Question for the A2 Aviator Lovers

[NE450No2]

For us A2 Aviator lovers, of which I am one, if that is our Primary using light, what should our [call it what you want] Spare, Backup, Emergency Standby Light, be.

I really like the 2 stage output of the A2, and its incandescent bulb.

So should our "second" be just another A2?

Or should, for our ESL [my favorite term for it, as it is Standing By, for the occasion {Emergency} that the primary A2 gets lost or breaks, or the "trip" gets extended by means beyond your control, and spare batteries might be a concern], be a LED light with its longer runtime.

If it should be an LED which is the best choice???

An E1L, an E2L, the LX2, or the Aviator A2LED???

I pick these lights as they all have 2 different outputs and longer runtime than our Beloved A2.

So which do y'all think is the best pick for those trips that are of extended time, might be overseas, or in the bush/tundra where resupply is not possible, and where the weather or politics might extend your trip for several days or weeks.

I realize the G2LED is a cheaper option, but I really like having the low lumen option on a primary light.

So, before some of you start boiling the oil, and plucking the chickens,

What is the best allround Traveling ESL???


And remember lovecpf.

Even if I am new.

 

[mwaldron]

For us A2 Aviator lovers, of which I am one, if that is our Primary using light, what should our [call it what you want] Spare, Backup, Emergency Standby Light, be.

I really like the 2 stage output of the A2, and its incandescent bulb.

So should our "second" be just another A2?

I have several A2's and at least 1 spare MA02 for each as well as a few extra Strion bulbs (all but 1 of my A2's have Strion upgrades), so yes, your 2nd 3rd and 4th should all be A2s. Of course I recognize that is not very practical. I can't carry my A2's on a daily basis (although I keep one in my bag and car) because of their size.

Or should, for our ESL [my favorite term for it, as it is Standing By, for the occasion {Emergency} that the primary A2 gets lost or breaks, or the "trip" gets extended by means beyond your control, and spare batteries might be a concern], be a LED light with its longer runtime.

If it should be an LED which is the best choice???

An E1L, an E2L, the LX2, or the Aviator A2LED???

I pick these lights as they all have 2 different outputs and longer runtime than our Beloved A2.

I don't see the A2L as a viable replacement. It's pretty much the same runtime as the A2, and doesn't have much throw in it's beam (based on reviews, I do not yet have one).

The LX2 is an interesting option, especially coupled with an F04 that can be removed when needed but otherwise stored on the light, but again not a significant increase in runtime.

I don't know much about the E1L and E2L so I'll not comment on those...

IMO, each of those situations above you list requires a different type of light.

So which do y'all think is the best pick for those trips that are of extended time

As far as LEDs goes, I'm in love with warm emitters. And for extended runtime in a small package the Ra WW is wonderful. You can tell it exactly how much runtime you want based on the exact output you select. Even on High it runs longer than an A2 on 1/2 the cells. There were some production problems, but as far as I know they are now all resolved. This light is a tank, and it's comparativly small. It's my EDC since the A2 just doesn't fit in my pocket. It's GD+ emitter is about a midpoint between the low-spill and high-throw of the A2.

might be overseas, or in the bush/tundra where resupply is not possible,

Well in the bush/tundra I'd say a multi-D-cell MAG with a lower lumen Malkoff dropin. Massive runtime, a little bit of focus, and impromptu club. If you're overseas on business just go with your EDC and take a few extra batteries.

and where the weather or politics might extend your trip for several days or weeks.

Something that runs on AA's and looks (is) cheap. Maybe one of those nifty new R2 maglites. We should all have a few of those for when SHTF, if for no other reason than charity. You also just can't beat the availability of a AA battery.

If you're going to go LED you really need to try a warm white option, and you can't get those from Surefire yet.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I trust my A2 so much that I don't feel any need for a backup. In the rare occasion your main lamp fail, you have more hours of light from the LEDs to go through the rest of the whole night and then some.

 

[mwaldron]

I have actually had my white A2 fail twice. I thought it was a bad tailswitch, SF agreed and sent me a new one and then it failed again. I'm pretty sure it was the springs in the head that hold the led ring connected to the body.

It really angered me, but after a through cleaning and bending those tabs a bit out I've not had any further problems.

Always have something as a backup...

 

[leukos]

I have five A2's, so it is no problem to bring a second one as a spare! I have found that when I am backpacking, I will carry an A2, my HDS U60, and a headlamp. If the SHTF, that HDS can run on its lowest mode for months. I suppose if I were ever lost in a cave, of all my lights, the HDS is the light I would want on me. It is the ultimate survival light, IMO.
But, if batteries and lamps are not an issue, I would always prefer the A2 for most of my outdoor adventures.

 

[Illum]

I'm a runtime freak...so...assuming in a condition where my surefire A2 is my main light [ceterius paribus]

I would carry another A2 or an E2L....I have three of each plus three SC3s

 

[zven]

Personally I've always thought of the L1 as about the perfect complement to the A2. Good outputs, throwy, easy to turn to flood with an F04, same UI, etc. Of course, now that the LX2 has been released, I'd consider that a better complement due to the longer runtime and brighter high mode.

