Streamlight 3W tasklight vs SF L1/L2

My basic question is what does the Surefire L1 or L2 do
that the new Streamlight dual output tasklight doesn't?
Besides HAIII, what justifies the significant increase in
price for the SF's? I enjoy drooling over SF's just as much
as the next guy and I own a 6P so I'm not pre-disposed
against Surefire. I'm just looking for a quality dual
output LED light to throw in my backpack. Thanks for your
help.

Saber,

I have had my Streamlight TL 3W for about 6 month now. I use
it for work and everyday use. As a HazMat Specialist I often
enter dark buildings with no lights. The high beam is a very
bright white spot with good spillage, excellent color definition
and very good runtime. The low beam is very good for general
use and navigation in dark areas with a run time of more than
10 hours. I also like the switch location, it can be activated it with
the thumb during the more traditional hold and activated with
the index finger while using the tactical grip. I do not understand
the need for a tail cap switch, however, each person has his own
preferences. The size fits well in my hand and is easy to carry. At
an intermediate price level for a light of this type, I find it
an excellent value. FlashlightReviews.com said "Well made,
well designed, and overall a winner in my book." I strongly
agree. I am sure that there are many excellent flashlight available,
but the Streamlight TL 3W works well for me and I can
highly recommend it.

Tom /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/happy14.gif

Are you talking about the Streamlight that takes 3xAA batteries?

If so I dont' have one. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I have seen them in the stores, but they were to long for me.

I do have the the Surefire L1 and some Streamlight TT's
I have the 1xCR123 and 2xCR123 streamlight TT's

The surefire L1 is my everday cary light.
Just the right size. I love the new optics it uses.
Runs forever on low. The website say's 50 hours. I had it on for 4 nights, about 8 hours a night on low.

The streamlights TT's I have are still preaty nice lights.
One sits on my night stand and the other on top the TV.

Are Streamlights made in the USA?

[ QUOTE ]
Disciple said:
Are Streamlights made in the USA?

[/ QUOTE ]

Some are, some are not. The TT's are made in China if nothing changed.

that is a nice pics of a beautiful lite Cia.

[ QUOTE ]
Mark2 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Disciple said:
Are Streamlights made in the USA?

[/ QUOTE ]

Some are, some are not. The TT's are made in China if nothing changed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think all (or most?) of the luxeon Twin Task lights are made in China?

Regardless, for a Chinese based light, the fit and finish on the TT series is my opinion says very good (compare this to many other Chinese lights with excessive flaws in fit and finish).

I think this is the Streamlight saber is referring to: Streamlight 2L 3w Led Flashlight.

Thanks to both of you. That would explain some of the price difference. To whom it may concern, I was not asking about place of manufacture for reasons of quality (though in my experience they are real) but simply because I like to "buy American" even if it costs a little more.

The Streamlight "TL" 3W Luxeon is a "Tasklight",
NOT a (TT) "Twin Tasklight" ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/whoopin.gif

It only has a one LED, a Luxeon, it is powered
by two 123A lithium batteries. It also has a
high and low beam.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

[ QUOTE ]
Pwdrkeg said:
The Streamlight "TL" 3W Luxeon is a "Tasklight",
NOT a (TT) "Twin Tasklight" ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/whoopin.gif

It only has a one LED, a Luxeon, it is powered
by two 123A lithium batteries. It also has a
high and low beam.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't say the 3W Tasklight was a TT, I just said that the TT's are made in China. BTW: the 3W Tasklight is made in China as well, the package says so, I just checked.

I was refering to the 3W LED tasklight with dual outputs,
not the twin task with LEDs and incan. I actually have
the TT that runs on 2xCR123, but I would like to go all
LED. I think the primary issue is that I'm drooling over
the SF while I like the Streamlight which will fill
my needs just fine so it's hard to justify the extra cost

[ QUOTE ]
Pwdrkeg said:
The Streamlight "TL" 3W Luxeon is a "Tasklight",
NOT a (TT) "Twin Tasklight" ! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/whoopin.gif

It only has a one LED, a Luxeon, it is powered
by two 123A lithium batteries. It also has a
high and low beam.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

[/ QUOTE ]


/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

[ QUOTE ]
saber said:
My basic question is what does the Surefire L1 or L2 do
that the new Streamlight dual output tasklight doesn't?


[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, now that I understand what streamlight you are talking about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The L1 is a better size for EDC for me.
The L1 runs longer on just one battery.
I like the quiet switch of the L1 for when I'm checking on my son when he is sleeping.

I like the litte side spill of the L1 for in the car and checking on things in the house at night.

The switching on the lights seems to be quite different. The Streamlight goes from the off position to high to low to off with no momentary option. The SureFires go from low to high (depending on how hard you press the button or how far you twist the tailcap switch) and have a momentary. IIRC, SureFire advertises the switching on the L1/L2 as being six position.

I just got a SF E2E yesterday, a friend of my has the Streamlight that you speek of. Its is a vary nice light and I look forward to owning one. Probley worcks well how you use it, I would use mine out in the woods night geocaching. But my EDC will always be a surefire. As long as you keep them feed my has never let me down yet.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

<<I do not understand the need for a tailcap switch...>>

This is for employing the light in conjunction with a handgun. The Harries technique (fist over fist, back of the hands pressing against each other) is generally considered to be the most efficient for this, and a tail cap switch allows one to hold the light in a firm fist with the thumb on the switch. The "firm fist" is important, since the technique depends heavily on isometrics.

Using a light with a 'regular' switch, like your Streamlight, is a bit more... well, "difficult" is not the proper word, but a tailcap switch-equipped light works better.

[ QUOTE ]
Steve C said:
<<I do not understand the need for a tailcap switch...>>

This is for employing the light in conjunction with a handgun. The Harries technique (fist over fist, back of the hands pressing against each other) is generally considered to be the most efficient for this, and a tail cap switch allows one to hold the light in a firm fist with the thumb on the switch. The "firm fist" is important, since the technique depends heavily on isometrics.

Using a light with a 'regular' switch, like your Streamlight, is a bit more... well, "difficult" is not the proper word, but a tailcap switch-equipped light works better.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif ......OK /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanks.gif

Wasn't sure what exactly the Harries technique is, but I eventually found some photos that showed it. They are on this page:

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/327/sesent/00

After looking at those, I can see how the tailcap switch is much better for that type of application.

[ QUOTE ]
deranged_coder said:
After looking at those, I can see how the tailcap switch is much better for that type of application.

[/ QUOTE ]I still prefer the switch mounted near the head, like on the Stinger, even with the two handed technique. Maybe because that's the way I've always done it, but it just feels a little easier then having to use a thumb switch.