It would never have occurred to me to buy a flamethrower, but I would have thought they’d be much more expensive than $500.

I don’t think it reduces Musk’s brand. It’s tech, they’re fun (no one is buying these for a practical purpose) and they look like they’re from a video game. It’s a luxury hardware gadget.

As long as they work, that is. He needs to be careful he doesn’t develop a persona of overpromising and being unable to meet commitments.