To be fair, think of it this way,
Surefire has long had a target market geared around combative uses of light. So, military, LEO and citizens are prime customers. Good safe lithium primaries are considerably cheaper when you are buying them in mass quantity (think tens of thousands) under gov't contracts. So, it is easy to just replace cells when light starts to dim, problem solved. This satisfies much of their target market.
Surefire has traditionally lagged behind Streamlight in terms of ease of use rechargeable flashlights. What you generally want is something ready to go, on a charger, in the car or somewhere, that goes back on the charger when you get back in the car. On your belt or in your pocket you may have your backup light, which isn't going to see as much use. And for both LEO and Mil applications, you want to pay attention to concepts of light discipline. Also consider weapon lights that maybe see use times in the tens of minutes at a go, as it can be kinda rude to point your M4 at everything you are trying to see. Personally I've carried an E2e with a KX2C head, or an LX2 everyday for ten-ish years (perfect form factor for me). I usually use lithium primaries in these lights, as it is easy. As the cells fade, I use them single use in headlamps when I'm fishing or whatever.
Plus, think about how many people actually have a quality flashlight. Then think about how many of those are actually flashlight geeks (guilty myself). Just because someone carries a flashlight, gun, or drives a car daily for work means they are a flashlight, gun or car person.
Anyhow, I'm just pointing out why many people just don't find it worth the hassle of dealing with or caring about li-ion cells. We agree on the concept, and it is probably stuff you knew anyway. It's just hard for many to justify the added effort and cost of li-ion cell use.
Surefire has long had a target market geared around combative uses of light. So, military, LEO and citizens are prime customers. Good safe lithium primaries are considerably cheaper when you are buying them in mass quantity (think tens of thousands) under gov't contracts. So, it is easy to just replace cells when light starts to dim, problem solved. This satisfies much of their target market.
Surefire has traditionally lagged behind Streamlight in terms of ease of use rechargeable flashlights. What you generally want is something ready to go, on a charger, in the car or somewhere, that goes back on the charger when you get back in the car. On your belt or in your pocket you may have your backup light, which isn't going to see as much use. And for both LEO and Mil applications, you want to pay attention to concepts of light discipline. Also consider weapon lights that maybe see use times in the tens of minutes at a go, as it can be kinda rude to point your M4 at everything you are trying to see. Personally I've carried an E2e with a KX2C head, or an LX2 everyday for ten-ish years (perfect form factor for me). I usually use lithium primaries in these lights, as it is easy. As the cells fade, I use them single use in headlamps when I'm fishing or whatever.
Plus, think about how many people actually have a quality flashlight. Then think about how many of those are actually flashlight geeks (guilty myself). Just because someone carries a flashlight, gun, or drives a car daily for work means they are a flashlight, gun or car person.
Anyhow, I'm just pointing out why many people just don't find it worth the hassle of dealing with or caring about li-ion cells. We agree on the concept, and it is probably stuff you knew anyway. It's just hard for many to justify the added effort and cost of li-ion cell use.
))))
