Well we all know now that SF will raise price next month, the two most inflated lights are E1L and E1B, which will see 30% and 35% raise in price respectively. Now the question is, will you hurry and buy one to avoid the price raise, even though you don't really need or even want either?
If you had asked me this morning, I would have said yes. But now, I can honestly say no.
I went to an Authorized Surefire dealer in Manhattan, today. My plan was to buy a Surefire E1B before the price goes up. Sure enough, they had E1Bs in stock for $110, instead of the soon-to-be $149. And I figured it would be nice to have another, quality, 1xCR123 light next to my Novatac 120P.
The Dealer had Display models out, so I tried an E1B before buying it.... And after trying it out, I didn't buy it.
This is possibly the most poorly-designed Surefire light that I have ever held. I knew the light would be a bit slippery, due to a lack of checkering on the barrel. But slippery does not even begin to cover it. (I had a plastic bag in my right hand. Bought a good quality pen from a different shop in Manhattan. Walked about half an hour to the shop of the Authorized Dealer. Had a tight grip on the bag. When I opened my hand, there was a bit of sweat on it).
When I gripped the light in my fist, I could literally feel it shifting around in my closed fist! What the Hell?? I saw Surefire's promotional video. Are there really that many LEOs who have suffered from other Surefire lights tearing apart their pockets that much that they want a Surefire with such a smooth barrel? Who are these LEOs, and why do they keep buying
cheap-@$$ pants?? The checkering on my L4 never ripped apart the pockets on my pants.... And my pants were issued to me as part of my security guard uniform. You want to talk about cheaper than dirt pants, you should see mine!
Experienced the same issue that others have mentioned. Sometimes low would come on when I was expecting high. And the reversable clip is useless if you prefer bezel-up carry. The light literally leaned out of my pocket and was half way about to fall out. Bezel-down however offers a very nice, low-profile carry option; when clipped inside a pocket. Problem is, I prefer bezel-up.
The sales clerk ignored me after handing me the fully functional Display model, and went to tend to other customers. I got to try it out for at least 10 minutes straight. And that was more than enough for me. (Would be nice if Surefire could recess the lens a bit too. It's nearly flush with the end of the bezel).
So despite the future price jump, I didn't buy it.
