August 6, 2007 4:12 PM PDT

The $7,000 flashlight

by Mike Yamamoto
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(Credit: SureFire)

With so many unimaginative dolts apparently working in technology marketing, we all too often see product names that are about as creative as Social Security numbers. But then there are those on the opposite end of the spectrum that are stupefyingly prosaic, as evidenced by the brilliant "Cat Speaker" just hours ago.

This next item falls into the latter category, though at least they didn't called it "The Big Flashlight," and it's actually pleasantly menacing: "The Beast." And that it is, considering it's only a flashlight but weighs 4.5 pounds and is 15.5 inches long. Not only does its name sound like a '50s drive-in movie, but it also looks more like a Transformer appendage than a flashlight.

SureFire has outdone itself this time with more than just cyborgian good looks, making the latest uber-light (technically "The Beast II," for those keeping track) capable of emitting a 2,000-lumen beam--the equivalent of 130 conventional flashlights that run on two D-cell batteries. But the kicker is the price: $7,000, according to Coolest-Gadgets. If that doesn't make it a monstrosity, we don't know what does.

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I want one...or two...soon. Damn that's awesome!
by shmody August 6, 2007 7:34 PM PDT
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who the hel would pay $7,000 for a FLASHLIGHT
by firestarter August 7, 2007 2:40 PM PDT
i dont care how bright it is that just a waste of money.
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I checked their website, it's ONLY $4800
by pmarshall August 7, 2007 4:39 PM PDT
I can imagine using one on your boat. [Splash] DOH!

There are other High Intensity Discharge lights for a lot cheaper. No thanks.
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You retards.
by iLionel August 12, 2007 5:03 AM PDT
This flashlight isn't a toy, it's too powerful for civillian use in most cases. It was
origonally made for the US Army to mount on vehicle mounted Squad weapons.
It has the best warranty of any product EVER, it breaks, they fix it... For life... It
also has the best build quality of any other brand of light, a maglite is a pathetic
cheap tube with a bulb stuck on the end in comparison. *Owns a Surefire 6p*
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Get a Surefire and see for yourself
by calbum August 12, 2007 9:10 AM PDT
I bought a Surefire flashlight several years back out of curiosity. Their flashlights are amazing! Now I have three and one of them (which is only 240 lumens)is too bright to use for regular use. Other two, 60 and 120 lumens, are very bright (you can't use it to read a paper because the light reflection off white paper blinds you!)and way better than any other flashlights.
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Battery life
by Rick Cavaretti August 12, 2007 9:45 AM PDT
Surefires suck through their batteries faster than a good New Orleans hooker on
a Friday night with access to your paycheck.
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