Is the Surefire UA2 Optimus in production?

[somename]

I was checking batteryjunction and came across the Surefire UA2 Optimus Variable Output Adjustable Focus LED Flashlight, but it stated out of stock for availability.
http://www.batteryjunction.com/sf-ua2.html

I tried to locate a review on the light on CPF but couldn't find one. I also could not locate more info on surefire.com. Has this light been released?

Multi-level, variable focus, and high power sounds like an awesome combination and with it being Surefire it kind of sounded like it could be a light I might save for. I haven't tried a Surefire light sense they seem to lack output lumens when comparing other brands, but this light sounded like a possible reason to try a Surefire. And it also looks like the optics could make it a good thrower, which I'm looking for.

So whats the news on this light?

 

[Alberta-Blue]

Nope... not in production and never will be. Unfortunately it died during protoptyping and never made it to release.

 

[somename]

That is a shame that it didn't make it. Sounded like a great concept, but I guess too good to be true.

That does seem odd though that BatteryJunction would have the light even listed as if it were for sale at one time.

 

[pjandyho]

UA2 Optimus and UB2 Invictus are supposed to have made it into production but was stopped last minute due to some efficiency issues running the lights on 2 batteries. Surefire could not have let the lights pass into production and we were at one point so close to seeing the Optimus launched when the axe came down. Battery Junction was taking pre-orders until Surefire decided to stop the production entirely. Currently we have the UB3T Invictus with a turbo head coming. Very much the same in UI as the UB2 but with a much bigger turbo head style bezel to accommodate a bigger TIR optic for throw and also it takes 3 batteries.

 

[Kestrel]

UA2 Optimus and UB2 Invictus are supposed to have made it into production but was stopped last minute due to some efficiency issues running the lights on 2 batteries.
[...]
Currently we have the UB3T Invictus with a turbo head coming. Very much the same in UI as the UB2 but with a much bigger turbo head style bezel to accommodate a bigger TIR optic for throw and also it takes 3 batteries.

In a way, this is a good thing. It is often difficult to adapt the two-cell (2x2.5v = 5v) Surefires to LiIon rechargeable configurations, but the three-cell SF's are an almost perfect match for 2x LiIons (~7.4-7.5v).

In addition, we've seen that even the three-cell M3LT seems to operate at pretty much the maximum that 3x CR123's can deliver - it appears that it performs somewhat better IMO on 2x 17500 (at least, flatter regulation, albeit for an overall shorter runtime). I guess it doesn't surprise me that SF wasn't satisfied trying to get maximum performance from only two CR123's in this situation.

 

[somename]

UA2 Optimus and UB2 Invictus are supposed to have made it into production but was stopped last minute due to some efficiency issues running the lights on 2 batteries. Surefire could not have let the lights pass into production and we were at one point so close to seeing the Optimus launched when the axe came down. Battery Junction was taking pre-orders until Surefire decided to stop the production entirely. Currently we have the UB3T Invictus with a turbo head coming. Very much the same in UI as the UB2 but with a much bigger turbo head style bezel to accommodate a bigger TIR optic for throw and also it takes 3 batteries.

Haven't heard about a UB3T Invictus, is it new also?

 

[KROMATICS]

Haven't heard about a UB3T Invictus, is it new also?

The UB2 (2-cell) became the UB3 (3-cell) which became the UB3T (3-cell w/ turbohead) which will become...???

 

[JonN06]

The UB2 (2-cell) became the UB3 (3-cell) which became the UB3T (3-cell w/ turbohead) which will become...???

The UA3 Optimus Prime? :thumbsup:

 

[Monocrom]

The UB2 (2-cell) became the UB3 (3-cell) which became the UB3T (3-cell w/ turbohead) which will become...???

A Surefire M3LT with a pocket clip, a selector switch, and extra modes.

Or maybe they'll just decide that the M3LT is good enough since the M3T upgrade is now so incredibly similar to the U2 upgrade.

I think they'll eventually release it though. After all, the LX2 is a completely different light than the L2. The A2L is a different light from the A2. Why should Surefire not continue with the concept of releasing upgrades that are nothing like the original models.