SureFire E1B Backup

[Federal LG]

Is it just me or does the E1B look uncircumcised? ...

It have just the same "flat pipe bomb" design that is criticized in Fenix Lights. I like it, anyway! Probably I´ll get one!

[Monocrom]

I should be more specific -

When I think "survival light", I'm thinking along the lines of Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away (he didn't do so well with a MiniMag). Or at least Les Stroud in the television series Survivorman (he doesn't even use flashlights!). It's going to go through a lot of use and abuse, and can't really be a one trick pony, so I'd go with something LED, multi modes with a marathon low mode for general use and a decent bright mode with some throw to spot something from a distance or to signal.

I think Hanks used a Streamlight Scorpion in the movie.

Also, the runtime might be a bit off, but the Inova 24/7 fits those requirements.

[KeyGrip]

Yepp. I have doubts the E1B's UI will be able to replace the L1 for me. The L1 switch is among the best I know. Even my mom can use it properly without an explanation.

Exactly; it's going to work with the L1, not against it. The E1B is more for people like me who want a single celled, two stage light with a forward clicky. I love everything about the L1 except for the switch. I can appreciate the design and simplicity, but it just doesn't work for me. Someone at SureFire must have been reading my mind when they came up with this one.

[paulr]

Maybe it's off topic and maybe I lack imagination but I just don't understand this survival light thing involving 2 hours a night of usage. When I've gone camping I've never used a flashlight for more than a few minutes a night. Use daylight for stuff needing illumination. At night, go to sleep, look at the stars, walk by moonlight, whatever. Main use of a flashlight is for setting up a tent, which really wants a handsfree light, though with the bezel up position maybe this E1b can be clipped to a hat brim for that purpose.

[ja10]

Maybe it's off topic and maybe I lack imagination but I just don't understand this survival light thing involving 2 hours a night of usage. When I've gone camping I've never used a flashlight for more than a few minutes a night. Use daylight for stuff needing illumination. At night, go to sleep, look at the stars, walk by moonlight, whatever. Main use of a flashlight is for setting up a tent, which really wants a handsfree light, though with the bezel up position maybe this E1b can be clipped to a hat brim for that purpose.

You make a good point. I got into this whole hobby about 1.5 years ago, and my first light was the Lux III L1. The reason why I got it was because it was one of the longest running LEDs in the SF lineup with "4 hrs of useful output" (only part of that at full output). Well, I got the light with some worry about the "short" runtime, but 6 weeks later when I replaced the original CR123, I realized that I put way too much emphasis on runtime.

That's not to say that runtime isn't important. I like multi-level lights for that exact reason. If I am in a situation where battery life is important, I can use low as much as possible.

It seems like the E1B will be a solid little light. It won't be an end-all-be-all light, but it will make a nice addition to many people's collections.

[SilverFox]

Hello Paulr,

You obviously have never gone camping with a bunch of Boy Scouts...

I can get by with little or no light at night while camping, but when the "boys" want to borrow a light for whatever adventure they cook up, my lights can get a couple hours a night of use.

Tom

[FlashSpyJ]

I remember when I was a boy scout. The main reason we used our lights was to play! Going out peeing at night was an important usage of the light to, but mainly we used it to play with!

And guess what... I still mostly play with my lights...

[eshishlo]

I don't think that this light is really a survival light for the masses but directed at those who need a bright light for extended periods of time during the night and their main light is in the charger. For example, a police officer on patrol with a rechargeable light could use up his single rechargeable battery in a search or accident scene and need a bright light until his main light recharges. This is where the backup light comes in.

It would also be very useful for camping with Boy Scouts. I have had the experience to go camping with a youth group. It seems that everyone wanted to borrow my bright lights and bring them back for new batteries...

[mcmc]

I in turn agree with you about the size of the L1. I only briefly carried an L1 after I got it due to its size. I have since put together an L1 derivative that is smaller than the E1B: Gen1 head, E1E body, topped off with a McE2S two stage switch. The McE2S is stiffer then the L1 switch, so I put up with that to get an 83mm long light that has two L1-style levels and can put out 160+ lumens on RCR123.
I still may get an E1B for the nice clip and ability to put out 80+ lumens on a primary (backup batteries) which is my direct drive Mini-me L1's one other issue. It only gets 20-30-ish lumens on primaries.
One more note about the clip. I think it would be just as good (to Me) if it was attached at the tail for full in the pocket bezel down carry. The only type of clips I actually use are that type, like the LRI Proton.

Hey Blind, ltns =)

I didn't know the E1E/E1L body would fit the L1 head - great idea! How soon does the output noticeably drop off? I'll have to try it tonight.

