Old and New SF E1L beamshots

[Lumalee]

Hi All,
My first attempt at doing some beamshots this evening. As posted in another thread I decided to order the new Cree SF E1L to see if it was any better than my old E1L. The main difference is that the old is a KL1 head and the cree is now renamed the KX1 head. At first I was quite happy with the new version as the beam was a little tighter bit better throw too, but after a few hours of playing I decided that I preffered the old one. Nothing to do with tight or wide beam, its just that the cree version has a very distinctive yellow tint to the light, I hope I am right about this description as I am still learning much about light temp and colour, but the old E1L is so much more white light, which is what I prefer. The shape of the beam is toally different too, the old is like a square shape, and the cree is more promounced round shape.
Anyways look at the photos and make your mind up for yourself, I took the photos in manual mode on my Canon 30d, F4.0, 1/20sec, ISO 200, auto WB.

This is the 4 way comparison:

Kroma milspec on high white,

SF U2 on max power white,

SF E1L with old KL1 head,

SF E1L with Cree KX1 head,

Both E1L's side by side with Cree version on the right,

Dont get me wrong I am still glad I bought the cree version but I just prefer the Old version which is my EDC.

Love to hear your comments.

Regards All
Lee

 

[Nathan]

Nice beam shots, but what color is the wall?

I actually preferred the newer KX1 beam with the added spill and crisper, round hot spot. My old KL1 has better throw though. As for color, the KX1 is definitely warmer, but mine wasn't nearly as yellow as yours.

Unfortunately the KX1 doesn't work with more than 3V (3.7V rechargeables, 2 primaries, etc.) like the versatile KL1 does, so I had to let it go...

 

[flashfan]

To my eyes, the KX1 looks dimmer, and I just don't like the "yellowy" output. I've never liked the square beam of the KL1 though, so my favorite is still the really old KL1 without the optic.

 

[Size15's]

...my favorite is still the really old KL1 without the optic.

The KL1 has always had an optic.

Shelby Chan Photography

 

[JNewell]

So, left to right, E1L with first version (but non-matching) KL1; E2e; original L1; and A2.

 

[grezuki]

Funny how in the individual photos, the lux and cree look to be the same whiteness, but in the side by side photo the cree almost looks like an incan.

I bought two of the new E1Ls at the same time from the same retailer, and one was very white, better throw, great sidespill, and brighter than the old E1L. The other one was not as bright and had a slightly greenish tint to my eye. So, I sent that one back and am hoping they send me a good one. I didn't realize there's a cree lottery just like the lux lottery.

 

[Size15's]

So, left to right, E1L with first version (but non-matching) KL1; E2e; original L1; and A2.

Yes.
Note that the E1L was only created for the 2nd gen KL1 (and continued for the current 3rd gen Cree XR-E version), not the 1st gen shown in the photo above.

SureFire's HA is created and specified based on performance (thickness etc) not matching shades/hues etc.

SureFire is less concerned with LED beam tint compared with the other characteristics of the LED. I don't dispute that some people are unhappy with the beam tint of their flashlight; SureFire have been pretty understanding when it comes to replacing them.

Al

 

[270winchester]

the KX1/E1L is a pretty useful product in my opinion.

in an age where every off-shore factory is rushing to use the latest spec-sheet to put claims to "200 lumen" 1 cell lights with 3 kinds of strobe, it's nice to have a long running, tough, dependable 1 level light with enough output for most tasks one can reasonably expect from 1 CR123, and runs long enough to not require one to carry spares all over the place.

In a way the new KX1/E1L, with its optics, the low drive current, the long runtime, the smallish size, is the closest thing I can think of as a successor to the Arc LS. It's so simple and useful.

I took a 2 hour hike today in the hills and the KX1 was just enough light to light up the whole trail without being annoying. It's gonna be my EDC for a while.

 

[Nathan]

My understanding is that there are 4 generations of the KL1.
L to R:
- First generation: smooth bezel, 1-watt LED
- Second or third (?): - slightly crenelated bezel, 1- or 3-watt LED
- Fourth: slightly crenelated, TIR optic, 3-watt Luxeon
- Also fourth, in HA-BK
- New KX1 w/3-watt Cree LED, TIR optic

270win, the KX1 above should look familiar!

 

[270winchester]

Sure does Nathan. It works like a charm.

that's one heck of a KL1 family shot.

 

[Size15's]

Nathan,
I understand what you're saying.

I would agree that the KX1 (and KX2) are new products - they are not new versions of the KL1 - they are replacements for it.

Back to the KL1 - yes - there have been many evolutions of the KL1 - some changes are visible, others less obvious. Therefore I am fine with people trying to spot all the detailed generations (I'd suggest there are more like a dozen btw)
However, I only see two major versions of the KL1 - the original (of which there are two in your photos), and the current (discontinued) (of which there are also two in your photos).

FYI, there are three major generations of L1 (original, old and current)

 

[Lumalee]

The beamshots were done onto a wall that is cream coloured, not the best I know, but its all I had to work with. The side by side shot definately shows the true "as the eyes see" colour difference, but I suppose after some thought today I am changing my opinion slightly. The question begs, what are the lights for ? they are not for comparison experiments, nor for competition with each other. To me they are to aid with vision in low or zero light conditions, and different lights are suited to different usage scenarios. So to be honest I am happy with the new KX1 as my EDC and the KL1 with its white square beam will be a camp light or something, or maybe my night photography light where a clean white is required.
I suppose my point is that I personally, am happy with both my E1L's, even with their differences.

Just a quick aside, dont know if its the photo above from Nathan, but the KX1 in the photo seems to have clear glass, where as mine has a slight mottled effect, or is it my eyes, could this be the much reffered to "orange peel" reflector ?

Cheers all
Lee

 

[chamenos]

Does the new KX1 have a conventional beam with a distinct hotspot and spill? What turned me off the TIR KL1 was the lack of any sidespill. It had a great beam, but it gave me tunnel vision.

edit: nevermind, found policescannerman's excellent review on the L1.

 

[Lumalee]

Hey Nathan,
I think your printer needs a quick dusting, :laughing::laughing:
Great shots of the lights though.

regards
Lee