B@rt
Flashaholic
Here you go...
Beast Pics?
- Thread starter B@rt
- Start date
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2dogs
Enlightened
What the heck is that? Or what might it be if it existed?
2dogs
Enlightened
Sign me up.
Size15's
Flashaholic
It's changed since that photo.
What it looks like now you will have to guess, I suppose...
No point worrying about price for a proto-type with no production plan.
Al
What it looks like now you will have to guess, I suppose...
No point worrying about price for a proto-type with no production plan.
Al
geepondy
Flashlight Enthusiast
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Wasn't this light featured in the Surefire 2002 Catalog? Why would they inclide a prototype with no production plans in their catalog?
Orcinus Orca
Newly Enlightened
I've been hearing alot about SureFire's new prototype, "The Beast," and I was wondering if anyone happened to have any pictures of the light itself. I know that PK's site used to have them but since it has been shut down, I was wondering if someone might have one saved away somewhere.
Thanks,
Frank
Thanks,
Frank
NightShift
Enlightened
Huh, interesting, i'm still waiting for my catalog. Looks like a "HID-coated" H1 in there, unless i'm not seeing the length of the HID lamp.
Daniel Ramsey
Retired Account
Its a real 35 watt HID unit, as I recall it takes 20 123 batteries to run the unit. The "Hellfire" was the name for the rechargeable version.
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
"Wasn't this light featured in the Surefire 2002 Catalog?"
If I recall correctly, (I didn't spend too much time in the flashlight sections of the 2 hours I spent there) a variant of it was also at the SHOT Show 2002. Later it was discussed as the first crew served Surefire product on this BB and the now-defunct Surefire Discussion Board.
There is apparently no demand to justify mass producing this product. This, to me, is the antithesis of Surefire products. Surefire made a name for itself in the late 80s by producing and marketing physically dimunitive flashlight products that provide outputs equal to AND exceeding those of physically larger ones offered by icons of the flashlight industry.
Surefires most significant marketing campaign was providing a visual demonstration of the clean beam of a Model 6P vice that of the "ringy" output of a 5-D cell Maglite as both outputs where 'shined' on a smooth, sanitary neutral colored surface about 2 feet from the bezel of each of those products.
That photograph probably sold more Surefire products than any other marketing strategy. In the last 2-3 years, I've witnessed Surefire products grow in physical size to the the bloated examples such as those in the Millenium line; specimens that seem to have evolved into unusual shapes with angles that seem to speak "...hey, we've evolved because, well, we can and we did."
Form seemed to have upstaged function in several designs. In particular is the hex bezel. For something that will be mostly carried on a belt pouch, in a left hand, or attached to a shoulder weapon, what use are angular protrusions meant to keep that product from rolling off a table top.
Another design peculiarity, while interesting no less, is the form of the 10X Dominator. It is a rechargeable flashlight that has constant use application characteristics in its power supply but it is marketed as a tactical flashlight. Realistically, how many 'special teams' have this product mounted on their Colt M4s or H & K MP5s? What holster is currently available for the street LEO to carry it on the Sam Browne? What about the bulbous, dual stage lamp assembly housing and the wispy lanyard attachment loop that spells Delicate, Use Carefully. Both of these features are contradictory to the market at which this market was aimed; one that is not known for its gentle, sensitive usage.
Then there is the Beast. A product designed for handheld usage. It is HUGE; a design trait that Surefire is not known for. It appears to be an engineering exercise because it has VERY LIMITED real world application. Judging by the introductory price of Surefire's latest offering (the A2), the Beast WILL HAVE a beastly price tag as well to recoup R & D costs. It wil also have to compete with one industry icon in this light product category - the Maxabeam. Unlike the Surefire Beast, that one does exist, is available for purchase, is quite capable, has a history of successful usage, and is quite often a serious contender despite the 'artifacts' in its 'beam' (the projected spot).
It will surprise me to see Surefire make and offer this to those of special need; even more so to see it offered to the commercial market.
If I recall correctly, (I didn't spend too much time in the flashlight sections of the 2 hours I spent there) a variant of it was also at the SHOT Show 2002. Later it was discussed as the first crew served Surefire product on this BB and the now-defunct Surefire Discussion Board.
