candlelight001
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2007
- Messages
- 159
Many months ago I bought my first good flashlights: Surefire A2 and G2, a Fenix L2D, a Streamlight ProPoly 4AA, and an Arc AAA. At the time, I posted, requesting input around the idea that I could get 4 good lights for the price of the A2. Since then, I've also bought a Fenix P2D, and L2T 2.0. I've used all the lights extensively: camping, lighting addresses from the car, around the house, and walking around the neighborhood.
NOTE: I want to stress that my conclusions are for my use only, no aspersions whatsoever on other folks' opinions, needs, etc. (I've noticed a tendency to get into camps here that I want to avoid).
1) The A2 is a great all around light. The combo of flood, and spot, incan and LED is unbeatable. Using it outdoors, the LED is like a baseline light level that I don't even notice it seems so natural. When I get that "I need a flashlight" feeling, I punch the incan and light things up for real. Much different to just hit the button than to have to twist a bezel like on the L2T. Some folks on here told me to hang onto the light, that it would grow on me, and damn you were right! I've dropped it hard onto concrete a number of times (by accident), bulb going strong. I only wish I could get more runtime out of it when using on incan.
2) The Surefire A2 and G2 beam patterns are much more useful to me than the Fenix. The Surefires have wider hotspots, and more spill, while keeping throw. So they light more area, and I have better peripheral vision. The Fenix's have a very defined line between light and dark that I find distracting. The L2T's hotspot is also very narrow, so even though there's a broader area lit, it's too dim to be useful. Even though the G2 admittedly dims very quickly, it's beam pattern and price make it a good utility light.
3) I really can ID outdoor scenes and targets much better with an incan light. I have a much harder time finding contrast and distinguishing features at a distance with the LED lights. Indoors it's all good.
3) I'm gonna get rid of my Fenix's, stick with Surefires, the ProPoly, and the Arc. What I'm left with with the Fenix's is a narrower beam than I want, not so great UI, and less usefulness outdoors. Great runtime and good price don't make up for it in my case. So I'll keep some combo of ProPoly, G2, and Princeton Tec Quad in the car, A2 at home and for camping, Arc AAA for backpacking. Allthough I may hang onto L2T cuz cheap batteries, and goes in pocket easier... ;-)
4) I took the Arc AAA as an emergency light on an ultralight backpacking trip in the Trinity Alps this summer. Dad and I decided to hike out in one day/night, 17 miles. Ended up hiking 4.5 hours in the dark, only the Arc AAA to light our way down the trail, did a great job. Although it didn't pick out the rattler on the side of the trail that triggered a 100-yard dash, it did light the way for the subsequent sprint down the trail.
Anyway, lots of you gave me great and thoughtful input when I was just getting into this, I hope this is of interest and/or useful to other folks making decisions down the road.
Regards!
NOTE: I want to stress that my conclusions are for my use only, no aspersions whatsoever on other folks' opinions, needs, etc. (I've noticed a tendency to get into camps here that I want to avoid).
1) The A2 is a great all around light. The combo of flood, and spot, incan and LED is unbeatable. Using it outdoors, the LED is like a baseline light level that I don't even notice it seems so natural. When I get that "I need a flashlight" feeling, I punch the incan and light things up for real. Much different to just hit the button than to have to twist a bezel like on the L2T. Some folks on here told me to hang onto the light, that it would grow on me, and damn you were right! I've dropped it hard onto concrete a number of times (by accident), bulb going strong. I only wish I could get more runtime out of it when using on incan.
2) The Surefire A2 and G2 beam patterns are much more useful to me than the Fenix. The Surefires have wider hotspots, and more spill, while keeping throw. So they light more area, and I have better peripheral vision. The Fenix's have a very defined line between light and dark that I find distracting. The L2T's hotspot is also very narrow, so even though there's a broader area lit, it's too dim to be useful. Even though the G2 admittedly dims very quickly, it's beam pattern and price make it a good utility light.
3) I really can ID outdoor scenes and targets much better with an incan light. I have a much harder time finding contrast and distinguishing features at a distance with the LED lights. Indoors it's all good.
3) I'm gonna get rid of my Fenix's, stick with Surefires, the ProPoly, and the Arc. What I'm left with with the Fenix's is a narrower beam than I want, not so great UI, and less usefulness outdoors. Great runtime and good price don't make up for it in my case. So I'll keep some combo of ProPoly, G2, and Princeton Tec Quad in the car, A2 at home and for camping, Arc AAA for backpacking. Allthough I may hang onto L2T cuz cheap batteries, and goes in pocket easier... ;-)
4) I took the Arc AAA as an emergency light on an ultralight backpacking trip in the Trinity Alps this summer. Dad and I decided to hike out in one day/night, 17 miles. Ended up hiking 4.5 hours in the dark, only the Arc AAA to light our way down the trail, did a great job. Although it didn't pick out the rattler on the side of the trail that triggered a 100-yard dash, it did light the way for the subsequent sprint down the trail.
Anyway, lots of you gave me great and thoughtful input when I was just getting into this, I hope this is of interest and/or useful to other folks making decisions down the road.
Regards!
