SF L2,L4,U2

[ASG]

Hello everyone,

I would like to know what are the differences in the output of the SF L2,L4, and U2 (old style, not 2008 version). I am interested in the maximum output only. Since all three are rated at 100 lumens, how are their respective beams different from one another? Thank you.

ASG

 

[Illum]

As far as I know the L4 and L2 performances are almost identical with the exception that the L2 has a low mode and a little more throw on high.

not sure about the U2 though. I was told its brighter but that depends on what bin of luxeonV do you end up with:thinking:

have you checked with Flashlightreviews?
U2: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_u2.htm
L4: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_l4.htm
L2: http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_l2.htm

I personally own two L4s, but not any other. Hopefully someone with a bigger collection will chime in soon :thumbsup:

 

[BigD64]

L2 2 stage decent throw 100 lumen on high. Better thrower than the L4 but no where near the spill.

L4 "Wall of light" Its all flooder can't beat the spill for lighting up an area. 100 Lumens. If your lighting up a room it's awesome. Not so good for throw.

U2 six light levels. Decent combination of throw and spill. I'd say comparable to the L2 100 lumens on high.

 

[Gunner12]

L2 and L4 have a simialr beam pattern, wall of light.

The U2 has a narrower beam.

All have similar output.

If you want more output, you'll have to look at lights with the current gen LEDs from a different company, unless you are willing to wait till the newer Surefires come out.

What do you need the light for?

 

[mwaldron]

I don't have a U2/L4, but I can state wholeheartedly that I love my L2. Even though I've recently been playing a lot with incandescents (those A2's are amazingly social and seem to want to reproduce) the I still by and far consider my L2 the most reliable light I own.

It has a decent spot and some light spill, last fall I was using it at the range to illuminate steel plate racks at ~ 20 yards from behind the firing line so we could continue our shoots into the dark, it worked quite well.

Interesting was the reaction from a mix of civilians (like me) and some LEOs and professionals we had there. I had a few people ask me what it was and the average joes were amazingly impressed, the leos/professionals were more like, "yep, that's a SureFire alright." I can't wait until this year, by the fall I hope to have an Optimus.

 

[Echo63]

I cant speak for the L2
but the L4 has the "wall of light" effect - it only throws 30 or so metres (100 feet) but it lights up everything in its path
the U2 has a brighter hotspot that throws further, and a nice spill, but the spill isnt as bright as the L4's
i used to use my U2 for security work, it worked wonderfully
the L4 just didnt have the reach to make it work outside, but inside it is the best thing since sliced bread

 

[socom1970]

+1. Well put.:thumbsup:

I cant speak for the L2
but the L4 has the "wall of light" effect - it only throws 30 or so metres (100 feet) but it lights up everything in its path
the U2 has a brighter hotspot that throws further, and a nice spill, but the spill isnt as bright as the L4's
i used to use my U2 for security work, it worked wonderfully
the L4 just didnt have the reach to make it work outside, but inside it is the best thing since sliced bread

 

[Ginseng]

I cant speak for the L2
but the L4 has the "wall of light" effect - it only throws 30 or so metres (100 feet) but it lights up everything in its path
the U2 has a brighter hotspot that throws further, and a nice spill, but the spill isnt as bright as the L4's
i used to use my U2 for security work, it worked wonderfully
the L4 just didnt have the reach to make it work outside, but inside it is the best thing since sliced bread

Spot on.

I have seen an L2 and I'd say it's pretty much identical in output and beam profile to the L4.

Wilkey

 

[precisionworks]

U2 .........................................................................L4

10' beamshots against a white garage door. There's more difference in the beams, especially at distance, than this photo shows.

 

[Ty_Bower]

All three should put out roughly the same amount of total light on their highest setting (or only setting, in the case of the L4). Certainly, my U2 on high and my L4 are very close in overall total output.

The U2 has a more concentrated center spot and narrower spill angle. The L2 and L4 are more spread out. The center spot is much wider, and the spill angle is much much wider. All have relatively smooth beams, but all three may have the dreaded "Lux V donut" (a slightly dark spot in the very center of the beam). Tint is sure to vary from unit to unit.

The U2 has six different settings, selected by twisting a polymer ring located near the head of the light. The switch is on the tail, and is a simple click on / click off type. Pressing the switch in half way (not enough to click) will make the U2 turn on for as long as you hold the switch.

The L4 has a similar tailswitch mechanism to the U2, although it is miniaturized for the L4's smaller body. The L4 only has a single setting - ON.

The L2 has a completely different tailswitch mechanism. Pressing halfway on the switch causes the L2 to turn on at the low setting. You must either hold the switch or twist the tailcap slightly to keep the light on. Pressing the tailswitch fully will cause the L2 to turn on at the high setting (roughly the same as the L4). Again, you must either hold the button in fully or twist the tailcap completely to keep the light on. Releasing the button (or untwisting the tailcap, if you twisted on) will turn off the light.

The L2 and L4 have roughly the same overall maximum diameter (about 1 inch). The L2 is longer than the L4. The U2 has a larger maximum diameter to accommodate the larger head for the reflector. The body and tailcap of the U2 are also slightly larger diameter.

I'm sure all three are excellent lights. I own a U2 and an L4, and I am extremely pleased with both. If I had to choose only one of these three, I'd pick the U2.

 

[ASG]

Thanks for your responses. Someone had asked what I plan to use the light for. I just want a general purpose light for walking around our property at night or to hike. It should be bright enough to disables ones vision if need be. If it can light up an area 25 yards in front of me, then that would be great too. Thats all I really need it for.

ASG

 

[precisionworks]

I own a U2 and an L4, and I am extremely pleased with both. If I had to choose only one of these three, I'd pick the U2.

The L4 is great if you want a small, one stage, high output light. The U2 is a do it all light, in a slightly larger package. To my hand, the U2 is the perfect shape & size.

 

[Gunner12]

Well, looking at your uses, I'd suggest something like the Dereelight CL1H(might have a bit too much throw, 6000+ lux on high VS the U2's 2000 lux, the P3D-CE Q5 is around 3900 lux) or even the Fenix P3D-CE Q5 if you don't mind the slicker body and the reverse clickie(8% off coupon at Fenix Store is "CPF8"). They use the current gen LEDs so then can have the same output as the L2, L4, and U2 but with double the runtime.

The Surefires would be great for a floodier light.

If you want distance, the best throwing stock LED light that I know off is the Dereelight DBS. It has a usable beam 150+ meters away(Limit might be around 200 meters, depends on ambient lighting).

 

[WDR65]

Of the three you listed I think that the U2 would be the best for the 25 yard illumination role, though it can reach quite a bit further than that. The L4's can reach that far also as can L2's but the U2 just has a tighter beam.

I now own several L4's and a U2 and if I had to choose just one I would go with the U2. It has enough spill to make it comprable to an L4 yet has a quite a bit more throw. The six levels of the U2 would also make it useful for hiking as you can tailor you light level to your needs. As for the blinding, every Lux V Surefire that I have had has been very blinding to dark adjusted eyes.