Confused about the L4 and L5

In looking at what specs I can find on the L4 and L5, I am puzzled as to what the big difference is. If both are rated at 65 Lumens and both use 2 123's what is the difference other than higher price and a larger size for the L5? I see Bright Guy is selling the L5 for only $13.00 more than the L4.

L5 does have a narrower beam for a more "spot"-type of light (reaches further than L4 which ist more "flood"-type). Additionally the L5 should be more water resistant. It uses the M2-body with dual O-Rings. Body material on the L5 is thicker making the L5 overall more stable than the L4.
Finally the L5 does have the pat. Combat Grip for use in conjunction with a handgun in a Rogers/SureFire grip.

Holger

Thanks Holger that clears up most of my questions. Do you know if the L4 has close to the same throw or reach as the E2?

DimBeam,
The L4 has no where near the reach of an E2e. The L4 is a flood light not much throw beyond 30 feet. Great for close up work. Not great for identifying objects at a distance.

How much further is the reach of the L5 as compared to the L4?

If you want throw like an E2 forget either one and get an L6. It has same 5 watt Luxeon, better optics, and for an LED it REALLY does the distance. It is longer, has a bigger head but really works. It seams 5 times as bright as a Streamlight TL-3 LED 5 watt which is more like an L4 (More flood than spot). If you are on a budget, get the L5. I am not sure of the links but there are test beam shots of all 3 mentioned on CPF. Never the less, all 3 are quality + SF.

NikolaTesla /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireL4L5L6
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireDetail
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/TheBadestLightsEver_1
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/SurefireL4L5L6_2
Check these photo's above for comparison.

NikolaTesla

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My Lights: ******************* CAREFULL: The last one is NOT UL approved.
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STREAMLIGHTS: KEY MATE, TTL-2D, TTL-3C, TL3-LED(5watt), STINGER XT-HP,
TTL-2L, TL-3AA (1 watt LED). BRINKMAN LEGEND LX. VECTOR SPORT LIGHT 1 MILLION CP.
SUREFIRE: 6P, L6 (5watt)LED. Cygolite 16 watt dual beam.
MAGLITE 2AA, 3C. Acro X990 HID. NikolaTesla 1.5 KW 1.5 Million Volt Arc light (I have Torus
blown 15KW style primary Arc & 175 amp @ 12.5 KV High Q rated .068uf resonating capacitor)
http://www.tjtech.org/gallery/NikolaTesla/9inch1

Hi DimBeam:

You can find some great pictures (beam shots) on Sean's page.

Scroll down to the bottom, and you'll find some great shots of the L4, L5, and L6 shining at a distance.

I have the L4 and L5, and one thing that may be obvious (but hasn't been mentioned), is the fact that the L5 doesn't get as hot as quickly (bigger head).

The L5 is also a superb host for the F68 traffic cone.

The L5, being regulated, doesn't dim over the life of the batteries, as the P60 lamp assembly in the M2 does.

oldgrandpajack

The L4 has a brightness of 700,000mcd and a current consumption of 1.00 amp.
The L5 has a brightness of 1,340,000mcd and a current consumption of 1.18 amps.

The L5 has a smaller hotspot than the L4 has; that's why it appears so much brighter to the light meter.
And larger reflectors usually mean tighter beams.
According to the 2004 SureFire catalogue, the L4 has a bezel diameter of 1.00", and the L5 has a bezel diameter of 1.47".
I don't know where my L4 is at this particular moment, so I cannot measure it to confirm what the catalogue says.

If they both use 2x123, how can they have the same runtimes if the L4 uses 1Ah and the L5 uses 1.18Ah?

Maybe just a difference in Vf on the measured lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif