The Surefire L1 Evolution

[The Coach]

So, I went to Rays Sport Shop to get an L1 today, but no one could tell me if the one they had was a Gen 6. It doesn't come in a box, it comes in a bubble on cardboard. How can I tell if I'm getting the latest version? How big is the center section in the newest model? I noticed that it looks smaller than the older model, but I nothing to compare it to. :thinking:

 

[Size15's]

So, I went to Rays Sport Shop to get an L1 today, but no one could tell me if the one they had was a Gen 6. It doesn't come in a box, it comes in a bubble on cardboard. How can I tell if I'm getting the latest version? How big is the center section in the newest model? I noticed that it looks smaller than the older model, but I nothing to compare it to. :thinking:

First of all - "Gen 6" is a CPF invention - not SureFire terminology so it'll be meaningless to well, everybody really.

So for me the most obvious way to tell if it's a current L1 is by the body - specifically the styling - there is a 'raised ring/band' that is maybe 1-2mm thick at the TailCap-end. There is a notch in it. The pocketclip almost reaches it.
In the old versions this band was 5-6mm (guessing) thick and the short pocketclip didn't come close to reaching it.

Another way is to check out the thickness of the bezel wall by looking into the front - the current L1/KX1/KX2 have obviously thick bezel walls.

 

[darkpeak]

I really like the L1 because it's got a great combination of compact size, two brightness levels that gives the user the option of high output with shorter runtime or lower output with a longer runtime. So far I have managed to obtain 4 of the generations that Milky has listed in one of the previous posts and I would like to add these to the thread for the information of others. I am no expert so if I have made any mistakes, please correct me and I will edit the post.

The first pictures are of a second/third generation L1 that has been modified by Milky into his famous ML1 guise, but demonstrates the four flat body, smaller head, scalloped bezel and the original packaging.



The second set of pictures show a second/third generation L1, again with the four flat body,NX05 optic in the smaller head with the scalloped bezel. According to the SF catalogue it had an estimated 10 to 20 lumens, with a runtime of 1 hour on high and over 150 hours on low. The packaging has now changed to a box with a clear plastic window.




The third picture shows a fourth generation L1 that is slightly longer because of the longer head with TIR optic, the body has four flat sides. The specifications for this version should be 22 lumens for high and around 90 hours runtime on low. I have not got the packaging for this light but it appears from pictures that it was in a box with a clear plastic window.



The fourth set of pictures are of the fifth generation L1 that has now got the rounded body with the larger head and the TIR optic. The L1 that I have has the long clip but it appears as if some were supplied with the shorter one. Runtimes and outputs for this L1 from the packaging are 22 lumens on high and 90 hours runtime on low. Packaging is now the plastic clamshell type with the cardboard sleeve



The fifth set of pictures are of the sixth generation L1 which now has the cree emitter, TIR optic and a compact rounded body. Surefires figures for this version were 10 lumens on low and 65 lumens on high with a useful runtime of 16 hours. Packaging is the plastic clamshell with the cardboard sleeve.



Finally a group shot.


As Al stated these generations are Milky's interpretation of the development of the L1, not Surefires.

 

[Tempest UK]

Nice comparison pic, DarkPeak. Thanks for posting

Regards,
Tempest

 

[JNewell]

So, I went to Rays Sport Shop to get an L1 today, but no one could tell me if the one they had was a Gen 6. It doesn't come in a box, it comes in a bubble on cardboard. How can I tell if I'm getting the latest version? How big is the center section in the newest model? I noticed that it looks smaller than the older model, but I nothing to compare it to. :thinking:

I believe that the Cree version has a prominent sticker on the packaging that says something like "New - Brighter" (in a few more words).

Edit - see the last package in Darkpeak's excellent photo post above.

 

[Tempest UK]

I believe that the Cree version has a prominent sticker on the packaging that says something like "New - Brighter" (in a few more words).

Edit - see the last package in Darkpeak's excellent photo post above.

