Confused about the L4 and L5

[DimBeam]

In looking at what specs I can find on the L4 and L5, I am puzzled as to what the big difference is. If both are rated at 65 Lumens and both use 2 123's what is the difference other than higher price and a larger size for the L5? I see Bright Guy is selling the L5 for only $13.00 more than the L4.

 

[ho71ko]

L5 does have a narrower beam for a more "spot"-type of light (reaches further than L4 which ist more "flood"-type). Additionally the L5 should be more water resistant. It uses the M2-body with dual O-Rings. Body material on the L5 is thicker making the L5 overall more stable than the L4.
Finally the L5 does have the pat. Combat Grip for use in conjunction with a handgun in a Rogers/SureFire grip.

Holger

 

[DimBeam]

Thanks Holger that clears up most of my questions. Do you know if the L4 has close to the same throw or reach as the E2?

 

[Wolfen]

DimBeam,
The L4 has no where near the reach of an E2e. The L4 is a flood light not much throw beyond 30 feet. Great for close up work. Not great for identifying objects at a distance.

 

[DimBeam]

How much further is the reach of the L5 as compared to the L4?

 

[NikolaTesla]

If you want throw like an E2 forget either one and get an L6. It has same 5 watt Luxeon, better optics, and for an LED it REALLY does the distance. It is longer, has a bigger head but really works. It seams 5 times as bright as a Streamlight TL-3 LED 5 watt which is more like an L4 (More flood than spot). If you are on a budget, get the L5. I am not sure of the links but there are test beam shots of all 3 mentioned on CPF. Never the less, all 3 are quality + SF.

NikolaTesla /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireL4L5L6
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireDetail
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/TheBadestLightsEver_1
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireL4L5L6_2
Check these photo's above for comparison.

NikolaTesla

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My Lights: ******************* CAREFULL: The last one is NOT UL approved.
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STREAMLIGHTS: KEY MATE, TTL-2D, TTL-3C, TL3-LED(5watt), STINGER XT-HP,
TTL-2L, TL-3AA (1 watt LED). BRINKMAN LEGEND LX. VECTOR SPORT LIGHT 1 MILLION CP.
SUREFIRE: 6P, L6 (5watt)LED. Cygolite 16 watt dual beam.
MAGLITE 2AA, 3C. Acro X990 HID. NikolaTesla 1.5 KW 1.5 Million Volt Arc light (I have Torus
blown 15KW style primary Arc & 175 amp @ 12.5 KV High Q rated .068uf resonating capacitor)
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/9inch1

 

[Prolepsis]

Hi DimBeam:

You can find some great pictures (beam shots) on Sean's page.

Scroll down to the bottom, and you'll find some great shots of the L4, L5, and L6 shining at a distance.

I have the L4 and L5, and one thing that may be obvious (but hasn't been mentioned), is the fact that the L5 doesn't get as hot as quickly (bigger head).

 

[oldgrandpajack]

The L5 is also a superb host for the F68 traffic cone.

The L5, being regulated, doesn't dim over the life of the batteries, as the P60 lamp assembly in the M2 does.

oldgrandpajack

 

[The_LED_Museum]

The L4 has a brightness of 700,000mcd and a current consumption of 1.00 amp.
The L5 has a brightness of 1,340,000mcd and a current consumption of 1.18 amps.

The L5 has a smaller hotspot than the L4 has; that's why it appears so much brighter to the light meter.
And larger reflectors usually mean tighter beams.
According to the 2004 SureFire catalogue, the L4 has a bezel diameter of 1.00", and the L5 has a bezel diameter of 1.47".
I don't know where my L4 is at this particular moment, so I cannot measure it to confirm what the catalogue says.

 

[ResQTech]

If they both use 2x123, how can they have the same runtimes if the L4 uses 1Ah and the L5 uses 1.18Ah?

 

[Owen]

Maybe just a difference in Vf on the measured lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif