Update surefire L1

[Brianv1980]

I have an old surefire L1. Served me excellently for years. I have a few new lights with crazy output. Looking for someone to suggest a head replacement that will retain dual output but looking for a similar beam to the original l1 but 12-1500 max output.

Lumens factory has a 800 output and I like the head for my L2 but would like more output.

TIA

 

[Kestrel]

Which gen of L1; various models put the driver in the body vs in the head; the last Gen had a decently aggressive driver, but there are still all sorts of limitations. A pic would be helpful, thx.

My modded (Gen 6) L1's are very nice with XPL-sized emitters, but certainly not at that level of output.

 

[Brianv1980]

Honestly not sure of gen. I can get a pic when I get home.

 

[Brianv1980]

 

[Brianv1980]

View attachment 95346View attachment 95348

 

[troutpool]

It looks like a Gen 5 to me. See post #10 in this thread: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/the-surefire-l1-evolution.151425/.

Nice light. I would write directly to a modder like SkyLumen and see what they have to say.

 

[Kestrel]

Yup, looks like Gen5 to me as well;

Note that the driver module is in the body, and happens to be the exact same size as a CR123 cell.
This means that upon removal (plus boring out the aluminum divider partition), the body that was originally designed to take 1xCR123 could then take 2xIMR123 or 1x16650.
This opens up some serious fueling & performance options.

I actually have a ex-NIP Gen5 in this exact state at the moment, so I'm pretty familiar with its details.
At some point I was also hoping to do a head upgrade; just hasn't been a priority for quite a while now.

Edit: I would also be interested in any front end upgrades from LF, and would be very curious as to what you might have come across; the L-series (unlike the E-series) was always a bit of an odd duck and harder to fit for ...

Pic of my L-series collection attached, for 'street cred' lol; my Gen5 L1 is the second from left.

 

[Kestrel]

Aha, I found my pic series on the L1 in question;

 

[Brianv1980]

It looks like a Gen 5 to me. See post #10 in this thread: https://www.candlepowerforums.com/threads/the-surefire-l1-evolution.151425/.

Nice light. I would write directly to a modder like SkyLumen and see what they have to say.

Crazy post 10 is the original modder of my ML1 that I will not touch Shame he went sideways.

 

[Brianv1980]

Yup, looks like Gen5 to me as well;

Note that the driver module is in the body, and happens to be the exact same size as a CR123 cell.
This means that upon removal (plus boring out the aluminum divider partition), the body that was originally designed to take 1xCR123 could then take 2xIMR123 or 1x16650.
This opens up some serious fueling & performance options.

I actually have a ex-NIP Gen5 in this exact state at the moment, so I'm pretty familiar with its details.
At some point I was also hoping to do a head upgrade; just hasn't been a priority for quite a while now.

Edit: I would also be interested in any front end upgrades from LF, and would be very curious as to what you might have come across; the L-series (unlike the E-series) was always a bit of an odd duck and harder to fit for ...

Pic of my L-series collection attached, for 'street cred' lol; my Gen5 L1 is the second from left.

At least I am not the only one that loves the old L series. I have a 4 flat ML1 (won’t touch it just love it and use it). Apparently a gen 5 L1 stock. A L2 with a lumens factory head permanently attached to my hiking pack. And a L4 (still stock)

Gonna try to upgrade my L1 then my L4

Edit. For the record my L4 looks identical the the L1 what gen would that one be

 

[troutpool]

Please report your progress updating the L1 when there is progress to report.

 

[Brianv1980]

Guessing no modders are left????

 

[troutpool]

Write to Vinh at skylumen.com. His email address is at the very top of each page of his site. He should be able to help you.

 

[Brianv1980]

Guessing he is legit and reputable???

Write to Vinh at skylumen.com. His email address is at the very top of each page of his site. He should be able to help you.

 

[Brianv1980]

So I reached out to Vinh and for a full build with led and driver batteries and charger I would be at $125. That would give me about 1000 lumens and programmable settings up to 6 outputs.

Lumen factory has a replacement head kl4 about 800 lumens with no other mods and would be about 70 + shipping

Any other options??? Any input. Am I insane for dropping 125 on a 20 year old light.

 

[RWT1405]

So I reached out to Vinh and for a full build with led and driver batteries and charger I would be at $125. That would give me about 1000 lumens and programmable settings up to 6 outputs.

Lumen factory has a replacement head kl4 about 800 lumens with no other mods and would be about 70 + shipping

Any other options??? Any input. Am I insane for dropping 125 on a 20 year old light.

My experience is that you will get approx. 1/2 - 2/3 of the stated lumens, from the Lumen Factory head

 

[Brianv1980]

My experience is that you will get NO where near 800 lumens, from the Lumen Factory head

Figure around 1/2 of what they state, if that

I have a head from them for my L2 and I agree it would assume it’s around 500. Obviously more than the stock but not a powerhouse.

 

[RWT1405]

I have a head from them for my L2 and I agree it would assume it’s around 500. Obviously more than the stock but not a powerhouse.

Like you said, 500 is a BIG improvement!

 

[nfetterly]

Later to party, but I second sending it to Vinh. He's legit. And I think an L1 is a great platform - old doesn't mean bad.
Last week I picked up a converted (to wrist watch) pocket watch with the movement from 1902.

 

[Kestrel]

[...] Lumen factory has a replacement head kl4 about 800 lumens with no other mods and would be about 70 + shipping

Sorry if I'm derailing things just a little (I did post helpful info earlier, lol);
But can someone confirm that head will work with the L-series, not just the E-series (which most aftermarket parts are for).
Note that many of the L-series had a driver in the body, while all the E's had their driver in the head unit.
And, how well it handles the low level (i.e. resistor engaged), which none of the E's did.

I would be interested in trying this, but really don't want to bother unless I know it would work with a driver-less L body, and the atypical resistored L-series two-level tailcaps.
Thanks,