I remember the Streamlight guy at Shot Show in 2012 saying to me: "there sure are a lot of flashlight companies". That was in 2012. There are a whole lot more now!
I remember upgrading MagLites and you could buy a new 2AA Maglite for $9.00 at Walmart, a Terralux module for $15 and then a Seoul Semiconductor P4 for $10 (total of near $35) and it was all the craze. I did a custom color for each of my kids. Now the new lights would put something like that to shame and for less money too.
It seems that the first comers that provided decent lights and quality like Fenix, EagleTac, Sunwayman, Nitecore, Jetbeam, 4Sevens, others, etc.........have slowed down a bit. I'm going off of the # of new CPF threads these days on those models. There doesn't seem to be the enthusiasm. Many of the posters from years ago seem to have disappeared.
Now all I see are threads on very expensive lights and very inexpensive lights. That tells me that people are either really into custom and quality or they are interested in cheap........preferably something decent for cheap.........which seems to be the case lately. I just picked up my first Lumintop (the EDC25) for $20. I have to wait for the slow boat from China though. But worth the wait for the price. That's normally a $59 light. And a month ago I bought my first ATactical A1+ for $29.99. They also have an A1 model for $19.99. Those include rechargeable battery too. There are other models that must be pretty decent too like the Convoy which I have yet to try out.
Am I correct in saying that the whole price structure is sinking with these inexpensive contenders, and it seems to have taken market share away from the mid tier light companies based on the lack of discussion on the forum. It seems the LED craze isn't so special like it use to be in the early years. It's like a fad that has gone from something that was way cool in the beginning years to something that folks just consider as the norm today........so no need to discuss it? Perhaps this is simply the evolution of a new exciting technology that has simply matured. I see myself really winding down and unless something is on a way killer deal or some way new feature, I simply have my desires satiated for now.
I remember upgrading MagLites and you could buy a new 2AA Maglite for $9.00 at Walmart, a Terralux module for $15 and then a Seoul Semiconductor P4 for $10 (total of near $35) and it was all the craze. I did a custom color for each of my kids. Now the new lights would put something like that to shame and for less money too.
It seems that the first comers that provided decent lights and quality like Fenix, EagleTac, Sunwayman, Nitecore, Jetbeam, 4Sevens, others, etc.........have slowed down a bit. I'm going off of the # of new CPF threads these days on those models. There doesn't seem to be the enthusiasm. Many of the posters from years ago seem to have disappeared.
Now all I see are threads on very expensive lights and very inexpensive lights. That tells me that people are either really into custom and quality or they are interested in cheap........preferably something decent for cheap.........which seems to be the case lately. I just picked up my first Lumintop (the EDC25) for $20. I have to wait for the slow boat from China though. But worth the wait for the price. That's normally a $59 light. And a month ago I bought my first ATactical A1+ for $29.99. They also have an A1 model for $19.99. Those include rechargeable battery too. There are other models that must be pretty decent too like the Convoy which I have yet to try out.
Am I correct in saying that the whole price structure is sinking with these inexpensive contenders, and it seems to have taken market share away from the mid tier light companies based on the lack of discussion on the forum. It seems the LED craze isn't so special like it use to be in the early years. It's like a fad that has gone from something that was way cool in the beginning years to something that folks just consider as the norm today........so no need to discuss it? Perhaps this is simply the evolution of a new exciting technology that has simply matured. I see myself really winding down and unless something is on a way killer deal or some way new feature, I simply have my desires satiated for now.