Black A2's commanding huge premiums in Marketplace

[LED61]

Two SF A2 BK WH have gone for $275 in a matter of minutes in the past 24 hours and there is a third one asking for as high as $350 in the CPF sell forum.

What is going on here did these lights originally sell for more than the normal HA ?

 

[djblank87]

No, they sold for regular price. They are not made currently at this time and I believe Size15 stated that there were only 400-500 of them made, basically a batch.

They are a high demand item due to them not being made anymore. I saw the one over there in B/S/T for over $300.00. It will sell at that price within a day or so. I would pick it up but I put a limit at $240.00, that is all I will pay for a black A2.

 

[LED61]

No way in heck I´m paying over $200 for a used aviator no matter if it´s black. I love the light but that cash can buy almost two normal ones on ebay.

 

[djblank87]

No way in heck I´m paying over $200 for a used aviator no matter if it´s black. I love the light but that cash can buy almost two normal ones on ebay.

Very true, I agree.......but when it comes to collecting things sometimes price isn't everything and the supply and demand of a product will always determine the price.

I won't lie if I had two A2-HA-BK I would sell one for $300.00, someone would pick it up, but I'm a sucker and would most likley lower the price.

But again if someone wants to sell one for $500.00 I do not see anything wrong with that. They have what all of us want so the balls in there court and they can charge whatever so more power to them.

 

[MikeLip]

Hmmm. I have an A2 and a black Sharpie.....

I could finance a Beast! Muwahahahahahaaaaaaaa!

 

[KevinL]

Hmmm. I have an A2 and a black Sharpie.....

I could finance a Beast! Muwahahahahahaaaaaaaa!

A sharpie takes too long!

*hides his can of black matte spray paint*

Basically, it's a case of 'what the market will bear'. We live in a free market and the market tends to do things 'its way'! Yes the prices are higher than new, but it's a collector's item now and therefore worth a little bit more.

Is it worth paying so much? Really it's an individual decision. If someone wants it bad enough, they will cough up for it.

Also, I think that the Mona Lisa is waaaaaaaaay overpriced, yaknow.. I could shoot a portrait using a digital camera and print it at the supermarket photo counter for just 19 cents :nana:

 

[PhantomPhoton]

And we wonder why CPF and Surefire have such a poor relationship... :shakehead

Enthusiasts are always an over the top bunch, no matter what the enthusiasm is about. Myself I wouldn't pay $300 for a black A2, but I can understand why some here would. It is a shame we resort to such extremes, but this is an effect, not a cause.

 

[Brozneo]

Those black A2's are sooooo good! I love how they look.... But yes they are expensive! And if I had one I'd want to take it out and use it, but I wouldn't want to damage it! A damn catch 22!!!!

 

[Bushman5]

I dont understand the fuss? what makes the A2 so coveted? is it brighter than other Surefires?

:duck:

 

[djblank87]

I dont understand the fuss? what makes the A2 so coveted? is it brighter than other Surefires?

:duck:

Hey Bushman, I wouln't call it a fuss more of a respect issue with regards to the A2. The light gives a lot of options all roled into one. You have the LED option, five different colors to choose from depending on what application you wish to deploy it in.

The Xenon option is also there for the added boost when more power it needed. So you have 50 lumens coming out of the Xenon blub and 3 lumens coming from the LED's.

This makes it a perfect option for, Aviators who need to light up the tail end of an aircraft, 737's and up. Then when in the cockpit the three LED's are perfect, it will not blind your other members and it gives the perfect amount of light to read maps, flight charts and so on.

The same options works for military, LEO's, spec op's heck the list is long so I wont type them all. As for the rest of us that need a long running light, that gives you the best of both worlds the A2 is the way to go.

Surefire has a lot of winners in there arsenal of lights but this one stands in a class on it's own. It is a hybrid light giving a full regulated hybrid light with two options backed by the Surefire name, it is one of the best if not the best in my opinion.

Side note the 50 lumens may not sound like a lot but there have been test done around here and other places showing that the A2 is putting out more like 70-80 lumens out of the front.

There is more information on the A2 around here of course but I'm just trying to give some laymans terms to the issue at hand. I do not know if you own one Bushman? But to own one is to understand what all the hype is all about, becuase by owing one yourself only then can a real opinion be made and you can make an honest opinion.

I'm not saying that you stated you owned one or made an opinion on one, you just asked a question. I was just stating that there are some around here that will throw the A2 under the bus and they do not even own one.

 

[nzgunnie]

Those black A2's are sooooo good! I love how they look.... But yes they are expensive! And if I had one I'd want to take it out and use it, but I wouldn't want to damage it! A damn catch 22!!!!

Exactly! I had one, got it from SupremeCo for a mere $135!

But never wanted to use the thing in case it got damaged. After sitting around in it's packaging for over a year I decided it needed to go.

I traded it for nothing more than an HA-NAT A2 with an Aviatrix. Which I must say I like a whole lot more and actually use.

I'm happy with that, even if I see them going for $275

 

[Brozneo]

Exactly! I had one, got it from SupremeCo for a mere $135!

But never wanted to use the thing in case it got damaged. After sitting around in it's packaging for over a year I decided it needed to go.

I traded it for nothing more than an HA-NAT A2 with an Aviatrix. Which I must say I like a whole lot more and actually use.

I'm happy with that, even if I see them going for $275

Good to see another Kiwi around mate!

 

[Bushman5]

wow, thanks for all the info! very cool!

