Surefire
From CPFWiki
SureFire is a Southern California-based company that produces precision tactical flashlights commonly used in the law enforcement and military fields. SureFire flashlights are also popular in the civilian market for personal, occupational, and self-defense purposes. The lights are often seen in TV shows and movies, such as the television show CSI.
SureFire produces a diverse variety of flashlights encompassing many sizes and power outputs. These range from the tiny Titan to the hand-held M6 Guardian, up to the Hellfire weapon-mounted searchlight for the M2HB machine gun or Mk 44 Minigun. One of SureFire's most popular products is the 6P Original. At 5.1 inches (130 mm) in length, it is slightly shorter than the ubiquitous AA Maglite Mini-Mag, and weighs just 5.3 oz (150 g). Two Lithium 123 A batteries provide power to produce 65 lumens of light, roughly twice the output of a typical three D-cell incandescent flashlight, for about sixty minutes. The Z2 tactical light, which sports similar performance, is specifically designed to be used in conjunction with a sidearm, and is standard issue to the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.
SureFire models range from single-cell Xenon lights to a large 20-cell HID model (also available with a rechargeable solution). Models employing an incandescent bulb offer the option of a brighter bulb (albeit at the cost of reduced battery life). They also produce a line of LED flashlights which include features such as electronically-controlled power regulation (allowing them to run in both 6 volt and 9 volt bodies and with less battery power than necessary to light an incandescent bulb) and multiple levels of brightness. The company has moved from the Lumileds luxeon leds to the more efficient Cree XR-E leds in some of the 2007 models.
Most of their flashlights are powered by Lithium CR123A batteries that allow for compact size and low weight while offering high power output. SureFire produce their own brand of CR123As which they feel offer a consistent, high quality power source for their flashlights. The SureFire 123As are usually sold in bulk, as opposed to other brands whose cells are intended for use in cameras. Some of the flashlights are available with rechargeable battery packs.
Like most higher-end flashlights marketed today, Surefire flashlights are primarily made of aluminum, usually hard anodized or type II anodized in various colors. Some less expensive models are made from Nitrolon, a proprietary impact-resistant, non-conductive, glass-reinforced polymer.
SureFire flashlights are waterproof and have a number of accessories to enhance them, including red (night), blue (blood trail) and infrared (night vision compatible) filters, beam diffusers, beam covers, lanyards, pouches/holsters and spare battery/bulb carriers. SureFire's marketing slogan is "smaller, brighter, better". Most models may have several times the output power of standard flashlights, yet are smaller, portable and easy to carry, albeit at the expense of a shorter battery life and higher purchase cost. Surefire LED flashlights often have improved run time versus their incandescent lights of similar output.
