the specs on surefire site says the e2l runs at 1.5 watts with a TIR optics, the L1 looks like the same but does not specify at what wattage it runs, but the lumens are 22 vs 30 from the el2. Can anyone shed some light on this? thanks
The E2L uses the KL1 head (same head as on the E1L) and is a self-contained unit; LED, regulation circuitry, etc.. The L1's head does not contain any circuitry- the circuitry is in the L1's body, hence the longer length. So no, the E2L and L1 do not have the same head. However, the E2L and E1L do have the same KL1 head.
The L1 bezel and the KL1 bezel are DIFFERENT although they both contain a LuxeonIII and the same TIR optic. The KL1 on a two-SF123A body (E2L) is brighter than on a one-SF123A body (E1L). I believe the L1 is driven a bit harder than the KL1 bezel is on the E1L.
As mentioned the L1 bezel does not feature any of the electronics (those are located inside the L1's body). The KL1 bezel features all of the electronics.