Surefire questions

Hello, I'm new here but have been reading quite a bit on this forum. I have learned a lot and appreciate it. Recently I have been getting very interested in Surefire lights. Pardon me if the answers to these questions are obvious to everyone:
1. What makes the L1 cost more than the E1B?
2. Does the E2DL have 2 light levels? If so, why does the new catalog not mention that fact? And also, why would they not name it L2D?
3. Once the UA2 is available, would there be any point buying an L2, other than price?

Thanks and regards,
Allan

Regarding the E2DL,

It started out as an E2E incandescant. Then the E2D was the same light with a "Defender" bezel and tailcap. Then they converted it to an LED model... Besides, L2D is already taken by another brand.

Apparently, the decision to switch to a dual stage light was made after the catalog was printed. Many of the E2DL's in the first batch were single (120lm-high) output.

:welcome:

allankidd said:

Hello, I'm new here but have been reading quite a bit on this forum. I have learned a lot and appreciate it. Recently I have been getting very interested in Surefire lights. Pardon me if the answers to these questions are obvious to everyone:
1. What makes the L1 cost more than the E1B?
2. Does the E2DL have 2 light levels? If so, why does the new catalog not mention that fact? And also, why would they not name it L2D?
3. Once the UA2 is available, would there be any point buying an L2, other than price?

Thanks and regards,
Allan

Click to expand...

Welcome to CPF Allan!

Firstly, SureFire's pricing structure and product range may be better understood when viewed from the perspective of how the product range has evolved over time. Some things may be simply because they have been historically.

1. What makes the L1 cost more than the E1B?
The L1 features SureFire proprietary patented two-stage push button pressure switch user interface to seamlessly transition between levels based on how hard the switch is pressed. This user interface (UI) is both electrical and mechanical in that it requires specialised engineering and materials as well as electronics. There is a lot going on under the hood of the L1.
The E1B (like the E1L) is more straight forward - in fact the dual output nature is purely electronic - SureFire are able to configure this by adjusting the settings of electronics in the bezel.

2. Does the E2DL have 2 light levels? If so, why does the new catalog not mention that fact?
As mentioned SureFire's 2008 catalogs were published prior to SHOT Show 2008 where many of their new products were first shown. It is normal for things to change as SureFire makes the products ready for market release.
Important details of the UB2 in the catalog are incorrect as well. We'll see how long it takes for actual photos of the UB2 to be discovered by CPF members.

And also, why would they not name it L2D?
You would think they would - it would be less of a mouthful than 'E2DL'...
But the E2DL is an evolution from the E2D (as another member mentioned). It is an LED version of the E2D. It uses the same body and TailCap. These are very different to the L2's body and TailCap (slimmer for a start).
An "L2D" would feature two-stage push button pressure switch technology.
SureFire have released an L2D of sorts - its a limited edition model called a Porcupine (L2-PP). In fact they've released two versions of this.
Perhaps they'll release an L1D though? I don't know. It's more difficult to do a Stainless Steel "Porcupine" version with the new L1 bezel design...

3. Once the UA2 is available, would there be any point buying an L2, other than price?
As technology marches on some products will phase out of the range. The L2 could well be one of these.
However, I don't think it'll be superseded by the UA2.
As my photo from SHOT Show 2008 shows:

The UA2 is longer than the L2 - some would say that the L2 is already far too long.
The UA2 is fatter and heavier than the L2. This makes it in a different class of flashlight.
I think that people who currently carry the L2 may look at replacing it with a UB2 (or perhaps a UA2). I think UB2 is more likely.
The UB2/UA2's bezel down pocketclip and the length of the L2 body make them stable for carry (when the bezel is too long [compared to the body] it can make carrying the flashlight bezel-up less ideal)

Does this help answer any of you questions?

Al

Gentlemen, thank you for your concise answers. My E1B arrived today. It is nice, but now I do see how the L1 could be more expensive.

I also bought a G3. So one more question on that one please. My vendor, Nordic Knives did not have the G3 LED, but did have the standard G3 and a P60L. So I bought both and dropped in the P60L. My question is how can the P60L work with either 6V or 9V. Why is it not much brighter at the 9V that my G3 has?

Thanks again and best regards,
Allan

allankidd said:

My question is how can the P60L work with either 6V or 9V. Why is it not much brighter at the 9V that my G3 has?

Click to expand...

I do not know of the detailed mechanism but the electronics of some flashlights allow them to accept power at a range of voltage and/or current.
The rate at which the P60L draws power is controlled (and limited by a thermal sensor that throttles back the power to the LED, reducing its output to prevent it from overheating.

So the third SF123A battery isn't being used to drive the LED harder for higher output, it is being used to drive the LED for longer runtime.

You should note that the G3 features a Nitrolon bezel (the same polymer material the body and TailCap are made of) rather than an aluminium bezel like the G2L and G3L have.
As a result the peak output will not last as long before it is throttled back as the LED heats up. The advantage of this is that the runtime is increased (although the regulated runtime will be at a slightly lower output)
If you want the G3 to be able to maintain a higher output for longer then you can purchase a Z44-BK bezel.
Note that the P60L is not damaged by using it in a Nitrolon bezel.

Al

The L2 is a much less complex light than the upcoming UA2, and some people will probably prefer it because of that. I see you went to Nordic, do you live in Solvang?

No, I live in Hermosa Beach, but I go up to Solvang for Nordic's annual knive show. So I knew them from those events. Solvang is a great little town. And the Nordic Knife people are great to work with. Besides, they were the only one's who had a 2008 Surefire catalog. Those catalogs are really scarce these days. I had to buy my lights from someone, so why not from good people who also gave me a catalog!