Help to choose EDC: Surefire E1L or NovaTac

[bh49]

Hello everybody. New member here and need some help to choose EDC.
I never EDC light, even I didn't have any LED lights until recently.
About a month ago for some unknown for me reasons I realized that I need a new flashlight, so I asked friends an advice on US made LED light and shortly after that got 6PL. I am very happy with this light, but it is a little big for the front pocket of my jeans, considering that I carry cell phone and 4.5" folder.
So I started to think about something smaller with one battery and got L1, mostly based on output and when I got it, I saw that it is fairly big for pocket carry (along with phone and folder) and I need to get something smaller. I am looking for US made LED EDC light, which I am planning to carry in the pocket of my jeans.
As of today I see couple options: E1L or NovaTac 120E. I like specification of Novatac much more, 0.7" smaller size, three modes up to 120 lumen versus two up to 45 on E1L, but I read some negative comments about quality of the latest Novatac production.
So, help me out, please. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[manoloco]

Surefire E1L and Novatac (any model) are 2 very different animals, the novatac is way more versatile, i think the L1 is superior to the E1L in almost every way except size.

if you are taking into consideration a Novatac, check out the Ra Clicky, its made by Henry, the engineer that designed the Novatac, in fact Novatac bought the design from him and the result is a spin-off from HDS EDC lights (previous name of Ra Lights), but the HDS EDC has superior electronics and body. So far most owners of Ra Clickies think that the Clicky is even superior to any of the other mentioned lights, and the new prices are very competitive.

i have to say i love the L1, so if you dont have use for it and want to sell it at a very good price, let me know, i would love to try a few mods with it! :D

forgot to add:
if size is too important for your EDC use, then consider a Nitecore EX10 or D10, they are good lights, but not made in the US, any smaller is a bit difficult to operate properly, and you will be sacrificing too much performance.

 

[Bruce B]

Get a Surefire E1b... 5 Lumens low/80 Lumens high. Designed as a backup light for LEO's, but can also be used as an EDC. It's very small.

Just my .02

P.s. :welcome:

 

[sappyg]

what are your main uses of an edc? have you considered the SF e1b? do you want flood or throw? do you have a preference for rechargable or primary batteries? i carry a phone in a holster which free up space in my pocket. my pocket knife is always in the opposite pocket as my edc light but perhaps the folder could go in a sheath?
aside from the size of the 6p what is it that you like about the 6p? both of the lights you mentioned are good lights but we need to know more about your requirements and use.
:welcome:

 

[Strauss]

Coming from an owner of both a Novatac 120P and a Ra Clicky, I can tell you the Clicky is far superior to the Novatac. Build quality, runtime, output, product support, and durability are all better with the Ra Clicky. I personally feel that there isn't a better EDC light made for the money. I have had many different EDC format lights in my time. The Clicky is the first light I have bought that I feel is THE ONE, I now have no intrest in buying any other one-cell EDC style lights.

With that being said, if you were to get the Novatac you would still have an excellent light. It's just that I feel, and many other on this forum, that the Ra is the better light. With the lower prices now being offered, I feel it's a no-brainer decision. I EDC'd a Novatac for over a year, so my observations are coming from experience. My Ra lights will probably live longer than me :huh:

 

[sappyg]

agreed strause..... the Ra has it's own set of issues and we must assume that the OP has excluded the Ra along with other US made lights. the OP only listed 2 lights for our consideration and Ra was not included.
i think it is the OP's responsibility to more quickly define use and need.

 

[Toaster]

Another vote for Surefire E1B + F04 diffuser. Imho it's the best Surefire for EDC and the slip on F04 diffuser acts as a lens protector and changes the light from a thrower to a flood machine. Don't be fooled by the 80 lumen rating, it actually puts out more light than the 120P. You can find a decent comparison review that includes both lights here.

 

[octaf]

Coming from an owner of both a Novatac 120P and a Ra Clicky, I can tell you the Clicky is far superior to the Novatac. Build quality, runtime, output, product support, and durability are all better with the Ra Clicky. I personally feel that there isn't a better EDC light made for the money. I have had many different EDC format lights in my time. The Clicky is the first light I have bought that I feel is THE ONE, I now have no intrest in buying any other one-cell EDC style lights.

With that being said, if you were to get the Novatac you would still have an excellent light. It's just that I feel, and many other on this forum, that the Ra is the better light. With the lower prices now being offered, I feel it's a no-brainer decision. I EDC'd a Novatac for over a year, so my observations are coming from experience. My Ra lights will probably live longer than me :huh:

I felt the same way.
As a owner of Novatac120P and HDS U series, I thought HDS had far superior quality than novatac, even though that difference might look small to those who had not owned both at the same time. :cool:
But still, I think Novatac is faily good light and I would go for novatac P,T,or E over E1L. :popcorn:
And want to try Ra twisty and clicky someday. :D

 

[bh49]

Gentlemen,
Please forgive my ignorance. Just a month ago I knew the word "Surefire" and my best lights were a Maglites

what are your main uses of an edc?

