night.hoodie
Enlightened
L1 Fact Sheet
I have read through many of the gushing L1 threads, and most there agree: they like their L1. But the conspiracy, if one exists, seems to be L1 are so desired, those that know only share in general terms what it is that makes sales of certain gens like a melee of mothers caught in a mortal Black Thursday scuffle at the Cabbage Patch or Beanie Baby isle. And I can't figure it out, because I never get to see one or hold or use one.
What I think I know that is compelling is that the head threads are E-series compatible, and the tail threads are (please correct if I am mistaken) C-series compatible, making L-series a unique host among what Surefire ever manufactured or sold. Further, many (all?) are fitted with a twisty/momentary tail switch that includes a resistor to allow for direct access to 2 modes merely by the travel of pressing the tactical momentary button, similar in concept to the incan A2 Aviator or McGizmo's McE2S, often called "2-speed."
I have an appreciation for 2-mode lights, for their simplicity and versatility. But I don't think that is what makes the L1 so highly desired. I get the feeling many wish to permanently modify the light to suit their preference, which includes removing the driver and boring the body to accept a larger cell, but this is only certain gens, I believe 1 through 3. The 5th gen seems to be the redheaded step child, and the 6th gen, at least to me, seems like an easy mod to give your E-series Elite head a C-series tail.
But I don't know what I am talking about, because isn't there an LED driver in the body? Is this true for all L1 gens, including the shorter 6th gen? That driver, I would expect, is fixed, and doesn't just fall or push out intact, but if you want it removed, isn't the driver more or less useless or destroyed? I see that the gen 1 has a smooth bezel and an attractive cup-shape, but what can you do with that? Isn't the LED fixed in the head of all gens?
I think what I am asking here is, if the desire to lego or mod them to personal preference is what makes the format highly desired, if there is more than one, what are all the different possible modifications (what do the mods give you)? And what does it take to achieve these different modifications? Can any of the mods or legos be achieved without power tools and permanent alterations?
Also, the E-series thread compatibility of the head threads raises a question I haven't seen answered: is there a retro incan mod for the L1? Can you just screw an incan Elite head and lamp onto an unmodified L1 and get a functional light? I would not expect this to work. Seems to me the prize would be achieving a 2-speed incan, but I have seen threads discouraging that idea as difficult to impossible to possibly dangerous using a (presumably, replaced with more appropriate) tailcap resistor.
I realize many of those that know will not speak for fear of increasing the difficulty of acquiring their beloved, no longer produced, model. If any of the owners or previous owners of modified L1 LumaMax, however, wish to come out of the woods and share the secrets of their modifications, risking that this may increase the difficulty of procuring more L1, I doubt I am the only one that would appreciate it, and I would call them noble, honorable, and brave.
Appreciated also if reverse psychology is avoided: "the 1st gen L1 was a real piece of garbage, worthless, complete junk... let me know if you wish to recycle," etc.
TIA
I have read through many of the gushing L1 threads, and most there agree: they like their L1. But the conspiracy, if one exists, seems to be L1 are so desired, those that know only share in general terms what it is that makes sales of certain gens like a melee of mothers caught in a mortal Black Thursday scuffle at the Cabbage Patch or Beanie Baby isle. And I can't figure it out, because I never get to see one or hold or use one.
What I think I know that is compelling is that the head threads are E-series compatible, and the tail threads are (please correct if I am mistaken) C-series compatible, making L-series a unique host among what Surefire ever manufactured or sold. Further, many (all?) are fitted with a twisty/momentary tail switch that includes a resistor to allow for direct access to 2 modes merely by the travel of pressing the tactical momentary button, similar in concept to the incan A2 Aviator or McGizmo's McE2S, often called "2-speed."
I have an appreciation for 2-mode lights, for their simplicity and versatility. But I don't think that is what makes the L1 so highly desired. I get the feeling many wish to permanently modify the light to suit their preference, which includes removing the driver and boring the body to accept a larger cell, but this is only certain gens, I believe 1 through 3. The 5th gen seems to be the redheaded step child, and the 6th gen, at least to me, seems like an easy mod to give your E-series Elite head a C-series tail.
But I don't know what I am talking about, because isn't there an LED driver in the body? Is this true for all L1 gens, including the shorter 6th gen? That driver, I would expect, is fixed, and doesn't just fall or push out intact, but if you want it removed, isn't the driver more or less useless or destroyed? I see that the gen 1 has a smooth bezel and an attractive cup-shape, but what can you do with that? Isn't the LED fixed in the head of all gens?
I think what I am asking here is, if the desire to lego or mod them to personal preference is what makes the format highly desired, if there is more than one, what are all the different possible modifications (what do the mods give you)? And what does it take to achieve these different modifications? Can any of the mods or legos be achieved without power tools and permanent alterations?
Also, the E-series thread compatibility of the head threads raises a question I haven't seen answered: is there a retro incan mod for the L1? Can you just screw an incan Elite head and lamp onto an unmodified L1 and get a functional light? I would not expect this to work. Seems to me the prize would be achieving a 2-speed incan, but I have seen threads discouraging that idea as difficult to impossible to possibly dangerous using a (presumably, replaced with more appropriate) tailcap resistor.
I realize many of those that know will not speak for fear of increasing the difficulty of acquiring their beloved, no longer produced, model. If any of the owners or previous owners of modified L1 LumaMax, however, wish to come out of the woods and share the secrets of their modifications, risking that this may increase the difficulty of procuring more L1, I doubt I am the only one that would appreciate it, and I would call them noble, honorable, and brave.
Appreciated also if reverse psychology is avoided: "the 1st gen L1 was a real piece of garbage, worthless, complete junk... let me know if you wish to recycle," etc.
TIA
