Surefire L1: still a great flashlight

[Geode]

Hi all,

Just bought a used stock L1 and look forward to receiving a Milky L1 floodmaster this week. There have been quite a few new and improved lights on the market the last couple years, but the form factor and functionality of the L1 is awesome, even when stacked up to the competition, IMO. Not the most keen on the TIROS setup, but otherwise it is still a heck of a flashlight.

 

[KDOG3]

I personally miss the 2cnd generation version. With the 22/1.1 lumen output that had the KL1 style optics. I really wish they'd return to that low, low they had. As I look back at all the lights I've owned, that was my favorite. Wish I still had it....

 

[ja10]

I personally miss the 2cnd generation version. With the 22/1.1 lumen output that had the KL1 style optics. I really wish they'd return to that low, low they had. As I look back at all the lights I've owned, that was my favorite. Wish I still had it....

The good news is that swapping the resistor is really easy.

I think the L1 switch is he best yet in terms of usability and durability.

 

[Kestrel]

I personally miss the 2cnd generation version. With the 22/1.1 lumen output that had the KL1 style optics. I really wish they'd return to that low, low they had.

I think the L1 switch is he best yet in terms of usability and durability.

+1 and +1. I have a 'user' Cree L1 but I am keeping my second Luxeon L1 'NIB' until it can find its way to Milky sometime...

 

[greenLED]

Heck yeah!! I love my L1's. Probably one of the best all-around flashlights made by SF.

 

[JNewell]

Agree, the pre-TIR models are my fave. I think we have a total of half a dozen in the family.

 

[mikekoz]

I have the latest version of this light, and I have just started using it again. It is simple and it works!! No pressing a switch 50x, twisting the head, and jumping through flamong hoops just to get it it up and running!. I find it interesting on what is hot...and what is not here on CPF. This light not too long ago was the talk of the board! It seemed every other thread was about it. Then it faded away and the Novatacs took over. They still pop up here in various discussions though. Then came the D10's and the E10's. Who knows what will be next!

Mike

 

[Blindasabat]

I love the simple UI, the optics, the E-series compatibility, and the ergonimics over the E1 (which is too thin to hold sometimes).
It is almost perfect. If they could come out with a way to have the press some for low, press more for high, and make it three level somehow (?don't ask ME how!?) then it would be even closer to perfect. I still need my ultralow.

 

[prof]

I love the simple UI, the optics, the E-series compatibility, and the ergonimics over the E1 (which is too thin to hold sometimes).
It is almost perfect. If they could come out with a way to have the press some for low, press more for high, and make it three level somehow (?don't ask ME how!?) then it would be even closer to perfect. I still need my ultralow.

I've been asking for a 3-level L1 for ages...and you hit exactly what I want! Low (1 lumen or so), medium (10-15) and high (max it out--if I can have an hour's runtime).

But I want the same interface--no multiple clicks, no rings to twist, just simple.

 

[Geode]

I agree with all of you posters about the simplicity of the UI and quality of the light.

Today, I just received the Milky L1 floodmaster - what a nice modification that Milky does! Really transforms the light. Why I "need" two L1s is beyond me, but at least one is the old school body and the other the Cree.

Maybe I will have the stock L1 modded too - "Once you go Milk, you never go back" or something like that.

 

[angelofwar]

No matter how much I "praise" my other lights, and fiddle with them around the house, my L1 is the one that i ALWAYS take with me...Anywhere...So, yeah, it must still be good!

 

[MarNav1]

I agree with all of you posters about the simplicity of the UI and quality of the light.

Today, I just received the Milky L1 floodmaster - what a nice modification that Milky does! Really transforms the light. Why I "need" two L1s is beyond me, but at least one is the old school body and the other the Cree.

Maybe I will have the stock L1 modded too - "Once you go Milk, you never go back" or something like that.

The same reason I need 9 of em in various forms from stock to mule. :laughing::naughty:

 

[Flying Turtle]

Comes about as close to perfect as any simple workhorse light. Maybe not as small or as bright or as complex as others I own, but it's still my overall "best".

Geoff

 

[Riddick]

I'll jump on this bandwagon

L1 LuxeonIII with that 1.1 lumen low is awesome!!! I've never made it to the 90 hr mark (seems I'll always drop in a new cell before it gets to that point)

And the 2 hr runtime on high 'aint to shabby either (yeah I know its only 22 lumens but it seems brighter than that to me, way more brighter than the 2-3D Maglite)

And the later Cree L1 :thumbsup::thumbsup: perfect edc

So I am very happy with the last couple of incarnations of the L1, I can't see any faults and both of my L1s have taken a little bit of abuse over the last few years, just top'em off with that FO4 beamdifuser.

Riddick

 

[KDOG3]

And the 2 hr runtime on high 'aint to shabby either (yeah I know its only 22 lumens but it seems brighter than that to me, way more brighter than the 2-3D Maglite)

Yeah, that 22 lumens was "Surefire Lumens" too, so it was more like 30-ish real lumens.


I really wish we could "commision" Surefire to make a special edition L1 for us CPF'ers. I don't mind the new design, looks good actually - but of course with that 1.1 lumen low and no more than a 40 lumen high ("Surefire lumens" of course :naughty.

Hmmmm, I may start a new thread on that! I wonder what the minimum order would have to be? Maybe I'll add a poll.....

 

[ja10]

Yeah, that 22 lumens was "Surefire Lumens" too, so it was more like 30-ish real lumens.


I really wish we could "commision" Surefire to make a special edition L1 for us CPF'ers. I don't mind the new design, looks good actually - but of course with that 1.1 lumen low and no more than a 40 lumen high ("Surefire lumens" of course :naughty.

Hmmmm, I may start a new thread on that! I wonder what the minimum order would have to be? Maybe I'll add a poll.....

Singe cell, low-low, 40 lumen high, long runtime ... that's the current E1L (45/3 with 8.5 hrs runtime on high). I think the point of the Lumamax series is to push the limit on output while still having usable runtime. The Outdoorsman series will push the limits of runtime while still having usable output.

Switch preferences aside it sounds like the E1L or E2L fit your needs better.

 

[manoloco]

Singe cell, low-low, 40 lumen high, long runtime ... that's the current E1L (45/3 with 8.5 hrs runtime on high). I think the point of the Lumamax series is to push the limit on output while still having usable runtime. The Outdoorsman series will push the limits of runtime while still having usable output.

Switch preferences aside it sounds like the E1L or E2L fit your needs better.

and if you want the same UI you can add a McE2s to any E-series body.

 

[Riddick]

I'll take look at that McE2s. gotta link or should I just google it?

 

[greenLED]

woops... too many open tabs.

 

[Riddick]

I'm still up for this!!!