Need help: Surefire vs. Lumapower ??

[Federal LG]

I am new here... and still with some doubts...

I am searching for a GREAT 1x CR123 light... A lot of guys here told me to look for the Surefire L1 Lumamax Cree. It looks like a very good light, and I intend to buy it. It is small, two outputs, powered by 1x CR123... Just what I am looking for.

BUT... looking at Battery Junction I saw a Lumapower D Mini: the same 1x CR123, a lot of power, and it uses a Cree Q5 LED !

Now I don´t know anymore! Both of them looks good lights, with though construction, good circuit and output. And both are 1x CR123.

In your opinion, what should I do ?
I consider a lot 3 specs: size, output power and runtime.

I do have 3 Fenix Lights (outstandig lights!), so I don´t want a P2D. I don´t need strobes, SOS, etc...

And I looking for a bigger reflector (more throw?)... like in Mini D or SF L1.

Opinions welcome! :thumbsup:

And does someone knows a link for a review of the Lumapower Mini D with Q5 LED ? If it´s possible, with a lot of pictures... I still can´t say how big is the Lumapower... I cannot find one picture of a human hand holding it!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sgt. LED]

No photo's but the D-mini has great throw due to it's rather large head size. The two lights are really not intended for the same roles. To EDC you can only pick the L1 IMO. But naturally buy both as the D-mini is nice anyway.

 

[adamlau]

...But naturally buy both...

But of course!

 

[pipspeak]

Both are in the same price range so if you don't want to buy both I'd go for the surefire just cuz it's a surefire and the L1 cree is rapidly gaining cult status, if these baords are anything to go by.

I suspect the D-Mini will have more throw because of its larger head and Q5 emitter, but the L1 has a very tight beam so maybe not (Pure speculation on my part... all I have is the M3, which shares the same reflector as the D-mini)

 

[Lobo]

Both are in the same price range so if you don't want to buy both I'd go for the surefire just cuz it's a surefire and the L1 cree is rapidly gaining cult status, if these baords are anything to go by.

I suspect the D-Mini will have more throw because of its larger head and Q5 emitter, but the L1 has a very tight beam so maybe not (Pure speculation on my part... all I have is the M3, which shares the same reflector as the D-mini)

They are not really in the same pricerange since the L1 costs 50USD more. And I also suspect that the D-mini Q5 will be a lot brighter and have lot more throw(the original D-mini was allready a mini throw monster), but if I could chose between them, I would have picked the L1, it just looks so much cooler. And brightness isn't always everything, and the D-mini doesnt look so pocketable with the big head.

 

[KeyGrip]

If you're going to carry the light every day, the L1 has a better combination of attributes which make for an EDC light.

 

[Federal LG]

I knew that the most of you would say "Buy both!" Give the Lumapower to me as CHRISTMAS GIFT, Sarge!:twothumbs


Humpf.... flashaholics! :lolsign:

 

[di.corp]

Does anyone know which CREE it is in the SF L1 CREE..?? I thought it was the Q5 in L1.. or am I wrong..?

I'm also about to buy the L1.. I hope that you don't mind me tagging along with this.. =P

 

[gunga]

I own an L1 and have tried a D-mini.

Have not done a comparison, but it depends on what you need/want.

If you want a very cool EDC, get the Surefire. If you want a throw-monster get the D-mini.

For the Surefire, get an F04 Beamshaper (I don't have one yet but they make the light much more useful for close range, floody work).

Also, if you want to run RCR123s, the Surefire is a maybe, but the D-mini is fine.

Yeah, the Surefire costs a lot more. COnstruction quality is very nice tho.

Or just BUY BOTH!

 

[GarageBoy]

SF L1 is the perfect gloved hands EDC light. Nice, chunky workhorse.
D-Mini is perfect for keeping in your pocket when you expect to be in a situation where you need throw

 

[Patriot]

If you're going to carry the light every day, the L1 has a better combination of attributes which make for an EDC light.

Big time ditto to that!

The D-mini is one of the nicer Chinese lights but it's clumsy to EDC, at least for me. It makes a fun, small, walking flashlight because of its ability to throw light, but for all around purposes the L1 is more flexible.

 

[Federal LG]

Ok... I agree with the most of you guys.

I decided: Surefire L1 Cree is my next! And maybe, in a near future, I´ll get the Lumapower Mini.

Anyway, thank you all for the opinions!!

:wave:

 

[Fooboy]

I ordered my first light (L1 Cree) today

Anyways, you might want to check out some of the Lumapower power regulation. I wasn't very impressed, they just drop.

 

[Illumination]

I've got an L1 and love it.

I have an old P4 D-mini and like it a lot.

The new Q5 D-Mini attracted me, but when I looked at the price differential between the Q5 D-mini and the L1, I couldn't justify buying a new D-Mini. I'll pay more for US-made, ultra high quality, lifetime warranty from Surefire...won't pay a big "Limited Edition" premium to a less established manufacturer.

 

[BigD64]

+1 for the L1 I have 3 different generation L1's and I love'm all.