Sorry to resurrect a slightly old thread. I picked up an E1B and E2D defender from opticshq last month. My only other surefires before this were an outdoorsman and a G2L.
The E1B is very very bright. The difference in brightness between the E1B and E2D is not highly noticible. For a small, 1...
One small additional comment (since I have been comparing these two lights for my next purchase).. the "natural" finish of the LX2 is actually a Hard Anodized finish. So it may be somewhat more wear resistant than the normal black anodizing of the E2DL.