Surefire: Headlamp on steroids -- the 500-lumen Maximus

[Corey]

Just into my inbox, pretty impressive.
http://www.surefire.com/illumination/headlamps/maximushs3-a-bk.html

Specifications
Output / Runtime -- White Light
High 500 .0 lumens / 1.0 hours*
Low 1 .0 lumens / 70.0 hours
Weight w/Batteries 5 .1 ounces
Batteries 1 Li-Ion rechargeable (included)
*Runtime (at highest setting for multiple-output flashlights) until output drops below 50 lumens

I have two Surefire LED lights now, an 80 lumen one, and the G2Pro or something like that, is it 200 lumens on high, 15 on low.
The 200 will light up the side of our buildings here at work.
I can only imagine what their 500 watt one would look like.

A little pricey at $265, but you get what you pay for with a Surefire.
May have to add this to my collection, it would great for camping.

And unlike my Surefire handheld that uses those expensive 3v batteries (two of them) this uses a rechargeable one, and comes with ac and dc chargers.

Features

Virtually indestructible LED emitter regulated to maximize output and runtime
One-hand output adjustment from 1 to 500 lumens
Precision reflector produces a wide, smooth beam optimized for your field of vision
Light assembly rotates up and down 90 degrees
Built-in SOS beacon can run for days on end
Tough, lightweight magnesium body with durable black finish
Waterproof to one meter depth
Built-in fuel gauge indicates battery charge level (Far out man)
Comfortable no-chafe headband with moisture-wicking Breath-O-Prene® forehead pad
Includes long-life lithium-ion rechargeable battery with wall (AC) and car (DC) chargers

 

[Skeeno]

Not as compact but almost twice the lumens (900) and only $50 shipped. I have one on my bike and it's a pretty sweet deal.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ssc-p7...-headlamp-bike-light-set-4-18650-50947?item=2

 

[tweakeraz]

Not as compact but almost twice the lumens (900) and only $50 shipped. I have one on my bike and it's a pretty sweet deal.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/ssc-p7...-headlamp-bike-light-set-4-18650-50947?item=2

I will agree with this one.I have the same one, but I got mine from GeomanGear. Not actually quite 900 Lumens supposedly, but super bright and great battery life. I used mine for trail running the desert mountains here locally in the early AM. The only drawback to these is that the battery pack is a bit heavy and cumbersome. I just throw mine in my Hydration pack when running or jacket pocket when camping. Neighboring campers may not like you too much. Any other camping needs are easily filled in with my Princetontec from REI (approx 30-40 bucks).

As for Surefire, I have a few and love them, but nowadays, there are sooooooo many cheaper, comparable, and even better options available. Nowadays, my surefires generally reside in my safe with my other home defense tools.

 

[Corey]

Guy's, I have two of those on my mountain Bike that I bought from Geoman, and I can tell you the Chinese lights are no way built like a Surefire.
I bet the Surefire at 500 lumens blows the bike lights out of the water.

I have taken one of my bike lights to work to shine on the walls in the dark, and my 200 lumen Surefire light was better.

 

[Skeeno]

No doubt the Surefire is a higher quality light, but for me, paying 5x the price was not necessary.

 

[anotherguy]

I have a Surefire Saint Maximus (the older 100 lumen version) that I love. In addition to being the typical high quality Surefire product, it is comfortable enought that I have forgotten that I had it on at times. This will invariably be a great product but I can't justify it until I my old one dies (unlikely) or I lose it (more likely) and for now if I need a lot of light I have a Surefire Hellfighter (I paid WAY less than retail for a used one) that is so bright you can damn near see the future with it.

 

[troyboy162]

IMHO you don't actually get what you pay for with surefire anymore. Don't get me wrong they are super high quality but a quality light can be had far cheaper with greater performance in any category surefire is in. Look into the zebralight H600 if you are interested high output compact headlamps.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

$265 for a headlamp? Sorry, but I can think of many better things to spend the extra $200 on after buying one or two good units. Another thought, that $265 would buy about 20-30 of the Energizer brand headlamps that the Red Cross could distribute to families in need. I happen to have a Streamlight and 2 of those Energizer headlamps, all of which have worked great for about 3 years, and if I lose or break one I won't bat an eye....

 

[DUTCH]

$265 for a headlamp? Sorry,

Currently available on Amazon for $188.68 and free shipping. No sales tax, if you're located right.