First impressions of the L1**PICS ADDED**

[jtivat]

The light is as I expected very well built and the fit and finish is perfect. The two stage switch is excellent and probably my favorite switch on any light I have used. The low output mode is a little disappointing as it is very dim only about half that of an Arc AAA. The high mode is about equal to a KL1 only much whiter, the only whiter LS I have had was my Arc LSH-P.

EDIT
After looking at the L1 in the dark I have to take back my statment about how white it is. All my Arc's are whiter and the L1 is also very green.

The KL1 is on the left and the L1 on the right

 

[Tree]

For work, would the L1 replace the E2 with MN03?

 

[McGizmo]

Originally posted by jtivat:
............. The low output mode is a little disappointing as it is very dim only about half that of an Arc AAA. .................................

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I think in the low mode, there is likely to be some variation from one L1 to the next. If the LED has a low Vf, it will be brighter in low mode than another LED with a higher Vf. This is very appearant in a modded E series bezel I did with a red SE for the L1. Since the red LED has a much lower Vf than the whites, it is considerably brighter in the low mode.

I think the comparison of the white L1 in low to a dim Arc AAA is pretty consistant with what I've seen. I would liken the low mode to a single Nichia driven at or below spec. This is still a very useful amount of light in real darkness or up close in urban darkness.

- Don

 

[Brock]

Tree, I couldn't help but just in. It is perfect for theatre use. Mine is about the same as a Arc AAA in dim mode (1 lumen) then gets up to the KL1 brightness (about 18 lumens). It is perfect, now I want a three stage 5 watt version

 

[SUREFARC]

So L1 is significantly whiter than KL1?

 

[CM]

Originally posted by LittleNinjai:
So L1 is significantly whiter than KL1?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">KL1 is rated 18 lumens. Recent batches of HD's in the Arc LSH-P are higher in lumen output (P and Q flux) than the 18 lumens spec'd. My guess is that they are of lower color temperature (more white) and may appear brighter to some.

My KL1's and KL3 are dimmer than my recent Arc's and it's probably due to Arc's insistence on using P and Q flux for their premiums. Now if Surefire can assure us of P and Q flux LED's in their lights, I will buy some again. As it is, the KLx that I have are now modded to 5Watters since they have dissapointed in the brightness category. For their size, they should be brighter IMO.

 

[jtivat]

Originally posted by Tree:
For work, would the L1 replace the E2 with MN03?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes, I would say it is a great backstage light. The low output would still work great for reading and the high output great for other tasks.

 

[FC.]

For their size, they should be brighter IMO.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">No kiddin'
KL3 is a classic example of wasting space.

 

[McGizmo]

CM,

The KL1's are rated at 18 lumens out of the front end of the flashlight. To my knowledge, ALL KL1's have Q bin LED's. Surefire doesn't base their output on stated figures from the LED mfg but rather on actual tests. The same issue has come up before with SF incandescents when their rated output is less than anothers and yet their lights are brighter.

- Don

 

[Size15's]

SureFire has many thousands of Dollars of the highest quality light measuring equipment.
Prove their Lumen values wrong before 13/02/03 and I will personally have words!

I think of the KL1 & KL3 as explorations into practical application of "Digital Regulation Technology"
It is a major and significant step in the right direction. I think the fact that SureFire can release a product with a style as the KL3 means they like to have some fun along the way.

The KL1 is a serious product because on the E1e & E2e it is a serious tool. My personal opinion is that the standard body two & three cell SureFires need more then KL3 output for me to use them as a tool.

The L1 is very practical. I used to carry the E1e+KL1 but the L1 is far better. The choice of output is a great choice to have.
Again, this switching technology is a practical application of a step in the development. Products like the A2 make the ability to switch more significant.

In the future I bet we will be seeing brighter main beam output with a low output option from a single switch. My current wish from a pocket-clipped SureFire is 60/120 output. I'm thinking same size as A2 but I don't know if the Bezel can handle the heat.

It is difficult to view any one SureFire as a product in isolation. SureFires evolve.

Al

 

[FC.]

A2 with 120lum,

 

[CM]

I don't dispute their lumen values are wrong, in fact I think 18 Lumens is probably a conservative rating. Having had four KL1's and two KL3's (which I pared down to three KL1 and 1 KL3), I just didn't think they had much over the latest generation Arc in terms of light output. Why do you think I would go through the trouble of modding these things in the first place? (no offense intended here) I voided my warranty on two KL1's and KL3's because I wanted a higher light output from such relatively large instruments. Relatively large means compared to the Arc LSH-P with 1x123 power pack.

Ah, yes about digital regulation, see my comments in the electronics section about "Digital Regulation Technology" and we can discuss that topic there

I agree that the 2 and 3 cell surefires needing more light output for me to use them as a tool. Their larger size commands a proportionally larger output in my opinion.

With all the hoopla about the L1, can someone please post beamshots of the L1 and KL1 side by side so I can be pacified? I at least want to see a comparison before I plunk down yet another $130 in a flashlight

Respectfully

CM

 

[jtivat]

Here are some pics for comparison.

 

[FC.]

Don't have a KL1 right now, but here is LSH-P

 

[jtivat]

Originally posted by CM:

With all the hoopla about the L1, can someone please post beamshots of the L1 and KL1 side by side so I can be pacified? I at least want to see a comparison before I plunk down yet another $130 in a flashlight

Respectfully

CM

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I will add beam shots tonight once it is dark.

 

[FC.]

jtivat , nice collection of mini-HA

 

[Size15's]

jtivat,
Nice photo!
IMHO, the L1 is the best looking flashlight there for sure.

 

[FC.]

Al, you are on the roll!

No offence to anybody, but why LS with 2AA pack? Soooo big, sooooo ugly.....

 

[CM]

jtivat, I am totally envious!!!

FC, thanks for beamshots. I may have to get an L1 (to mod of course

)

 

[jtivat]

Originally posted by FC.:
Al, you are on the roll!

No offence to anybody, but why LS with 2AA pack? Soooo big, sooooo ugly.....

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Ya I don't really ever use it with the two AA pack but some like it for the cheap batteries.