Is the Surefire L1 or E1L the ultimate dual-mode light???

[watchdog2001]

I'm looking for the "ultimate" dual-mode light for EDC. I want a light with the biggest spread in lumen output between the low and high settings while still having a long run time on the high setting. I think I've narrowed it down to the Surefire L1 or the E1L. The Surefire E1B Backup looked promising until I saw the high setting only has a 1.3 hour run time.

Any other lights I should be considering? What are your thoughts on the L1 and E1L? Any regrets getting a light for EDC with only a high setting of 65 or 45 lumens?

John

 

[Search]

I'm looking for the "ultimate" dual-mode light for EDC. I want a light with the biggest spread in lumen output between the low and high settings while still having a long run time on the high setting. I think I've narrowed it down to the Surefire L1 or the E1L. The Surefire E1B Backup looked promising until I saw the high setting only has a 1.3 hour run time.

Any other lights I should be considering? What are your thoughts on the L1 and E1L? Any regrets getting a light for EDC with only a high setting of 65 or 45 lumens?

John

Even though I would probably ONLY buy Surefire lights in the future. My needs and preferences are different than others.

I hate to say it, but maybe considering another brand.

Fenix lights are great, reliable, and cheap multi-mode lights with good runtimes.

Are you bent on only two modes like the two you mentioned, or are you interested in multi-mode lights. Ones with 4, 5, 6 modes.

A little more info on what you need would help narrow it down

 

[bullfrog]

L1 and E1L will both be awesome choices.

It comes down to this:

Do you like clicky (E) or twisty (L)?

Do you want runtime (E) or power (L)?

I thought the L1 was perfect for my hands (bigger than the E1L) and I love the UI.

Honestly, you cant go wrong with either.

Good luck!

 

[watchdog2001]

Even though I would probably ONLY buy Surefire lights in the future. My needs and preferences are different than others.

I hate to say it, but maybe considering another brand.

Fenix lights are great, reliable, and cheap multi-mode lights with good runtimes.

Are you bent on only two modes like the two you mentioned, or are you interested in multi-mode lights. Ones with 4, 5, 6 modes.

A little more info on what you need would help narrow it down

I own a couple of Fenix L2Ds and a P2D but have become partial to having a light with the simplicity of the mode changes being controlled by the rear button, thus my interest in a dual-mode light. I find mode changes that involve turning the bezel and pressing the rear button not an easy task especially when you have the other hand tied up. Also, I forgot to mention in my initial post, I would like the light to be 123A lithium powered. I'm open to other brands besides Surefire...

 

[watchdog2001]

L1 and E1L will both be awesome choices.

It comes down to this:

Do you like clicky (E) or twisty (L)?

Do you want runtime (E) or power (L)?

I thought the L1 was perfect for my hands (bigger than the E1L) and I love the UI.

Honestly, you cant go wrong with either.

Good luck!

I didn't realize the L1 was a twisty. Is it easy to operate with one hand?

 

[bullfrog]

Also, don't count out the E1B... My favorite 1 cell surefire :thumbsup:

 

[bullfrog]

I didn't realize the L1 was a twisty. Is it easy to operate with one hand?

It is a two stage momentary press tail (light press: low, harder press: high), then twist for constant on.

Yes, it is easy to twist on with one hand.

 

[Search]

I own a couple of Fenix L2Ds and a P2D but have become partial to having a light with the simplicity of the mode changes being controlled by the rear button, thus my interest in a dual-mode light. I find mode changes that involve turning the bezel and pressing the rear button not an easy task especially when you have the other hand tied up. Also, I forgot to mention in my initial post, I would like the light to be 123A lithium powered. I'm open to other brands besides Surefire...

Ah I got ya. I agree also. I'll continue to use my PD30 but have no interest in more lights with tons of modes. 1 is enough.

 

[jp2515]

It is a two stage momentary press tail (light press: low, harder press: high), then twist for constant on.

Yes, it is easy to twist on with one hand.

Yup indeed. I hold the light with my 3 other fingers and use the index & thumb to twist it to constant on.

 

[Marduke]

I own a couple of Fenix L2Ds and a P2D but have become partial to having a light with the simplicity of the mode changes being controlled by the rear button, thus my interest in a dual-mode light. I find mode changes that involve turning the bezel and pressing the rear button not an easy task especially when you have the other hand tied up. Also, I forgot to mention in my initial post, I would like the light to be 123A lithium powered. I'm open to other brands besides Surefire...

NiteCore EX10 fits the bill. Easy access to high and low, and even in between if you desire. Entirely accessed via the switch.

 

[watchdog2001]

It is a two stage momentary press tail (light press: low, harder press: high), then twist for constant on.

Yes, it is easy to twist on with one hand.

You're starting to sell me on the L1. In your estimation, how accurate is the 1.5 hour run time on high? That's my one negative concern for the L1.

