Surefire E1E usefulness

eelnoraa · Oct 6, 2003

Hi,

I am looking to get a E1e, but due to its size and lumen rating, I wonder how useful E1E could be. Please give me your expert advices on E1E.

Originally, I wanted to get a E2E, but since I already have C2HA and Z2(with KL3), I want get something that is smaller, easier to carry. That is the main reason I am considering E1E.

Thanks for any thoughts.

eel

TACTICAL WAREHOUSE · Oct 6, 2003

eelnoraa,

If you want a great E1e package, put the KL4 head on it - You can also add the Z57 clickie tailcap, too! It's an AWESOME combo!
Dan

Stanley · Oct 6, 2003

I can't say the same for the TW4, as I don't have one (yet)... but yes it would be great to have a setup like that. Have heard lots of good reviews about that, and plus Dan's always a great guy to deal with... so either way you don't lose out! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

I am EDCing my E1e w KL1, and I find that the amount of light you get out of it is amazing. I took off the clip cos it was quite sharp, and am waiting for some shrink tube to arrive to see if I can shrink wrap it to lessen the effects of the knurling on my pockets and the items in them.

With the KL1 you get around 1.5 hours of nice and brightly even flood, with a very decent throw. Heck, can you tell I'm still impressed by it? I'd say there's no knowing till you check it out yourself, my friends are always 'blown away' by the brightness a small light like that puts out... So, "Buy em both!!" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

smokinbasser · Oct 6, 2003

I have the E2e but I would imagine the only real difference is the runtime and a few less lumens. I run the Mno3 which is 65 lumen the Mno2 is 25 lumen and the Mno1 is 17 lumen With a KL1 I would expect to be a good EDC with fairly good runtime. With a KL4 it would be a little powerhouse with shorter runtime. But it is just a one cell and spare cells are easy to have stashed. I would expect 60 lumens from a E1e/KL4.

FC. · Oct 6, 2003

E1e is great on it's own.

onelight · Oct 6, 2003

Any thing you have used a mini-mag for or any of the other low priced 3v lights the E1E will do better. Those are the lights competing with the E1E they don't come close.and like Dan said you can add the KL4 or KL1 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

emann · Oct 6, 2003

[ QUOTE ]
smokinbasser said: I would expect 60 lumens from a E1e/KL4.

[/ QUOTE ] Are you sure about that? That would be almost the same as an L4. Highly doubtful.

Rothrandir · Oct 7, 2003

for something the size of an e1e, i would suggest the arc ls.
the e1e may be a little brighter for the first several minutes, but the arc is smaller, more durable, and has a longer runtime.
if your set on the e1e, it's still a good light, but as an edc, the arc ls is a better choice, imo.

NewsFlash · Oct 7, 2003

I too would like to know about the E1e usefulness, referring to the 15 lumen incandescent lamp. I have eased off of LEDs simply because my eyes seems to be particuarly sensitive to the blue light coming out of "white" LEDs.

I use a Ray-O-Vac 2D industrial flashlight (old style) with Pro-Cell alkalines and standard Maglite bulb everyday at work. I use it for inspecting electrical cabinets, switchgear, relays, etc. I am use to a light that is not superbright and incandescent.

I currently favor an E2e with MNO2 (25 lumen lamp) as an EDC type flashlight. I am wondering if an E1e, being smaller, might be even better. Maybe a beamshaper would be a necessity.

Thanks. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Stanley · Oct 7, 2003

The stock MN01 on the E1e is very impressive too, by any standards. Even beam with very good throw for a 1x123 light. Actually the overall length is shorter with the MN01, compared to the KL1. But yes, you may need a beamshaper for any close up lighting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

In terms of form factor, Roth is right, the Arc LS is an easier to carry EDC light. I don't own one (or rather, can't afford one yet), so can't really comment on it much...

iddibhai · Oct 7, 2003

E1 runs about 90mins on the KL1 before falling, so the KL4 should give a runtime of half hour tops!

NewsFlash · Oct 7, 2003

Stanley,

Thanks for the input.

