Help SF EL1 or Novatac85P

[guspa]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and have learned a ton over the past few weeks reading the posts. Anyway, I'm looking for a little advice. I am trying to choose bewteen the soon to be released SF EL1 or Novatac 85P. I commute a couple times a week on my bike so I am looking for a back up to my nite-rider bike light. I would prefer the beam to a bit wider so I can see more of the trail. Both have a low setting for everyday use, obviously the 85P has even more settings. I like the idea of the novatac or SF as they both have the reputation of being bullet proof.

Any opinions?

Thanks

Gus

 

[bigfoot]

The upcoming newer Surefire E1L (March) is probably going to be more of a focused beam (due to the optic). The Novatac 85P seems to have a more floody beam (due to a reflector) according to the pictures I've seen here on CPF.

Both are nice lights. Probably couldn't go wrong either way. Hopefully lots of folks will chime in here with good suggestions...

 

[Crenshaw]

85p, although the UI will require a fair bit of learning...

Crenshaw

 

[Ty_Bower]

I commute a couple times a week on my bike so I am looking for a back up to my nite-rider bike light. I would prefer the beam to a bit wider so I can see more of the trail.

The Surefire Cree lights with the latest optic (E1L, E2L, KX1, KX2, E1B, L1) are very tightly focused. In close quarters (less than 15 feet) I find them somewhat awkward to use. You can't illuminate a wide spot in front of you, and the area that is lit is too bright to look at comfortably. They do seem to work well at medium range (maybe 60 feet or so). At long range (>120 feet) I'm not sure they throw enough lux to illuminate as much as I'd like. Find a local outdoor or gun shop that carries the Surefire lights. Try out the new Surefire Cree lights before you buy one.

Also keep in mind that the Novatac will take a rechargeable li-ion R123A cell. The Surefire E1L will not. If you plan on using this light for several hours, several times a week, this might be a consideration.

 

[Valpo Hawkeye]

I ride a Specialized Tricross and I use a Fenix L1D with a twofish lock block, all from www.fenix-store.com . It's cheaper and uses easily available rechargeable AA's. It also has a strobe (NovaTac has it, E1L doesn't) for when you're riding in twilight.

 

[candlelight001]

Hey, I've got a few Surefire lights and a Novatac 85P. The Novatac is extremely versatile, great beam, wide but bright in the middle. Really love it. I learned the user interface in 30 minutes. Once you have it set up the way you want, there's not much to think about. Or, you can just leave the factory settings which are perfectly fine. It has a slower emergency strobe and a disorienting strobe that would definitely make cars see you.

 

[Sigman]

I'd lean towards the 85P's programmability. Indeed several of the modes would result in being seen better than with the E1L. Add the Surefire F0 series filters (red/blue) and use on either light if you wish?! Safety issue...

...HOWEVER, the old (seldom seen these days? :thinking: ) CPF creed was, "Buy em' both!" (E1L can be the backup!)

 

[precisionworks]

The Surefire Cree lights with the latest optic ... are very tightly focused.

+1

I EDC both the E2L & the 120P - much softer spillbeam on the 120P. In my side-by-side 'tests' of the E2L & E1L, beam pattern is near identical (with the E2L being just slightly brighter). Huge difference between those two lights & the NovaTac, which still has good throw but is much more floody.

For your use, the NovaTac will work better.

 

[guspa]

Thanks everyone. Great feedback, just what I was looking for. I'm gonna order the 85P from lighthound.

One other question, (two really), do you guys prefer the duracell to Surefire batteries or are they equivelent. Also, do rechargeables last as long?

Thanks

Gus

 

[precisionworks]

I buy the Surefire batts in the 72 pack (nice if you have a few lights). Cost is the lowest I've found for a USA made battery, performance is excellent.

I'm gonna try the rechargeables if I ever get enough lights

 

[guspa]

thanks once again.

 

[Draven451]

Thanks everyone. Great feedback, just what I was looking for. I'm gonna order the 85P from lighthound.

One other question, (two really), do you guys prefer the duracell to Surefire batteries or are they equivelent. Also, do rechargeables last as long?

Thanks

Gus

The rechargeable will last much longer than primaries since you can reuse them for over 500 recharging cycles +/-! :thumbsup: A much better cost to price ratio with guilt free lumens! Lighthound has the AW Protected RCR123's that I have been using in my SF L1 Cree and also in my Novatac 120P and both are running strong with limited use.