E1L, Ra or Novatac?

[MBKrPeter50]

I am looking at getting a more, what I would consider, high-end flashlight and I sort of have my choices narrowed down between several lights, but I just can't decide.

The lights are:
Surefire E1B
Surefire E1L
Ra Twisty (which is available now, but not sure if I should wait for a Clicky)
Novatac 85EDC or 120EDC

This will be my first CR123a flashlight, so I want to make sure I get a good one. I have heard good things about all of these lights, so that shouldn't be a factor.

I am also open to other suggestions, as long as they are in the same price range as the lights listed above.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Patrick

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: Need some help??

It might help if I describe what the lights main role will be, so as to better help with recommendations. Right now, the light I purchase will replace my fenix L1D which will be converted to a L2D, which will go in my messenger bag, as a backup light. So the new light will serve in general EDC purposes and many outdoor adventures.

 

[burntoshine]

Re: Need some help??

my L1D is my nightstand light. i keep a red filter on it so i can use it without bothering my girlfriend. my EDC is a nitecore ex10. the smart pd system is awesome!

you should check out this video..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irqhuV8Xo_A

it helped me make up my mind.

i'm totally biased, so all i can recommend is the ex10.

good luck!:thumbsup:

 

[balou]

Re: Need some help??

Surefires: very simple user interface. Two brightness levels.

HDS and Novatac: 4 brightness levels (3 on the twisty), each level can be adjusted, many additional features (strobes, 'locator beacon', a very dim flash every 3 seconds etc), but still very intuitive to use.

I personally would prefer a HDS/Novatac, they're just much more versatile than Surefires.

And deciding between HDS and Novatac, I'd go HDS. Look at the HDS main site... the light that got dropped repeatedly on rocks - not even the lens is broken. Besides, they now cost less than Novatacs - and when they were more expensive, many people said pay the surcharge, it's well worth it...

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: Need some help??

I see what you are saying about the durability and the cost, but then I run into the problem, do I get the Twisty, which I can have now, or do I put my name on the list for one of the Clickies? I was also sort of hoping for a pocket clip too, but that's not a deal breaker.

 

[Strauss]

Re: Need some help??

I see what you are saying about the durability and the cost, but then I run into the problem, do I get the Twisty, which I can have now, or do I put my name on the list for one of the Clickies? I was also sort of hoping for a pocket clip too, but that's not a deal breaker.

Having both lights in question, I will try my best to help you.

Go for the Twisty if you want a more "simple' interface. Twist for on, and keep twisting for more light. Doesn't get much easier than that :) It's also a bit shorter than the Clicky, and technically speaking more rugged as it has no switch to break. My Twisty is my work EDC and has taken A TON of abuse and keeps on working like day one. It's a great light that I will never part with.

The Clicky has a much more complicated interface. It's not hard to operate, it's just that it has a lot more "stuff" that it can do. If you are the kind of person that likes to tinker with things, than go for the Clicky 100%. The Clicky comes with a clip, but many on here do not like it. I don't mind it as it does it's job very well, it just doesn't look right to me. The Clicky is my favorite light, and is hands down superior to the Novatac for many reasons I will not get into right now.

So in short...go for the Twisty if you want super simple and bomp proof construction. Get the Clicky if you want an intelligent interface with all sorts of output and customization options with bomb proof construction as well :)

 

[kraz]

Re: Need some help??

You didn't mention whether or not rechargeable Li-ions batteries are your preferred battery type. Both the Novatac and HDS lights are designed to work with RCR123s. The LiFePO4s seem to work fine in my Surefires but there is no auto cutoff/protection circuit so you have to be careful not to over-discharge them.

I prefer the ergonomics of my tank-like Twisty to the my E1L. The KX1 head just seems out of proportion to the body. That aside, the E1L is quite bright for its output rating even operating on low. The Twisty has a really low low which I've grown to appreciate more than I expected.

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: Need some help??

You didn't mention whether or not rechargeable Li-ions batteries are your preferred battery type. Both the Novatac and HDS lights are designed to work with RCR123s. The LiFePO4s seem to work fine in my Surefires but there is no auto cutoff/protection circuit so you have to be careful not to over-discharge them.

I prefer the ergonomics of my tank-like Twisty to the my E1L. The KX1 head just seems out of proportion to the body. That aside, the E1L is quite bright for its output rating even operating on low. The Twisty has a really low low which I've grown to appreciate more than I expected.

I guess since I am new to CR123a batteries I would stick with non-rechargeables for right now, just until I get a little more comfortable with them.

 

[Toaster]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

Surefire is the only one of these manufacturers to have an extensive retail network. If you can find a dealer in your area, it would be worth checking the lights out in person. May help make up your mind one way or the other.

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

Surefire is the only one of these manufacturers to have an extensive retail network. If you can find a dealer in your area, it would be worth checking the lights out in person. May help make up your mind one way or the other.

There in lies my problem. I really don't have any surefire dealers around here that sell more than the G2, so for the most part I am buying blind, but hopefully I will see the light. Just a little joke. I had to do it, but that's it.

 

[vb14]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

Between the 2 surefires and for what you need, I would choose the E1L over the E1B. With its long runtime, it's perfect for outdoors and general EDC, although I couldn't EDC the E1L because of its size. The E1B is brighter and looks slick, but with much less runtime on high. It might not be good if it's going to be your main light when camping, unless you don't use it on high that much… or carry spare batteries (which one should always do).

