cslinger
Member
Like most gun guys I also have a slight case of flashlight obsession as well. This goes all the way back to when I was a little kid. Portable light just fascinates me and I really like flashlights. So I figured I would post my experience with my higher end lights that I have in case anybody is looking to buy such a beast.
The follow is a picture of the lights in question lined up to show size comparison.
From left to right is a Streamlight TL2, Inova T1, Inova X5T, Inova T2, Inova X03 with T3 tailcap, Surefire E1L, Surefire L1(White) and a Surefire A2 Aviator(White)
First the Streamlight TL2. Costs about $50.00 and puts out a massive amount of light. It is rated at 105 Lumens out of the box and I gotta tell you it does put out a heck of a lot of light. It isn't as pretty of a beam as say a Surefire P60/P61 lamp but for the money it is tough to beat. I have pocket carried this with relative ease. It has been banged around quite a bit and the finish doesn't show any nicks or scratches.
Next we have the Inova T1. I love this light. It is a small one battery light that is just great for pocket carry. It is listed as putting out around 30 lumens of light and when compared to products from Surefire with similar output it seems as though Inova is rating their products close to how Surefire rates theirs so I believe the light is putting out somewhere between 25-30 lumens. It really throws well for a LED based light and is tough as nails. My only complaint is the finish seems to wear easily. All of my Inova's exhibet spectacular run time. The T1 will run for a good 2 hours at what seems like full brightness.
Next is the Inova X5 this is a five LED general purpose light. It puts out a nice soft flood of light that is perfect for a general purpose light. Inova rates it's runtime at 20 hours. I have three of these and my first is about a year and three months old and is still on the first set of batteries and as bright as my newer ones. This is one of my more used lights around the house. Big thumbs up to the X5T.
Next we have the Inova T2 a two cell version of the T1. Same beam, a bit brighter actually 35-40 lumenish, little better throw and a regulated 5 hour run time. I have two of these and have been running one quite a bit and it shows no signs of dimming. Too big for pocket carry but a great little light for outdoors and around the house. The focused beam will blind you if your eyes are adjusted to low light.
Next we have the Inova X03 with a T series pushbutton tailcap. This sucker puts out some light for a LED light. It throws like a beast too. It uses two batteries and is supposed to be regulated for two hours or so. I have played with this one quite a bit as well and it shows no signs of dimming. This is definitely tactical level bright but is a pretty big light as well. Once again no problems except the finish, like all my Inovas could be a little tougher.
Now for the Surefires. The first is an E1L or LED version of the E1E. This is my carry light. I love this little guy even more than the T1. The finish is great, I could drag it behind the car and I don't think it would get messed up. It is definitely completely waterproof, I love the switch and for it's size really throws a beam of light. It is rated at around 25 lumens and compares to the T1 in brightness. It is a one cell light. One downside is the light has very little spill and is more of a spot light and up close has a square beam pattern in the hot spot. I personally for me, haven't found a better all around carry light.
Next is the Surefire L1 Lumamax in white. It is a two stage one cell LED light with either 15-20 lumens of light or a low low level mode. The low level mode is actually very usable around the house in doors and even has decent throw. The high level is closer to my E1L so is probably closer to 25 to 30 lumens in output. Once again it is a spot light not a flood at all. The low stage is said to run for 50 hours and I have talked to folks who have run it for 25+ hours and got bored so this makes a great emergency light that has the option of a bright beam of light as needed.
Finally we have the Surefire A2 Aviator. I am a little biased towards LEDs but realize the incandescents have certain advantages. This light is quickly becoming my favorite for it's best of both worlds approach. The LEDs put out a soft flood of white light, although tinged a bit blue, and the incandescent throws out an intense beam rated at 50 lumens but it seems as bright as most 60 lumen G2s. The cool thing is the incan. light is regulated which means you should have the same light level for 45-60 minutes instead of having it trail off quickly like in non regulated models. I really feel like this is one of the best all around lights I have ever used. Like the L1 you have long a long running LED option for low output or emergency situations and a super bright light for long distance applications. This guy gets two big thumbs up from me. I just wish they made it in a one cell size as well so I could carry it easily.
