What brand of flashlights contend with Surefire?

[toasterlocker]

Many of the common gripes about non-Surefire lights are based in user ignorance and a simple unwillingness to examine simple fact (as rob_s openly admits). It is comparable to someone who doesn't know much about ARs saying Colts are the only gun to be considered, and brands like Daniel Defense and Bravo Company MUST suck because they have never heard of those brands. And they refuse to research non-Colt brands to confirm if their position is even accurate. Sure, Colt is a great brand, but having a more recognizable name, being around longer, and being more expensive do not automatically make it better than a Daniel Defense or a Bravo Company gun. In fact, one could argue a Daniel Defense may be better, having a cold hammer forged barrel, for example.

rob_s and others complaining about their experience with non-Surefire lights would be like a Colt-only user trying out a DPMS, having a bad experience, and then writing off ALL non-Colt guns based on that single experience. DPMS sucks, so BCM and Daniel Defense must suck too! Because like DPMS, they aren't Colt! When you use a product for something other than its intended application, you are the problem, not the product. Like putting a plinker through an intense class or a using a multi-mode utility light as a tac light. If you want an outstanding, simple tactical light that isn't a Surefire, there are tons are out there. But if you are too lazy to do 10 minutes worth of googling and end up with multi-mode utility light, you have no one to blame but yourself. It is almost as silly as buying a 4 banger pick up and then complaining it doesn't perform well at the Indy 500.

More to come later...

[piesandcheese]

I've had my Olight M20S mounted on my twelve gauge for a couple years now. I've put hundreds of magnum loads through it and it's still holding strong. It's the best flashlight I've ever used.

Granted, I've never used a Surefire, but then again, I've never needed to replace my Olight. It performs like a champ, and if it can handle 3'' 00 Buckshot loads on a 12 gauge, I'm sure it can handle 5.56 recoil just fine.

[Packeagle]

I've had my Olight M20S mounted on my twelve gauge for a couple years now.

I went with my Olight m20s-x because of the user interface. I like the secondary switch for the mode and strobe. Every time i hit the tail cap or pressure switch I get what ever mode I left the light set to (always max). Then the secondary for modes. As a bonus I don't ever scroll through strobe (a major pet peeve in other lights.) It has a floody beam that i like. I've had great luck with it thus far.

[kwilkin]

and let's be honest, this one is 99% of the measure for most of the knockoff buyers, and the rest are stand-ins for bullshit reasons to justify that 99%.

and it does not come with tradeoffs. If you don't see them, and you're happy with your knockoffs, then motor on.

Agreed. Something has to give. TANSTAAFL.

As mentioned, SureFire offers a no-questions-asked warranty on non-switch related parts for your light. That costs money but you're glad you have it should you ever need it.

[TMcGuff]

I havent seen many companies make as good of products as surefire. They make few items but they make them flawless. I have 2 x300 and the mc600a

[uwe1]

Agreed. Something has to give. TANSTAAFL.

As mentioned, SureFire offers a no-questions-asked warranty on non-switch related parts for your light. That costs money but you're glad you have it should you ever need it.

No doubt this is true, but do you have any first hand experience with other light companies where they didn't honor their warranty on non-switch related parts for their lights?

I'm not calling you out, but the way you phrased your comment implies that ONLY Surefire would honor their warranty and I'm asking for clarification. If all the other companies screwed you over on their warranty, then it is worth noting. However, if one company screwed you over, then we should all be made aware to avoid that company.

Also, pricing of products can be a complex thing. With Surefire, you're dealing with a California based company, with all the challenges (higher costs, regulations, and taxes) of doing business there. I would think that the higher prices would at least have a little to do with that.

[Arcana71]

From the outset, I must admit that I don't own a single SureFire product... thanks to my meager budget. My current weapon light is a Streamlight PolyTac LED (what sold me was the momentary/click tailcap) while my current pocket light is an Olight T-10 (what sold me was the adjustable output) . I'm happy with both... but I really have not yet tried to destroy either. Take that for whatever it's worth.