I have an old very beat to crap Executive that i dug out of the old duty gear 9forgot i even had it!) , am leaning slowly (gotta save about 4 months wages) towards an M10 (errr...M6? )

Just a bit overwhelmed by all the choices in the SF line, after a while they all look the same (sorry sorry, its the flashlight fatigue speaking :sweat

I was just surprised by the fervour over the A2, while i agree it has lots of choices (thats great, i actually like all the leds in it....!) it seems rather under lumen'ed to me.....i guess i'm one of those persons that if i'm gonna fork out 2 months wage for a little light, it better be bright.......

I appreciate the info, thanks.

 

[souptree]

I dont understand the fuss? what makes the A2 so coveted? is it brighter than other Surefires?

:duck:

Two words: Regulated Incandescent. It's the only one SureFire has ever released -- which is a great tragedy.

As for the black A2, I *almost* want one bad enough to pay the premium.... I may break down eventually.... :shakehead but come on! I have orange LEDs in mine! At least I have an excuse! :nana:

 

[Size15's]

In some ways I prefer my Black A2 to my Purple A2... There's something about the Black A2 that just makes it worth it (to Flashaholics like me, and obviously some others)

 

[LED61]

It is true that I am mystified by the form factor of the square body A2, and yes the black is in a way nicer than the HA. But a nice, uniform HA square A2 like the one I've got is plenty satisfaction.

Sometimes I think people (including me) are even more enamored with the black one because there were only so many made, and because you've got what others don't and treasure so much, and for that you are willing to pay big bux. A black Kroma or a black U2 doesn't generate that much fuss because all of them are black.

 

[js]

And we wonder why CPF and Surefire have such a poor relationship... :shakehead

Enthusiasts are always an over the top bunch, no matter what the enthusiasm is about. Myself I wouldn't pay $300 for a black A2, but I can understand why some here would. It is a shame we resort to such extremes, but this is an effect, not a cause.

I actually don't wonder why "CPF and SureFire have such a poor relationship..." mostly because they DON'T.

But I DO wonder why you would say this? Just because people are willing to pay a premium for a black HA A2? This something you're shaking your head about?

If anything, the fact that people are willing to pay a lot for an usual, limited run light, would speak towards a POSITIVE in the "relationship" between producer and consumer.

Am I misunderstanding you, PhantomPhoton?

As for the black HA A2 itself, yeah, it's really really nice. I like the black color and the four-square sides body! I miss the scallops on the bezel, though. I've actually come to appreciate those: you can tell if the light is on when you place it lens down on a table.

But I also love the regular HA A2, too, and this is the one I EDC (my brother has my black A2 right now). So, I don't think I'd pay a huge premium for a black A2, but I can totally understand why someone would, especially if it were in like new condition. I mean, $240 is only $60 more than list, right? For a lot of people, $60 isn't a lot of money.

If it mattered to me, I would totally drop the extra cash to get what I wanted. I have a different idea about being a flashaholic than some. I do not have a lot of lights. I have very few, in fact. But this means I allow myself to get exactly what I want when it comes to the few that I do own. IF I think something is worth the extra coin, I don't mind paying it.

I own a Sebenza knife, for example. I also own a Spyderco key chain knife. And that's it for folding knives. Two. Most people I know who are into knives have like a half a dozen or more $50 to $80 folding knives, and a lot of them think I'm crazy for having paid $340 for a Sebbie. But the way I see it, I'm still ahead of them, even just thinking in terms of money.

So if I needed an A2, and I decided the black HA version was my favorite I'd probably be willing to pay a lot for it. Ten years later I wouldn't remember the extra money, but I would remember all the enjoyment gotten from having exactly what I wanted.

As for why get an A2, here's my answer:

The SF A2

 

[js]

In some ways I prefer my Black A2 to my Purple A2... There's something about the Black A2 that just makes it worth it (to Flashaholics like me, and obviously some others)

Show off! (start temper tantrum) I hate you, Al !!! Hate, hate hate. (/end temper tantrum).

hehe. Just kidding.

But seriously, Al, wow. That's high praise for the black A2. I don't know, I think you're purple A2 is waaaay cool. I'd pay $350 for a LNIB purple A2 in a heartbeat.

 

[LED61]

So, I don't think I'd pay a huge premium for a black A2, but I can totally understand why someone would, especially if it were in like new condition. I mean, $240 is only $60 more than list, right? For a lot of people, $60 isn't a lot of money.

Ejem!! Jim, there is a fourth Black A2 gone now for $300. Simply amazing. oo:

It´s all Somy Nex´s fault. he started the first offering at those prices and people caught on

 

[Well-Lit]

If there ever were a catch22, this one is a classic, at least for me anyways. When Supremco placed them on sale, being able to get a A2-BK, new in the box, delivered for $135US was just too good to pass up. I still have my receipt dated on 09/2005. This was my first A2 and it was one of only a few production lights that I actually took time to really look at and admire. Herein the catch22. I simply have not been able to EDC this light.

I immediately purchased an A2-HA to EDC and susequently later bought a first batch Aviatrix from AC. Have I been tempted to put the Aviatrix into the A2-BK? Yup, almost everyday! Placing the A2's each side by side reveals why I decided to leave it NIB. The A2-BK "appears" to be more svelt, classy, sleek, (insert your own verb here). I have very, very few shelf queens, but this one will remain NIB until my fasination is over.

Would I pay todays prices for another one. If I never owned one before, then probably not. But if after owning one and losing it, then yes, I probably would.

Best Regards:
Bob