Surefire E1D Defender

Oct 29, 2014,00:05 AM
 

The Surefire E1D LED Defender...

One of the handiest things to have is a flashlight.  Over the years technology has improved to where the use of LED's and battery technology produces a longer lasting higher output light.  One of the brands that I have always used is Surefire.  They started out as Laser Products Corporation ( a spin off of the Newport Corporation) out in Fountain valley, California.  In 1985, they released the Surefire brand of WML (Weapons Mounted Light) and have been doing so with much success to this day.

My first Surefire, a (N and 8X rechargeables, were amazing.  It was significantly brighter than those giant D-cell Maglite that were popular during that era.  The 8X was 1/4 the size and a much cleaner and whiter output.  Construction of the body and lamp was noticeably more robust.  Back then not many people understood why you spend so much in a light but once you used one, it'd be difficult to not have a Surefire.

The past few years the market was flooded with a lot of makers of tactical lights.  You can find lights with insanely high lumens and all kinds of switch options and functions.  Plus the CR123A lithium battery is now common and widely available.  


While my 9N and 8X have served me well, they used the old Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries which are no longer made.  The lamps are the incandescent  bulb, while 110 lumens back in the 90's was considered bright, it cannot match the output of LED's.  I picked up a couple of the Surefire Fury models (  http://timeout.watchprosite.com/show-forumpost/fi-686/pi-5682348/ti-838838/s-0/t-timeout-my-new-lightsaber-surefire-fury/  wink and was extremely happy with it.  Since I've been traveling again, I decided to replace my carry campanion (a Surefire E1L Outdoorsman) with one of the newer and brighter ones....a Surefire E1D LED Defender:


(Top:  E1L Outdoorsman, Middle: E1D, Bottom: E2D Defender)




Like the other Surefires, these use the 123A lithium batteries.  The advantage is that they have a 10 year shelf life so they are ready when you need them.  Another is that if you use their X300 or X400 WML's you can carry some 123A as backups.

At 4.25" in length, it is a little bit longer than the E1L  that I used:




The aluminum bodied E1D is black anodized and weighs in at 3.1 ounces.




The tailcap has a strike bezel which doubles as a protective feature to prevent it from accidentally turned on.  The push button is multi function, once for the low ( 5 lumens) and double press for the high ( 300 lumen) outputs.  If you press it all the way in, it locks the switch to the on position.




The clip comes in handy to attach to a pocket or pouch.  On the tailcap are holes for landyards or keychain attachment.




The bezel measures 1.125" and has a defensive use design.




On a single cell, the 300 lumen output will give you a runtime of 1.2 hours while you can run the E1D for 47 hours on the lower 5 lumen output.




The E1D has checkering/knurling for a non slip grip.




Fit and construction is one of the reasons why people trust their lives to a Surefire.




Flat spots on the E1D prevent the light from rolling around when you put it down.  I wish my Fury P2X had this designed into it.





I liked the new E1D's so much I got 2!









If you are looking for a well made and durable ultra compact light, the Surefire E1D LED Defender is for you.
-MW

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I'm a fan of Surefire

 
 By: ED209 : October 30th, 2014-22:40
Great review. I've been a fan of Surefire products for many years. I like the new E1D, but wish it was as small as the classic e1e executive. And the serrations are a little too rough for every day carry because it will rip up your pants pockets. But over... 

excellent observation...

 
 By: DRMW : October 31st, 2014-00:05
The strike bezel is a bit sharp. I'm getting some rechargeable 123's so I''l update how well they work compared to the lithium ones. HAGWE ED-209! -MW