Back OT, I wonder how small this light will feel in pocket, i.e. if it'll really be unobtrusive enough to be an all-time backup. Right now my HDS serves that role, in a nylon holster on my belt and I never notice it's there. I have whatever SF I'm currently playing with (recent got into SF, and boy they're great) as my 'primary,' but when I leave it somewhere and need a light, it's the HDS. It'd be great if this could serve that role too, but I'm at a shortage of pocket edge space (with knife, etc.).

The clicky looks great though. My biggest complaint with the L1 is that while for momentary the switch is great, it's uncomfortable to try to turn it on, from either position. The really only quick way to turn it on for me is two handed, single handed it takes too long and requires a hand position readjustment, where as with a clicky it's bam, light's there.

[cv3po]

Maybe it's off topic and maybe I lack imagination but I just don't understand this survival light thing involving 2 hours a night of usage. When I've gone camping I've never used a flashlight for more than a few minutes a night. Use daylight for stuff needing illumination. At night, go to sleep, look at the stars, walk by moonlight, whatever. Main use of a flashlight is for setting up a tent, which really wants a handsfree light, though with the bezel up position maybe this E1b can be clipped to a hat brim for that purpose.

Well.............there is a difference between survival and camping. In a survival situation (which could have started out as camping, biking, hiking, plane crash, out of gas in a remote location..........etc) two hours would be enough time to set up camp. This might include tent set-up/building shelter, gathering firewood/getting fire going, preparing food (if available) and many other tasks. Also it in the case of the E1B, low is bright enough to navigate the woods in the dark. Maybe you know where you need to go and want to keep moving through the night. 37 hours of runtime on low would sound pretty good in those kinds of situations.

[Lightguy27]

Something amazing just hit me about this amazing little light, and I don't know if it has been said before but Im not looking through 11 pages of posts to find out so here goes. This light is is basically the light we have all been dreaming of, let me explain.

1. It's HA in black, how many of us love this look, most.

2. Newer style clikie with as Green Led put it, a two stage clickie with momentary on at both levels.

3. A higher high, and probably the most important for most, a lower low. 80/5

4. We all know how important the bezel down is to a lot of people and now we have the option to choose with a dual pocket clip. Genius.

5. It's freekin TINY!!! 4 inches!!


I don't know it's just like PK has been waiting, watching our comments and wishes and then stuck it into a 4 inch package. Just my thoughts but this light is simply genius, all the best rolled up into one little light. Good job PK. I will definetly get one and would happily pay twice the asking price, which I will cause Ill be getting two .

-Evan

[FlashSpyJ]

This may be true to some of us here. But for me I rather want low first like the L1, having the low level second may ruin the whole idea of having one in some cases. I dont want to hold my hand over the front until I changed the level

I dont like SF optics either, its not enough side spill for my likings, other than that it probably would have been a very nice EDC for me and a lot of others!
According to the text SF wrote about it, its suppose to be a second light not the main light. And they have put LEOs as primary user, high first.
If the features would have been different it would have been a very good main EDC for me! I have a fenix now because of the sleek design! So this light is VERY close! I always wanted a SF as an EDC, but havent used one because of the knurling. I really like the knurling on SFs lights, but not if im going to EDC it. So this is right thinking from SureFire! BUT I would want the same light withe the option of low/high, this could be named "EDC" not "backup". This EDC could be directed to the public and hikers etc. Or LEs for that matter, but on their spare time

[Phredd]

I would want the same light withe the option of low/high

Maybe once they're out, someone will figure out how to switch the order.

I will definetly get one and would happily pay twice the asking price

Great, I'll buy two and sell you one of mine. I would gladly pay the asking price, but free is even better.

[Monocrom]

Something amazing just hit me about this amazing little light....

1. It's HA in black, how many of us love this look, most.

2. Newer style clikie with as Green Led put it, a two stage clickie with momentary on at both levels.

3. A higher high, and probably the most important for most, a lower low. 80/5

4. We all know how important the bezel down is to a lot of people and now we have the option to choose with a dual pocket clip. Genius.

5. It's freekin TINY!!! 4 inches!!

-Evan

Something amazing just hit me as I was reading your post.... The Novatac 85P popped into my head.

No it doesn't fit every single thing mentioned. But damn if it ain't close!

[Lightguy27]

IMHO, when this light comes out it will be the ultimate EDC.

-Evan

[light_emitting_dude]

It seems like last year we had to wait until mid-year for the L1 to become available, hopefully this year we can get our hands on an E1B sooner than mid-year.

[Size15's]

It seems like last year we had to wait until mid-year for the L1 to become available, hopefully this year we can get our hands on an E1B sooner than mid-year.

If you want an E1B I suggest you make sure your friendly SureFire Dealer knows to put your name on their list when they're able to place orders.
Once that's done you can get on with something else while you wait.

