NEW L1 LumaMax vs 4thGen KL1 brightness?

KevinL

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 10, 2004
Messages
5,866
Location
At World's End
I know this is a long shot as most people may not own both of these lights, but I'm wondering about the brightness of these two solutions:

Surefire has their newest L1 LumaMax with the TIR optic that very closely resembles the new 4th-generation KL1. They BOTH look similar to :
kl1-turbohead.jpg
(4th gen KL1 on L4 body pictured)

Pictures of the newest L1 and KL1 can be found in their 2005 catalog as well.

Their catalog quotes the L1's high beam at 15 lumens (the same figure as the older L1s) and the new E1L Outdoorsman (E1e+KL1 as a package deal) as 25 lumens. Having owned the new KL1, specifically the one pictured above, I would definitely say it's 30 lumens.

Is the newest L1 driven as hard as the new KL1? I get the feeling it may also be 30 lumens on high, but they may have missed it out. If so, then I'd be interested in a new L1 instead of an E1L because it's only $25 more for the two-stage switching.


PS: I'm also interested in knowing the high-beam drive current of ANY L1 LumaMax, old/new doesn't matter, but if possible, let me know what its vintage is. Thanks guys /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

cia

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
160
I have both. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
My L1 is just as bright as the 4thGen KL1.
I would say the L1 may even seem brighter, but I think that is just because it a "Whiter" light. At least it looks whiter to me.

I have two of the new L1.
If you did not see I have one listed in the B/S/T forum.
Awesome light, I love it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

wasBlinded

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 14, 2004
Messages
1,222
Location
Oklahoma
My L1 purchased from SF in December is driven at 390 mA. It has the old style bezel, but a very white high dome LED.
 

cia

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
160
Photo of my L1.
It is my all time favorit light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

0442b8ec-2d61-4ccc-9e06-c50557fa582d.jpg
 

voodoogreg

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Messages
1,829
Location
Global
My KL-1 on a VG/FB-1 body seemed brighter with more throw. But it too could very well be a good the lotto, and whiteness of the KL-1. VDG
 

Ralf

Enlightened
Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
406
Location
Heilbronn/ Germany
... does that mean, that the new L1 has got a
new electronics inside as well? maybe the same
as in the KL1, which would make sense from the
manufacturing point of view ...

Cheers
Ralf
 

KevinL

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 10, 2004
Messages
5,866
Location
At World's End
Thanks guys /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I was hoping that it would be just as bright, that way I can justify the extra $25 for the two-stage switching.

Hmm...yet another way to spend money /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 

Ny0ng1

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Messages
337
Location
Singapore
for those with the new E1L
What did you receive for the package? LOTC? or clicky? or both? In the catalog, surefire put LOTC but in the 'accesories', they also put Z57 clicky (included) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

secondly, is the head of L1 can be used on E1L (or all E series body in that matter)
How about the tailcap?
 

Size15's

Flashaholic
Joined
Aug 29, 2000
Messages
18,415
Location
Kettering, England
The E1L comes with the Z57 Clickie TailCap.
The Z52 LockOut TailCap can be used instead of the Z57 and can be ordered as an accessory if required.

The Z57 can also be Locked Out to disable the push button pressure [click] switch.

The L1 bezel should not be attached to the E1e/E1L body or any other body other than the L1 body for that matter.

The Z62 two-stage push button pressure switch TailCap for the L1/L2/A2 etc fit and function only on the L1/L2/A2 etc.
 

Ny0ng1

Enlightened
Joined
Oct 14, 2004
Messages
337
Location
Singapore
I got it, loud and clear.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Thanks Size15's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

voodoogreg

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Messages
1,829
Location
Global
I think was the first to post that I "bought"( as in I have no "in" with SF, nor would i want one) a E1L about a month ago.(it was a dealer display model, he didn't dig SF and sold it to me VERY cheap)
As much as i like the E1e body, i really prefer the vital gear FB-1 1X123 better. smaller, (a couple of mm's taller then a LSH-P)
a much less bulky package, better machining and HA on the VG body,(see my post on the "SF quality?" thread) great bez down clip which i use to hang it from my shirt coller, and stands on end even with the clip attached IMHO this is the bomb at the moment! VDG
 

AnotherDaveH

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 11, 2005
Messages
40
Location
Riverside Co., CA
My KL1 (latest gen) seems ot be all about throw. I've described it as being like a 'light sabre' and it has impressive output for its size. The Q3 beam has a lot more spill and is probably more useful for general use. I EDC an FB1/KL1, but use the Q3 if I'm up and about at night.
 

Glow Bug

Enlightened
Joined
Aug 9, 2001
Messages
969
Location
South Carolina
[ QUOTE ]
JanCPF said:
Sorry, a bit of toppic, but will the new L1 run on a R123?

Jan

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wondering the same thing???
 

cia

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Aug 26, 2004
Messages
160
[ QUOTE ]
Glow Bug said:
[ QUOTE ]
JanCPF said:
Sorry, a bit of toppic, but will the new L1 run on a R123?

Jan

[/ QUOTE ]

I was wondering the same thing???

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 

Ray_of_Light

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
May 11, 2003
Messages
1,150
Location
West Midlands, U.K.
I do not have a new L1, but three of the old one. The electronic driver makes a sinistrous pitched noise when powered with a single 3.7 Li-ion. The L1 keeps in regulation, but I do not think the designer meant that loud noise to be normal.

The new L1 can be different... I would buy "one" in this case.

Anthony
 

Mags

Flashlight Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 16, 2004
Messages
2,096
Location
NY
If the KL1 is brighter, why not just buy a L1 Tailcap, and put it on your E1L?
 
Top