Phredd
Enlightened
I love the L1 Cree, which has great low and high outputs, is a great size for the hand and has an easy to use push button; low first, then high. If I were to try to improve the L1, I'd smooth out the area of the clip so it wouldn't tear up my pants and I'd make it about ½" shorter. The result would be the E1B. Thanks to the great service at OpticsHQ, I just got mine today. The E1B feels very good in my hand. Any smaller and I would opt for a twisty.
The E1B represents three firsts for Surefire: a smooth anodized finish, a digital push-button control, and a bidirectional clip. The smooth finish is much gentler on the pants. With the bidirectional clip, you can clip it in your pocket button up and still clip it on your hat light front.
The digital push-button control is probably the most radical shift for this light from Surefire's traditional physical tail caps. Instead of being able to push gently for low and harder for high output, the first push simply activates high output. Push gently for momentary and harder for constant on. If you release the button and then push again within 2 seconds, it will toggle to low output. I was hoping that holding the button down on low for a few seconds would keep it on low if I lifted up and then pressed again; keeping it in low output mode for momentary action. Unfortunately, it seems that it always toggles from one mode to the other, even though the manual hints otherwise.
Starting on high output is reversed from other Surefire lights which is good for tactical, not so good for night vision. Giving the advantage to tactical makes sense and since it's very easy to double-click, you can also easily start in low mode with just a brief flash. Unlike some other lights with push buttons, especially those that can stand on end, it's much easier to push the button, even to click, on the E1B.
The beams of the E1B and L1 are very similar, except the E1B is noticeably brighter than the L1. The L1 seems to be just a little wider. If I get a chance, I'll take some beam shots later.
Edit 7:00pm:
I just added the beam shots. The E1B is cooler than the L1, which is a nice slightly warm white. I've been pulling the E1B in and out of my pocket and I definitely like the clip better, except WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT THE TRITIUM?!
I didn't see any mention of rechargeable batteries, but I believe that Surefire generally doesn't accommodate rechargeable 123 batteries.
The only meter I have is a basic multi-meter to which I can attach an LED, so no lux readings. Sorry.
High Beam Comparison: Left: L1, Right: E1B
The E1B represents three firsts for Surefire: a smooth anodized finish, a digital push-button control, and a bidirectional clip. The smooth finish is much gentler on the pants. With the bidirectional clip, you can clip it in your pocket button up and still clip it on your hat light front.
The digital push-button control is probably the most radical shift for this light from Surefire's traditional physical tail caps. Instead of being able to push gently for low and harder for high output, the first push simply activates high output. Push gently for momentary and harder for constant on. If you release the button and then push again within 2 seconds, it will toggle to low output. I was hoping that holding the button down on low for a few seconds would keep it on low if I lifted up and then pressed again; keeping it in low output mode for momentary action. Unfortunately, it seems that it always toggles from one mode to the other, even though the manual hints otherwise.
Starting on high output is reversed from other Surefire lights which is good for tactical, not so good for night vision. Giving the advantage to tactical makes sense and since it's very easy to double-click, you can also easily start in low mode with just a brief flash. Unlike some other lights with push buttons, especially those that can stand on end, it's much easier to push the button, even to click, on the E1B.
The beams of the E1B and L1 are very similar, except the E1B is noticeably brighter than the L1. The L1 seems to be just a little wider. If I get a chance, I'll take some beam shots later.
Edit 7:00pm:
I just added the beam shots. The E1B is cooler than the L1, which is a nice slightly warm white. I've been pulling the E1B in and out of my pocket and I definitely like the clip better, except WHERE AM I GOING TO PUT THE TRITIUM?!
I didn't see any mention of rechargeable batteries, but I believe that Surefire generally doesn't accommodate rechargeable 123 batteries.
The only meter I have is a basic multi-meter to which I can attach an LED, so no lux readings. Sorry.
High Beam Comparison: Left: L1, Right: E1B
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