SureFire E1 question

[capnal]

Hey all, Question:
Bad weather here in Fort Worth caused a power outage at my wife's office recently. Smart thinking she was, she grabbed her Surefire E1 from her purse. However, she was disappointed to find it almost unuasble. I am guessing she had some occasions of it being turned on in her purse without her knowing. (surprise?) When she got home, she showed it to me. I instantly did a fresh Duracell 123 battery. However, it doesn't seem as brite to me as it should be. Considering the bulb has really only run down 1 cell, should it be dim already? Should I go ahead and replace with new SF bulb? I was just thinking it should be brighter. Any thoughts?

 

[JasonC8301]

If it isn't as bright as you initially thought, try the new bulb and see if it is any brighter.

For you're wife's purse, I would suggest a light with LOTC (Lock Out Tail Cap.) A Surefire E1e has the LOTC if you prefer incandescents but LED's seem to rule CR 1X 123 cells and they are taking over 2X CR123 cell lights in the near future.

A MN01 is rated at 15 lumens while a KL1 gets 16 lumens with digital regulation (flatter discharge and longer run time) while some have put a KL4 onto their E1 with success and brighter output.

There are numerous CR 123 X 1 LED lights out there by Arc, Longbow, Surefire, and so forth.

If you're wife is willing to carry one, why not give her options (purchase a few and let her pick) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

PS. A single CR123 in a 35mm or APS film canister is a great small cheap back-up.

 

[Bravo25]

I have found there can be different brightness, and beam patterns for the given bulbs. I have compared several MN02, and MN03 bulbs to find quite difference sometimes.

 

[Stanley]

Just make sure she has a spare battery packed in the bag next time... Else get a KL1 for her, you'll be able to squeeze out more hours from the single cell. Oh, yes, and the LockOutTailcap would be handy too...

 

[maverick]

Even Surefires are well known for their brightness, don't forget that the E1 is only single cell and really isn't all that bright anyway.

 

[juancho]

Try cleaning all contact points with a pencil eraser and a shot of electrical cleaner fluid, remove al grease from the threads and make sure the back end of the body where it touch the internal part of the tailcap, have not oxidation.
then try again the same lamp.
only the rubber o ring needs to have a little silicon lube rubbed on it.
just a suggestion.

Juan C.