"Higher output - More runtime" if I recall correctly.

Regards,
Tempest

EDIT - yup, that picture shows it nicely

 

[Nathan]

Nice comparison pic, DarkPeak. Thanks for posting

+1

Great post!

 

[The Coach]

Thanks for all the help guys, I picked mine up today. :thumbsup: I've been so busy with the customs that I've sort of let the production lights slip. I think they were feeling left out. Now, I'm impatiently waiting for the E1B and then I'll be done.

 

[coloradogps]

Here's an example of a 1st Generation L1. It must have been an early one.

Note smooth bezel and ridges on front and rear end on tailcap.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

That first gen L1 has a reflector. The first gen had an optic. Maybe it is just the angle.

Bill

 

[coloradogps]

This one had a optic, until Milkyspit modded it.

 

[The Coach]

Got mine yesterday. :thumbsup: I like it!!
Here she is with her new friends.

A comparison shot.

And one in hand.

:devil:

 

[darkpeak]

Thanks for pointing out the differences in tailcap coloradogps, I had not noticed this before. Looks like yours and Al's(size15's) has these machined grooves but other early L1's pictured in the thread did'nt. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that both have serial numbers below 1000?

 

[Size15's]

SureFire changed the two-stage pressure switch (Z62) design very early on in the A2/L1 product launch. Mine are pre-production samples. The change was made mostly to keep the o-ring covered when the TailCap was locked out.

 

[dilbert]

"Higher output - More runtime" if I recall correctly.

Regards,
Tempest

EDIT - yup, that picture shows it nicely

I just got a new L1 Cree and the packaging no longer has the yellow area with "new, higher output, more runtime." However, if you look at the specs on the bottom left corner of the package it has "10 lumen low, 65 lumen high, 16hours useful runtime."

 

[DHart]

My just-received L1 Cree has packaging which does state "NEW-Higher Output-More Runtime". Serial # is A13289.

The SF battery is dated to expire 06-2018 (presumably manufactured 06-2008?).

Nice light! Interestingly, the flashlight finish has three distinctly different, but fairly close, colors.

The body tube is almost black in color whereas the head (bezel in SF terms) is dark greyish on the forward section and bronzish-greenish colored on the section which connects to the tube. Then the blackish tube. Then the tailcap is the same bronzish-greenish color as the rear section of the head. All tones are complimentary in color. The look is nice.

The head had a round white sticker on it, which I removed because I had no need for a round white sticker on the head. Does anyone know what the white sticker on the head is intended to indicate about this flashlight?

Output of this L1 cree on high is about 92% that of my new E1B on high, as measured at about 8', central to beam axis, with a digital light meter.

Color of the light with this L1 is quite noticibly warmish (a pale pink tone) compared to my new E1B, which is neutral in tone when viewed on it's own, and almost pale greenish looking when compared side-by-side to the pinkish tone of the L1's light.

 

[Tempest UK]

Does anyone know what the white sticker on the head is intended to indicate about this flashlight?

Output colour.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[DHart]

Thanks, Tempest... I didn't realize that the L1 might be available with different colored LEDs.

 

[JNewell]

The originals (still my favorite) and the second major variation were, IIRC, available also in red, green and blue.

 

[milkyspit]

The originals (still my favorite) and the second major variation were, IIRC, available also in red, green and blue.

+1 on the original being my favorite too... I know the body is a little longer than the more recent couple revisions, but there's something really ergonomic about those four flat sides; they just feel really natural in one's fingers.
:thumbsup:

As for colors: yes, the rev1 L1 was available in white, red, green, and blue. My guess is SureFire had some early ideas about selling swappable heads so you could buy the light then additional heads in different colors, but thought better of the idea... maybe because they were concerned about excessive warranty returns when end users would inadvertently attach loose heads to their E2E bodies, for example, fry the LED, then look to have the "defective" head replaced. That's just my personal speculation on things.