Surefire L1

[trapperjay]

Does anyone EDC this light?

 

[Size15's]

Yes, I do.
What would you like to know?
(We likely have a thread on whichever topic you're interested in that this thread can be merged with)

 

[trapperjay]

Well, I'm new here and to the flashaholic's world; I don't know all the questions to ask.
I will be using my light very hard for about 4 months per year. At other times, not so much. But, I need a reliable light that's tough and will not go out if dropped and it needs to withstand cool/cold temperatures fairly well. It needs to be able to handle the outdoors. And, runtime has to be decent--1.5 or so.

How does the light perform in these areas? Does the light need to be holstered?

 

[Size15's]

The life you describe is something the L1 handles no worries at all.

I don't think the L1 needs a holster - I simply clip mine inside my pocket.

What will you be illuminating?

 

[trapperjay]

I'll be hunting predators in the winter months which means I'm outside before dawn most days. I will be illuminating my path and oftentimes need some distance (25-30 yards). I also need a reversed pocket clip that I can attach to my hat for hands-free operation at times. I have a NiteLite headlight from Hunstmart.com but it's bulky and that's what I'm trying to avoid.

 

[greenLED]

tj, the L1 should work fine for your needs.

 

[jzmtl]

I used to EDC it but sold it because it's IMO too big for a 1 cell light (same size as some 2 cell light in fact), and the twisty switch is not as convenient to use as clicky. Now I EDC a Novatac 120, cheaper, more versatile, and smaller.

Oh also L1 is about to be retired and replaced with LX1.

 

[Size15's]

Speaking up for the L1...
I prefer it to shorter lights because I find anything shorter to be too short to grip and use. Shortness becomes a bigger (sic) issue when wearing gloves, and when in the cold and wet.
I find the L1 to provide a secure grip and easy operation under a wide range of conditions.

No doubt there are preferences for a clickie switch, and there are some applications where a clickie switch is more suitable.
My personally preference for EDC is for a two-stage push button pressure switch user interface.
Typically I don't need constant-on light instantly - most of my needs for light are brief and those that aren't can handle my rotating the TailCap for constant-on.
Another feature of the L1 and other two-stage models that I like is the ability to have the low beam constant on and be able to press the button for momentary high output. Releasing the button returns the light back to constant-on low beam.
With many Clickie user interfaces changing between output levels/modes requires a short off period as you click on and off through the modes. This 'flashing' can be distracting in some uses of light.

Al

 

[Kestrel]

I EDC'd an L1 for over a year, and Al's analysis is exactly my experience as well. Regarding length, part of the length of the L1 is the fantastic TIR optic, which functions particularly well in outdoor situations (for my uses, a throw-oriented light (such as the L1) is more useful outside, while a flood-oriented light is often more useful inside). I am currently EDC'ing a slightly shorter SureFire E1, and I find that it is actually a little too short to be comfortably actuated in my average-sized hand (although it carries slightly better in the pocket - hence the tradeoff). The L1 is a perfect length for a 'user' light as opposed to a daily (note the word daily - i.e. the daytime) EDC which gets only sporadic use, IMO. In particular, operating the 'momentary' button doesn't work as well in a shorter body than the L1 has. The 'icepick' hold w/ momentary is a good example of why the L1 is the perfect length. I expect that the same issue would apply to a 'clickie' as well.

I actually find the L1 twisty to be very easy to use one-handed, slightly less so on my shorter E1 (this particular example also operates with a two-stage twistie like the L1, the best user interface IMO).

re: attaching the light to a hat. The L1 feels like it has high mass for its relatively small size, especially the head with its TIR optic in front of the clip area. Not sure if that will pose a difficulty for you (I like my hats loose), so FYI.


If I could have only one light (oh the horrors) it would be the SF L1.:thumbsup:

 

[jzmtl]

Speaking up for the L1...
I prefer it to shorter lights because I find anything shorter to be too short to grip and use. Shortness becomes a bigger (sic) issue when wearing gloves, and when in the cold and wet.
I find the L1 to provide a secure grip and easy operation under a wide range of conditions.
Al

If I want a longer light, I'd rather just carry a two cell light to begin with, rather than a really long 1 cell light. Better runtime, and higher max when necessary.

 

[Kestrel]

I don't know of a two-cell light of the same length as the single-cell (Cree) L1 with such a great optic and such a great user interface in the tailcap. It is true that the older Luxeon L1 was as long as some two-cell lights, but the newer TIR optic (in the shorter Cree L1) is a great piece of engineering and well worth the slight increase in associated length. I can always carry another cell in reserve.

 

[Size15's]

It is completely possible that an updated L2 (aka LX2) could replace my L1.
However, I have a wide variety of two-SF123A SureFires (E2e, E2L, L4, E2DL etc) and I choose the two-stage UI over the Clickies without hesitation even though the Clickie models can be more compact.

I have found that user interface and ergonomics trump smaller and brighter.

Al

 

[Qoose]

I went on jogs and hikes with this light for almost a year. The only reason that I'm not carrying it anymore is because I've retired it for nostalgia, and I really don't want to lose it.

I've used it during the winter before, and it handled temperatures down to about 25 degrees. I've gone swimming with it before, but I don't know if I've let it get in contact with salt water before. It's suffered a few drops, has never let me down. Even with nightly use, I still didn't go through that many batteries, as most of the time it would be off.

The only wear that I can see so far is the fact that one of the three contact pins in the tailcap has fallen out. It still works, I'm guessing that's part of the redundancy part, and I might get around to calling surefire some day about a replacement.

It's also a pretty dedicated thrower, which made it bad for say, reading shakespeare on the beach at night. But once I got my hands on an F04, all was well.

Overall, I love this light. I don't understand how this light dropped out of popularity after the backup came out. The two stage tailcap beats the clicky in my book any day.

 

[Kestrel]

I don't understand how this light dropped out of popularity after the backup came out. The two stage tailcap beats the clicky in my book any day.

That's an interesting observation. I've also read more than one complaint about the E1B's ergonomics. It looks better than the L1 on paper, but I gather is more difficult to manipulate & use. My E1 has similar limitations in that regard, but at least it has knurling, which helps for the use of 'momentary'.

 

[Size15's]

I don't understand how this light dropped out of popularity after the [E1B] backup came out. The two stage tailcap beats the clicky in my book any day.

I'd also add that one shouldn't overestimate the popularity of the next new thing when observing a group of enthusiasts!
It's not an addiction for nothing!

There's no way I'd purchase an E1B over an L1 but then only truly understand why because I do have both! Being told just isn't enough - we must touch the wet paint for ourselves. It helps when those telling us have paint on their hands but seriously, it's not an addition for nothing!

Al

 

[Force Attuned]

Anyone know where I can buy a brand new L1 with a red led??

 

[Moonshadow]

+1 on that.

The latest L1 was not made in a red version, so you might have a hard time tracking one down. I don't seem to be able to get hold of one here in the UK

 

[MarNav1]

Great pick IMO. I've handled alot of lights on here, this is one of the best going. I think you will be happy with it.