Surefire Beast

GLP Standard · January 15, 2008, 11:19 AM

I read about this flashlight in a book, and thought "wow...2000 lumens? I think ill look into one of these". So I googled them, and saw the price on them. Needless to say, I was in complete disbelief, and almost passed out.

I have NO intention (couldnt if I wanted to) on spending $4700.00 on a flashlight, but im just wondering, whats the big deal? The nonrechargable ones require 20 Lithium 3 volts, and only run for 20 minutes. At $5 a piece, thats $100 for 20 minutes of runtime.

Whats everyones opinion on a flashlight that costs more to run for 20 minutes than I would feel comfortable spending on the flashlight itself, and that costs more than my first car just to buy?

stephen426 · January 15, 2008, 11:36 AM

I sure as heck would not buy one. You can get those plastic rechargable spot lights in the 5 million candle power range for less than $50. I can't imagine that the Beast is that much brighter. I know that CP and lumens are not convertable, but at $4700... WHO CARES???

Railslider · January 15, 2008, 04:55 PM

Wow, that's insane. As mentioned, those 5 million candle power spots are $50-100 depending on what you buy and most of those are rechargeable. I have a Surefire 6PLED that I like, but that's all I need.

Double Naught Spy · January 15, 2008, 06:59 PM

I don't know where you pay $5 a piece for CR123 batteries, but I only pay about $1.50 each online, ordered 20 at a time.

Yep, it is a battery hog and no doubt gets awfully hot awfully quick. I think they were meant as weapon lights for Barretts.

GLP Standard · January 15, 2008, 08:04 PM

^I usually get them at Walmart, because I try to stay away from ordering simple items like that online. If I can get something in a store, I usually dont order online. But $1.50 a piece is an amazing deal. Where do you shop for Lithium 3's?

xrmattaz · January 16, 2008, 10:04 AM

I believe our Border Patrol agents are using the "Beast" for nighttime stuff, as was Surefire's original intent!

Surefire 123 batteries are $1.50 each at Bill's Trading Post in Preskit, AZ.

NCHornet · January 16, 2008, 10:43 AM

They need to have it hooked to a stronger battery source. One that is rechargable, kina like the first cel phones, 20 batteries every 20 min is craxy. Even at $1.50 that's a cost of $90 per hour for a flashlight!! There our goverment making good use of our money again!! A rechargable Q beam can be had for $30 and I can't imagine needing more light than that.
NCH

GLP Standard · January 16, 2008, 01:11 PM

^They actually have a rechargable version of the flashlight. Even still, its a $4700 light. Whats so great about them? Has anyone used one before? Is it any brighter than the $200 or so dollar Borealis?

xrmattaz · January 16, 2008, 01:52 PM

Don't know much about the Borealis, 'cept what I've read from the maker.

I did see the original video when the Beast was being first released. It was filmed in Vegas, indoors, with lights on. They placed it on a table, with many onlookers, facing the ceiling. When they lit it up, everyone quickly turned away!

I want one, but I'm sadly not a rich man.

**JohnKSa** · January 17, 2008, 01:47 AM

Unless things have changed, the Beast is not available to the general public.

Quote:

Is it any brighter than the $200 or so dollar Borealis?

Going by the quoted specs from both manufacturers, the Beast puts out just under twice the light that the top-of-the-line Borealis does.

xrmattaz · January 17, 2008, 10:31 AM

http://us-dc1-order.store.yahoo.net/...MFnX9Mumveqw--

John, here's my "cart". Want me to click "checkout" for you?

Readily available. What's your CC number?

stephen426 · January 17, 2008, 10:49 AM

This website has it for ONLY $4160. The website also shows a rechargable Surefire Handle which gives up to 2 hours of run time at the 2000 lumen output. I'm sure this is the option most owners will go with since 20 batteries (@ $1.75 a pop from Surefire) would cost $35 and only give 1.5 hours of run time. I'm not sure if these are the specs for The Beast 2 though.

I like the fact that they are using HID technology since it puts out a tremendous amount of light but not a tremendous amount of heat. HID lights do require lots of power though (20 3 volt batteries = 60 volts). I still can't see myself shelling out that kind of dough for a flashlight. I'd rather buy a very nice gun or even a couple of guns.

Double Naught Spy · January 17, 2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

(20 3 volt batteries = 60 volts).

Only if linked sequentially. If linked parallel, it could be a three volt light with 20 times the wattage, but more realistically, the light may be a 15v light with 4 times the wattage (5 serial sets of 4 parallel sets). Or maybe it is a 60v light if all are linked sequeantially.

**JohnKSa** · January 17, 2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

John, here's my "cart". Want me to click "checkout" for you?

Well what do you know? (Apparently more than I do.)

Wonder when they opened availability up for everyone?

black bear 84 · January 18, 2008, 02:06 PM

Here is a picture of the Beast in action at a Las Vegas private party for CPF.
Has anybody mention that they attain full power slowly? unlikely incandescent hot wires that are instantaneous.

As you can see in the picture, it is not exactly pocket size!

Cheers
Black Bear

bigautomatic · January 18, 2008, 10:08 PM

So, do I gotta pay a luxury tax on that thing? Best served as a portable tanning bed. No, wait a minute, I can get my wife a tanning bed for less money. Or a used car. Or a family vacation. Or even two tanks of gasoline (I crack myself up). If the sun ever burns out and I win the lottery, I know which light to buy!

GLP Standard · January 19, 2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

So, do I gotta pay a luxury tax on that thing? Best served as a portable tanning bed. No, wait a minute, I can get my wife a tanning bed for less money. Or a used car. Or a family vacation. Or even two tanks of gasoline (I crack myself up). If the sun ever burns out and I win the lottery, I know which light to buy!

lol...priceless

I didnt realize they were so huge either. It just seems so impractical. I think ill stick with a borealis when I can even afford one of those

Wildalaska · January 19, 2008, 01:31 AM

It's a specialized tool

Anybody want some $10,000 Trijicon NVDs?