I don't have the other 2 lights on your list so I can't comment on them. But if I may suggest, check out Muyshondt's Nautilus (Cr123) or the Aeon (if you don't mind switching to CR2). The main difference between the two is its size and runtime. For what I need, I chose the smaller one over the longer 2.75hrs of runtime on high. The low is good enough for 90% of what I need a light for... and I haven't had a task that the Aeon wasn't able to handle. A month or so ago, I saw an Aeon for $165 in an online store, so the price is within your range.

 

[Zatoichi]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

I just made a similar choice myself, and ended up with the E1L. I ruled out the E1B because it looks a bit slippy (and I've read comments that confirm this). Probably not a big deal for some, but I find my P2D too slippy to be my EDC light.

Good runtime also helped swing it for the E1L, and though a 45 lumens high doesn't sound much, it's the most efficient use of 45 lumens I've ever seen. I can't say whether I'd have been happier with an RA or E1B now, but I can say I'm very happy with the E1L. :)

 

[mightysparrow]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

Ra Twisty, because:

it can use rechargeable batteries
it is extremely resistent to damage and well-built
it has no push-button switch to wear out
it has four useful levels of light that are easy to get to; and
it is backed by the warranty of RaLights and HDS Systems.

Best of luck in your decision!

Jeff

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

I just made a similar choice myself, and ended up with the E1L. I ruled out the E1B because it looks a bit slippy (and I've read comments that confirm this). Probably not a big deal for some, but I find my P2D too slippy to be my EDC light.

Good runtime also helped swing it for the E1L, and though a 45 lumens high doesn't sound much, it's the most efficient use of 45 lumens I've ever seen. I can't say whether I'd have been happier with an RA or E1B now, but I can say I'm very happy with the E1L. :)

I have heard the same things about the E1B, that it can be slippery. Also good runtimes would be a plus as well. I have the same problem as you were talking about with the L1D I currently EDC, in certain situations it can be slippery, but it is still a good light, when I can hold on to it.

 

[Ny0ng1]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

were in your shoes last year or so, but in the end i chose none of them, and went with L1 :thumbsup: and there's no turning back :)

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

were in your shoes last year or so, but in the end i chose none of them, and went with L1 :thumbsup: and there's no turning back :)

I looked at the L1, but I was looking for something with some longer runtimes in the lower lumen modes.

 

[tebore]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

Keep in mind if you're going to use this as your EDC you're gonna want an all round balanced light, good runtime, flexible brightness options, balanced beam that has some throw and spill.

Build quality of all 4 lights are top notch so we can take that out of the equation. However if appearance is a concern to you the Ra Clicky has been known to have slight specks of annodizing missing and hasn't been addressed in production.

The Surefires especially the E1B exhibit little to no spill it's pretty much a spot beam. The E1L is similar to this respect except the spot is bigger, but again small amounts of light in the traditional sense of spill.
They also don't run on rechargables. They might run but are not designed for it and could behave strangely as well will void your warrenty.

The Ra series of lights are designed to run on rechargeables and will do so very well and efficiently. The Twisty has 3 levels of light easily selected from a twist. Some of them even have a low red which is useful. If you go with the Twisty I highly recommend the 85Tr as it the most different of all the single RCR123 lights on the market in everyway. It's build like a tank. There's enough talk of the build quality already so lets go to the beam. The beam of the Twisty is like no other light I've seen before. The spot is extremely tight and throwy yet has an ample amount of spill so you can walk around outside and not trip on a log. Downside is they cost more than the Clicky.

There's enough info about the clicky in the number of threads about it. There is a kind of a fiasco going on with it. With the number of options, some bugs popping up, delays in shipping. The bugs are semi fixed, some lights are displaying the absence of one bug for another. There has not been official word that all bugs have been worked out. IMHO it's not a polished product yet. That said it's a more polished product than the Novatac.

If it were me I'd rank it in this order Twisty>E1B>E1L with no consideration for the Clicky at the moment.

 

[youreacrab]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

I had a similar decision to make, and I ordered the Twisty 100. I've had a Clicky 140 but it ended up on the marketplace--too complicated and I hated the computerish click button. Twist from low to bright is awesome. I also have an L1 and like it. Together those two make a fine outdoors pair.

 

[GPB]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

I have the E1B and love it. For me, an EDC doesn't really need a great run time, because if I am going to be in a situation with lots of light use, I'll bring a light for that task. For example, I'd never use my EDC on a night hike, I'd bring a light suited for that application. I had originally thought I'd use the E1B for jogging since its small, bright, durable and has a good clip, but I found that the beam was too focused for that use. At the distance from my hands while jogging to the ground it only lights up about a 2 foot circle in front of me, which isn't enough. With that said, its a great light and my absolute favorite, but know that it's got a very focused beam. If you're partial to throwers, this could be a plus for you.

 

[MBKrPeter50]

Re: E1B, E1L, Ra or Novatac?

I have the E1B and love it. For me, an EDC doesn't really need a great run time, because if I am going to be in a situation with lots of light use, I'll bring a light for that task. For example, I'd never use my EDC on a night hike, I'd bring a light suited for that application. I had originally thought I'd use the E1B for jogging since its small, bright, durable and has a good clip, but I found that the beam was too focused for that use. At the distance from my hands while jogging to the ground it only lights up about a 2 foot circle in front of me, which isn't enough. With that said, its a great light and my absolute favorite, but know that it's got a very focused beam. If you're partial to throwers, this could be a plus for you.

The only real thing I see that draws me to the E1B is the clip. I like the E1L better spec wise, if only I could get it with the E1B clip.