Surefire L1 still relevant?

[archimedes]

Those were for E series. The L1 is a different size. But if delrin is OK with yoiu, JS Burleys has tail standing shrouds for E series and A/L series.

The original run was for E-series, yes, but the current title now says " Ti tail extensions for E-series,Z58/59,L1/L2 >>DELUXE<< .... " ( so I thought that the new run might be compatible with Z58, Z59, L1, L2 - aka C-series, L-series, etc ) ???

 

[JNewell]

I liked Jim/OregonShooter's Delrin version best. :thumbsup:

 

[Lightemitter]

I was reading through this thread, and wondering if that lil' SF I've had for a while, used very little and not thought much about, might just be an L1.... Sho nuff.

Is this Gen 3??

 

[archimedes]

I was reading through this thread, and wondering if that lil' SF I've had for a while, used very little and not thought much about, might just be an L1.... Sho nuff.

Is this Gen 3??
....

Looks like Gen2 or Gen3 (depends on which emitter is inside)....

 

[FPSRelic]

Looks like Gen2 or Gen3 (depends on which emitter is inside)....

Agreed. I'm guessing there is no easy way to tell what the emitter is though?

 

[archimedes]

Agreed. I'm guessing there is no easy way to tell what the emitter is though?

I don't think so ....

Luxeon low dome and Luxeon high dome will have slightly different beam patterns. The LEDs do look a little different, but probably rather difficult to distinguish through that optic, unless the bezel were off.

 

[Boss Hogg]

One of the best Surefires made!!

One of those looks pretty familiar. Nice stash.

 

[CarpentryHero]

Wowsa that is a sweet stash

 

[Kestrel]

OK, time to this thread with some new pics. :devil:

 

[novice]

Kestrel,
I can only imagine the runtimes with that set-up. If I would only have known this was possible at the time, I would have had Milky move the muzzle-end guts to the bezel, when he was upgrading the emitter, and adding a reflector to my gen5. Dagnabit. At least I can try buying some 17500 cells (since I was going to anyway), and see if those will work.

 

[scout24]

L1 certainly still relevant on it's own merits, but even more so after Milky has been in there... My Arnor is awesome. So, even if the L1 has been eclipsed, it's still one heck of a platform for modding...

 

[Bogie]

My Red L1 is the move around the house at night light, I have swapped the optic to a rippled one to flood out the beam a bit more.

 

[FPSRelic]

Three of my new lights to add to the L1 collection:

Interestingly, the L1 red is much brighter than the blue or white. As has been stated,when your eyes adjust to the light levels accordingly, the 1.1 lumen low on these gen5's is pretty adequate for navigating around inside a house. IMO the TIR optic with it's throw makes the 1.1 lumen brightness more effective than newer lights using fatter emitters running at the same brightness (such as my HDS Rotary 200 @ 1.1 lumens).

 

[BenChiew]

Is the green and blue only available in gen 4 and 5?

 

[novice]

I just received some AW protected 'black label' 17500 cells in the mail, and the outside diameter would not fit inside either my gen3 or gen5 L1 lights. Removing the outer wrap did not allow it to fit either. Just an FYI. You might have to do some inside 'reaming' to make these work. Dang. I guess I will stick with either 16340s, or primaries, on these. Considering the runtimes, I can live with that...

 

[Flashlight Dave]

Is the green and blue only available in gen 4 and 5?

I believe earlier versions as well.

 

[archimedes]

Is the green and blue only available in gen 4 and 5?

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/posts/3948790

 

[sween1911]

An important distinction for me with the L1 is that it's a tactical light FIRST that can also do utility/everyday work SECOND.

Tactical has become a marketing term meaning "painted cool colors and expensive", but at it's truest form, it means "for use while employing tactics", which is addressing the threat of adversarial human beings. The criteria for a tactical light being: a momentary switch with the ability to identify a potential threat, deliver an amount of light that can affect their vision, and navigate an environment in low/no light. The ability to not only have a momentary light source, but be able to convulsively hit the button and get to high mode (as long as the tailcap is screwed on tight enough to engage high mode) with no turning selector rings, no tapping, no clicking, no sliding, makes it the number one choice for the following criteria:

1) Tactical ability: The roughly 80-100 lumens on high is just right for searching inside or outside a structure. The throw gives you a good beam you can put in a potential adversary's face to identify them. The momentary button guarantees that you won't accidentally push it too hard and click it on. If dropped, it will shut off and not illuminate you.

2) Everyday Portability: The other side of the L1: Able to be carried in a pocket as an EDC utility "always have it on you" light, no clickie to be stuck on by other objects in the pocket (I've had the L1 blink on in a pants pocket once or twice if I move a certain way, but it cannot be stuck on), something that you can choose to clip on the outside of a pocket if you're wearing jeans or cargo pants, but can slip into the pocket with khakis or suit pants. It can be clipped on a hat, it can be turned on low for close-up utility work, it can be diffused with the cap from a water bottle.

If you can name another light with that amount of output, with the intuitive convulsive interface able to get to high mode under stress without looking at the light, the option of a lower-output setting, with the solid Surefire build quality and product support, handy enough to keep with you 24/7, I'd love to hear about it.

 

[FPSRelic]

An important distinction for me with the L1 is that it's a tactical light FIRST that can also do utility/everyday work SECOND.

I don't see it this way. I actually think of them as being an exellent general purpose light. While the gen6's might be bright enough to compare to the tactical lights of old, the other generations are just too dim. Also, I see primary tactical lights as having only one full blast mode to keep things as simple as possible, such as the 6px tactical.

If you can name another light with that amount of output, with the intuitive convulsive interface able to get to high mode under stress without looking at the light, the option of a lower-output setting, with the solid Surefire build quality and product support, handy enough to keep with you 24/7, I'd love to hear about it.

What about the Surefire LX2?

 

[sween1911]

I don't see it this way. I actually think of them as being an exellent general purpose light. While the gen6's might be bright enough to compare to the tactical lights of old, the other generations are just too dim. Also, I see primary tactical lights as having only one full blast mode to keep things as simple as possible, such as the 6px tactical.

I agree, only the last generation with the "65" lumen rating puts it into "tactical" territory. The reason I add the "utility light second" is because it has a secondary mode. I agree with you, primary tactical lights are the ones with one full blast simple mode.

What about the Surefire LX2?

Good one. The size of the L1 edges it out for me... if I'm going business casual with a polo and khakis, or shirt and tie, the L1 can slip into a pants pocket. The LX2 down in a pocket doesn't carry quite as comfortably, and I might not want to clip it to my belt or to the top of a pocket. If there were an LX1 (L1X? I forget, which one did they announce but not actually make?) I'd put that ahead of the L1. There's a new Executive-Backup version coming out I think (EB1?) with the Backup's look, but with the L1's two-stage tailcap. Gotta get me some of that.