Well that's my quick review of my better lights. I hope this helps anybody looking for a good light or who just wants a new toy.
Chris
The follow is a picture of the lights in question lined up to show size comparison.
From left to right is a Streamlight TL2, Inova T1, Inova X5T, Inova T2, Inova X03 with T3 tailcap, Surefire E1L, Surefire L1(White) and a Surefire A2 Aviator(White)
First the Streamlight TL2. Costs about $50.00 and puts out a massive amount of light. It is rated at 105 Lumens out of the box and I gotta tell you it does put out a heck of a lot of light. It isn't as pretty of a beam as say a Surefire P60/P61 lamp but for the money it is tough to beat. I have pocket carried this with relative ease. It has been banged around quite a bit and the finish doesn't show any nicks or scratches.
Next we have the Inova T1. I love this light. It is a small one battery light that is just great for pocket carry. It is listed as putting out around 30 lumens of light and when compared to products from Surefire with similar output it seems as though Inova is rating their products close to how Surefire rates theirs so I believe the light is putting out somewhere between 25-30 lumens. It really throws well for a LED based light and is tough as nails. My only complaint is the finish seems to wear easily. All of my Inova's exhibet spectacular run time. The T1 will run for a good 2 hours at what seems like full brightness.
Next is the Inova X5 this is a five LED general purpose light. It puts out a nice soft flood of light that is perfect for a general purpose light. Inova rates it's runtime at 20 hours. I have three of these and my first is about a year and three months old and is still on the first set of batteries and as bright as my newer ones. This is one of my more used lights around the house. Big thumbs up to the X5T.
Next we have the Inova T2 a two cell version of the T1. Same beam, a bit brighter actually 35-40 lumenish, little better throw and a regulated 5 hour run time. I have two of these and have been running one quite a bit and it shows no signs of dimming. Too big for pocket carry but a great little light for outdoors and around the house. The focused beam will blind you if your eyes are adjusted to low light.
Next we have the Inova X03 with a T series pushbutton tailcap. This sucker puts out some light for a LED light. It throws like a beast too. It uses two batteries and is supposed to be regulated for two hours or so. I have played with this one quite a bit as well and it shows no signs of dimming. This is definitely tactical level bright but is a pretty big light as well. Once again no problems except the finish, like all my Inovas could be a little tougher.
Now for the Surefires. The first is an E1L or LED version of the E1E. This is my carry light. I love this little guy even more than the T1. The finish is great, I could drag it behind the car and I don't think it would get messed up. It is definitely completely waterproof, I love the switch and for it's size really throws a beam of light. It is rated at around 25 lumens and compares to the T1 in brightness. It is a one cell light. One downside is the light has very little spill and is more of a spot light and up close has a square beam pattern in the hot spot. I personally for me, haven't found a better all around carry light.
Next is the Surefire L1 Lumamax in white. It is a two stage one cell LED light with either 15-20 lumens of light or a low low level mode. The low level mode is actually very usable around the house in doors and even has decent throw. The high level is closer to my E1L so is probably closer to 25 to 30 lumens in output. Once again it is a spot light not a flood at all. The low stage is said to run for 50 hours and I have talked to folks who have run it for 25+ hours and got bored so this makes a great emergency light that has the option of a bright beam of light as needed.
Finally we have the Surefire A2 Aviator. I am a little biased towards LEDs but realize the incandescents have certain advantages. This light is quickly becoming my favorite for it's best of both worlds approach. The LEDs put out a soft flood of white light, although tinged a bit blue, and the incandescent throws out an intense beam rated at 50 lumens but it seems as bright as most 60 lumen G2s. The cool thing is the incan. light is regulated which means you should have the same light level for 45-60 minutes instead of having it trail off quickly like in non regulated models. I really feel like this is one of the best all around lights I have ever used. Like the L1 you have long a long running LED option for low output or emergency situations and a super bright light for long distance applications. This guy gets two big thumbs up from me. I just wish they made it in a one cell size as well so I could carry it easily.
Well that's my quick review of my better lights. I hope this helps anybody looking for a good light or who just wants a new toy.
Chris