Carry, just in case if I need it. Time will tell.

have you considered the SF e1b?

Yes, but I do not think that 5/80 with 80 mode only an hour to be very useful for me.

do you want flood or throw?

Not sure due to the lack of experience.

do you have a preference for rechargable or primary batteries?

No preferences so far.

i carry a phone in a holster which free up space in my pocket. my pocket knife is always in the opposite pocket as my edc light but perhaps the folder could go in a sheath?

I do not like holsters or sheath. I carry phone in the pocket and knives clipped.

Surefire E1L and Novatac (any model) are 2 very different animals, the novatac is way more versatile, i think the L1 is superior to the E1L in almost every way except size.

I like L1 more than E1L, but L1 is too big.

if you are taking into consideration a Novatac, check out the Ra Clicky, its made by Henry, the engineer that designed the Novatac, in fact Novatac bought the design from him and the result is a spin-off from HDS EDC lights (previous name of Ra Lights), but the HDS EDC has superior electronics and body. So far most owners of Ra Clickies think that the Clicky is even superior to any of the other mentioned lights, and the new prices are very competitive.

Thank you for the tip on Ra, I never heard about them, but I found their web site now.

Coming from an owner of both a Novatac 120P and a Ra Clicky, I can tell you the Clicky is far superior to the Novatac. Build quality, runtime, output, product support, and durability are all better with the Ra Clicky. I personally feel that there isn't a better EDC light made for the money. I have had many different EDC format lights in my time. The Clicky is the first light I have bought that I feel is THE ONE, I now have no intrest in buying any other one-cell EDC style lights.

With that being said, if you were to get the Novatac you would still have an excellent light. It's just that I feel, and many other on this forum, that the Ra is the better light. With the lower prices now being offered, I feel it's a no-brainer decision. I EDC'd a Novatac for over a year, so my observations are coming from experience. My Ra lights will probably live longer than me :huh:

Thank you for info on Ra. They have quite a few models. Are all of the US made and good? As far as I see the main difference between Ra Clicky and Ra EDC is 140 lumens vs 120. Is it worth an extra $50?

agreed strause..... the Ra has it's own set of issues and we must assume that the OP has excluded the Ra along with other US made lights. the OP only listed 2 lights for our consideration and Ra was not included.
i think it is the OP's responsibility to more quickly define use and need.

What issues Ra has (had)? Who is OP? (sorry) Is it me? What it stand for?

Thank you

 

[bluecrow76]

+1 for the Novatac!

I EDC a 120P and love this light. I have no first hand experience with the Surefire, but no matter how many other lights I buy I keep coming back to the Novatac. My favorite feature is being able to access each of the presets directly with a few button clicks. I don't like having to cycle through modes. The other big plus is the floody beam.

My nirvana light would be a single 18650 P7 with the Novatac UI... but for now I'll settle for what I have. :D

 

[bluecrow76]

Another plus for the Novatac is that you can run off of CR123 primaries or RCR123 rechargeable batteries... or you can get an extension tube that will let you use 17670 cells (and even 18650 cells if you get creative). I run mine strictly on rechargeable batteries with primaries waiting in the wings for extended outages.

Take a look at the runtimes of the 120P in selfbuilt's 1xCR123A/RCR Round-up Review.

 

[octaf]

agreed strause..... the Ra has it's own set of issues and we must assume that the OP has excluded the Ra along with other US made lights. the OP only listed 2 lights for our consideration and Ra was not included.
i think it is the OP's responsibility to more quickly define use and need.

What are the issues on Ra Lights?
Details or Link please. :grin2:

 

[Snow]

Have you considered the LRI Proton Pro? They are excellent US made lights and quite slim. Great for EDC.

 

[bh49]

Please, keep in the mind, I am not sophisticated in flashlights like you are (it is even stated that I am "Unenlightened", but I am getting better). It is great to program light, but I can live really well with EDC, which has couple of pre-set modes like L1. Reliability is important for me, as well as company background. I hate to find out a couple years later that company went out of business, sold product line or moved to China, so if will need their help, it will be difficult to obtain. Also I am planning to buy just this light, budget is tight.
Again, thank you for help.
Yesterday I spend time reading and researching Ra lights.
How good Ra Every Day Carry lights? Are they US made as well?
Thanks again

 

[cabindriver]

I don't have the Surefire but I like the multiple levels of the NovaTacs. Once you try, they are not complicated to program. Or you can just leave them alone and use them as they come.

