E1B alternatives

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nmaynan

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
39
I was wondering if there are any other choices than the E1B for a small bright light, perhaps from another manufacturer.

-70 lumens or higher output turned on with 1 press of button
-clickie on tailcap
-only needs 1 battery
-lightweight and small enough for EDC
 
Oh my god, the Novatac sounds complicated. the light itself looks great, but then I read the manual and it's like press this many, then that many, click this many. Too complicated.

Simplicity is best. I still think the best idea is what I read by someone else on these forums:

twist in all the way = click for high constant on, press for low beam on
untwist a turn = click for low constant on, press for low beam on
untwist another turn = lockout


Now this would be the PERFECT dual-mode light!!!
 
nmaynan said:
Oh my god, the Novatac sounds complicated. the light itself looks great, but then I read the manual and it's like press this many, then that many, click this many. Too complicated.

Simplicity is best. I still think the best idea is what I read by someone else on these forums:

twist in all the way = click for high constant on, press for low beam on
untwist a turn = click for low constant on, press for low beam on
untwist another turn = lockout


Now this would be the PERFECT dual-mode light!!!
Click to expand...
Actually, I think the Fenix L1T V2 had the perfect UI when it had the forward clicky.

Bezel tight - high (press for momentary, click for constant)
Bezel loose - low (press for momentary, click for constant)

That's the same UI that the Fenix T1 has, and I think it's great. I'd readily pay another $60 to have a P2D with that kind of a UI.
 
The P2D Q5 has been mentioned, but I'd like to add a bit: if you don't need an indestructable light, the P2D Q5 is a far better alternative to the E1B. Far smaller, and around twice as bright. As well as having many modes arranged into a pretty decent UI.

You may want to look into the Olight T10 2008 edition too. Throws ~30% better than the P2D Q5, the spill is twice as bright, and has longer running low modes. Supposedly it is much sturdier than the P2D. it has 1 more brightness level. You may prefer its UI. However, its hotspot is very narrow for an EDC, as opposed to the P2D Q5's very wide and useful hotspot. Other downsides: very short (.5 hour on CR123) runtime on high and 9mm longer. This still puts it 21mm shorter than the E1B, but you may notice it compared to the P2D.

oh, and the Olight T10 2008 can take an RCR :twothumbs:twothumbs:twothumbs:twothumbs:twothumbs
~1/2 runtime on low modes, but actually slightly increased output and runtime on highest mode. all modes still perfectly regulated
 
Last edited:
meuge said:
Actually, I think the Fenix L1T V2 had the perfect UI when it had the forward clicky.

Bezel tight - high (press for momentary, click for constant)
Bezel loose - low (press for momentary, click for constant)

That's the same UI that the Fenix T1 has, and I think it's great. I'd readily pay another $60 to have a P2D with that kind of a UI.
Click to expand...

Is this UI version of the Fenix still for sale, I want to buy?
 
I have a SF E1B, but my EDC is a Fenix P2D Q5. Tighten the bezel for max output on power up, or loosen it to turn on in low. I love the UI. It's smaller and lighter than the E1B, and it's plenty tough. It will handle drops, washing machine, clothing dryer, etc. At least, according to all the abuse reports on CPF. :) Not recommending you put it through the washer and dryer though. :)
 
FWIW. I like the NovaTac E series. click on 10 lumens (1 click), , 120 lumens (or 85 lumens) (press), 42 lumens (2 clicks). The 85E can be had for under $100, what a deal! I have a P version, but find the E versions I have very simple & perfect for my use. YMMV.
 
It's a switch which you push in and let go to turn the light on, then if you push the switch in without clicking it will turn off momentarily, click to turn off completely.
 
Maybe throw in an OLight to the list of ideas? Inova T1 2008? (Yeah I know that last one doesn't meet the one-battery requirement, but it's still a small EDC-able light)
 
Not all of the lights mentioned above are designed for the same purpose as the E1B. However, when I heard that the E1B would be 85 lumens on high, the first thing that popped into my mind is that this light would make an interesting competitor to the Novatac 85P.

Just one problem.... The 85P was discontinued right before Surefire introduced the E1B. The Novatac 120P is not only brighter, can be directly used for the same purpose as an E1B, but it has a far better grip than the E1B. And now Novatac is making their 120P in black.

I have a small collection of Surefires that I enjoy. But the next light I'm saving up for is the Novatac 120P, not the Surefire E1B.
 
The Novatac P-series lights aren't really all that complicated. I was worried about that too when I first got mine, but the UI is very intuitive and you really only need to set it up once to suit your preference (but you might want to try a few setups first to see what you like best).

Mine is set up:
Click: on at a very low level
then double click for a bit more light
or tripple click for even more light
or press for maximum level

and a Click + press from off will turn it on at maximum immediately.

Once you've set it up the way you like, EDC it for a week, and you will probably wonder how you ever got by without this light :)


I like my Novatac EDC 120p.... Does it show? :naughty:
 
nmaynan said:
Oh my god, the Novatac sounds complicated. the light itself looks great, but then I read the manual and it's like press this many, then that many, click this many. Too complicated.

!
Click to expand...


When I read the manual for Novatac 120P on line, I also thought it was too complicated. However, I had the courage to buy one. With the light in hand along with the manual, I was able to figure everything out within 20 minutes. Once I got the hang of it, it was pretty simple. Furthermore, once you have customized the light with the light levels and features you like, you actually have the choice of locking out the programmability of the light so you don't accidentally mess it up. (It is easily reset to the factory defaults if you later want to). I especially like that it even lets you program an auto-off function, so that if you accidentally turn the light on and forget it is on, it will shut off after 5 minutes. My only gripe about the light is it isn't as efficient as the Fenix's. It will eat up the battery in 30 minutes on 120 lumens. However, since I would rarely use the light at that level, it isn't much of an issue for me. Besides all the features the 120P offers, it offers something most other lights can't offer. IMO there is no other light out there that offers as smooth of a total beam. The hot spot blends seamlessly into the surrounding light. The color of the beam is a bit warmer than the Fenix's, but not quite as warm as the EB1 or the L1 from SureFire. Still, from a weight standpoint, feature standpoint, and quality output standpoint, the 120P is hard to beat.
 
nmaynan said:
Oh my god, the Novatac sounds complicated. the light itself looks great, but then I read the manual and it's like press this many, then that many, click this many. Too complicated.

Simplicity is best.
Click to expand...

Its already been said, but THE NOVATAC DOES NOT NEED TO BE COMPLICATED. It in fact has my favorite UI. I leave the four levels at their defaults, and after four minutes of study and practice, I could go right to the brightness I want without thinking about it.

As a bonus, after more study, I can ramp brightness up and down, use the locater flash when I travel, and have all sorts of fun with it, and if I get ambitious I might get around to adjusting the defaults. It is my favorite non-custom light and it goes everywhere I go.

I own several Surefires, but I think the 120p is the perfect "backup" light, and I it's in my pocket when I go out with a larger light.
 
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