I understand all sides here, but you do get what you pay for. Would you, as a Commanding Officer want to tell the next of kin the soldier died due to poor quality batteries, thus unable to operate the equipment??? I think not.
Bottom line-mission critical equipment must work everytime. No exceptions, no excuses. No crap parts and equipment for our military, please.
It does not have to be the most expensive piece of equipment, but the equipment has to be reliable. My job ( Industrial Fire Fighter / Paramedic ) reqires a flashlight for me to do my job.
I choose a Surefire LED flashlight. The flashlight is somewhat expensive, but it is brighter and more reliable than the yellow - 2 "D" Cell flashlights, and the 3 volt batteries last 12 hours continously in the LED light, where as the "D" cell flashlight would not last half that time. I change the batterys in my LED flashlight....about every four to six months. The LED flashlight was more expensive than conventional two cell ( "D" cell ) flashlights, but pays for itself in the batterys I save. It weighs less, and is smaller and more compact than most competitor flashlights of equal brightenss. I carry it on my belt in a pouch.
Point being. It is more expensive than most other regular flashlights, but is reliable, last longer than most of its competitors, and in the end run...saves me money. I have dropped it on its end, dropped it on the lens end..and it never failed. I did not have to shake it, adjust the head, or unscrew the end cap and manupulate the batterys ; or the wire springs in the end cap or the head to get it to work, as I have when I worked for River Transportation Companys ( I used to work on the barges ) who issued us plastic flashlights to work with.
My SureFire E1L ( LED ) flashlight holds one 3 volt battery, and last aproxmately 37 hours on low, and 8 hours on high. I save batterys, and have a tough reliable flashlight when I go camping. I can use it as a regular flashlight, or even a night light if I have to. And again, it pays for itself ; Cause I save batterys. Where can you find a "C" Cell, or a "D" cell flashlight that is as bright, last longer and is more durable. One of the foreman whom I used to work with ( Plays music in a band ), me and him ordered batterys off off the internet about two years ago, and I belive I still have the box of batterys that me and him ordered.
Equipment has to be reliable, dependable and long lasting. In some situations and events, a life, or many lives may depend on it.
I buy firearms, and I am a huge handgun fan. I buy them for their reliability and accuracy. The $700 Dollar handgun I buy was more expensive than the $550 dollar handgun, but the $700 dollar handgun is more reliable, shoots more accurate, is not as fallable as the $550 dollar handgun, does not loose its value as much as the cheaper handgun, and requires less maintainance.
If I were given the option to buy the $800.00 H&K USP handgun, or the $125.00 High-Point handgun, I would choose the H&K. The H&K is more reliable, is built better, not as prone to maintance failures, has a better finish for my camping and hunting applications, and one biggie is a longer barrel life. You actually save money in the end in my view.
I purchased a Wilson Combat pistol ( "Professional Model) for a little over a $1000.00, brand new ; in 2001. I paid about $1300.00 dollars for that handgun. Today, it is worth aproxmately $2800.00. A good investment huh. And I have only shot about 200 rounds through it since I got it. I bought it for its reliabilty, accuracy, and value.
I have a Sig P226 in 9mm. Prices on those pistols only go one direction....UP !
I have a Smith&Wesson "J" frame, Custom Shop hammerless pistol, in 38 SPL, that I paid a little over $400.00 for. Today it is worth well more than that.
I have a Glock model 23 in .40 caliber.
Each firearm is reliable, accurate ( a must for me ) for a self-defense , home defense situation. And when I take one of them camping in the summer, the moisture and salt from my fingerprints do not leave rust marks on the handguns surface / finish ( blued handguns ), and the internal workings are not affected by the humidity, rain and weather as much as similar handguns.
I shoot most of my handguns out to about 60 yards, and some farther.I practice on silloutes, jugs, cans, liquid soap caps. Anything to help me maintain my profeciency. I shoot head shots on the sillouttes, and make multiple liquid soap caps, and pop cans look like Fred Astaire on the dance floor. To do that, I have to have an accurate handgun. Some handguns are not as accurate ( especially at distances of 50 to 60 yards - even out to 75 yards ), nor as reliable as their competitors. For me to shoot, and shoot accurately ( I live in a rural area folks ), I have to have the proper and accurate handgun to do the task. Example = A handgun that shoots a two inch group at 25 yards is not going to be as accurate at 40 to 50 yards, as the handgun that shoots a 3/4 or one inch group at 25 yards. For a self defense situation, personal carry ; as I have a concealed carry permit ; I like my handguns to be able to be accurate out to 50 yards. Even though, a situation could present itself in a local urban area ; I may have to shoot clear out to 70 or even 75 yards, such as = the Wal-Mart, or shopping plaza parking lot. One cannot limit themselves, nor do I recommend their equipment limiting them, due to being in a cost cutting situation. If an individuals, or companys budget will allow, get the most reliable and dependable piece of equuipment. Cost cutting could, in the future prove to " Bite one in the butt."
My flashlights are reliable and proven, as are my handguns. To invest in anything else would not be proper thinking in my opinion.
Example = Buy the Ford 250 to pull the 5th wheel camper, or the more expensive Ford F-350. The F-350 is more expensive, but will save more money in the end run on fuel cost, cause the F-250 uses more fuel ( F-250 and F-350 Fuel to payload ratio ) to pull the camper, and the added weight to the smaller truck could end up costing more for maintance as far as tires and drivetrain problems, as well as the added stress on the motor. This may not be the best example, but one could understand the point.
Only the best for our Service Men and Women !!!!! Only the best. They deserve it.
FF - Medic !!!