As the USA nationalists refuse to accept that the rest of the planet actually exists, let alone might see things differently. This always happens and is a real bore. The vehemence of the arguments make me think that they are trying to convince themselves rather than anyone else.
I don't want a Surefire as for my purposes I can do way better for a fraction of the price. I own several USA made lights (i.e., Maglites and one custom which is now obsolete) and have no prejudice at all about where a light is made. Nobody I know of makes lights in Scotland, though there is always Lummi for the UK of which I am a citizen and I do own two of Rob's lights. It wasn't because Rob lives in the same nation as I do that made me buy his lights but they offered (to me) something that nothing else on the market did. They were not inexpensive but that isn't really the issue. As it happens, neither of my UK made lights get used much these days. Every light I actually use was made in China - some of them are better than others. At the moment, all of the lights i actually use are branded by Aurora except for the Tank007 TK703 which lives in one of my my pockets. It was however the most recent arrival apart from the two Powerlights which are being played with tested as I type.
Just like you Don the SF lights just didnt fit the bill......for me it seems that i have some other lights that will out do them any day. It may seem that im downing them when im not, when it comes to lights its more like- to each his own. For the price that my wife was going to pay i could have gotten two other lights that would have made me just as happy, or i could have gotten more lithiums and nimh packs.
I don't get Surefire either. Someone gave me a 6P as a gift. I keep it in a drawer by the bed but never use it. It's expensive for what it is. It's not bright by todays standards and I don't see what the fuss is all about...granted I don't have the other more expensive models.
I also chuckle when I read about your life depending on a light. I'm not a cop but I do scuba dive in very cold waters with limited visability where I use a light on every dive. I've heard divers referring to lights as "life support equipment". It's ridiculous. No one's life depends on a flashlight or you're leading your life wrong. :) I'd rather have two cheap poorly made lights than one good light (not that I try to have poorly made lights).
I get tired of hearing about "quality lights" on CPF as well. If a DX light needs a little work it's "I told you so" but if a Surefire light doesn't work we hear about how great their customer service is. If I owned a "quality" light I would assume that I would have no idea if that company had a great customer service as I should never come into contact with them!
Now that is a good point.....thats one thing you will never hear im afraid. Too me there just another light company, and you have some others that are on the cutting edge when it comes to lights.
To me the oddest thing about CPF is not the weird affection for Surefire it's the way the administors have rules, no one knows what they are, if you ask your question is deleted and your original post is either deleted or closed.
I know that when I first went there I through about leaving just because it seemed like such a creepy place...controlling moderators and most posters who seemed OK with that.
Now I just ignore it and since it's such a large forum you really can learn a lot and get opinions and feedback from a large number of people. I'm more interested in do it yourself issues rather than reviews of expensive lights or talk of the next greatest light that may be coming out sometime.
I'm also amazed at the few expensive custom drop-ins that everyone recommends as "the best". Most of the time they are not even available and the person making them has a long "waiting list" for the honor of paying $100 for a drop-in. :)
That's a great thing about this forum. If you want to ask people what they think of some light on DX, you can just ask and include a link. You don't get scolded for "advertising" even though you are just asking an honest question. And nobody will go on a rant about how awful budget lights are and that you should be breaking the bank on something a lot more expensive.
Sorry to get off-topic but perhaps I can ask the question here rather than stop a new thread...are there any divers on this board yet? Especially any who are interested in DIY type of projects. Certain questions can be asked of any do it yourself types and others probably should be asked only of those who dive.
Also, I'm curious as to the demographics of the members here. Are most people from the EU (I'm from the US by the way)?
Thats funny that you posted this, since i was reading it last night. I wanted to post something and should have but the Z monster kept kicking my arse.