You know, I may buy a MNO1 lamp and run it in an E2e ( DO NOT try this at home newbies!). YES , I am talking about running it on 1 123 cell and a dummy battery. If I don't particularly like the performance, I could always keep it as a backup spare. I have no doubt the beam quality is there, the lumens may not suit my eyes. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

I already have a spare bezel and tailcap, E1e bodies (HA) seem awful hard to come by, at least most of the time. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Chop · Oct 7, 2003

I have an E1e and I don't think I've ever tried it with the MN01 LA. As soon as I got it, I put a KL1 on it. In fact, the KL1 that I have on it is modded specifically for use on the E1e, since it will never see any other form.

It's a very useful light. It's small enough to have with me all of the time. I wear a suit most of the time and have no trouble carrying it. It's also there when I need it. What I meant when I said that it was modded specifically for the E1e is that this KL1 now sports a madmax converter and an R2H luxeon. The beauty of this setup is that the madmax will suck a battery dry. I just change batts when it's not bright enough anymore, but don't have to worry about it leaving me lightless in a jam.

If you get an E1e, I would highly recommend getting a KL1 as well. Later on you can have it modded or mod it yourself if you are so inclined. My E1e with KL1 is as bright as any of my other 1W lights and its tiny. I chose to stay with the NX05 optic in this one because this offers the most all around useful beam.

OK, I'm starting to get long winded here. The point I'm trying to make is this. Don't let the size of the E1e fool you. It's a real flashlight and I'd rather use this than a 2 D cell M@g light any day. The KL1 is actually rated as being a little brighter than the MN01 with a longer runtime. Just get it and use it. You won't regret it.

And on a last note. You can always pick up an E2e body later and all parts will go back and forth. Except the MN01 LA that is. You'll need either the MN02 or MN03 for the two cell body.

TACTICAL WAREHOUSE · Oct 7, 2003

[ QUOTE ]
iddibhai said:
E1 runs about 90mins on the KL1 before falling, so the KL4 should give a runtime of half hour tops!

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that you'll find the TW4 runs for a lot longer than 30 minutes. I've carried the TW4 as my EDC light for months now, and I get well over an hour of runtime. I believe that Kevin at Battery Station and This_Is_Nascar both did runtime tests on the TW4 and both got substantially more than one hour from a single 123 cell. You may want to check through the old TW4 threads for more information.
Dan

paulr · Oct 7, 2003

My understanding is the E1e has quite a bit narrower beam than the E2e or Arc LS. That means more throw, but not so good wideangle coverage for close-up lighting. Personally I prefer a more flood-like beam in a small light.

I'll put in another plug for the Princeton Tec Blast. Uses two AAA's, not quite as bright as an E1e but is fairly close in brightness to a KL1, smaller than an E1e and weighs much less because it's plastic, integral pocket clip doubles as a hat clip so you can use it as a headlamp, works fine on NiMH rechargeables, costs just $6.50 (TTS), and is completely waterproof to something like 500 feet. It's my current EDC (displacing an Arc LS) and a very nice little light.

Chop · Oct 7, 2003

paulr,
I don't think that you can really compare an E1e and E2e to an Arc LS unless the E's are sporting KL1's. As far as incandescents go, the E1e and E2e have the exact same bezel and reflector. I think that the only difference among the MN01, MN02 and MN03 are the lumens output. According to Surefire, the E1e with KL1 actually puts out more light than the E1e with MN01.

paulr · Oct 7, 2003

Chop, I've never owned an E1e or carefully compared its beam with an E2e, I'm just going by what I've seen here. Maybe the MN01 lamp geometry is different than the MN02/03, if the beam is narrower? In the early days the KL1 was spec'd at slightly fewer lumens than the MN01, but maybe the LED's have gotten better. However, I've heard several times that the MN01 has more throw (due to narrower beam). I just can't think of a time when I've really cared about throw from an EDC light. A glovebox light is another matter and I'm thinking of getting a PM6 for that purpose (there's a PT Surge there now).

Chop · Oct 7, 2003

eelnoraa,
I forgot to mention. I also have a TW4. The E1e body with the KL4 head. If you'd like ALOT of light at short to medium distances, this may be the ticket for you. It does run for a long time too.

Go ahead and take the plunge. Get yourself an E2e and a TW4 and have all bases covered.

paulr · Oct 7, 2003

That does sound like a nice combo. Has anyone done an actual lux measurement of a TW4 vs an L4?

Double_A · Oct 7, 2003

Buy the E1e light for what it can become, not for what it is.

GregR

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