Thanks for bringing this up! Right now I’m pretty much trying to decide between these two lights. I sure don’t want to argue with you, but I’m interested in discussing some of the points you brought up, if you don’t mind. Re. tint, I know it’s a big deal to some people, and not a big deal to others. Personally, I’ve found I really like using lights with neutral-to-warm tints, and I tend to avoid lights with cool tints. The cool/blue color is less pleasant for me to look at, generally less accurate at showing true colors, and it also seems to glare more off slightly shiny surfaces, making the light less useful IMO. Definitely an opinion, but it seems to be a common opinion around here, so I’d argue that tint is a pretty big deal when considering excitement about a new light.
Good point, and a potentially valuable feature! Maybe the biggest objective feature in favor of the S70. (Other features, at least those we know so far, seem to be matters of subjective preference.) Point to S70.
Probably, but we haven’t seen side-by-side beamshots AFAIK. Also a matter of preference, depending on your intended use of the light, so not an objective “better/worse” issue. Bigger head might be a downside for some, when considering storage or portability (not that either of these are pocketable lights…) Neutral, no points awarded.
Do we know that for sure yet? Thorfire is definitely great about including useful spare parts, but we’re usually talking about a few dollars worth of extras, so not a huge deal on the scale of purchasing these lights. Potential small point to Thorfire, depending on final offerings included with L6? (Maybe I missed where this was finalized; definitely haven’t seen a side-by-side of included accessories.)
Yes, but only by about $5 after respective coupons. ~9% discount (IIRC) is notable, but for most people a $5 discount isn’t a deal-changer on a >$50 light, if there are other subjective preferences pushing one way or the other. Still, this point clearly goes to the S70.
Eeesh - here we disagree! I’ve accidentally found “hidden” strobe/SOS modes on other lights, and find them useless and distracting. If a mode is so well-hidden such that it won’t be accidentally tripped, I can tell you I won’t remember how to intentionally activate it in some potential emergency situation. Point to the L6 IMO. (Actually neutral, another matter of preference.)
Conclusion: for someone looking only at objective differences, the S70 seems to be a winner, and for many it might be the obvious choice. But there are some smaller subjective differences that are swaying the decision for me, and I suspect for others as well. For instance: I like the size and shape of the L6 head vs. the bigger/blockier look of the S70, I don’t mind a slightly floodier beam (if that’s actually the case), I’d strongly prefer a neutral tint, and I don’t like strobe/SOS modes. I’m willing to pay an extra ~$5 for those features. I’m waiting to find out more about the neutral emitter, and to hopefully see side-by-side beamshots of these lights, but that’s the way I’m leaning. (Again, not trying to argue or defend one “side”, just explaining my thought process!)