Here we go:
Please be aware that the photos do not show exactly what the human eye can see in the night, so especially the weaker lamps are a bit underrepresented on the outdoor pics, which means, the lamps are better than it seems.
But anyway it helps to compare them.
E1:
Remarkable tight spot. Compared to the G2 the E1 has a astonishing good light range.
E1 LED:
The smallest of the LED solutions which had been tested here. Sorry for missing the ARC LS in this test, but it wasn´t available at the moment.
G2:
The biggest difference to the E1 is the very wide beam of the G2.
A2:
The LEDs are definetely weaker than the Inova X5T in brigtness and range.
With Xenon it seems brighter than the G2.
L4:
Absolutely marvellous! The dark alley seems to be touched by daylight, very bright and without shadow zones.
The width of the beam is a lot better than the A2, but of course the Xenon light of the A2 has a better range than the L4. But on the first half of the distance the L4 gives the better light (up to about 60m).
Within this test the lamp with the best ratio between size and power.
The click switch works a little other than the twist switches from the other Surefires, which took me a little time to get used to.
Unlucky it hasn´t a moon mode like the L1, otherwise I would have ordered one immediately for me.
With weak batteries the L4 changes to a kind of eco mode which provides weaker light for a few more hours.
L1:
A little less weight and size than the Inova X5T, but more powerful.
Moon mode acivated by pressing the switch only the half.
Both the moon- and the normal mode are to be put on permanent by twisting the switch.
No remarkable difference to the E1 with LED-head.
Reaches almost as far as the L4, but of course with a lot less power.
M2 Xenon:
Does not reach much farer than the A2, but at half the distance brighter and wider beam.
M2 LED:
Nearly no distance in brightness compeared to the L1 or E1 LED, but also a little wider beam than both these.
All in all it was a surprise for me that it was not easy to get a favourite lamp for my own after the testing. I didn´t expect that; I was sure I would by at least one other for me.
I very often carry me E1 when walking with my dog, and as she always checks everything if it could be eaten, which I want to prevent, of course, the E1 is a great help. Dog´s nose and the ground are pretty weel defined to see, but it´s not too tactical to make her blind for the rest of the walk. ;-)
And other dogs or people coming out of the dark in the distance are better visible with my E1 than with any LED (except the L4, of course).
As I said, the L4 is a lot brighter, but I don´t want to attack my dog with that.
I really was sorry that the A2´s LEDs were that decisive amount weaker than the Inova X5T, otherwise I would have ordered one (I expected her to get my favourite before the test.)
The M2 only makes sense with Xenon. The LED conversion is only a nice gadget, but no reason to buy this lamp.
If you don´t need the shock-proof housing, any smaller Xenon (A2, E2, G2) should do it, too.
With the lamps as they are, I would make my choice between the power of a L4 and the versatility of a L1, because the A2´s LEDs seem to weak for me.
If I had a wish, it would be a L4 with a moon mode! This would be all I would need, I´d say.
So, even if I can´t give you a best lamp, I hope I could give a little help when it comes to make a choice for you.