WildeverreadyAlaska TM

January 15, 2008, 11:19 AM	#1
GLP Standard Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2005 Posts: 286	Surefire Beast I read about this flashlight in a book, and thought "wow...2000 lumens? I think ill look into one of these". So I googled them, and saw the price on them. Needless to say, I was in complete disbelief, and almost passed out. I have NO intention (couldnt if I wanted to) on spending $4700.00 on a flashlight, but im just wondering, whats the big deal? The nonrechargable ones require 20 Lithium 3 volts, and only run for 20 minutes. At $5 a piece, thats $100 for 20 minutes of runtime. Whats everyones opinion on a flashlight that costs more to run for 20 minutes than I would feel comfortable spending on the flashlight itself, and that costs more than my first car just to buy?

January 15, 2008, 11:36 AM	#2
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	I sure as heck would not buy one. You can get those plastic rechargable spot lights in the 5 million candle power range for less than $50. I can't imagine that the Beast is that much brighter. I know that CP and lumens are not convertable, but at $4700... WHO CARES??? __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

January 16, 2008, 10:43 AM	#7
NCHornet Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2006 Posts: 1,001	They need to have it hooked to a stronger battery source. One that is rechargable, kina like the first cel phones, 20 batteries every 20 min is craxy. Even at $1.50 that's a cost of $90 per hour for a flashlight!! There our goverment making good use of our money again!! A rechargable Q beam can be had for $30 and I can't imagine needing more light than that. NCH __________________ When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away!! Carry ON!! NCHornet

January 17, 2008, 10:49 AM	#12
stephen426 Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2005 Posts: 3,840	This website has it for ONLY $4160. The website also shows a rechargable Surefire Handle which gives up to 2 hours of run time at the 2000 lumen output. I'm sure this is the option most owners will go with since 20 batteries (@ $1.75 a pop from Surefire) would cost $35 and only give 1.5 hours of run time. I'm not sure if these are the specs for The Beast 2 though. I like the fact that they are using HID technology since it puts out a tremendous amount of light but not a tremendous amount of heat. HID lights do require lots of power though (20 3 volt batteries = 60 volts). I still can't see myself shelling out that kind of dough for a flashlight. I'd rather buy a very nice gun or even a couple of guns. __________________ The ATF should be a convenience store instead of a government agency!

January 18, 2008, 02:06 PM	#15
black bear 84 Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Posts: 246	Here is a picture of the Beast in action at a Las Vegas private party for CPF. Has anybody mention that they attain full power slowly? unlikely incandescent hot wires that are instantaneous. As you can see in the picture, it is not exactly pocket size! Cheers Black Bear __________________ builder of the BOREALIS 1050 lumens flashlight http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...=169074&page=3 and www.BlackBearFlashlights.com e-mail [email protected]

January 15, 2008, 04:55 PM	#3
Railslider Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Posts: 25	Wow, that's insane. As mentioned, those 5 million candle power spots are $50-100 depending on what you buy and most of those are rechargeable. I have a Surefire 6PLED that I like, but that's all I need.

January 15, 2008, 06:59 PM	#4
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	I don't know where you pay $5 a piece for CR123 batteries, but I only pay about $1.50 each online, ordered 20 at a time. Yep, it is a battery hog and no doubt gets awfully hot awfully quick. I think they were meant as weapon lights for Barretts.

January 15, 2008, 08:04 PM	#5
GLP Standard Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2005 Posts: 286	^I usually get them at Walmart, because I try to stay away from ordering simple items like that online. If I can get something in a store, I usually dont order online. But $1.50 a piece is an amazing deal. Where do you shop for Lithium 3's?

January 16, 2008, 10:04 AM	#6
xrmattaz Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2006 Location: lovely Prescott, AZ Posts: 205	I believe our Border Patrol agents are using the "Beast" for nighttime stuff, as was Surefire's original intent! Surefire 123 batteries are $1.50 each at Bill's Trading Post in Preskit, AZ.

January 16, 2008, 01:11 PM	#8
GLP Standard Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2005 Posts: 286	^They actually have a rechargable version of the flashlight. Even still, its a $4700 light. Whats so great about them? Has anyone used one before? Is it any brighter than the $200 or so dollar Borealis?

January 16, 2008, 01:52 PM	#9
xrmattaz Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2006 Location: lovely Prescott, AZ Posts: 205	Don't know much about the Borealis, 'cept what I've read from the maker. I did see the original video when the Beast was being first released. It was filmed in Vegas, indoors, with lights on. They placed it on a table, with many onlookers, facing the ceiling. When they lit it up, everyone quickly turned away! I want one, but I'm sadly not a rich man.

January 17, 2008, 10:31 AM	#11
xrmattaz Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2006 Location: lovely Prescott, AZ Posts: 205	http://us-dc1-order.store.yahoo.net/...MFnX9Mumveqw-- John, here's my "cart". Want me to click "checkout" for you? Readily available. What's your CC number?

January 18, 2008, 10:08 PM	#16
bigautomatic Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 610	So, do I gotta pay a luxury tax on that thing? Best served as a portable tanning bed. No, wait a minute, I can get my wife a tanning bed for less money. Or a used car. Or a family vacation. Or even two tanks of gasoline (I crack myself up). If the sun ever burns out and I win the lottery, I know which light to buy!

January 19, 2008, 01:31 AM	#18
Wildalaska Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: In my own little weird world in Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 14,172	It's a specialized tool Anybody want some $10,000 Trijicon NVDs? WildeverreadyAlaska TM