QIII or E1e+KL1

[CQB]

Hey!

I have the QIII. Great little light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I also have a E1e WN. Nice little light as well. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have on order a KL1-HA or BK (not sure what I'll end up getting) with a WH led. I intend on using this newer version of the KL1 with my E1e. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

So I will have 2 small-form flashlights with similar dimensions... but how would they compare beam wise?

According to the trusty FlashlightReviews site they both will have similar output (lumens) but the KL1 will have a tad more throw (lux) vs the QIII.

Cost wise the QIII is a better deal. Comes with a kick-*** holster too!

But I really wanted to upgrade my E1e as the stock bulb, for me, wasnt too useful. And SF still beats Nuwai in terms of quality, durability, and craftsmanship IMHO.

Anyone with BOTH lights want to add their thoughts & comments?

Tks
CQB

 

[Mr_Dead]

Well, I have both- that is, I have 2 Q-IIIs and a KL1 on an E1e body with a clicky.

The beams are really nothing alike. The (new) KL1 has a lot more throw, but at short range, as in indoors, it's pretty much just white spot. You know what the Q-III is like.

The problem is, if you really like one, you're probably not going to be thrilled with the other, either way...

I still EDC the Q-III.

 

[arewethereyetdad]

Well, I have both lights and I prefer the E1e-KL1 combo. Better-built light (of course higher price). But given a direct comparison, the E1e-KL1 combo is superior. Besides the longer throw factor, it is much more adaptable to new and different parts (the E Series line has a variety of tailcaps and heads now and in the future), whereas the QIII you get what you pay for (no way to interchange heads, no other tailcaps available AFAIK). The QIII is cool-looking, has a nice form factor, and great brightness, but IMO isn't the level of the E1e-KL1.

 

[Haesslich]

Eh, two different beasts entirely - areweyetdad's pointed out the advantages of the KL1/E1e combo, which is good throw and interchangeability with other E-series parts. The Q-III, however, is a good flood light for the money.

I don't say one is better than the other - personally, I carry a thrower and a flooder. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Aka 'both'.

 

[Mr_Dead]

[ QUOTE ]
arewethereyetdad said:...it is much more adaptable to new and different parts (the E Series line has a variety of tailcaps and heads now and in the future), whereas the QIII you get what you pay for (no way to interchange heads, no other tailcaps available AFAIK).

[/ QUOTE ]
All perfectly valid points.

Of course, you can by a whole Q-III for about the price of one SF tailcap or tube, and much less than a SF head... so, the argument COULD be, why upgrade parts if it's cheaper to upgrade the whole light? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I don't much like the KL1 narrow spot with no spill, I find myself panning it all over the place, whereas the Q-III just lights up a side of the room- but that's just for my use. Matter of preference.

The SF build quality is certainly superior. However, no amount of build quality or upgradeability will protect you from losing it, a real possibility for one this size.

With the low price of the Q-III, I just bought two right off.

 

[arewethereyetdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Mr_Dead said:
[ QUOTE ]
arewethereyetdad said:...it is much more adaptable to new and different parts (the E Series line has a variety of tailcaps and heads now and in the future), whereas the QIII you get what you pay for (no way to interchange heads, no other tailcaps available AFAIK).

[/ QUOTE ]
All perfectly valid points.

Of course, you can by a whole Q-III for about the price of one SF tailcap or tube, and much less than a SF head... so, the argument COULD be, why upgrade parts if it's cheaper to upgrade the whole light? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I don't much like the KL1 narrow spot with no spill, I find myself panning it all over the place, whereas the Q-III just lights up a side of the room- but that's just for my use. Matter of preference.

The SF build quality is certainly superior. However, no amount of build quality or upgradeability will protect you from losing it, a real possibility for one this size.

With the low price of the Q-III, I just bought two right off.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can't argue with cheap. But outside the monetary issue, on the pure question of which one is better, I think we all agree that the Surefire is the better product.

 

[Chop]

I say, mod the E1e head. The KL1 is OK is all you intend to do is try to capture what you want to see in the narrow beam. If you want a really small, all around light, a modded E head on an E1e body is hard to beat. Especially with the quality of the surefire parts. The finish is tough and it won't let you down.

The beauty of modding the E head is that it becomes Aleph LE compatible. Lux III, 5W, 500mA, 700mA, 1A, it can do them all. The beam is also something to see. The throw isn't quite that of the KL1, but you get lots of good sidespill.

 

[Haesslich]

Still, different strokes for different folks. The KL1 head has a different design, given that they use collimating optics, which results in a completely different type of beam. The Q-III's reflector offers a wider flood with okay throw, but the KL1 will outthrow it because of the optics.

Personally, given the choice, I'd say pack an Aleph 2 on a 1x123 body along with a Lionheart, and you'll blow BOTH those lights out of the water. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[arewethereyetdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Haesslich said:

Personally, given the choice, I'd say pack an Aleph 2 on a 1x123 body along with a Lionheart, and you'll blow BOTH those lights out of the water. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, yeah, of course, but that's throwing apples in with oranges. The question was simply Q-III or E1e/KL1. The simple answer is E1e/KL1. Heck yeah, ANYBODY would take the Aleph or the LionHeart (or a Chop-modded E Series standard head) over these lights, but they're in a whole different league! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Haesslich]

True, but it's not THAT much more expensive than an E1e/KL1 combo. As I said, those two lights have different functions, which means your requirements define which is 'better'.

But, personally, I'd set them both aside for the superior tools. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[arewethereyetdad]

[ QUOTE ]
Haesslich said:
But, personally, I'd set them both aside for the superior tools. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Haesslich]

[ QUOTE ]
arewethereyetdad said:
[ QUOTE ]
Haesslich said:
But, personally, I'd set them both aside for the superior tools. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It helps to have both. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[CQB]

... and that's what I was waiting for. THe ever-true CPF adage: "It helps to have both." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

tks guys for the input. I agree with everyone.

And i guess in my case, I WILL have them both! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Be safe.
CQB