computernut
Enlightened
I recently picked up a couple Strion sockets but needed to get the lamps. I finally found a local place that had them so I finally got an opportunity to try it out tonight. It was snowing out so it was hard to test the throw.
The socket fits quite tightly in my 4-sided A2, haven't tried it in my round-body yet. Trying to align the bi-pin bulb takes some playing, I couldn't push the bulb all the way in, there is just a small gap left.
I have to say it's a very nice upgrade:
MA02 -> Floodier, not too bright of a hotspot for close-up work
HO-A2 -> Brighter hotspot, slightly whiter
Strion -> Center of hotspot is brighter and whiter but what's nice is the outside of the hotspot is pure white where the MA02 and HO-A2 are more yellow
The whiteness of the Strion made my G3 with SR-9 (2x17500's) look yellow. I do prefer the MA02 for a general purpose beam as the hotspots of the other two lamps are a bit hard on the eyes when pointed at your hand up close. The Strion's hotspot is more defined, probably due to it not being frosted.
Another observation with the HO-A2 and Strion is that even on relatively warm winter nights (-1 to +1C), the Surefire primaries sometimes cause the light to cut out of regulation (low yellow-mode) even though they are brand new cells. Once I get home things return to normal and I can take them out the next night without replacing the batteries. I'm thinking the higher current draw tax the batteries more and they have a hard time keeping up with the cold temperatures. I've had both my A2's out at the same time and the one with the HO-A2 would cut-out early (like 15-20min) while the MA02 light would keep going for 45+ minutes. I've noticed a similar thing with my G3/SR-9/2x17500 where if I turn the light off for a bit then turn it back on the beam will be yellow for a minute until things heat up.
I hope FiveMega does another run of these in the future!
The socket fits quite tightly in my 4-sided A2, haven't tried it in my round-body yet. Trying to align the bi-pin bulb takes some playing, I couldn't push the bulb all the way in, there is just a small gap left.
I have to say it's a very nice upgrade:
MA02 -> Floodier, not too bright of a hotspot for close-up work
HO-A2 -> Brighter hotspot, slightly whiter
Strion -> Center of hotspot is brighter and whiter but what's nice is the outside of the hotspot is pure white where the MA02 and HO-A2 are more yellow
The whiteness of the Strion made my G3 with SR-9 (2x17500's) look yellow. I do prefer the MA02 for a general purpose beam as the hotspots of the other two lamps are a bit hard on the eyes when pointed at your hand up close. The Strion's hotspot is more defined, probably due to it not being frosted.
Another observation with the HO-A2 and Strion is that even on relatively warm winter nights (-1 to +1C), the Surefire primaries sometimes cause the light to cut out of regulation (low yellow-mode) even though they are brand new cells. Once I get home things return to normal and I can take them out the next night without replacing the batteries. I'm thinking the higher current draw tax the batteries more and they have a hard time keeping up with the cold temperatures. I've had both my A2's out at the same time and the one with the HO-A2 would cut-out early (like 15-20min) while the MA02 light would keep going for 45+ minutes. I've noticed a similar thing with my G3/SR-9/2x17500 where if I turn the light off for a bit then turn it back on the beam will be yellow for a minute until things heat up.
I hope FiveMega does another run of these in the future!