For bush/tundra use, or even just preparedness for any range of environments, I would definitely want a light that could take lithium primary batteries - I wouldn't want to risk my light not lighting up because the alkalines couldn't provide the juice in the cold, etc.

So, although I also think that it's great to have a low level on an emergency backup light, I think my forever car and travel companion, as well as universal emergency backup is a G3L. Not a G2L - that's too short to fit AAs in a pinch. No, I'll have my G3, and I'll have it with a Malkoff M60L (M60LL would probably also work well). It's designed to give you a great combination of output and runtime on CR123 primaries, which is great. And even better, the G3 is the perfect length to fit two AAs, and the Malkoff module still lights up with the lower voltage of the two alkalines. Granted, it's nowhere near as bright, maybe about the same as the A2 white on low, but it gives you incredible runtime, and the ability to use universal batteries in all those places that don't sell CR123s.

 

[LED61]

I personally carry an HDS U60 as my EDC. In those ocassions where a trip outside the city is due I also carry two A2's with several spare bulbs and batteries. Only when anticipated use is my M6 carried.

 

[DM51]

A backup light is usually smaller than a primary. I would nominate my keychain light, which is a Muysondt Aeon (Ti version). It is completely indestructible, with a run-time of 90 mins on high and 40 hours on low.

 

[NE450No2]

Personally I've always thought of the L1 as about the perfect complement to the A2. Good outputs, throwy, easy to turn to flood with an F04, same UI, etc. Of course, now that the LX2 has been released, I'd consider that a better complement due to the longer runtime and brighter high mode.

For bush/tundra use, or even just preparedness for any range of environments, I would definitely want a light that could take lithium primary batteries - I wouldn't want to risk my light not lighting up because the alkalines couldn't provide the juice in the cold, etc.

So, although I also think that it's great to have a low level on an emergency backup light, I think my forever car and travel companion, as well as universal emergency backup is a G3L. Not a G2L - that's too short to fit AAs in a pinch. No, I'll have my G3, and I'll have it with a Malkoff M60L (M60LL would probably also work well). It's designed to give you a great combination of output and runtime on CR123 primaries, which is great. And even better, the G3 is the perfect length to fit two AAs, and the Malkoff module still lights up with the lower voltage of the two alkalines. Granted, it's nowhere near as bright, maybe about the same as the A2 white on low, but it gives you incredible runtime, and the ability to use universal batteries in all those places that don't sell CR123s.

zven.... A G3LED with 2 AA's.....

I do not have a G3, but I just put 2 AA's in my G2 LED and with a pair of sissors was able to make the SF P60L "glow in the dark".

I tested it in my large walk in closet against my A2 white Led's and you are correct it does put out good usable light with 2 AA's.

That is good to know about the G3 and it has inspired further thought.

Such as, what are the best drop in rechargeable Li Ion batteries for the G3LED, and what is the best charger?

 

[Sgt. LED]

For a G3, AW 17500's and Pila IBC. Last I checked anyway.

 

[Illum]

I trust my A2 so much that I don't feel any need for a backup. In the rare occasion your main lamp fail, you have more hours of light from the LEDs to go through the rest of the whole night and then some.

While the A2 is reliable in use...its not the best light to work wirth if you're going to drop it alot.
Apparently the MA02 hasn't had a decent track record from the occiasional drop

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

While the A2 is reliable in use...its not the best light to work wirth if you're going to drop it alot.
Apparently the MA02 hasn't had a decent track record from the occiasional drop

That has nothing to do with the A2's reliability. All incan lights without a shock-absorbing system are prone to shock-failure because of the nature of the bulb's filament. I wouldn't want to drop any incan light a lot. But having said that, I have more trust in dropping my A2 than in most of the chinese LED lights available. I have had FAR more failures with LEDs than with my incans.

 

[NE450No2]

Thanks for the replies...

I kinda figured that the best backup for us A2 lovers would be either the E1L, it is small, or the E2L, as both of them have long run time, for their size, have 2 different out puts, high and low, even though they are LED's.

'Cause, even an Incandescent guy like me, would rather have LED's "glowing in the dark", than to be looking for a stick, with an oily rag and a match.:naughty:

However due to something I learned today, I have a new IDEA, on the ultimate, ESL, Backup, Survival, Pioneer, All Round, Utility, etc. Glow in the dark TOOL.

 

[NE450No2]

That has nothing to do with the A2's reliability. All incan lights without a shock-absorbing system are prone to shock-failure because of the nature of the bulb's filament. I wouldn't want to drop any incan light a lot. But having said that, I have more trust in dropping my A2 than in most of the chinese LED lights available. I have had FAR more failures with LEDs than with my incans.

Because of the possibility of breakage when dropping, or because of bulb life, I ALWAYS carry an extra bulb when traveling.

The Sure Fire Spares Carriers are very good for this.