SureFire: L1 , E1b comparison

[prime77]

The SureFire L1 and E1b are similar 1 cell duel output lights with around the same output but different in other ways.




The smaller of the two, the E1b Backup features a forward clicky tailcap to switch between the two levels. The high of 80 lumens comes first on the E1b and then lower level of 5 lumens comes last. The E1b has no knurling and features what SureFire calls a melted body with no sharp edges.

The L1, slightly longer of the two as a twisty tailcap with the low of 10 lumens coming first followed by the high of 65 lumens. The twostage tail cap is used by lightly pressing for low and pressing all the way down for high.

Both lights use what SureFire calls a Total Internal Reflection lens or TIR for maximum throw and a nice sidespill of light. On my L1 there is a slight diffuser material. The E1b doesn't have this diffuser material and so has a tighter beam.


Along with no knurling another new addition to the E1b is a newly designed pocket clip the allows for a bezel down carry deeper in the pocket. While the the L1 has the
shorter E-series bezel up pocket clip





Both lights throw really good with the E1b throwing better with 15 lumens more and the tighter beam. On my two lights the the E1b has a cooler tint than the L1.
The low on both lights work well for long runtimes. While I find the 10 lumens of the L1 bright enough for walks down a wooded path. I sometimes find it too bright for indoor use in a dark room. The 5 lumens of the E1b works well in a dark indoor room.


E1b

L1

[Hoghead]

Which one do you like better?

[bobofish]

You know that your dang review is just confusing me even more, right?
 

I had a very hard time finding the E1B in stores recently (even today I tried to track one down, and the one store I figured would guaranteed have one by now hadn't even heard of it) so I bought an L1.

I like everything about the L1 except for the clip; it's awkward to carry and my wife says I look like a dork with the entire bezel hanging out of my pocket. Also, it takes a little conscious effort to clip the thing to your pocket. I suppose if you had had clipped Surefires before you'd be used to it, but I haven't, so I'm not.

I love the momentary on of the L1, and I use it far far more than the constant on; for me it's a nice compromise that I can just twist it with one hand for the constant on.
I use the momentary all the time, and I've even trained my dog to come when I flash him; it's really nice to be able to do that instead of yell his name in the middle of the night when he's a little bit away from me.
I also figured I might be able to use it as a signal flash when I'm at the beach with my buddies, or even a manual SOS. (I thought about getting a Novatac because they have an SOS feature, but that's another ball of yarn)

In short, I want an L1 in an E1B body; a little smaller, a much better clip, and a tiny bit brighter. I'd content myself to keep everything the same if I could get an E1B clip, but that's problematic as well; I called Surefire and they said the clips were mutually exclusive and the new clip wouldn't fit on the L1; the guys at Candlepowerforums said that it would however.....so......one of these days I suppose I'll try.

And thanks for the review!

[prime77]

Which one do you like better?

I really can't pick which one I like better. I really like the two stage tailcap of the L1, but I like the pocket clip and slightly brighter output of the E1b.

You know that your dang review is just confusing me even more, right?

Sorry Bobofish. 
If you like your L1 then you will probably like the E1b. It has all the things you sound like what your looking for. Smaller, brighter, and a better clip.

[Spoonrobot]

Nice comparison.

I've come so close to ordering an L1 but always back out at the last minute. The E1B looks pretty neat but I am wondering how it feels in the hand, could you throw up a shot of it in-hand? Looks almost like it would be too small. 

[jzmtl]

Nice comparison.

I've come so close to ordering an L1 but always back out at the last minute. The E1B looks pretty neat but I am wondering how it feels in the hand, could you throw up a shot of it in-hand? Looks almost like it would be too small. 

I was in the same boat, but I ended up getting from CPFMP. There's always at least one for sale for 80~90 bucks, a lot easier to swallow than $136. I found the beam is a little too tight for my taste, virtually no spill.

Oh yeah, hate the clip too, virtually useless consider how much of the light is sticking out.

[prime77]

Nice comparison.

I've come so close to ordering an L1 but always back out at the last minute. The E1B looks pretty neat but I am wondering how it feels in the hand, could you throw up a shot of it in-hand? Looks almost like it would be too small. 

Not my hand but you can see the size. The lack of knurling, smaller size, and the "melted" body does make the E1b much more slippery than the L1.

[Spoonrobot]

Thanks for finding a picture for my lazy butt. Does look a little too insubstantial for me to EDC, I drop flashlights like nobodies business and like to have some bulk to improve my grip. Looks like I'll continue pining for the L1.

Where are you getting your GID O-rings?

[prime77]

Thanks for finding a picture for my lazy butt. Does look a little too insubstantial for me to EDC, I drop flashlights like nobodies business and like to have some bulk to improve my grip. Looks like I'll continue pining for the L1.

Where are you getting your GID O-rings?

I have dropped my my E1b twice and it has one mark to prove it. I got the GID O-rings from lighthound.com
http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=341

[NutSAK]

The E1B looks really nice.  I like the clip design.  I have a hard time deciding how I like clips--I like bezel-down carry, but I also like to be able to clip small lights to a hat brim for use as a headlamp.  It looks like you could to both with the E1B clip.  Can you confirm that?

