Surefire flashlights make a complete, compact line of LED flashlights for work or play. An LED (the acronym for Light-Emitting Diode) is a semiconductor chip that converts electrical energy directly into light. An LED is called a solid-state light source because it has no gas or liquid components, as do other light sources. The SureFire LED flashlights consist of the emitter chip mounted on a solid base; the chip is attached to electrical leads (wires) that conduct power to it, and it is encased in a clear polymer that is shaped to either focus or disperse the LED's light in the desired manner.

SureFire LED flashlights generally emit light within a narrow spectral band. In order to produce white light, which consists of the entire visible spectrum combined (or nearly so, as far as the human eye can discern), we use LED bulbs that emit near-ultraviolet blue light that strikes an upper layer of phosphors. These phosphors absorb the blue light and re-emit white light, in much the same manner that fluorescent light tubes produce white light.

LED lights possess some tremendous advantages over incandescent flashlights. First, they can last thousands of hours versus less than fifty hours for high-output incandescent lamps. Second, because LED's are very robust in construction, and have no delicate parts like glass bulbs, filaments, or filament supports. They are extremely resistant to vibration and shock, making them well-suited for the combat environment or for mounting on firearms. Third, they produce virtually no invisible infrared radiation, as opposed to incandescent lamps which emit over 85% of their output as infrared, and therefore LED lamps are much more efficient in producing light than incandescent lamps; an important factor for battery-operated flashlights. And fourth, they will emit light over a wide range of power input making LED flashlights the natural choice for adjustable-output light sources.

As noted above, there are currently some disadvantages to LED light sources. First, most LED flashlights emit forward from a flat surface, causing the need for more complex lenses to produce the beam characteristics you want. Second, because LED flashlights are susceptible to damage from overheating they have certain thermal design requirements. Therefore, today LED sources have a practical limit of less than 150 lumens. Third, LED flashlights are difficult to manufacture without some variance in lumen output and color. For this reason, they are tested and sorted by the manufacturer into different bins according to output and color. SureFire minimizes such product variability by purchasing LED flashlights only from the highest-quality bins. After all, when someone chooses SureFire flashlights, it means he or she wants the best quality money can buy.

In the end, it is the quality and craftsmanship of these flashlights that make consumers decide to purchase a SureFire. Rock solid construction and sparing no expense in construction material and design allows them to provide you with the best possible flashlight. Useful and unique features and a modern, sleek look also make each SureFire flashlight something that you want to purchase and use. Just wearing one on your belt shows the world that you know which brand is best; that you are not a rookie, but have real knowledge and experience that allows you to make the best flashlight choice. SureFire really is that different from other companies. It's the kind of difference you can really notice and appreciate. To take a look at the different SureFire models, click the link above to start browsing!