Ready to buy an LED for EDC: LEO - L2 vs U2?

[sgtlmj]

Enough alphabet soup for ya? First time poster here. I'm an LEO and for me a good light is life support. I've been out there on a track when my batteries died in my primary, then in my spare. It sucks! I have had an X200 on my Glock for a few months now, and am sold on the LED concept.

Since my 6P recently grew legs, I am in the market for a good LED EDC light. I have the advantage of SureFire's T&E program and have started a couple of lights on the way already. I have an L1 and L2 on the way.

I really need a light with variable brightness. When I drop junk on the floor of the patrol car, I don't want to blind myself with all kinds of lumens looking for it. At the same time, if I'm gonna carry a light, it needs to be able to work for me as far as seeing where I'm going, and possibly making a bad guy wink a few times.

I have been reading the posts here for a bit, and just when I thought that the L2 was going to be a keeper, I start reading about the U2. Size isn't the biggest deal. Uniform pants have huge pockets, and I'm used to carrying knives, magazines, etc. in my front pockets.

What has me hesitant about the U2 is the selector ring. I live by the K.I.S.S. concept, and an extra moving part like that worries me. Also, if I'm testing someone's eyes for nystagmus and he gets froggy on me, I want to be able to kick up the lumens without using my other hand and dialing in a setting.

I realize this is beating a dead horse, but perhaps this is a different angle on things, and I defer to your expertise.

 

[Hoghead]

Welcome to CPF /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

Since you have a L2 coming to you, I recommend that you use your L2 for a week or two. Then if you're not satisfied or if you need more throw get a U2 and try it out. You can always sell any light you don't like here on B/S/T.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello SgtLmj,

I don't have the L2, so can not compare it to the U2.

The U2 is easy to adjust if you have large hands. However, you have to hold it in a underhand position. If you are holding it with your thumb on the switch, it is very difficult to adjust one handed. I hold the body with my last two fingers and turn the selector with my thumb and first finger. It is a bit stiff, but still easy to adjust.

I set my light to come on at level 4 during the day. I can then adjust up or down from there. I find this works well for most situations. As night falls, I adjust it to come on at level 3.

Tom

 

[code09]

[ QUOTE ]
SilverFox said:
The U2 is easy to adjust if you have large hands. However, you have to hold it in a underhand position. If you are holding it with your thumb on the switch, it is very difficult to adjust one handed. I hold the body with my last two fingers and turn the selector with my thumb and first finger. It is a bit stiff, but still easy to adjust.


Tom

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah...the U2 is awesome. Dont have to worry about the selector ring...i have used a vice clamp on it, as well as on the bezel to remove the second half of the bezel (for access to the LED). I used the selector ring as leverage, and it still works great. Nothing broke, nothing snapped, or even dented. The U2 is the best....in my opinon at least.

 

[cheesehead]

L2 is a very nice light, I don't think you'll need to upgrade, it's simple and bright. U2 is also a great light, but just a bit more "fiddlin'".

 

[Ratso]

Seems that with the 2-stage tail switch of the L2 it would be easier to have the right amount of light when you need it. I'd be more confident that I could activate the high beam when needed with just a firmer push, rather than having to turn a dial. However, as a utility/task light the U2 would be incomparable.

 

[KevinL]

Where speed is of the essence, the L2's two-stage tailcap is the one you're looking for. I find it hard to adjust the U2 with one hand - it can be done, but it takes a while with a bit of fumbling compared to the microseconds it takes to exert just a little bit more pressure on the L2's switch to kick it up to full blast. I'd recommend the L2 in your situation.

 

[cdf]

The L2 should do it for you , if size is an issue you could go with an aftermarket 2 stage switch on an L4 . If I were you I'd also get an E1e with a Kl1 head as a general pourpose back up - non uniform EDC .

 

[sgtlmj]

[ QUOTE ]
cdf said:
If I were you I'd also get an E1e with a Kl1 head as a general pourpose back up - non uniform EDC .

[/ QUOTE ]

What is the advantage of going with this over an L1? Smaller?

Edited to add: I just grabbed a Q-III on eBay for $38. Read so much on this forum that I had to see for myself. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Batteries are not an issue. My dept. picks them up as a supply item, and I got in on a deal on Sanyos a few years ago, and still have part of a case.

 

[MoonRise]

L2. Two levels with just a thumb push. KISS. Low is 15 lumens, high is 100 lumens.

Need to have the light on for a while? Just tighten the tailcap and you have constant low with high just a thumb push away. Need constant high power? Just tighten the tailcap a little more.

Just remember that it is not a throw-monster with a tight tiny hotspot. It is not the light for long range (100 yard) blind-em use. In the 100 ft and under range it is sweeeet. The "Wall-o-Light" from the L2 is also quite nice for use inside a building, you can light a room and sweep it quickly without having to dance a tight tiny hotspot all over the place.

 

[Kiessling]

If you are depending on a quick access to full blast the U2 isn't your optimal choice. For anything else I'd almost blindly say "U2", but not here.
On the other hand, the L2 does seriously lack in throw, so if you need range, the L2 isn't your ticket either.
bernhard

 

[cy]

Welcome to cpf sqt and hold on to your wallet.

std cpf answer is get them both /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

don't have L2, but I love my L1. but my fav is U2. Pila 168A or 18659 li-ion will drop right in U2 for rechargeble option.

you can't go wrong with Surefire.