[prime77]

The E1B looks really nice.  I like the clip design.  I have a hard time deciding how I like clips--I like bezel-down carry, but I also like to be able to clip small lights to a hat brim for use as a headlamp.  It looks like you could to both with the E1B clip.  Can you confirm that?

Yes I forgot to mention that. The E1b clip can be used to carry bezel up in your pocket, but it rides even higher than the L1. It does however clip nicely to the brim of your hat. In fact I did this the other night getting some stuff out of my car trunk.

[NutSAK]

Awesome--thanks.  That's the perfect clip, IMO.

This is the only drawback I can find to my Novatac 120P; I can't clip it to a hat brim.  Otherwise, it's the perfect EDC.  I may have to try a E1B though.  Can you find E1Bs with the diffused lens?  I really like a good deal of flood in an EDC light.

[bobofish]

Why get a built in diffused lens when for $8 you can buy a diffuser?

[NutSAK]

Why get a built in diffused lens when for $8 you can buy a diffuser?

Oh yeah.  I forgot about that.

[Hoghead]

Awesome--thanks.  That's the perfect clip, IMO.

This is the only drawback I can find to my Novatac 120P; I can't clip it to a hat brim.  Otherwise, it's the perfect EDC.  I may have to try a E1B though.  Can you find E1Bs with the diffused lens?  I really like a good deal of flood in an EDC light.

I moved the pocket clip on my 120P to the bezel. It now works as a headlamp.

It was a little tedious getting the bezel ring back on with the pocket clip because the pocket clip puts tension on the bezel ring while you're screwing it back on and there are only 2 or 3 threads in the bezel ring.

When the Novatic first came out someone on CPF did this and once I saw that it could be done I did this to mine right away. I removed the bezel ring by pressing the bezel ring into the lugs of a boot and turning.

After installing the clip on the head end my light didn't work at first. I had to get the bezel (or maybe it was the body) really tight for the light to work.

I have read that some couldn't get the bezel ring off, but you never know unless you try.

I have used mine like this since the 120P came out (how ever long that has been) without any problems.

Now to get back on topic.

I have both the L1 & E1B and I prefer E1B because of the pocket clip. If I didn't use the pocket clip I might choose the L1 because of the switch.

[NutSAK]

I've seen that solution too, but I don't feel it's a good idea.  As you mention, there are only a few threads, and the clip keeps the bezel from applying enough pressure against the lens for a good seal at the oring.

I've had my 120P completely apart.  None of the threads have thread locker on them anymore.

[jzmtl]

If I recall the stock o ring under lens is a washer, so if you change it to a regular tubular o ring you should be able to retain the watertight seal.

[Hoghead]

 I can understand you not doing this mod. There really aren't enough threads in the bezel.

I wouldn't have much use for the Novatac if I couldn't clip it to a cap for use as a temperary headlamp. This is my replacement for a ARC 4x. It is my backup light/headlamp/spare battery carrier.

I work outside in all weather and I've never had any problem with water getting in the light. It's a working tool if it dies, I'll just replace it.

The E1B can clip to a ball cap, but I like the way the 120P fits on a cap better and the wider beam is useful when using a headlamp.

[NutSAK]

If I recall the stock o ring under lens is a washer, so if you change it to a regular tubular o ring you should be able to retain the watertight seal.

The stock oring on mine is tubular, but I could go to a larger one as you mention.

I carry an ARC AAA-P or Fenix E01 as a backup.  They both have clips so I use them as a headlamp when I really need it.  For my uses, I typically just mouth hold the 120P for short periods of time that I need hands free.

[tango44]

Great review I really like the pics, I'm happy with my L1 it's my EDC but I want to get an E1B because of the clip I don't like to carry the bezel upside.

Do you own a Novatac EDC 120T?
 I can't decide what to buy between the E1b or the Novatac 120T, what do you recommend and if you have beam shot of the 120T please share.

Thanks for sharing your reviews.

EDIT: I removed the unneeded quote -- NutSAK

[prime77]

Great review I really like the pics, I'm happy with my L1 it's my EDC but I want to get an E1B because of the clip I don't like to carry the bezel upside.

Do you own a Novatac EDC 120T?
 I can't decide what to buy between the E1b or the Novatac 120T, what do you recommend and if you have beam shot of the 120T please share.

I don't have a Novatac so I can't compare the beams. Maybe NutSAK will comment but I remember him saying that the Novatac had one of the nicest beams out there.  The E1b uses a optic and the Novatac a reflector so they will have very different beams.

I forgot to mention that the E1b head will fit the E1L and E1e bodies so it you can find a head out there and have one of these bodies your in luck.

Heres some more shots.
With other 1 Cell lights

One E1L body

One E1e body

Clipped to the brim of my hat. It doesn't look like it's on there very good buts it clips tight and I can't get to fall off.