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Flashlight Enthusiast
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cornkid said:
I like the concept of the A2, but I have one problem with it. It is an incandescent and the bulb WILL burn out. Then there is the price problem. Why would I pay $160 for it, if I can get the L4 for $125 and the L2 for $165. I wont ever have a bulb problem, and Im sure they have a greater light output.
-tom
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Tom,
Obviously, you wouldn't buy an A2. There is no single best light for all people and all uses. It's a matter of personal taste and the use to which you put your light.
Let me answer your question by saying why I bought the A2 over an L2 or L4. For the record, I have never seen the light output from either the L2 or the L4, but I own, or have owned, an Arc LSH, and a FireFly Mk 1 with TW0J lux III, and I have spent a good bit of time with a Lion Heart. So what I'm saying is that I have experienced good LED beams; I know a little something about LED light. And in fact, I think I know enough to know that I personally prefer incandescent beams. I have complete respect for people who prefer HID or LED. I think I understand why they do. Part of the reason I like incans, I think, is because I routinely need lights with penetrating, good throwing light, and especially lights that will cut through ambient lighting. In my experience, LED beams, lumen for lumen, are not as effective for this task.
Another reason I like incandescents is simply because I like the quality and type of light from a GOOD incan. I don't mind that the light has more yellow and red. In fact, I like it (as long as it isn't the crappy urine yellow of a bad incan). Maybe it's because I grew up with woodstoves and fireplaces. Not sure. But for whatever reason, I see things better with an incan, especially outdoors. The colors come out better and things are more distinct. YMMV.
And yes, the bulb WILL burn out at some point. And yes, bulbs CAN break when dropped or knocked. These are clear downsides to incans. But I think people over-emphasize these things. I have NEVER broken a filament on an incandescent light, and I have not yet burned out a lamp on one of my production lights, A2 or otherwise. And my A2, E2e, M6 and stock TL lamps have seen quite a bit of use. I did blow an MN20 within the first half minute of use, but that was defective, and SF replaced it free of charge. Count it if you want, but either way it adds up to one thing: I am so not concerned with my incan lamps burning up or breaking. If it happens, I always have a spare on hand.
So there it is: these are the reasons why I went for an A2 over an L2 or L4.
cornkid said:
I like the concept of the A2, but I have one problem with it. It is an incandescent and the bulb WILL burn out. Then there is the price problem. Why would I pay $160 for it, if I can get the L4 for $125 and the L2 for $165. I wont ever have a bulb problem, and Im sure they have a greater light output.
-tom
[/ QUOTE ]
Tom,
Obviously, you wouldn't buy an A2. There is no single best light for all people and all uses. It's a matter of personal taste and the use to which you put your light.
Let me answer your question by saying why I bought the A2 over an L2 or L4. For the record, I have never seen the light output from either the L2 or the L4, but I own, or have owned, an Arc LSH, and a FireFly Mk 1 with TW0J lux III, and I have spent a good bit of time with a Lion Heart. So what I'm saying is that I have experienced good LED beams; I know a little something about LED light. And in fact, I think I know enough to know that I personally prefer incandescent beams. I have complete respect for people who prefer HID or LED. I think I understand why they do. Part of the reason I like incans, I think, is because I routinely need lights with penetrating, good throwing light, and especially lights that will cut through ambient lighting. In my experience, LED beams, lumen for lumen, are not as effective for this task.
Another reason I like incandescents is simply because I like the quality and type of light from a GOOD incan. I don't mind that the light has more yellow and red. In fact, I like it (as long as it isn't the crappy urine yellow of a bad incan). Maybe it's because I grew up with woodstoves and fireplaces. Not sure. But for whatever reason, I see things better with an incan, especially outdoors. The colors come out better and things are more distinct. YMMV.
And yes, the bulb WILL burn out at some point. And yes, bulbs CAN break when dropped or knocked. These are clear downsides to incans. But I think people over-emphasize these things. I have NEVER broken a filament on an incandescent light, and I have not yet burned out a lamp on one of my production lights, A2 or otherwise. And my A2, E2e, M6 and stock TL lamps have seen quite a bit of use. I did blow an MN20 within the first half minute of use, but that was defective, and SF replaced it free of charge. Count it if you want, but either way it adds up to one thing: I am so not concerned with my incan lamps burning up or breaking. If it happens, I always have a spare on hand.
So there it is: these are the reasons why I went for an A2 over an L2 or L4.
