I've just bought my 1st A2-RD, will I regret it?

LEDBE
Outdoors Fanatic

Outdoors Fanatic

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How does it compare to the White or the Green version in terms of brightness and beam patter? This is my first Aviator with red LEDs... Hope I did not make a mistake.

Thanks in advance. :twothumbs
 
Only to really satisfy your curiosity is to actually get all three and test them out. I am sure there are dealers around that do have them to be tested. Personally I would go for the colour not common, ie red or yellow/green. The main beam is the same except for the led ring. So IMO you have made the right choice with Red!
 
I too have the A2 with red. I absolutely love mine! In the dark, the red LEDs are really easy on the eyes. Sometimes I too have questioned whether or not I made the right decision going with red as compared to the white (or even green or yellow). But after using it for a while, I'm definitely happy with my red.

Hope this helps ease your mind :).

Robert
 
It really all depends on the use. Red is good night vision but poor color rendering. Outdoors the white is definitely the way to go. And yellow green is just as easy on the eyes and will give you better color rendering than red. All in all I prefer yellow green for closeup night vision work and white for outdoors.
 
I use my A2-RD as my nightstand light, and typically for taking the dog out at night. I couldn't stand the ringy beam though so I polished my LEDs so I have a very smooth red flood. I find it perfect for going around the house at night.

On the other hand when I'm out and about for anything, I find the A2-WH is the way to go. The LEDs make a great flood for 90% of the time and when I need a spot or a longer distance throw I have the incandescent ready to go.

The one color of A2 I have not tried (and would like to) is the Yellow Green. Since playing with it on my Kroma I think that YG might be a really nice option for around the house at night, but I want it in an A2 for comparison.
 
LED61 said:
It really all depends on the use. Red is good night vision but poor color rendering. Outdoors the white is definitely the way to go. And yellow green is just as easy on the eyes and will give you better color rendering than red. All in all I prefer yellow green for closeup night vision work and white for outdoors.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I believe that WH is a better color for general use but I really HATE the angry-bluish tint from 5mm LEDs. So if I'm going to pick something with a tint, might as well go for a full colored LED. So was deciding between GR or RD, but I think red will be more useful as a low light (night vision preservation and it also don't upset wildlife as much as white).

Anyway, the light was shipped today... Let's see If I can live with the rings (I'm not a white wall hunter, by the way).
 
mwaldron said:
I use my A2-RD as my nightstand light, and typically for taking the dog out at night. I couldn't stand the ringy beam though so I polished my LEDs so I have a very smooth red flood. I find it perfect for going around the house at night.

On the other hand when I'm out and about for anything, I find the A2-WH is the way to go. The LEDs make a great flood for 90% of the time and when I need a spot or a longer distance throw I have the incandescent ready to go.

The one color of A2 I have not tried (and would like to) is the Yellow Green. Since playing with it on my Kroma I think that YG might be a really nice option for around the house at night, but I want it in an A2 for comparison.
Click to expand...
I use my A2-RD as my nightstand light, and typically for taking the dog out at night. I couldn't stand the ringy beam though so I polished my LEDs so I have a very smooth red flood. I find it perfect for going around the house at night.
Click to expand...

How easy was that Mod? I might give that a try as long as it's an "idiot proof" solution. I don't want to ruin a brand new $200 light.

Cheers
 
If you dislike the rings you can do a nice smooth sanding of the LED´s, I´ve done it with the green A2 I have and it produces a nice bright flood. We´ll see if your A2 has the strong red or the weak red. I´ve only seen weak reds and have one but I´ve heard of powerful red LED´s on some A2´s.
 
LED61 said:
If you dislike the rings you can do a nice smooth sanding of the LED´s, I´ve done it with the green A2 I have and it produces a nice bright flood. We´ll see if your A2 has the strong red or the weak red. I´ve only seen weak reds and have one but I´ve heard of powerful red LED´s on some A2´s.
Click to expand...
I'm hoping to receive the "strong light". LOL.

Do you think SureFire upgraded the latest A2s? (Better/newer 5mm LEDs).
 
I have this preference for old square A2´s, so I would not know. However I did buy a round newer yellow green which I retrofitted to a square A2, and the yellow green LEDs are very dim but very nice for closeup. I can tell you the blue and green A2´s are bright as heck.
 
Outdoors Fanatic said:
(I'm not a white wall hunter, by the way).
Click to expand...

Me either, but I do have a touch of OCD and when you use it a lot in doors you hunt walls regardless of your intent.

Outdoors Fanatic said:
How easy was that Mod? I might give that a try as long as it's an "idiot proof" solution. I don't want to ruin a brand new $200 light.
Cheers
Click to expand...

It's not too difficult. Most people use some high grit (220ish) sandpaper, I started with that and then moved to a Dremel polishing wheel and Brasso. You just remove the head (unscrews) then remove the stock incandescent bulb (falls out) then there are 3 really small phillips screws that secure the LED ring. After you remove those the led ring falls out. Polish till your heart's content. Wipe it down with a cloth to remove and dust before you put it back into the head, you don't want to contaminate the reflector surface.

As far as mods go, it's a really easy one, it might take you an hour if you're nervous.
 
LED61 said:
I have this preference for old square A2´s, so I would not know. However I did buy a round newer yellow green which I retrofitted to a square A2, and the yellow green LEDs are very dim but very nice for closeup. I can tell you the blue and green A2´s are bright as heck.
Click to expand...

I hear ya, I love the old square A2s myself. It's interesting that the A2 YG are also quite dim. I noticed this with the Kroma as well, considerably dimmer than the red even. That was one of the reasons I wanted to see a A2-YG to see if the trend continued. I don't think I'm to the point of buying a new round A2 to get a YG ring, but I will certainly be trying out the YG color when the Onion Rings become availiable.

LED61 said:
If you dislike the rings you can do a nice smooth sanding of the LED´s, I´ve done it with the green A2 I have and it produces a nice bright flood. We´ll see if your A2 has the strong red or the weak red. I´ve only seen weak reds and have one but I´ve heard of powerful red LED´s on some A2´s.
Click to expand...

I like weak red, especially for walking around the house at night, after all it doesn't matter what color it is if you're going to sear your retinas with lumens! I also find that a dimmer red light doesn't wake me up as much.
 
I like the White, I have other red lights, a red Inova T3 and a red Surefire KL1 that serve the purpose much better than red 5mm leds.

The white version is great because you can navigate around with it just fine and not eat up the batteries so quickly. I do this often when I'm walking about dark buildings at night. Turn on the incan high (unfrosted Lumens Factory HO-A2) only when I need it.

Once the onion rings come out, it probably won't matter which color you buy anymore. :)
 
ampdude said:
I like the White, I have other red lights, a red Inova T3 and a red Surefire KL1 that serve the purpose much better than red 5mm leds.

The white version is great because you can navigate around with it just fine and not eat up the batteries so quickly. I do this often when I'm walking about dark buildings at night. Turn on the incan high (unfrosted Lumens Factory HO-A2) only when I need it.

Once the onion rings come out, it probably won't matter which color you buy anymore. :)
Click to expand...
Where can I read about these famous Onion Rings for the A2? Do you have a link?

Thanks in advance.
 
Since you're planning to accessorize, you probably want to pick up a FM Strion Kit (or two..three...these A2's tend to multiply). He has a run of Strion kits open right now, but once they're gone they are very hard to come by.

FM Strion Kits 2nd Run

It's a good increase in light output from the stock MA02 bulb basically for free (in terms of battery life).
 
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