There is apparently no demand to justify mass producing this product. This, to me, is the antithesis of Surefire products. Surefire made a name for itself in the late 80s by producing and marketing physically dimunitive flashlight products that provide outputs equal to AND exceeding those of physically larger ones offered by icons of the flashlight industry.
Surefires most significant marketing campaign was providing a visual demonstration of the clean beam of a Model 6P vice that of the "ringy" output of a 5-D cell Maglite as both outputs where 'shined' on a smooth, sanitary neutral colored surface about 2 feet from the bezel of each of those products.
That photograph probably sold more Surefire products than any other marketing strategy. In the last 2-3 years, I've witnessed Surefire products grow in physical size to the the bloated examples such as those in the Millenium line; specimens that seem to have evolved into unusual shapes with angles that seem to speak "...hey, we've evolved because, well, we can and we did."
Form seemed to have upstaged function in several designs. In particular is the hex bezel. For something that will be mostly carried on a belt pouch, in a left hand, or attached to a shoulder weapon, what use are angular protrusions meant to keep that product from rolling off a table top.
Another design peculiarity, while interesting no less, is the form of the 10X Dominator. It is a rechargeable flashlight that has constant use application characteristics in its power supply but it is marketed as a tactical flashlight. Realistically, how many 'special teams' have this product mounted on their Colt M4s or H & K MP5s? What holster is currently available for the street LEO to carry it on the Sam Browne? What about the bulbous, dual stage lamp assembly housing and the wispy lanyard attachment loop that spells Delicate, Use Carefully. Both of these features are contradictory to the market at which this market was aimed; one that is not known for its gentle, sensitive usage.
Then there is the Beast. A product designed for handheld usage. It is HUGE; a design trait that Surefire is not known for. It appears to be an engineering exercise because it has VERY LIMITED real world application. Judging by the introductory price of Surefire's latest offering (the A2), the Beast WILL HAVE a beastly price tag as well to recoup R & D costs. It wil also have to compete with one industry icon in this light product category - the Maxabeam. Unlike the Surefire Beast, that one does exist, is available for purchase, is quite capable, has a history of successful usage, and is quite often a serious contender despite the 'artifacts' in its 'beam' (the projected spot).
It will surprise me to see Surefire make and offer this to those of special need; even more so to see it offered to the commercial market.
B@rt
Flashaholic
Yes, it's from the 2002 catalog.
Here is a pic with PK holding the beast and the proto from the Shot-show ...
Here is a pic with PK holding the beast and the proto from the Shot-show ...
Daniel Ramsey
Retired Account
alas the infamous pic, no comment but oldtimers here remember who did what and who was upset.
Realistically it would be too big for any tactical purpose, maybe technology will decrease the size down to say a 4D maglite.
BATTERY, always is the problem.......
Realistically it would be too big for any tactical purpose, maybe technology will decrease the size down to say a 4D maglite.
BATTERY, always is the problem.......
Mr Ted Bear
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have to chime in here about the BEAST. The BEAST has undergone some significant changes since Shot 2002, and we probably will have to wait till mid-2003 for the finished product.
They were ready a few months ago, but "newer technology" allowed SF to made some desired changes. Even more recently, even "newer newer technology" is allowing even more changes and improvements.
They were ready a few months ago, but "newer technology" allowed SF to made some desired changes. Even more recently, even "newer newer technology" is allowing even more changes and improvements.
B@rt
Flashaholic
Cool, does that mean 'The Beast" is still not in the vapourware section of SureFire?
2dogs
Enlightened
Whoever PK is he has a NICE playroom.
Size15's
Flashaholic
PK the Man!
car guy
Newly Enlightened
What are the specs on the beast I cant find them on the net
GeoffChan
Enlightened
i got this from the infamous 2002 catalogue:
2,000 Lumens
80 minutes runtime
Twenty batteries
HID01 bulb
13.8" length
3.5 lb. weight
4.03" bezel diameter
Geoff
2,000 Lumens
80 minutes runtime
Twenty batteries
HID01 bulb
13.8" length
3.5 lb. weight
4.03" bezel diameter
Geoff
SuRgE
Enlightened
I wonder if thats PK's Ar15 in the background?
If it is then "PK is the man!"
If it is then "PK is the man!"