[Tempest UK]

If you want an E1B I suggest you make sure your friendly SureFire Dealer knows to put your name on their list when they're able to place orders.
Once that's done you can get on with something else while you wait.

Yup, place a preorder and then try to forget about it. Then you have a nice E1B shaped surprise when it becomes available

Of course, it's not always too easy to stop obsessing over such things until they comes out

Regards,
Tempest

[Lightguy27]

If you want an E1B I suggest you make sure your friendly SureFire Dealer knows to put your name on their list when they're able to place orders.
Once that's done you can get on with something else while you wait.

So how exactly would you go to a dealer(for me I would like it be Basspro) and ask them to put your name on the list. I have a friend who works at basspro in the camping section which is the section where the Flashlights and SF display case are located so could I ask to be put on a waiting list when they receive them. Or, will they be availible at SF's website the same time they are in stores. I could just ask him to hold one for me when they arrive. So Size 15's, do you have a ballpark estimate for when they will be released?

-Evan

[light_emitting_dude]

I am hoping/assuming that SF will deliver this light earlier than mid-year because last year was their first year manufacturing lights with the Cree LED. Maybe they took more time to test the new lights with the Cree LED. It seems that with the E1B, they would just have to re-machine the E1L body, add a different driver and switch?

I guess we will just have to wait and see!

[Size15's]

So how exactly would you go to a dealer(for me I would like it be Basspro) and ask them to put your name on the list. I have a friend who works at basspro in the camping section which is the section where the Flashlights and SF display case are located so could I ask to be put on a waiting list when they receive them. Or, will they be availible at SF's website the same time they are in stores. I could just ask him to hold one for me when they arrive. So Size 15's, do you have a ballpark estimate for when they will be released?

-Evan

I like your attitude - support local retailers.
However, in this instance I would advocate taking a more personalised approach. CPF MarketPlace plays host to several SureFire Dealers who are far more capable of realising your desire to have a new, as unreleased SureFire product by placing you on a 'pre-order' list or other such mechanism.

As to whether I have a 'ballpark estimate release date' - I wouldn't like to say. I don't believe it productive/constructive to place any hope or even seek to speculate on release dates. Time has shown they can not be relied upon.

To that end I suggest you find a friendly SureFire Dealer with whom to register your desire to have a new product and it will be dispatched to you when available. Nothing you can do after that so I suggest turning your attentions elsewhere.

Al

[The Coach]

Well, since I just got an L1 and a Kroma, if they want to take six months, it's OK with me.

[KeyGrip]

Maybe once they're out, someone will figure out how to switch the order.

I'm banking on this as well.

[yaesumofo]

I will try and wait until this light has hit the retail channel in quantities sufficient to support demand. That way if there are any bugs or manufacturing issues which need to be worked out I don't have to be the guy who says hey my E1B is screwed up what about yours? Know what I mean.

If Surefire produces the E1B it will not be in small quantities. They will be going for a home run with this light. Surefire must be thinking we need every Police Officer in the United states and elsewhere to be carrying one of these.
Of course the minute a working beat cop sees this light he will see the utility in it and want one. Cops are suckers for good flashlights. This one will be no exception.

For some reason I don't generally line up to be first in line to buy a surefire.
(I did prepay for a titan though). I guess I am secure in the knowledge that Surefire is going to make enough to go around and there is no real hurry. It isn't exactly a McGizmo which is going to be available today and sold out tomorrow.
That said there are and have been shortages of Surefire lights like the L4 or the KL4 and others but not lights like the 6p a surefire staple.
I wonder why? I bet it has to do with the component set. Some lights with electronic component packages require more attention...I am guessing.

Like you guys I too look forward to having and holding one of these. Only time will tell if I can resist ordering one the first day it is available

Yaesumofo

[paulr]

The early L4 shortages were because of the very limited supply of high flux 5 watt Luxeon leds. That's less of an issue now.

[Size15's]

I believe people have spoken of a recent 'shortage' of L4's.
My explanation for this is that SureFire have been receiving significant orders for their ScoutLight (M600A) which uses the KL4 bezel and have been diverting resources to meeting those orders.

As far as I'm aware SureFire have never had the luxury of being able to make more product than the demand for it

[Lightguy27]

Thanks for the adive Size 15's. Any particular Market place dealer you would like to suggest?

-Evan

[Lightguy27]

Wait, scratch that. I have another Idea.

-Evan

[Beastmaster]

I will, of course, laugh my tail off if the E1B won't take rechargeables.

-Steve

[Mercaptan]

I will, of course, laugh my tail off if the E1B won't take rechargeables.

-Steve

Well, if you're Surefire, and plan to design a light to use only CR123a primaries, why design it to accept 4.2 ish volts?

In all fairness, I do love this E1B design. I can't wait to see what people think of them.