I wasn't going to post in this thread, as this topic is like beating a dead horse around here, and has been for many years, and these threads always end up getting locked, but I feel I must.
I don't buy the comments like "more Surefire lights failing than any other brand combined", or "
Surefire has proved to be the least reliable brand",
not for a split second.
You can make the arguments that Surefire is overpriced, you can make the arguments that they are behind the times in technology, but one thing you can't do is dispute that they are rock solid, dependable products. The Q&A may be slipping up in recent times, you might get a smudge on a lens, or some dirt on a reflector, but those things do not take away from the actual reliability of the light.
Surefire lights have been in hostile environments for decades, from heavy police duty to active warzones. They have been blown up, ran over, crushed, and even shot with projectiles, and survived, and continued to work. This has been documented. No other brand can make this claim. You can say that your Chinese light could do the same, but the difference is that is a theoretical, whereas the Surefire HAS been there and done it, and proved it could survive the worst conditions possible.
Military, Special Forces, SEALS, Police, all rely on Surefire, not because of Government contracts, but because they have EARNED a reputation for utter reliability. Find me an Elite US Special Forces weapon that's doesn't have a Surefire Weaponlight. You won't.
Then there is the warranty. Best in the business hands down. Allow me to share just a few stories of how excellent they treat their customers. Years ago I purchased my second 10X Dominator from Ebay. The item was described as "Like New". Received it, and the light was total junk. Batteries were shot, glass was horribly scratched, bulbs were blown, the works. I contacted Surefire, explained the situation, and within a few weeks a BRAND NEW 10X Dominator was at my door step. What's more important to note is this light had been discontinued for years. Surefire keeps a large supply of replacement parts for old discontinued lights on hand, and that is part of why the prices are higher. You won't see any of the naysayers mention that when discussing the price.
I called them a month or so ago, explained I had an old incandescent light that I could no longer find bulbs or batteries for. What was there response? Send it in to us, and we will send you back a new light. A week or so later an brand new EDCL-2T was at my doorstep.
Can any of you tell of experiences like this with your Chinese lights? I don't think you can.
Back to reliability, it seems like every single day there are threads popping up, "My Brand X has a problem" "My new Brand X light has issues" time and time again. Do a google search here on the forums, and you will clearly see that Surefire has far far less of these types of threads ever popping up. The evidence speaks for itself.
I will admit, Surefire isn't quite the powerhouse they used to be, some of the technology in their lights is behind a lot of the Chinese manufacturers. Their outputs are not as bright, and many times they don't have as many features.
But one thing I will not stand for is them being described as Unreliable. Because that is completely untrue.
To finish, I'll share a small sample of the difference in reliability between Surefire and other brands. The evidence speaks for itself around the 2:50 second mark.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhj3XvW81V8