Getting Ready To Get A Surefire E1L.....

So I think I'm going to place my first LED purchase here soon. I think I've decided on the Surefire E1L. I know there's a lot of other discussions on this light, but my conditions may be individual, so what the heck another lovely topic!

Looking for something "all around" with pocket-ability, CR123 batteries, can get fairly bright if needed. Something that's rugged and tested.

Do you guys think this will fit my needs?

Sorry for any duplication. Have a great one fellas, and thanks for any and all information.

David

I don't have an E1L but I do have an E1B and I love it. I don't think you can go wrong with the E1L so enjoy your purchase!! Doug

My real life experience with it.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/207623

Please be a bit more specific so others might chime in.
"pocket-ability" is subjective.
What do you intend to use it for?

Here's my thought, have you considered the E2L?
It's just $20 difference, better IMO & is pocket-able for me.

There are a lot more lights that will fit what you seem to want, not just from Surefire(and most of them are around half the price). I won't mention names incase that sparks another Surefire vs any-other-company argument.

For what you see to want the E1L should do fine.

SnWnMe said:

My real life experience with it.

https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/207623

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Very cool! Thanks.

isneyk said:

Please be a bit more specific so others might chime in.
"pocket-ability" is subjective.
What do you intend to use it for?

Here's my thought, have you considered the E2L?
It's just $20 difference, better IMO & is pocket-able for me.

Click to expand...

Kind of an EDC role. Taking the dog for walks around the neighborhood when it's dark, using it to wire up stuff in the entertainment center when I can't see something.

Having it in case a hike takes longer than expected and walking back in low light situations.

+1 on the E1L (dual output version). The light I probably reach for and use the most.

You'll love the E1L, but in order to be best informed, at least look at the E1B because for all intents and purposes, it's virtually identical to the E1L with the one exception that the E1B always turns on at "high" while the E1L always turns on first at "low".
Your preference for whether you want your light go first to high or low is what should guide your choice between the two. (The E1B is "rated" higher in lumens, but it's hard to tell the difference unless you have them both on side by side.)

I've got both of them, plus I have the single mode earlier E1L which is a keeper for me because of it's insane runtime.
It's possible that if runtime is really important, you might even want to find one of the pre-dual mode E1L's.

I've regretted buying some of the lights that I did, but I've never regretted buying any Surefire.

I got both the E1L and the E1B too. The main difference is what Zenster says but it is also worth while to note that the surface of E1L is rougher and allows a better grip with dirty or wet hands. E1B on the contrary is easier on the pockets fabric because of its slick surface.

One other thing: E1B is available in a single type, no risk of getting the wrong one. E1L is currently available in three different versions:

- one level, Luxeon LED
- one level, CREE LED
- two levels, CREE LED

be careful to get the one you like better.

How can you tell which is the two level?

Kilovolt said:

I got both the E1L and the E1B too. The main difference is what Zenster says but it is also worth while to note that the surface of E1L is rougher and allows a better grip with dirty or wet hands. E1B on the contrary is easier on the pockets fabric because of its slick surface.

One other thing: E1B is available in a single type, no risk of getting the wrong one. E1L is currently available in three different versions:

- one level, Luxeon LED
- one level, CREE LED
- two levels, CREE LED

be careful to get the one you like better.

Click to expand...

Good choice with the E1L. I picked up one of the older lux ones a few years before I got so into lights. When the dual mode Cree one came out I picked it up and then started collecting more lights... Well the E1L is still my favourite camping light, way more than any of the fenixs I had and sold/gave away, more than my NT 120P or SF U2.

One thing you MUST get (not even an option) if working around the home theater system especially is the F04 beamshaper! It gives a perfect flood with just enough throw (more than my zebralight Z30). Also be sure to get the dual mode E1L, much more versatile.

McSoappy said:

How can you tell which is the two level?

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A picture of the two blisters: left the 'new' 2007 CREE one level E1L, right the 'new' 2008 CREE two level E1L:




:wave:

Zenster said:

You'll love the E1L, but in order to be best informed, at least look at the E1B because for all intents and purposes, it's virtually identical to the E1L with the one exception that the E1B always turns on at "high" while the E1L always turns on first at "low".
Your preference for whether you want your light go first to high or low is what should guide your choice between the two. (The E1B is "rated" higher in lumens, but it's hard to tell the difference unless you have them both on side by side.)

.

Click to expand...

Actually, the E1L has better runtime than the E1B. That may be a more important consideration given that hiking is one of the planned uses.

E1B


Max Output: 5/80 lumens*
Runtime: 37/1.3 hours*
*low/high settings

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/24263/sesent/00

E1L

Max Output: 3/45 lumens*
Runtime: 48/8.5 hours*
*low/high settings

Kilovolt said:

A picture of the two blisters: left the 'new' 2007 CREE one level E1L, right the 'new' 2008 CREE two level E1L:

:wave:

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Uh oh I'm buying mine online from bass pro.

Wonder how I tell then?

McSoappy said:

Uh oh I'm buying mine online from bass pro.

Wonder how I tell then?

Click to expand...

I checked for you here and the offered E1L appears to be the older Luxeon 3W model.

You should check the description with the latest Surefire one.

Kilovolt said:

I checked for you here and the offered E1L appears to be the older Luxeon 3W model.

You should check the description with the latest Surefire one.

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Just out of curiosity, how can you tell by the pic?

I have the E1L outdoorsman 2 stage cree and could not be happier with it. 8.5 high, 48 low.
Long runtimes in either mode and with a home made diffuser made from an old mag mini rubber bezel bumper and a spare mini mag lens which I sanded and a rubber washer inside the bumper to hold the thing together, I have a perfect diffuser that cost me nothing since I had the stuff to make it .
It is also a perfect fit on the E1L outdoorsman.
I think you will be very happy.

Whelp guys!

After all the confusion from Bass Pro, plus a few other suggestions for cheaper lights, I've decided to go with the Nitecore EX10.

The SureFire E1L will be next though, so keep that information coming. It'll be nice information to have for "Santa".

McSoappy said:

Just out of curiosity, how can you tell by the pic?

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The problem is you can't tell from the picture of the flashlight: it's either the pic of the packing or the description of the light.