What is so special about surefire?

Really i don't know I'm not tring to start an argument i really was just wwondering. Mainly i'm asking this because it seems like there is alot of lights alot cheaper that seem to be just as good if not better?

The look, the touch, the fine worksmanship, the wonderful machining, and most importantly, the knowledge that you KNOW it will come on EVERTIME!!

Alright so basically the extra dollar goes to the quality of the build. Are they any brighter next to a light with the same out put?

I can't really say either way, but if Surefire says it puts out "X", it probably does more!

They are the original "premium" flashlight manufacturer. I bought my first Surefire in 1994 for about $60, which at the time was very very expensive, for a very expensive tactical firearms course. They did not have any equals back then IMO. Old memories and nostalgia die hard for me and I still place a premium on some of their lights. True, the picture has changed with the onslaught of very decently made flashlights from overseas, particularly from China.

They are also one of the few lights that I believe are still designed and made (or assembled) here. What sets them apart is their conservative and honest ratings of their lights, unlike some of the competition who engage in unabashed "specsmanship" (lies, lies and more lies).

Someone made another one of these?!

Alright i got it pretty much they are very durable, made in USA, and truthfull alright thanks pretty much all i wanted to know. Ohh and also what would be the best SF G2 to get for some quick easy rather inexpensive mods.

If you actually look at real-life performance and build quality, many SF lights actually are not that much more expensive, if at all, than high-end chinese lights. And they have an enviable record for reliability and have a good warranty just in case.

Look at the Novatac price now... you could buy one of several small SF lights for less money. There are now lots of chinese lights in the $100-$150 range, which IMO is well into surefire territory.

Excellent design

Unequaled quality of materials and workmanship

More durable than granite

The best customer service in the industry, even with the acknowledged fact that parts are sometimes out of stock for long periods

Don't forget about their lifetime warranty. They often send out replacement parts for free, no questions asked! :thumbsup:

Conservative on lumen ratings, but exaggerated on runtimes. For example, their 11 and 12 hour runtimes for the 6PL and G2L respectively are more like 3.5 and 4.5 hours, respectively.

Not to sound mean, but have you ever used or owned a SF? One must actually handle it to appreciate it...

The only thing that held me back from getting one of the cheaper SFs was their lack of levels. I had my eye on a 6PL or G2L, for example, but there's no "low", which sorta kills their flexibility a bit IMO.

Give me a 6PL with the defender bezel (or the 6P Defender with a P60 drop-in) and two levels like the L1 and that would probably be my flashlight for life. Sadly I can't afford the U2

I don't have too many SFs and so my comment is therefore may not be the whole picture.

IMO, SF are better at the incandescents. Look at the A2s, the 9Ns (and now 9AN), the 6P / 9P, the M3 / M4, they are very good (if not the best) in their own niche.

On the other hand, however, SF seems to lag behind in the LEDs. They have just released the newer generation LED lights, lagging behind in the curve. No matter how strong a light is built, how good is the workmanship, a light (especially LED light) is rated on the lumens output and the run-time as perhaps the number one and two criteria.

-- ymfymf

I don't have too many SFs and so my comment is therefore may not be the whole picture.

IMO, SF are better at the incandescents. Look at the A2s, the 9Ns (and now 9AN), the 6P / 9P, the M3 / M4, they are very good (if not the best) in their own niche.

On the other hand, however, SF seems to lag behind in the LEDs. They have just released the newer generation LED lights, lagging behind in the curve. No matter how strong a light is built, how good is the workmanship, a light (especially LED light) is rated on the lumens output and the run-time as perhaps the number one and two criteria.

-- ymfymf

IcantC said:

Not to sound mean, but have you ever used or owned a SF? One must actually handle it to appreciate it...

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No i've never own one, i could see what you say you'd have to own it to appreciate it.

ymfymf said:

I don't have too many SFs and so my comment is therefore may not be the whole picture.

IMO, SF are better at the incandescents. Look at the A2s, the 9Ns (and now 9AN), the 6P / 9P, the M3 / M4, they are very good (if not the best) in their own niche.

On the other hand, however, SF seems to lag behind in the LEDs. They have just released the newer generation LED lights, lagging behind in the curve. No matter how strong a light is built, how good is the workmanship, a light (especially LED light) is rated on the lumens output and the run-time as perhaps the number one and two criteria.

-- ymfymf

Click to expand...

That's not entirely true. A few years ago, Surefire came out with the L4, L5, L6, U2....and those were the BEST you could find anywhere. These newer Cree lights are just now being popular, so pretty soon you'll be seen Surefire's "next generation" of LED lights. There are many people here who would say their U2 is the best light that they have...and that is a 3, almost 4, year old model!

I don't have too many SFs and so my comment is therefore may not be the whole picture.

IMO, SF are better at the incandescents. Look at the A2s, the 9Ns (and now 9AN), the 6P / 9P, the M3 / M4, they are very good (if not the best) in their own niche.

On the other hand, however, SF seems to lag behind in the LEDs. They have just released the newer generation LED lights, lagging behind in the curve. No matter how strong a light is built, how good is the workmanship, a light (especially LED light) is rated on the lumens output and the run-time as perhaps the number one and two criteria.

-- ymfymf

ymfymf said:

I don't have too many SFs and so my comment is therefore may not be the whole picture.

IMO, SF are better at the incandescents. Look at the A2s, the 9Ns (and now 9AN), the 6P / 9P, the M3 / M4, they are very good (if not the best) in their own niche.

On the other hand, however, SF seems to lag behind in the LEDs. They have just released the newer generation LED lights, lagging behind in the curve. No matter how strong a light is built, how good is the workmanship, a light (especially LED light) is rated on the lumens output and the run-time as perhaps the number one and two criteria.

Click to expand...

Hhm, IMO, you won't find another light quite like the L1 Cree. A wonderful, reliable two-level switch, perfect size/fit in hand, good throw and useful spill. Plus, the E2L runs over 9 hours in regulation. I wouldn't consider them to be lagging behind. Brightest isn't always best.

Marduke said:

Conservative on lumen ratings, but exaggerated on runtimes. For example, their 11 and 12 hour runtimes for the 6PL and G2L respectively are more like 3.5 and 4.5 hours, respectively.

Click to expand...

Yeah that was kind of dumb of them. The way they have runtime for the G3L listed is how they should have listed the 6PL and G2L runtime.