KevinL
Flashlight Enthusiast
The new KL1 - it\'s a Turbohead in disguise
Just received my new KL1-Lux3-4thGen thanks to jcciv /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
The machining is impeccable and it makes for one really pretty looking bezel. I've seen some pics that show it as being longer than the classic KL1, but really not by much. Plus, it really is bright white and beautiful - this is one awesomely white looking LED. It's definitely more powerful, a ceiling bounce test shows it lights up the room (via reflected light) better than the original KL1-Lux1.
I'm aware many have covered this, but the problem comes with the focusing of the light. Kinda like with the X200, what were they thinking? This light is very hard to use at close-in ranges, which the original KL1 was made for. At one foot, which is not uncommon for the KL1, the spot is 3" across. The original NX05 optic was a lot better, throwing one that was at least 10" thanks to the sidespill. I use mine largely for close-range work and the new KL1 doesn't seem like an upgrade at all.
Where it comes into its own is at the 15ft range and further than that. The original KL1 dims significantly, whereas the new KL1 has the ability to launch the beam much further. Whoever said LEDs can't throw has got to be kidding. This thing throws like its existence depends on it. But, IMHO, that was not the intention of the original KL1.
To me, the new KL1 seems like the turbohead version of the original - except that with other Surefires short of the M4 or the M6 you usually have an option to switch back to a non-turbohead version. (M3T -> M3, KT1/KT2 -> normal bezel for other SFs). It's great if you are looking for a turbohead; not so great if you are looking for a flood. I have this nagging suspicion I bought the wrong light - but I had no other way to find out. Granted, I knew about the sidespill 'problem' but thought it would not be that severe. Believe me, it is.
What I think is that Surefire should offer this version as the KL1T, and keep the original NX05 optic version as another option for the rest of us who want more spill, just like they offered two versions of bezels - impact/normal bezels for the Millenium series of lights.
Guess I was right about one thing: the original KL1-Lux1-HD is staying on my E1e as my EDC.
Just received my new KL1-Lux3-4thGen thanks to jcciv /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif
The machining is impeccable and it makes for one really pretty looking bezel. I've seen some pics that show it as being longer than the classic KL1, but really not by much. Plus, it really is bright white and beautiful - this is one awesomely white looking LED. It's definitely more powerful, a ceiling bounce test shows it lights up the room (via reflected light) better than the original KL1-Lux1.
I'm aware many have covered this, but the problem comes with the focusing of the light. Kinda like with the X200, what were they thinking? This light is very hard to use at close-in ranges, which the original KL1 was made for. At one foot, which is not uncommon for the KL1, the spot is 3" across. The original NX05 optic was a lot better, throwing one that was at least 10" thanks to the sidespill. I use mine largely for close-range work and the new KL1 doesn't seem like an upgrade at all.
Where it comes into its own is at the 15ft range and further than that. The original KL1 dims significantly, whereas the new KL1 has the ability to launch the beam much further. Whoever said LEDs can't throw has got to be kidding. This thing throws like its existence depends on it. But, IMHO, that was not the intention of the original KL1.
To me, the new KL1 seems like the turbohead version of the original - except that with other Surefires short of the M4 or the M6 you usually have an option to switch back to a non-turbohead version. (M3T -> M3, KT1/KT2 -> normal bezel for other SFs). It's great if you are looking for a turbohead; not so great if you are looking for a flood. I have this nagging suspicion I bought the wrong light - but I had no other way to find out. Granted, I knew about the sidespill 'problem' but thought it would not be that severe. Believe me, it is.
What I think is that Surefire should offer this version as the KL1T, and keep the original NX05 optic version as another option for the rest of us who want more spill, just like they offered two versions of bezels - impact/normal bezels for the Millenium series of lights.
Guess I was right about one thing: the original KL1-Lux1-HD is staying on my E1e as my EDC.
