Why don’t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

I've been looking around for a general purpose EDC with the following characteristics: Smallish, LED, a few hours of runtime, brighter than an ARC-AAA and dimmer than SF P60. On specifications alone, I narrowed it down to ARC-LS*, E1E/KL1, E2E/KL1 and the SF L1 LumaMax. I have not had a chance to try any of these yet.

While reading the threads I noticed that there are many fans of the first three but almost no mention of the L1. It seems that the L1 should compare favorably against these other lights. The high/low beam is nice feature.

Am I missing something? Is the L1 LumaMax in the same class as the competition?

The L1 seems to me to be rather oversized for what it does. If I want such a big light just to get high and low beams, why not an A2? Aside from its size, though, it's a nice light.

Of the lights you mention, I'd go for the Arc LS. For EDC, compactness matters a lot. I'd also consider the tvodrd/DSpeck Firefly, if you want a limited production semi-DIY light.

At something like 50 hrs on low and 5 hrs on fullpower, this is a versatile light. Mine has spent time in a chlorinated pool and still looks new.

I also think it's much too large (long) for what it does. I like high/low beam but if I was to pick a single 123 LED, it would be the Arc hands down. I'd trade off the dimmable feature for the EDC-friendly size. Arc's coming out with a multi-level dimmable LS based light called tentatively the LS4. For the package size and features, I think this light will be the L1 killer.

CM

Well, I for one love my L1. I have a green LS version and it is extremely bright. For several months was my 'big' EDC light, but my new SL TL2-LED replaces it sometimes now. I was not as impressed by the white L1 that I bought first, but the green made a believer out of me.

I`m a big fan of the L1.

The lower level of light is just right for navigating around the house or outside in the dark, and the higher level of light is instantly there if you need it.

The relatively small size of the L1 is just right, IMHO, for EDC and general use. I also attach a glow ring to its clip so that I can easily find it by my bedside at night.

Best wishes to you!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have an L1 and really like it. The low power is similar to a single LED like the Arc AAA which is perfect for a lot of things and you get great runtime.

The high beam is very useful, fairly bright, broad and even. Runtime a bit over an hour (the listed, five hour runtime is marketing fiction).

I also have an E1 w/ KL1 and while it is a great combo, I love having the dual output. My E1 is sitting lonely since I've got my L1. The only leg up the E1 has is it is a bit smaller.

I like this better than the A2 since the low beam is lower on the L1 (better runtime) but still bright enought for a lot of uses. I pair my L1 with a SF M2 so I have three brightnesses covered. The A2 doens't mate well (in terms of brightness levels) so you would likely only carry the A2 and then only have two levels.

On the other hand, the A2 would be great for hiking. I think the ability to go from low level nav/work light to bright spot is handy outdoors where you might want to check out what something is occationally.

What we really need is variable output 5W LED light.

The light is a tad long for what it does. However it too bad. All in all, a great little light.

-john

I wondered about this too initially, the reasons are varied. (Size does seem to be a big one.)
I don't mind the size since I carry it in a pouch on my duty belt with other stuff. It's a small light to me, not yet being the owner of a 1-123 equipped arc LS. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I have all of the lights mentioned above and find that I carry the L1 a good bit. Though it is longer than seems necessary, it is VERY light weight.

It is basically an Arc AAA + Arc LS in one beautiful package!

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

[ QUOTE ]
At something like 50 hrs on low and 5 hrs on fullpower, this is a versatile light. Mine has spent time in a chlorinated pool and still looks new.

[/ QUOTE ]

5 hours??? The graph in the literature that comes with it shows about 1 1/2 hours runtime before it really starts dropping off.

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

I have an L1 on order, I want to see the runtime by myself. Today I have read the review from Craig's site, and he indicates, for the L1, a current draw of 380 mA on high. If we do not consider battery efficiency, that equates to 1300/380 = 3.4 hrs of runtime, while the graph presented from Quickbeam indicates clearly a regulation drop after 1.5 hrs.
If the 1.5 hrs runtime on high is true, the current draw should be about 800 mA.
My Arc LSH-P draws 550 mA on a CR123, and lasts 2 hours.

May be it is only a measurement error, or a specific "transfer function" programmed in the L1 regulator. I'll be more specific with my coming L1 and some special test equipment.

Regards

Anthony

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

I later measured 940mA on the L1 on "high". I think the chemcoat stuff on the tailcap must have been getting in the way. I used a Circuit Specialists DMM on the 20A setting to help minimise shunt resistance error.

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

I agree with you, John N.

Where's the L2? I want high/low 5W!!!
maybe Al is playing with it now /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

No I'm not.

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

I just remembered something my L1 did on the first (factory installed?) battery:

After some use the high beam was still working, probably around the middle or lowest output before going out of regulation. The low beam at that time however, was barely visible. I kept checking it out until the low beam seemed to be gone, yet a full press still fired up the high beam. The only things I know for sure is that the battery was in fact low since it quit working a bit after that, and that the contacts/threads were clean. I changed the battery and it was normal. There are a few maybe's and possibilities according to everything I've read, but I really wonder what some of you electrical savvy flashaholics would suggest.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Oh, and the light still works great!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

Thanks for the measurement, Craig.
940 mA is close to too much current for the 123 cell. This confuses me, because the LED gives 15 lumen, and this makes it look underdriven. The total power consuption, at 940 mA, would be 2.8 Watts, and considering an efficiency of the regulator of 65%, it means that the LED should be driven at 1.8 Watts.

May be the load is not linear and confuses the meter. As soon I put the hands on mine, I will use a series resistor of 0.1 ohm and a o-scope for precise measurement. I am puzzled with the power consuption of L1. I fear the regulator is way less efficient than 65%. Why the LSHP draws 550 mA and is much brighter?

Regards

Anthony

I've said before that, while I like the L1 as a low intensity light, the dual beam becomes pretty much non-existant if you use the light a lot on low beam. LOng before the SF hype says, the available battery power has dropped below the necessary level to power the high beam and you're left with just a nice low intensity light.

Get an Arc AAA for low intensity work and an E2e/KL1 for a long lasting higher intensity light.

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

You're more than welcome, Anthony.

I was hoping that 940mA measurement was just a fluke, but I don't think it is. Maybe somebody like you with more precision instruments can get a better reading. I just now retested it, and got readings that ranged from 880mA to 930mA; maybe the chemcoat treatment on the L1's exposed metal surfaces is interfering. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif :toliet: /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

So the high beam run time is more like an hour. I still like this light a lot. It needs a better luxeon that isn't blue in the center with a greenish corona. Other than this, its like having an arc AAA and an LS in the same light. Say, anyone think they could transplant an R2H into mine?

Re: Why don?t I hear much about the L1 LumaMax?

If the runtime is 1 hour on a 123, either the converter is way inefficient or it's overdriving the LED into oblivion. I hope the runtime is actually somewhat longer.