Surefire L1 has more throw that the L2 ???

I compared the new Surefire L1 ( Lux III ) & L2 on the
Relative Throw and Overall Output Charts located on
FlashlightReviews.com. I was surprised at what I found.
The L1 has more throw on high beam that the L2 on
high beam.

The L1 being 38.21 on the chart.
The L2 being 30.76 on the chart.

This measurement is defined as follows:

"This measurement takes the Lux at beam center and applies
the inverse square law. The inverse square law says that at
twice the distance a light is 1/4 as bright. By taking the square
root of all of the Lux measurements the numbers can be
directly compared. As a result, a light that reads 50 on the
chart has half the throw of a light that reads 100."

The L1 out throws the L2 !!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif How can this be ??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

I realize that the L1 has an optical system that focuses the
beam to a tight spot, but has a very useable beam width at
50 to 100 feet. I can very adequately illuminate the entire
front of a shed, which is about 10 wide, at about 60 feet
from my deck.

What are your thoughts on this ??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rant.gif

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Pwdrkeg,
I'm sure you already know that more lumens does not equal more throw. If the L1 was the newer model, then the Tiros optic will throw a bit further than the flood type reflector of the L2. The L1 beam is a tight hot spot with little sidespill. The L2 has a very large hot spot and large sidespill that is more like a wall of light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Obviously the L2 has more overall output and provides a
flood of light, its also bigger and eats two batteries at a
time. It is still out thrown by its little brother according to
the Relative Throw and Overall Output Charts.

Although the L1 is my first SureFire, I love this little light
for general all around use, I am considering something
with more output. From everything I,ve read, I'm sure
that the L2 is one great light. Not sure whats next.

Hmmm .... Maybe the U2 ......... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif

Gotta save some funds for that one.

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The L2 is a Lux-V, i.e., it is a four-die emitter as opposed to the single 3w emitter driven at 1w in the L1, so the L1 can naturally focus better. There is nothing mysterious about it, especially when you consider the usage of the optics.

THe divergence of the L1 beam is very generous imho, not as bad as many people make it out to be. WHen you consider you can have that much throw with a single 123 AND 2 hours of run times comapred to the L2, it's very efficient alternative.

Yep, them Surefires sure are money-thirsty little suckers. Now only if one more person can be pulled to the dark side...or shall I say the brighter side...

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270winchester said:

The L2 is a Lux-V, i.e., it is a four-die emitter as opposed to the single 3w emitter driven at 1w in the L1, so the L1 can naturally focus better. There is nothing mysterious about it, especially when you consider the usage of the optics.

THe divergence of the L1 beam is very generous imho, not as bad as many people make it out to be. WHen you consider you can have that much throw with a single 123 AND 2 hours of run times comapred to the L2, it's very efficient alternative.

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Mega Dittos ............. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/buttrock.gif

I totally agree. Each light has it's pro's and con's, depending
on its performance, size and design. I think the L1 is totally
under rated by some individuals. It obviously doesn't meet
everyone's needs, but is an outstanding "little light" for all
around general use.

Well, its off to work and my L1 is in my pocket.

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Huh? among all people, I am surprised you dont know. The whole The-5 watters-are-not-throwers-theyre-usually-floodlights. The L2 uses a reflector and the L1 uses an optic, which means even more throw for the L1.

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Mags said:

Huh? among all people, I am surprised you dont know. .....

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I still learning, and .../ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif, I'm learning more stuff every day.

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