 

[leukos]

I have the L2 and think it is great. I hope if you are doing LEO work that you also have a powerful incandescent (100+ lumens). LED's don't do too well if you are in a situation with a lot of ambient light (ie. at dusk or near a street lamp). Why I still carry incandescents Just my $.02. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[cliff]

I've been carrying a U2 for the past few weeks and it is working great. It fits right in a Stinger/Ultrastinger holder but isn't as big. Mine is kept on level 6 and dialed down as needed. Level 3 seems the equivalent of a KL1 (old style)and burns forever on a Pila 168s. This is nice at accident scenes on unlit county roads when you are out there a while.

Right now I'm putting in a fresh 168s every day and using my E2E/Kl1 as a battery carrier for another one. I may get a couple 168a batts and a car charger though. So far I haven't burned down a battery to where it didn't recharge in 30 minutes but tonight might be the night.

One thing I like is the bezel-down clip - you can clip it nose-down to your jacket pocket and use it hands free. Also, level 1 with a red FM65 filter is perfect for inside the car and doesn't seem to burn the battery down at all.

 

[sgtlmj]

[ QUOTE ]
leukos said:
I have the L2 and think it is great. I hope if you are doing LEO work that you also have a powerful incandescent (100+ lumens). LED's don't do too well if you are in a situation with a lot of ambient light (ie. at dusk or near a street lamp). Why I still carry incandescents Just my $.02. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

My main light is a 8NX, and has been for a couple of years now. Before that it was a 9N, but I retired it after the high/low switching got iffy. I'll send it in one of these days. Also have a 6P (finally found it!) 3P, and an X200. I'm a SureFire guy for sure. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm going to play with the L2, but get a U2 on the way ASAP to T&E. Batteries aren't an issue, as I can get them for free thru the dept., but I like the rechargable option.

 

[McGizmo]

The U2 has the best dynamic range of light output and I think you can depend on it with no worries. It does not give you instant access to full power which is serious draw back from your comments. The L2 as has been stated is more of a flood and the issue I have against it in your stated applications is that the low is not really low. IMHO, I think of the L2 as normally being used in low for a significant amount of light output and the high as an "overdrive". The low level of the L2 is too much light for administrative task work or checking in the floor of the car if you don't want to adjust your vision away from low ambient adaption, again IMHO.

Unfortunately from what you have described, I think you're after a L5 that has a two stage tail switch with the low being significantly lower than the high. Such a light doesn't exist without going the mod route. If the L1 has enogh output and punch on high for you, it might be a solution. There are more expensive custom alternatives that might even suit your particular needs beter but that's a different book and not one you have picked up to read. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MoonRise]

Compared to your 9N, the L2 is smaller and a lot lighter in weight. Similar output on low of both, but the 9N on high is more light and more tightly focused than the L2 on high (L2 is the same beam on high or low, just on high there is a lot more light!). If low from your 9N was fine for "under-the-seat-dropped-pen" work, the L2 should be fine as well.

As I said earlier, the L2 is not a long range search light.

But it is bright enough to stun. At about 5-8 feet distance in a typical lighted office, I got a blink-and-head-turn response from someone when they got flashed from the L2 on high. In the dark I think the brightness difference from ambient to L2-high would be even more dramatic.

Please follow up on your T&E of the lights. We're curious, at least I am. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[cdf]

Sgt , in answer to an earlier question , the E1e with Kl1 head is 3/4 " shorter than an L1 . I believe a McGirmo afdtermarket 2 stage switch ( trim version ) will add no asdditional length . Two otherthings you should consider ; the A2 Aviator will outthrow the L2 and the LED output is lower than the L2 , but dequate for admin tasks . Its 1" shorter than the L2 . Option 2; a combination of an L1 , and a Tigerlite FBOP , or maybe one of the Tigerlite OC spray models . The L1 would be a good EDC and datshift lite, and the tiger is a 200 Lumen nasty .

 

[Steve C]

You need to seriously consider what leukos said about LEDs and ambient light. I strongly suggest you look back through the several threads here on that specific topic. I know, it sounds hokey. I though so too, until I experienced it first hand the first night I used my brand-new L4.

I've been a state trooper for 26 years, so I pretty much know what your needs are. LEDs are great, but NOT for a primary LEO light. Trust me on this.

I don't work the road any more, but if I did, I would have my old (1978 vintage) SL-20 as a primary light, backed up by an issue Stinger. In-car, direct-wired chargers for both.

For a personal carry light, to use while putzing around in the unit or talking to the citzenry in relaxed conditions (i.e., not during stops, etc.), you just cannot beat the A2. Its incan beam is bright enough to use tactically if necessary, and the LEDs are the cat's meow for doing paperwork, looking for something in the unit or trunk or gear bag, etc.

Do yourself a BIG favor and stay with production gear. Modded lights are cool, but you know as well as I do how duty gear can get whacked, lost, stolen, or otherwise become useless. You need stuff that is easily and quickly replaceable.

The variety of just what is useful and available is downright dizzying. You're right, one cannot go wrong with SF. I still have (and use) the 6P I bought in 1990.

I have bought into the LED revolution for sure; but for LEO applications, incandescent is still best IMO. An auxillary LED light is extremely useful, and I have several.

Good luck with whatever you get.

 

[sgtlmj]

[ QUOTE ]
MoonRise said: At about 5-8 feet distance in a typical lighted office, I got a blink-and-head-turn response from someone when they got flashed from the L2 on high.

[/ QUOTE ]

That must make you right popular in your workplace. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif


I appreciate all of the feedback. I'm not looking to replace my 8NX, just supplement it with something that can stay in my pocket and give me a backup that is rock-solid, will burn a long time, and give me some blinking bright light if need be.