SF Titan or L1

I am considering buing one of these lights. I just dont know wich one I should buy. Anyone have any experiece with either one. I would kind of like the Titan for it's size and the Titan may have higher output.

INFI said:

I am considering buing one of these lights. I just dont know wich one I should buy. Anyone have any experiece with either one. I would kind of like the Titan for it's size and the Titan may have higher output.

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I'd also love to know some one who has experiance of the Titan, however they are likely to remain anonymous for fear of getting mugged!

What do you want to use it for?

I had and old school L1 and have a Milky ML1, if I could only have one I would choose the L1/ML1 over the Titan.

Titan small is good as a second light however the L1 is already a touch on the small side for comfortable prolonged use. The L1 has a good mix of throw and spill and I would be very surprised if SF can managed to get any useable throw out of the Titan.

However for a bling backup that promises to be a pleasure to use the Titan I've ordered will hopefully fulfill this need/want.

In short one is a necessity and one is a luxury

Feel free to disagree.............

Oh, man, they're such different lights! Like Hodsta said, what are you going to use it for? What are your wants and needs?

Personally, I consider the L1 one of the nicest, most practical lights in the SF line. Even if I had a truckload of cash, I don't think I'd buy a Titan. Others need or expect other things from their lights, and they may choose differently.

+1 on the L1. I recently got one of the new models with the Cree LED. It is awesome. Fits my hand perfectly and puts out a very nice hotspot that throws very well. I really am a big fan of the two stage tailcap lights. The Titan I am sure will be a great light, it is just too much for me to spend.

Howdy INFI, and welcome to CPF,
You know, it's real easy to find this forum, see all the neat lights, and start spending money. However..... there are so many wonderful new lights coming out each month at this point that I would highly recommend you spend a bit of time becoming acquainted with the various forums here on CPF and just reading as much as you can before jumping into the ring and buying lights.

Just to get you started, here are some fine flashlight review sites that you might find interesting:

http://www.lightreviews.info/

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/features/buyers_guide.htm

http://www.cpfreviews.com/

http://flashlightnews.org/

And since you are interested in the L1, you should check out this thread by CPF member Milkyspit who offers a modification for the L1 which he designates as an ML1. The original L1 uses an optic (rather than a reflector) to give a more concentrated beam, while Milky's mods give you the choice of using different reflectors in an L1, which I believe he can even provide, to produce a variety of beam shapes from super floody, to medium flood but also with good throw, all with your choice of either the newest Cree or Seoul LEDs, and even a super low level option if you need that. Very neat:

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/posts/2068490&postcount=183

I'm saving up for an ML1, but my current favorite EDC (every day carry) is this:

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2768

A very nice, rugged, all purpose, singe cell pocket light (depending on how big your pockets are) that can use both primary and rechargeable batteries, while providing 4 programmable levels (each level can be set to one of 22 different brightness settings), and includes a variety of programmable options, such as being able to set the light to come on at either a bright OR dim level, auto off, locater beacon, etc. Neat.


So, spend some time reading, figure out exactly what it is you are looking for in your light..... whether you want one for general closeup work, or one that can throw the beam farther for spotting things, one that can use rechargeable batteries, has super long run times, super bright, super low level, super small (keychain size) etc....... and then you can begin to search for the light that will fill all those needs. Happy hunting.

+1 on the Milky ML-1. I just got mine back today. I chose the Milky Smoothy, and all I can say is WOW!!! I loved my L1 before...Now I am in love with my ML-1. This thing has throw and spill...and is still the same beautiful little L1 body that I love. Needless to say, I EDC this light along with my Novatac 120P which is also a really great little light. I have no experience with the Titan. I know I would love one, but a U2 is next in line for me.

I would never argure with GreenLED, he's rarely wrong.

I won't quote the whole post but Derek D also makes some great observations and reccomendations.

If you were to allow me the liberty to rephrase your question I would ask,

For EDC what should I choose.....a TiPD-S,Novatac, SF L1 or E1, Modded HDS's and Arcs, Spy005, SFA2..........et al

For a small, very pocketable light which looks cool should I go for the Draco/Drake, NS/Ti RAW or Wee, Arc AA/AAA,SF Titan or wait for the Lumencraft EOS?............et al


There are many, many others and I'm sure other CPFers will fill in the gaps. From my experiance is it is well worth taking your time and finding one or two lights that get great reviews, are assessed against your needs and have stood at least a little test of time and you like the look of rather than doing a trial and error test yourself.

You will probably end up spending as much on 2 lights you use and love as opposed on 10 you might discard but you will be happy.



As food for thought you should look up Lummi (CPF: Orb) and the Drako/Drake for small lights.

Here's a good discussion thread........
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/171513


Or HDS/Novatac lights and the McGizmo and Cool Fall formum for EDCs

And for some torch porn.............

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/172436

Or ignore me :nana:.

Hmm, 4 L1s, one Titan.....

they both got merits. For a daily carry light I would go with the L1, if you got the cash, both would be better.

People just get the titan because its limited and because they will be able to sell it for $700 at the BST of course some people will use it, others will have it as shelfqueen...
I don't think Titan is such a big deal, i will pay $500 for it but if i don't like it at least i will break even.
My cree l1 sees a lot of usage, i will stick with L1 for pocket rider and may be the Titan as my GF's jewelry.

Well, if you want to have enough money to feed yourself and your family for the the next month or so, I would get the L1!:laughing: Seriously, I just got a L1. It is my second Surefire (my first being a L5!) and I think it is a great light. I only paid $135.00 for it and got 8 free CR123's from the good folks at Batteryjunction! :thumbsup:

Mike

L1 plus something else if you wanna blow all that at once

Since you can't get the Titan yet buy the L1.

If you can afford the Titan buy both.

Milky ML1X for sale here https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/174784

are these even comparable?

thats like asking "should I get a Porsche or a Ford?"

I am not new to flashlights I have had an M3, 2M6's, L5, and a few more I currently have an L5, and one M6. I think I am going to buy the L1 and maybe the titan later if I feel like it. Thanks, guys!
edited to add:
It is a done deal, just ordered one from batteryjuntion (L1) and will decide later about the titan. I may wait and see it a aluminum version comes out. If it does I will snag one of those too.