SureFire's business practices suck!

[Army Chief]

Anything can happen, but as the market exists right now, all a move like this will accomplish is to force Ares customers who are looking for premium quality illumination tools to take their business elsewhere.

AC

[BCmJUnKie]

We are planning on dropping SF due to their nonsensical slow lead times, ridiculous pricing structure, and communistic "Price Fixing" that in our minds is hurting our customer service and hurting the American people in general. Their over the top high prices are being paid by the US government to supply a Flashlight that could be sold for a far lower price. Not to mention they are essentially stealing from their customers by providing a product with a super inflated price point and not allowing dealers to sell it for a lower more reasonable price.

We are taking suggestions on light manufacturers from the community that we should look into.

We have already settled on Insight as they provide what appears to be a more functional and superior product for a much lower price.

What are your opinions on StreamLight or other manufacturers that maybe we are not aware of yet.

I agree completely...In fact when i recently registered a new Z2-S I bought I mentioned in the comment section of how I think they could lower their prices a bit. They are completely ridiculous, however, the product is amazing. Its really disapointing when a company that sells that many units, ESPECIALLY to LEO and Military not to mention the american people, they cant drop the pricing a little? Personally I dont think it would hurt their numbers to come down in price a little

[newyork]

Anything can happen, but as the market exists right now, all a move like this will accomplish is to force Ares customers who are looking for premium quality illumination tools to take their business elsewhere.

AC

I agree. Especially when Ares is starting to build a reputation for quality and get a buzz. I wouldn't start a post saying Surefire sucks (they certainly don't) and then drop them. Ppl will shop elsewhere. They are expensive and have fixed prices but they are top notch and known for great CS. Bottom line is most people go with Surefire despite incremental price increases because they're the best.

[sadmin]

I wouldnt say Surefire sucks, but they are most def. overpriced. Does something happen during the manufacturing process of Surefire that would warrant the bloated prices? Technology has caught up and AS durable lights are being produced at half the cost with better output. Good on you Ares. Site looks great by the way.

Check out:
Fenix
HDS Systems RA Series
Elzetta

I prefer single output, but its hard to locate them in a cr123 besides the Surefire G2, which is great, but too long for my tastes. I currently shoot with a Fenix PD20 R5 in a GS mount and can report zero issues. (Not hardcore use though, just a weekend / class shooter) As far as pistol mounted lights go...its hard to beat an x300 due to it being tough as nails. GS...make a low pro mount for pistols please.

[Iraqgunz]

They may be expensive (prices may have been raised in response to the price of metals/ commodities) but I have been using them since around 1993 or so and I have yet to find flashlights that are better.

Their customer service has always been good to me.

[TroyTK]

Surefire sucks? That is a very over-the-top statement. They most certainly do not. In my experience, nothing compares to the X300 for a weaponlight.

That said, I do like Streamlights non-weapon light lineup. The Strion and the Stinger series have served me well over the years at work.

[ares armor]

I have tried other lights and so far nothing comes close. Streamlights products sucked. I have broken many a M3 light before I went with the Surefire x200 and then to the X300. While surefire prices are high I have not found a superior product personally.
Pat

Streamlight are not an option for us. Quality is too low. We are looking more for a smaller company that is producing quality equal to surefire just without that baggage that comes along with being a SureFire dealer.

we are looking at options.

[Littlelebowski]

The guy that runs tacticalleds.com can answer your questions, ares. Retired LEO, consummate professional, and very knowledgeable.

[ares armor]

The guy that runs tacticalleds.com can answer your questions, ares. Retired LEO, consummate professional, and very knowledgeable.

Thank you we will be contacting him.

[scottryan]

I have tried other lights and so far nothing comes close. Streamlights products sucked. I have broken many a M3 light before I went with the Surefire x200 and then to the X300. While surefire prices are high I have not found a superior product personally.
Pat

Huge +1

Surefire products are not built to a price point like other cheap consumer shit. They are built the way they need to be made to last and be durable. However much that costs them, they charge that much to the end user plus the profit margin.