Customer service from NovaTac was excellent for me.

You do know to look here when shopping for a light?
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/index.php

If you ever have questions, you can't find a more helpful bunch than the ones on these forums.

 

[gswitter]

It's worth mentioning that while the E1L is longer than the NovaTac, the NovaTac is wider, and ultimately feels larger in the pocket to me. And while I like the Ra Clicky (no problems with mine) better than the NovaTac, the Clicky is longer, and I still opt for the NovaTac sometimes because of the smaller size.

Others to consider if you want a small, US-built light:

• Photon Proton Pro - variable brightness, and runs on a AA!
• Muyshondt Nautilus - more expensive, but smaller than the NovaTac and E1L
• Muyshondt Aeon - even smaller, but runs on a CR2

And Peak has an entire line of small lights, but I'll leave it to someone more familiar with them to offer specific Peak recommendations.

 

[sappyg]

What are the issues on Ra Lights?
Details or Link please. :grin2:

there are several links re: some issues with the last clicky release. the good thing is Ra has great CS and most if not all of the problems have been resolved perhaps.... you even posted on one of the links... titled new Ra products. or something like that.
from your last post on that thread the chart was not good enough to help with a decission. at this time i think the difference between the Ra clicky and the Ra edc executive is all that is posted on the chart. is one worth more than the other? that can only be answered by you.
i ordered a Ra edc exec. because i like a floody type beam profile.

 

[sappyg]

Please, keep in the mind, I am not sophisticated in flashlights like you are (it is even stated that I am "Unenlightened", but I am getting better). It is great to program light, but I can live really well with EDC, which has couple of pre-set modes like L1. Reliability is important for me, as well as company background. I hate to find out a couple years later that company went out of business, sold product line or moved to China, so if will need their help, it will be difficult to obtain. Also I am planning to buy just this light, budget is tight.
Again, thank you for help.
Yesterday I spend time reading and researching Ra lights.
How good Ra Every Day Carry lights? Are they US made as well?
Thanks again

we are all learning here. all of the lights mentioned so far are good lights. i like having access to at least 2 modes if not 3 in a light that is an edc.
CS from the manufactures listed have been considered good to excellent. NT looks like they are or are about to outsource some manufacturing overseas. that said, i have an NT 120 in a holster on me right now an i have no problem with it. it has a nice floody type beam which i like and is very practical for my needs.
at this time no one has the new Ra EDC or tactical lights. they are US made. i ordered a Ra EDC executive based on my preference of beam profile.
Ra lights are well noted for build quality and CS.
you are the OP.... origional poster. :thumbsup:

 

[KIRWILLE]

Surefire makes one of the best lights out there. Made in USA , excellent quality , very durable , easy to use....... but the size and the runtimes lack a little in my opinion for everyday pocket carry. Novatac also makes a great light , smaller than surefire , very high quality , great runtimes , low lows (down to less than 1 lumen , that comes in handy believe it or not ) , good high ( up to 120 actual lumens ). Novatac is made in USA now but the new models coming out will be made overseas :( . I've heard alot of good things about the ra clicky but cant comment on them ( mines in the mail I hope ) since I've never seen one in person yet.

 

[Strauss]

Ra lights are made in the USA, in Arizona to be specific. There were some issues with some of the first run Clicky's that is not very important at this time(dim locator flash, flash of light when going into burst, etc.). Henry fixed those prior issues with a software update, and as far as I know all the Clicky's that have been received by members since then have been 100%(including mine). What is important to know about the previous bugs that popped up with the first batch of lights, is that Henry was ready and willing to address those problems and fixed whatever issues people had. Is customer service is nothing short of first rate :)

With that being said, there have been many issues with the Novatac line as well. Most specifically, the low level flicker that many lights had, including my 120P. I sent my light to Novatac to have it fixed, which they did in a rather short amount of time. Novatac's customer service is good as well, but I have heard that they are not willing to fix this flicker problem anymore :whistle:

The thing is, any light that gets attention like Ra's or the Novatac's will be prone to issues. Some of these problems are very minor but get blown up on here as a lot of us expect the very best from our lights. The most important factor in the long run is customer service. If the company is willing to stand behind their product, then I feel safe with whatever may arise during my ownership.

One more thing to add. I have noticed that people on here that have had a bad experience or issue with their light are more prone to speak up about it, opposed to people that are satisfied with their purchase. So we on this forum will tend to hear about problems with certain lights more than praise. It's just the nature of the beast :ironic: