Any alternatives to Sure-Fire?

I have not got much experience with high end production flashlights, but if you want a (expensive) flashlight with more than 1/10 watt and less than 5-6 watt, it should probably have a luxeon LED in it. Less than that you can use a cheap regular (3, 5, 8, or even 10mm) LED and more, you need a lightbulb or an HID (or more than one luxeon).
LEDs are more reliable than bulbs, and more efficient, especially when the batteries start to die, as a larger percentage of the energy in a bulb will then be spent on IR while the led will not shift colour as much.
There are basically two kinds of Luxeons, single-die (luxeonI and LuxeonIII, and four-die (LuxeonV). The latter can emit more light (if you give them more battery juice), but since the light comes from a larger area, it will not be thrown as far (be as focussed) in a given reflector.

You can convert say a maglight or brinkmann 2xAA to luxeonI or III with ready to drop in parts from the sandwich shoppe ( www.theledguy.com ) for maybe $25-30?
The shoppe also has parts to build complete lights (Aleph series) designed by McGizmo of great Reverence among flashlight fanatics ;)

I heard good things about the pelican M6 LED, a higher end and a closer comparison to the Surefire LED lights might be the Longbow lights.
 
Streamlight Scorpion is my bedside table light.
Does a great job- blinded the poop out of the GF by accident in the living room w/ it one night. No hesitation in depending on it for a 'nite lite'.
Would like to have the Surefire just like anyone else, but the budget Scorpion does a bang-up job.
 
Every time I get 100 dollars totry out a high end flashlight, I buy more knives on accident. I carry a 3 D-cell Maglite on duty (Company issued)
Other than being a handy motivational tool in a pinch (which BTW has saved my skin a couple times), Why are they still the standby for a LOT of people?
One guy at work loves buying expensive tools, and he carries a Surefire with the "crenellated" end for "motivation" Anything else out there solid and heavy enough, with enough length to be useful in my unique situation?
I suppose I could keep the mag on my belt and carry something else in my pocket. 4 D-cell maglites are a BIG no no; and I refuse to mount a light on my sidearm. Any ideas for under $100? Any sites dedicated to flashlight nuts (I had no idea) you can point me to are appreciated as well

Nate
 
There are other companies making high-end lights out there, but there's a reason SureFire is the world's no. 1 tactical flashlight manufacturer.

Get a SureFire and you know that it's a high-quality item, even their lower end models.
 
Does anyone repair Surefires? Anyone in Canada? The taillock on one of mine went. I could repair it, or replace it, or buy about 5 other flashlights. What to do,what to do...?
Surefires are great. You do get what you pay for. But even these Pentagon-Priced Puppies break.
 
Nate said:
Every time I get 100 dollars totry out a high end flashlight, I buy more knives on accident. I carry a 3 D-cell Maglite on duty (Company issued)
Other than being a handy motivational tool in a pinch (which BTW has saved my skin a couple times), Why are they still the standby for a LOT of people?
One guy at work loves buying expensive tools, and he carries a Surefire with the "crenellated" end for "motivation" Anything else out there solid and heavy enough, with enough length to be useful in my unique situation?
I suppose I could keep the mag on my belt and carry something else in my pocket. 4 D-cell maglites are a BIG no no; and I refuse to mount a light on my sidearm. Any ideas for under $100? Any sites dedicated to flashlight nuts (I had no idea) you can point me to are appreciated as well

Nate
Click to expand...
Get a Streamlight Twin Task 3C...I have one, and it's an EXCELLENT light, and is long enough and heavy enough to make a good "bonking tool" in a pinch.
 
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