.
Quark seems to come out with something new every other day, so of course they get a ton of press.
Also I don't think its budget lights that get the most press but the midrange lights that are the best balance of budget and quality. Again, that is why we see the most posts fenix,quark,jetbeam,nitecore,etc.

 

[Unclemonkey]

From my experience there are some excellent quality lights on the market from companies like Inova, Peak, Elzetta, and Insight yet these brands rarely seem to be discussed on this forum. Why is that?

It's marketing. The big name companies don't have to flood the cpf with their names. People who know lights know what they want. Don't believe everything you read here. Good luck!;)

 

[kyhunter1]

Yep, the weird website keeps me away from peak for sure............

[QUOTE Peak is pretty specialized (small light - big output - hot fast - requires rechargeable Li Ion or IMR...and then there's the weird web site. I swear that web site costs them sales) but I'm intrigued by brass just as a novelty.[/QUOTE]

 

[Lynx_Arc]

it is called searching for the biggest bang for the buck syndrome. The only thing the "standard" brands have is reputation, warranty, and quality.
The lights most here talk about have twice the output, extra features for 10 times the runtime at multiple levels, latest emitters and prices cheaper with other options. It is like comparing a chevy with an exotic sports car costing less and asking what do you want to drive?

 

[parnass]

There is also the fact that some dealers and manufacturers use guerilla marketing techniques, e.g., give free flashlights to selected CPF members with the expectation those members will post positive comments and reviews.

 

[joe1512]

I think the problem is that the lights reviewed here are in a different league entirely than the ones you might be considering.

For example, I go to Fry's and see these 6.7Watt LED lights that claim 140 lumens!!!! They have the little mirror and 'try it yourself' things. They are alright, but you can't tell anything about the beam quality. All you see is that 'wow, thats bright when I look at the foil mirror thingee'. And they want 90 bucks for it.
It IS a lot better than a maglite or anything else most people have seen.

But I can get a friggin itp A1 with a RCR123 that spits out 200+ lumens on a keychain light with a beautiful beam instead!

Even the best Fry's Coast and Inova lights are underpowered and overpriced compared to the enthusiast lights seen here.

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

There is also the fact that some dealers and manufacturers use guerilla marketing techniques, e.g., give free flashlights to selected CPF members with the expectation those members will post positive comments and reviews.

Guerilla marketing? That just sounds like good ol' fashioned marketing to me.

 

[carrot]

There is also the fact that some dealers and manufacturers use guerilla marketing techniques, e.g., give free flashlights to selected CPF members with the expectation those members will post positive comments and reviews.

Well, Elzetta is new, and expensive, hence the lack of interest. This is compared to Surefire, McGizmo et al, who have already built quite the fan base.

Peak... great lights, poor aesthetics, terrible website. I agree, if their website wasn't so terrifying, they'd be more popular. It doesn't help that Peak lights usually look like plumbing fittings, either. But they certainly are awesome lights...

Inova... solid, but boring lights. No lego capability, single stage only, and no ridiculous lumens outputs. Mind you, that makes for a great user, but not so much for talking points.

 

[Farhad Gulemov]

There is also the fact that some dealers and manufacturers use guerilla marketing techniques, e.g., give free flashlights to selected CPF members with the expectation those members will post positive comments and reviews.

Great! Where do I sign up to get one? ;)

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Great! Where do I sign up to get one? ;)

Firstly, you must be a biased reviewer.. LOL

 

[hogger]

Well, Elzetta is new, and expensive, hence the lack of interest. This is compared to Surefire, McGizmo et al, who have already built quite the fan base.

Peak... great lights, poor aesthetics, terrible website. I agree, if their website wasn't so terrifying, they'd be more popular. It doesn't help that Peak lights usually look like plumbing fittings, either. But they certainly are awesome lights...

Inova... solid, but boring lights. No lego capability, single stage only, and no ridiculous lumens outputs. Mind you, that makes for a great user, but not so much for talking points.

Yea!!!! "talking points" :thumbsup: