> I was actually thinking about a L1 Lumamax.

I have one. I hate it.

I researched it before buying and probably came to the same conclusion as you. LED with two levels, one for bright and one for battery life, seemed ideal. The problem is that it has a narrow beam with no spill. If you are walking down a forest path at night, the low beam gives a faint spot of light which is useless for anything. The high beam gives a brighter spot that blinds you to anything outside of it. The spot is less than a foot across, so you can't see ahead to where you're going at the same time as seeing what you're feet are actually walking on.

The L1 does have good throw - that is, the ability to illuminate at a distance. The low beam isn't bright enough for that, but over distance the high beam spreads out a bit and can light up a reasonable - though still smallish - area. But by "good throw" I really mean good for an LED. Incandescents generally beat LEDs for throw. I dug my old cheapish incandescent torch out of my car, and it has better throw and also a more useable spill. I suspect you need to spend a lot of money to get an LED that can compete (I keep looking longingly at the SF U2). And even then you'll get more glare from fog or mist.

Frankly, if I am going for a walk at night I'd rather take a tiny Photon Freedom keyring light than the L1.

I am told that the fix is to buy a beamshaper, which spreads the spot of light around a bit. I've not been able to source one. Surefire want another $30 for shipping a $12 part, and no dealers seem to have them in stock (including Lighthound). Also I am concerned it will seem like an engineering bodge. Extra weight and length on a torch which is already big compared to other single-cell lights.

The build quality of the L1 is good, and it's not put me off Surefire, but I can't recommend it, especially not without the beamshaper. And it's not cheap.

Currently I carry an Orb Raw for casual use - it's not a survival light by any means, but it's much smaller, much brighter and has much a better beam than the L1. I carry a Photon Freedom as backup - this is the light I actually trust. I have a Zipka+ headlamp which I also trust - a hands-free light is really useful if have to work in the dark, and its batteries last over 100 hours. Those three together probably cost less than the L1.

I notice Doug Ritter mentions an L1 in his waist pack. Be aware that Surefire changed the design of the L1. Earlier models are apparently less bright but with a better beam shape. I suspect the people who like the L1 either have one of those, or else have the beamshaper; I don't know if Doug would agree.