Surefire EDCL1-T

[SonicTheHedgehog]

Anyone tried an Orbtronic 16340 in the EDC1L-T?

 

[:)>]

I believe its the only one that surefire approves of. Specifically, the one they sell. But, Mine runs quite a bit better on non LiFePO4 RCR123As. No issues yet. The K2s drop off and die much more suddenly. Non-LiFePO4 RCRs seem to taper off to a lower and more usable level giving me a bit of a warning, which I prefer.

Lumen83, have you kept your EDCL1-T and used non-LiFePO4 RCR123A's with it? If so, would you mind providing some insight into your experiences with it? I would be curious to know how it has held up and performed over a longer term period with use of RCR123A's

 

[1996alnl2]

I just got my EDCL1-T in today, I must say first impressions were great (until I turned it on), pocket clip is awesome, seems more robust than previous versions. Love this gas pedal switch. Fit and finish is second to none.

I do have the latest E2D LED Defender and in my opinion the best light I have ever owned in the last 10 years. I love the TIR optic beam on it, gone are the days of a spot light and almost no usable spill whatsoever ever. The tint is something I've never seen before on any of my lights.
I can't explain it other than it's so pleasing to my eyes.

Which brings me to my latest purchase, I wanted a modern 1 cell light from Surefire. It's been a long time since I bought one..very long time, think L1 Digital Lumemax 60Lumen(?) and the Backup. When I turned on my EDCL1-T the tint on mine is green. Very noticeable on low, on high it's better as long as I don't compare the beam to my other Surefire's on a wall. However the colors do pop nicely unlike a washout from a cool tint.
Anyone relate to this or is mine a different binned LED.

 

[troutpool]

I bought one when they first came out, and mine had a greenish tint too.

 

[1996alnl2]

Ok, I'm not the only one. I'm not too picky with tints but this one bothers me.
If it had a bit of yellow on it that would be ok. I think I might return it, never met anyone who likes green tints yet manufacturers still use it.

 

[RobertMM]

Used a new Vapcell 850mAh 16340 on my EDCL1T for a runtime test.
From 4.19volts, I got 55minutes total on high (10minute runs, 5 minutes after 40minutes total elapsed time, checking voltage after each run then restarting as fast as I could put the battery back in and turn the light on on high).

End voltage 3.3volts, I could have gone longer but decided not to stress the cell.
Very happy with the result.

 

[lumensbadger]

Just got my EDCL1-T in.

Works as intended with a CR123.

now:

1) Works as intended off of a Keeppower 16340 4A high drain lithium-ion rechargeable. High and low setting comparable to a standard CR123. Does, however, NOT work as intended with an AW 16340: Only low setting (5 Lumen). That might be a limitation by the currency regulator of the AW 16340.

2) Works as intended (high 500 lumens, low 5 lumens) on a EDCL2-T off of a Keeppower 16650.

3) The Malkoff M31 (inside a VME) on a CR123 does not show any real visible difference in output. No matter whether the gaspedal switch is pushed to low or high. The same happens with a Malkoff M61 run off of the 16340.Good high output, but no low setting.

4) Took the KE1H head off of my Mini Scout M300C and attached it to the EDCL1-T. INTERESTING: Gives me two output levels off of a Surefire CR123. On the low setting - Gaspedal pushed only slightly - I estimate 250-300 lumens (measure with Mk1 Eyeball) and 500 lumens if the Gaspedal switch is depressed fully. That offers an interesting alternative option to those who want a higher low output out of the EDCL1-T.

5) Took the led head off of a colleague's Surefire E1B (real old 200 / 5 lumens; Not the EB1). The UI didn't change using the EDCL1-T's gaspedal switch. Pressing once gives you 200 lumens, letting go and pressing again gives you 5 Lumens. Alternations between high and low press on the gaspedal switch don't do anything for changing the output level. This head's UI needs a full cutoff and repeated current flow within a second to change output levels. I gave him his old POS back and showed him the new EDCL1-T. Now, he wants one, too.

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

I just got my EDCL1-T in today, I must say first impressions were great (until I turned it on)

I feel your pain. My EDCL1-T is like you described, greenish on low, not as green on high. A few years ago SureFire tried to market the signature green tint as a feature since it was near the wavelength of light your eyes are most sensitive to.

See: Green tinted LED's being marketed as superior (candlepowerforums.com)

 

[lumensbadger]

Tried to replace the EDCL1-T endcap boot with a high vis one from Lumensfactory.

No luck removing the retainer ring. Never had that problem. Not even on the new E2T-MV Tactician.

could it be that Surefire started using loctite on them these days? I would really hate that.

Anybody else ran into that issue?

 

[ten5three]

Tried to replace the EDCL1-T endcap boot with a high vis one from Lumensfactory.