[toasterlocker]

-Surefires are more durable.
When you consider that some of the many common Surefires out there, like the 6P and 9P, use type II anodizing, it is clear the superior durability claim is false. Most reputable "cheap Chicom" brands use superior type III anodizing on all of their lights.

When you get beyond the finish, things are a little murkier. That said, the murkiness doesn't seem to favor one side more than the other. I haven't seen any tests where a Surefire is show to be "more durable" than its comparable Fenix, Olight, Jetbeam, etc counterpart. After all, it is simple aluminum tubes tubes we are talking about. This isn't exactly rocket science, an aluminum tube is pretty hard to screw up. markm said it pretty well earlier in the thread.

Finally, the switches and LEDs or lamps will fail with any brand (including Surefire) if punished enough, but I have yet to see a single test showing that a Surefire model outperformed any comparable non-Surefire counterpart. Probably because most of them use LED and chips from the SAME SOURCE.

Quite simply, people make the durability claim without a shred of evidence to back it up. Sure, someone can beat the hell out of lower end Fenix utility light and it won't take it as well as Surefire 6P, but that is like being disappointed when a stock Ford Ranger doesn't do well at a monster truck rally. Compare a Fenix TK21 to a 6P, however, and you have a more fair match up where is unlikely the Surefire will do anything to prove better than the competition.

-Surefires have a better warranty.
May be true in some cases, but certainly not all. It varies depending on which non-Surefire company or distributor you are dealing with, but some of them have far better customer service and warranties than Surefire. They will replace things like switches, without conditions or questions. Can't say the same about Surefire. Not that I can say I've seen these guarantees taken advantage of often, because the products are high quality in the first place. If you have something that doesn't break in the first place, a warranty doesn't mean much. Makes me think of "Tommy Boy": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf4C9ssuPjE

-Surefire is more innovative, and other brands copy them.
When it comes to the nicer non-Surefire lights, it is the other way around. Many lower end brands make Surefire knock offs, but many of the recently released updated Surefires use design features the appeared YEARS earlier on non-Surefire lights. The examples are so numerous I won't get into detail here, but I'm sure if anyone wants to dispute this claim, one of the flashlight experts here would be more than happy to school them.

-Surefire is "American," so buying Surefire is better for the "American" economy.
The best way I can address this is to say READ A BOOK. Simple global economics makes this claim ridiculous. The issue is far too complex to explain here, but for a better understanding, check out "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. Do you people believe these lights come straight from a Chinese manufacturer to an American customer without ANY Americans in the supply/distribution chain making a buck along the way? The same crowd who actually believes they are doing more for America by getting a Surefire probably also believes that buying a GM vehicle made in Mexico is better for America than a Toyota Tundra made in Texas. When it comes down to it, it is generally a wash.

End rant... for now

[far9mm]

fenix, 4seven and klarus i would say compete with surefire.
i own lights from all the companysand they all work great and are bright. check out candellight fourms. they talk about nothing but flashlights.

[Hehuhates]

-Surefire is "American," so buying Surefire is better for the "American" economy.
The best way I can address this is to say READ A BOOK. Simple global economics makes this claim ridiculous. The issue is far too complex to explain here, but for a better understanding, check out "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman. Do you people believe these lights come straight from a Chinese manufacturer to an American customer without ANY Americans in the supply/distribution chain making a buck along the way? The same crowd who actually believes they are doing more for America by getting a Surefire probably also believes that buying a GM vehicle made in Mexico is better for America than a Toyota Tundra made in Texas. When it comes down to it, it is generally a wash.

End rant... for now

No by all means finish your rant, just stay on topic. We are talking flashlights, not Tundras. I know for a fact I'm doing better for my fellow American workers by buying products they make. If you think differently I can't help you. If we keep buying cheaper widgets from China or wherever Americans will no longer make widgets. The Americans who used to make widgets are gonna do what? It's all in my up coming book "See Dick's job go overseas" --LOL