 

[gunspease]

You're starting to sell me on the L1. In your estimation, how accurate is the 1.5 hour run time on high? That's my one negative concern for the L1.

Not sure about the 1.5 hr but I use mine all the time and the battery lost a month or so

 

[bullfrog]

Not sure about the 1.5 hr but I use mine all the time and the battery lost a month or so

About the same with me - the battery seemed to last forever in my L1...

Battery life was never really an issue - the 10 lumen low was PLENTY bright for most tasks thanks to the optic. I think the L1s 10 lumens works as well as the 30 lumens on my Ra.

 

[asdalton]

The nice thing about the L1 is that you don't have to choose between "low first" or "high first" operation. You can get either level immediately depending on how far you push the button. The downside is that you have to twist the tailcap to get constant operation (without having to hold the button) at either level.

You have to be careful when taking the manufacturer's rated runtimes at face value, especially when it comes down to fractions of hours. Outputs aren't always advertised accurately either (although Surefire almost never oversells their output). My L1 and E1B are equally bright on high, so I'd be very surprised if their runtime curves are different.

 

[steveG]

I don't know about being the "ultimate", but I have an E1L and really like the balance between runtime and output. It's my EDC light.

EDIT: I considered the L1 but didn't think the additional brightness was worth the loss in runtime.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Not sure about the 1.5 hr but I use mine all the time and the battery lost a month or so

Welcome to CPF. Search for the Runtime Index thread in the CPF Flashlight Reviews forum. Click on sticky threads of interest and look for Runtime Index. Bit of work but you will get accurate, objective info. Good to start learning ow to searc for the wealth of info available on CPF.

Bill

 

[DHart]

I prefer the E1B (5 lumens/80 lumens) to the L1 (10 lumens/65 lumens).

The E1B has a lower low and a higher high, both are preferable to me. And I much prefer the clicky tail on the E1B (and, by extension, the E1L.)

While both have momentary, the E1B gets constant on with just a click. I don't like having to twist the L1, though I can do it with one hand, if I must.

Tailcap options on the L1 are limited. On the E1B and E1L you can choose a couple other options.... like the Z49, which I use a lot, with the light on low for candle mode.

Both are excellent lights, but the E1B (and by extension, the E1L) are preferrable to me, than the L1. I think the E1B and the E1L are the ultimate dual-mode lights.

 

[ja10]

Out of curiosity, what is your experience with lights? Also, what are you hoping to use it for?

I ask this, because at first, I couldn't believe that so many great high end lights had such short runtimes. I was convinced that I needed several hours for the light to be useful. After carrying a light for several weeks though, I realized that I might use 1 hour of "high" runtime every couple of weeks, and that would be including quite a bit of playing around.

The L1, with the 10 lumen low, will allow you to get away without needing the high mode as often. If you need to check inside a computer, look under the seat in your car, or light your way to the bathroom, 10 lumens will be plenty.

Long runtime is exactly what many (or most?) people need. However, if this won't be your survival or duty light, and your job doesn't require extended use of a light, you might like the higher output of the L1 more, and find that you go through fewer batteries than you expect.

 

[Zatoichi]

I'm really impressed with the E1L. It's amazing what that 'only' 45 lumens high can do, and the runtime is fantastic. There's a lot of L1 admirers around which makes me think I should get one of those too, but I'd say for EDC, camping, walking at night etc, the E1L is ideal with much longer runtime on high.

Everytime I think about the E1B and L1 I always come back to the E1L's runtime. It's not that I'm too tight to buy more batteries, it's just nice to know I'm going out with 8 hours of decent brightness in my pocket even without spare cells.

 

[watchdog2001]

Out of curiosity, what is your experience with lights? Also, what are you hoping to use it for?

I ask this, because at first, I couldn't believe that so many great high end lights had such short runtimes. I was convinced that I needed several hours for the light to be useful. After carrying a light for several weeks though, I realized that I might use 1 hour of "high" runtime every couple of weeks, and that would be including quite a bit of playing around.

The L1, with the 10 lumen low, will allow you to get away without needing the high mode as often. If you need to check inside a computer, look under the seat in your car, or light your way to the bathroom, 10 lumens will be plenty.

Long runtime is exactly what many (or most?) people need. However, if this won't be your survival or duty light, and your job doesn't require extended use of a light, you might like the higher output of the L1 more, and find that you go through fewer batteries than you expect.

I'm more of a casual "flashaholic". I'm in the commercial refrigeration business and am mostly behind a desk (I let the younger bucks go out in the field). On occasion I do have to go into the field and "take a look". I would say that I spend 2 to 6 hours a week looking at things that might require a light to take a closer look. This is the situations that I use my EDC, in addition to camping, night fishing and when doing household chores. I currently have a single mode E2L but was looking to get a 1 cell light with dual-mode. Many times, a low mode would come in handy as to not over power when doing up close work.