Surefire L1 mystery?

There is something I could not understand

surefire pre-2004 L1:
- 1W
- Runtime: 50 hours on low/4 hours on high
- (on low output value 0.70) based on flashlightreview

surefire current L1:
- 3W
- Runtime: 90 hours on low/4 hours on high
-(on low output value 1.48) based on flashlightreview

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spec on paper, 3W should be needing more of battery power. when SF change from 1W to 3W not only increase value at the same time runtime increase. How exactly so?? Did they change anything besides bezel? I have noticed 2004 catalog, L1 runtime is marked 600min. (10hours). Some even mark runtime 20hours. Which runtime number can we really trust?? 90hours on low, is it reliable number?

The 3W luxeon is more efficient than the 1w luxeon, particularly since the old L1 luxeon was overdriven. Thus it consumes less power and can still produce slightly more lumens.

Concerning runtime, I would be inclined to trust the lower numbers, so in this case, 10 hours.

Its possible that there would still be light coming out of the torch at 90 hours, but I doubt it would not be usable...

SF 2004 catalog (old bezel style)
L1 1.3 lumen/ 15 lumen
runtime: 600min. (on packaging over 20hours) some web advertised (50hours/4hours)

SF 2005 catalog (TIR style)
L1 0.7 lumen/ 15 lumen
runtime: 50hours/ 2hours

SF 2006 catalog (TIR style)
L1 1.1 lumen/ 22lumen
runtime: 90hours/ 4 hours
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For someone who cares:
It was confusing to me. Which model am I really getting. Some early L1 has scallop bezel, some has none. Am I getting a L1 with 3W or am I getting L1 with 1W, how can I tell? So, I had to call SF.

Some thread in the past, i may have stated L1 might have 4 generation. In which, I was wrong. Conversation from SF tech. L1 has ONLY 2 transformation. If your L1 does not have TIR, the most current head, then your L1 is 1W LED. Does not matter if bezel has scallop look or not, doesn't matter if you get it during 03, 04 or 05.

Runtime between older L1 and TIR L1 should not differ too much. Older L1 is able to push over 50 hours on low. The biggest difference really is on the TIR really give more focus light beam with 3W LED.

Older L1 high is over 15 lumen (about 20 lumen) runtime on 50hours on low was a safe number for SF. They have heard it can run over 60-70 hours, but he has no personal experience with L1. It is not something he can give personal "garantee". 2006 TIR L1 lumen rating is more accurate than numbers on 2005 catalog.

Well, that is all the information i gather from SF tech. The call cleared my confusion, hope cleared yours too. Sorry that I have misinform some member regarding L1 has 4 generation. Remember, If your L1 is older style bezel, scallop or not, it is driven by 1W LED.

I just bought an L1; now I am wondering: is there anywhere that shows good photos of (or explains well) how to tell the two apart?
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how about the pictures inside Lighthound here?..... You can see the difference in the bezel. http://www.lighthound.com/sales/surefire_l1.htm

The L1 is closer to two hours on high mode rather than four. http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/surefire_l1gen2.htm (see the runtime chart)