SureFire E1B Backup Dual-Output, Extended-Runtime LED Flashlight

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Our Price: $149.00

Product Code: 217-00678

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Standout Features

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Law enforcement called for backup, and SureFire answered the call-with sirens blazing. The new E1B Backup, designed as an everyday-carry light for undercover police officers, or as a secondary light for uniformed officers, is a powerful, pocket-sized flashlight that's always at the ready.

The Backup features a two-stage, virtually indestructible LED. On high, it generates a tightly focused, tactical-level 80-lumen beam that's perfect for searching or overwhelming a bad guy's night-adapted vision. On low, its five lumens are just the right amount of light for close-quarter work like checking IDs or writing citations. And because in high-stress situations, where seconds count, you don't have time to fumble with a switch to get maximum power, the Backup's two-state, click-on/off tailcap is programmed to deliver all 80 of its lumens when you fully depress it.

The tough but tiny Backup runs for 37 hours on a single lithium 123A battery; is built from aerospace-grade aluminum that's hard anodized with a Mil-Spec Type III black finish; and is 0-ring sealed to keep dust, dirt, and moisture out. And to make the Backup a near-perfect undercover flashlight, its sleek, "melted" body has no knurling or sharp edges to catch on or destroy clothing, and a sturdy, two-way pocket clip lets you carry the flashlight bezel up or bezel down, whichever you prefer.

Count on the E1B Backup to have your back no matter what the call - be it a crime scene, undercover work, or one last walk for your pooch before bedtime.

Features

Dual-output, microprocessor-controlled, virtually indestructible LED

TIR lens produces tightly focused beam with enough secondary light to accommodate periperal vision

Coated, impact-resistant Pyrex window protects lens and LED and helps maximize light transmission

Compression-resistant 0-ring seals for weatherproofing

Aerospace-grade aluminum body with Mil-Spec Type III hard anodizing in black

"Melted" styling and flutes instead of knurling help save clothing and resist snagging

Sturdy, two-way pocket clip lets you carry flashlight bezel up or down

Tailcap switch: click for constant-on at high setting; click on, then off and back on again within two seconds for low setting

Patented lockout feature prevents accidental activation

Stats:

Max Output:
High: 80 lumens
Low: 5 lumens

Runtime
High: 1.3 hours
Low: 37 hours

Weight
2.8 oz. (w/batt.)

Length
4.0"

Bezel
1.0" (diam.)

Batteries
1-123A lithium (incl.)

Expert Review
This expert review courtesy of Mil-Spec Monkey!

I first saw this lil' guy at Shotshow 2008 and ever since I've been wanting one. The original intent was for everyday carry for undercover police officers or as a backup light for those who already carry a big boy flashlight. It is only 4 inches long and uses 1 CR123 battery yet is still able to produce 80 lumens for 1.3 hours or 5 lumens in its low setting for 37 hours. They call the exterior shape "melted" styling which generally means it was created with as few snag points as possible. The body and clip are specifically made to be easy on your clothing, while still having a decent grip. I remembered hearing that the clip was reversible and one could mount the E1B bezel up or down, thus felt stupid when I could not figure out how to do bezel up . After some futile attempts to move the clip, I found out one still uses the clip as is, however they use the slot that the space between the clip and body makes. An example of this can be seen on my hat mounted picture:

When first turned on the E1B defaults to tactical high-power. If engaged again in under about 1.5 seconds, the light goes into low power mode. This way you can still blind someone in a low light situation, yet also be able to put it in a low power good for reading maps with. The main tailcap button can be half pressed to engage as long as button is held or full press till clicked to toggle the light into constant on/off mode. The tailcap can be slightly turned off to put the light in a safe off mode to make sure the batteries are not accidentally drained. As usual with many surefire products, the E1B is made with highly durable materials ready to take abuse and keep on going.

To compare the E1B to a somewhat similar product I got out my Novatac 120T. The 120T is shorter, but has more thickness and is definitely not made to be easy on the pants. When it comes to the classic dark wall test, the E1B appears to have more throw with a hotspot while the 120 is a little more diffused. I did wish the E1B had the strobe feature of the 120T, but that perhaps would have made the usage interface more difficult for the intended design demographic.

Overall I think the E1B is as rad as I thought it would be. I have been carrying it everyday as my general purpose light and the small size makes it quite easy to always have around. The run time isn't quite enough to go on a big tactical adventure with, which is why they call it the backup light, but it still packs quite a punch for the hour + it can be on. For the common person it makes a great defense light to blind hasslers and make a hasty extraction.

As a quick piggie-back update, the G2L now comes with an aluminum bezel to disipate heat quicker and to allow long run times without the worry of melting. The output for the G2L-BK with the Nitrolon bezel started at a maximum output of 80 lumens, leveling to a regulated output of 50 lumens. The G2L-BK with the aluminum bezel starts at a maximum output of 80 lumens and sustains a regulated output of 60 lumens. The total runtime of 12 hours will remain the same.