M3 is the fisrt and apparently the last SureFire flashlight I own. Read below Regarding Surefire's new dealer policy section. I got it in fall of 2000 at the crossroads gun and knife show. Actually I was not looking for the flashlights that day, but somehow this one caught my attention, and I was really impressed with its power. The dealer offered a good deal, so I decided to buy it, why not. Looked very cool and it was real bright. Well, it only lasts 20 minutes on 123 lithium batteries, that are quite expensive, but so what. High performance gadgets have their price too :)
General - SureFire is very well known flashlight (or as they say, high
performance personal lights) manufacturer. As far as the design and quality goes everything in is a top notch: materials, fit,
finish, attention to details. M3 was one of the few new flashlights designed in 2000. Although Y2K was still old millennium,
not the new one, that doesn't really matter, the light is good and very powerful. M3 features aerospace grade aluminum body,
coated with mil. spec. type III hard anodized finish. As SureFire claims with the knurled handle you can saw through the other
aluminum flashlights. Although I've had my M3 for years by now that idea never crossed my mind. Probably because I have too many
knives. As far as the scratch resistance of the finish goes it's ok, but not totally scratch proof. My M3 does have scratches
and scuff marks even though I was not using it heavily, for obvious reasons. So, if the finish and looks matter to you,
better take good care of your SureFire M3.
In the end, I like M3 design. Sturdy and easy to use. Either turn the tail for constant on, or depress the tailcap button for
momentary on off. As I've mentioned above with high output MN11 xenon lamp the lifetime of one set of batteries is approx.
20 mins. Which is not all that much, however considering the designated use of M3 that is not too small either.
In addition; M3 is tough enough to be used as a weapon light. It can withstand repeated shock from high caliber weapon recoil.
Well, we wouldn't expect any less from a decent weapon light ;)
Beam - As I've mentioned above M3 produces 225 lumens for 20 minutes. Based on SureFire data
that is 15 times brighter compared to any 2D cell flashlight out there, apparently incandescent. In reality M3 is exceptionally bright
light, especially for its size. Don't try to look at the beam directly, it's definitely not good for your eyes, really painful,
trust me. At low light conditions M3 can easily put someone's eyes out of commission for several minutes if pointed into them.
The beam on M3 is always focused. You can not change it[focus]. It's optimized for producing a bright spot which is natural for tactical
flashlight.
Regarding Surefire's new dealer policy - I don't have to say much. I will not be buying surefire products anymore.
Their new policy simply cuts off all the internet dealers, and allows only retail sales, that is go to the store and pay 40% or more over
MSRP. Happy shopping :( The only online place you can buy surefire flashlights now is the surefire website itself. Which obviously was one
of the most expensive places to begin with. Now with this new policy in place which has sole or one of the main purposes of which is to
control prices surefire webstie will be probably cheapest place withouth them having to lower their price. Ostensibly brick and mortar
stores will charge you more. So, for example if you could buy M3 for 160-170$ on the net, now you can enjoy going to store near you and
if you find one, shell out 260$ or more. Of course surefire will be glad to sell you one for 252$ plus shipping and handling.
This is real sad trend for the companies, trying to make money by simply squeezing our wallets, without any extra efforts to either improve
their product, drive their costs down. It's a lot simpler to charge the customer more. First Arc Flashlight did this, now Surefire. Obviously all that is done in the name of providing better service and making
them (the lights) more available. No kidding. I'm just soo happy to pay extra 100$ for the flashlight and I am so sure this is done
to serve me better. Apparently SureFire is concerned that I coudl spend my $$$ on something wrong.
Oh well, there are bunch of other flashlight companies out there and I do hope there will be more. And no, I do not wish good luck to
SureFire for doing all that. There is Stremlight, there is
Inova and many others making quality lights, at more affordable prices than
the SureFire lights and without questiobale dealer policies.