HERE GOES::::last night I put reasonably fresh alks into my E-L "lgi"...2 rayovacs and an energizer max...The E2+KL1 had 2 123's with about 30 mins of intermittent runtime.
Test start at 9:00 pm: The E-L mod S.T.O.M.P.S. the SF...E-L lights to about 100' in a very tubular beam (mine is a HD w/o). The E2 lit to about 100 but VERY softly...no comparison, the E-L has far superior initial brightness and throw.
10pm...E-L still brighter although not the "crazy" brightness as earlier...it penetrates dense foliage to the wall beyond...65" no prob. The SF is the same as test start...SF is barely warm. E-L is warm at the head, but not hot or uncomfortable...just warm.
11:00pm E-L is still brighter, although in mine the beam is not that perfect SF smooth/creamy...The SF hotspot is about the size of a Frisbee at 10', the lgi is about 20" in diameter...the creaminess of the Sf beam is apparent compared to the wires, colors and slight uneveness of the lgi. Temps on the SF..very warm, the lgi cooled down from 10 pm
6:00am E-L is FAR brighter...a tad brighter than 3 led opalec. The SF is between an infinity and the Ultra...both were "cold"...I couldnt believe the SF was still running...The SF lit up the small print on a PAM can at 36"...enough to read it when w/o the light it was total darkness. The E-L was bright enuff that when I shined it at my watch, the reflection was uncomfortable to my eyes.
1:00 pm SF is still going!!!enuff to light the inside of a knapsack just barely...the e-l IS AS BRIGHT AS AN uLTRA INFINTY ONLY WITH A BRAODER HOTSPOT...sorry for the caplock issue.
EDIT::: 3:00 pm ...same as 1:00 pm!!!...the SF is still going!!
EDIT 10/18...10 pm last night, SF is dim but on...E-L is same as 3:00 pm
6:00 am this am...SF is only capable of illuminating my watch...but that is about 34 hours. The E-L is still in infinty mode
11:45 SF is dead...E-L is still going as before!!
Of course ymmv...the 3 alk LS is brighter longer, with a tubular beam that flares like a trombone bell at the end..it is whiter, but not without blemishes in the beam that don't really effect performance in the real world. The SF has that perfect "ice cream cone" beam that is a cross betw. a spot and a flood...it is bright enuff for outdoor navigation, medium distance (less than about 50') and not too bright for close quarter use. The E-l is like a Led spot light that can be used as the Sf, except it is a smidge too bright for prolonged close quarter use, imo. Of course, the E-L is not as pocketable...more of a bag or home based light.
they both serve their own purposes well...the E-L has really impressed me...I can't wait for the KL3!!!...got to go into court now...no time to edit...