No luck removing the retainer ring. Never had that problem. Not even on the new E2T-MV Tactician.

could it be that Surefire started using loctite on them these days? I would really hate that.

Anybody else ran into that issue?

Mine was tight, but came off with enough force. No visible thread lock. I kept the stock boot, but replaced the retaining ring with a shroud.

 

[lumensbadger]

Thanks for your input!

That gave me the courage to beef up the tools involved and put some more strength into it.

Good news: I was able to get the retainer ring off and replaced my tail cap boot.

Bad news: There was some sort of a white(ish) residue visible inside the threads that looks like cured blue loctite to me - not funny Surefire!

While I was on it, I also replaced the EDCL1-T retainer ring, that looks identical to the one used in the Tactician (more protruding than the old standard retainer rings used on previous e series tail caps), with an old style one from a spare Z57. This makes the two stage gaspedal switch operation using the Surefire / Rogers technique in conjunction with a sidearm much easier, more reliable and positive. This replacement should also improved the use of the famed Thyrms SwitchBack gadget. I will look into that, although I am not a big fan of the ideal of a solid plastic ring that attaches a finger to a lever (the flashlight) which is then extended toward a potential attacker as invitation to disarm and overpower the user. Sorry for the rant, but some of us need to take such things into consideration. Better stick to shock cord!

 

[lumensbadger]

Found the time to do two runtime tests with the EDCL1-T yesterday.

Keeppower 4A 700mAh 16340: 40min on high without much of a drop in brightness (maybe down to 80% of switch-on brightness - if that much of a drop at all). Then a sudden shutdown.

Keeppower 7A 2500mAh 16650 on e2 body: 100 min on high without much of a drop in brightness (maybe down to 80% of switch-on brightness - if that much of a drop at all). Then a sudden shutdown.

I like think both runtimes are totally acceptable, considering that the runtime test was completed in one go without cool down phases. The LED head got warm but not excessively so. My Tactician head gets hot quickly and to a degree that calls for a cool down.

Giving the 40 min runtime on high of the 16340, I prefer the smaller form factor of the EDCL1-T body for EDC / duty carry. If a search is being called for, a swap to the 2-cell body can be done quickly. I just keep the 2 cell body with a set of two 16650 and one 16340 close for such circumstances.

If I find the time, I'll to runtime tests on low setting, too.

 

[:)>]

My keep-power won't work but my Olight cells do... the ones that power the Baton 2... will power up the high level. Puzzling why some work and others don't.

 

[lumensbadger]

I guess it has to do with the protection circuit.

My KPs are the 4 ampere variety. And your Olight cells are most likely also rated for higher current draw.

 

[Scotty321]

Do you guys happen to know if I used a LF 3.7v single mode head on my EDCL1-T if the two stage switch will give me the similar two brightness levels? I like the LF 1" head form factor, color, and beam better than my EDCL1-T, but like having a low light option if I'm only going to carry one light. Right now I only have the 2-cell LF head, and it doesn't work well with the EDCL1-T body/tail and an RCR123.

 

[lumensbadger]

I tried with a Malkoff M61 head and M31 head.

The 2 stage "gaspedal" switch doesn't make a noticeable difference.

Funny enough, it had an effect with the Mini Scout M300C (500 lumens) head. It turns out two levels that are not much apart, but distinguishable.

It only turns out only low with the (old - 5/200 lumens) E1 Backup head.

Haven't tried it with another designated head, yet - don't have many. Maybe, someone else does and could.

 

[Scotty321]

Thanks for the reply. I might have get my hands on an EDCL2 and play around with compatible heads and a 16650.

 

[Coolwhite]

Got my edcl1-t two days ago, really like this light, carries nicely, great quality and Ui.
Not bothered about rechargeables, only using primaries as I want a taper when cell running out.
Fits seamlessly into rotation with my MDC and my Elzetta Alpha 315.
All great lights !

 

[CelticCross74]

I have had the EDCL1-T and the EDCL2-T for a couple of years now. I got a 16650 for the 2. It fit great but for some reason it went to full power and stayed there no matter what I tried. Over voltage? From a 4.2v 16650? Removed it and it runs great of SF's own CR123's.

 

[Coolwhite]

So had the edcl1-t for about a week now, carried it pretty much every day, it is a great light so far.
Likes:
Clip allows position of light in different positions in your pocket depending on the type of pants you are wearing.
Excellent form factor.
Gas pedal Ui is great to use.
5 lumen low is easily bright enough for most edc purposes if it is dark.
500 lumens is ridiculously bright should you need it.
Surefire build quality is damn good.

Originally was concerned would be a bit big for EDC but given the clip and form factor, this light carries very well, honestly don't even feel it in my pocket when clipped properly.

Here is a pic of a couple of other lights for size comparison, was something I looked for before I bought the light but couldn't really find.
Anyway if you are thinking about buying one, you can, it's a great light.