Selling L4 and buying A2 ?

[Spypro]

Well... I'm a little confused because I don't know what to do.
I had a L4 for almost 4 month. I used it a little bit each day, about 5 mins.
But now the A2 caught my eyes... and I want one ! I know that I will use it more than the L4.

I do not know if it is a good idea to sell the L4 for buying an A2 and an Aviatrix mod. I'm less afraid buying a new bulb each year for the A2 than to see the LED of the L4 dimming overtime and at last dying. It is why I'm not using it a lot.

The only problem here is that I want to use rechargeable RCR123 with the A2. I looked a LOT around here and I'm not so sure about it. Can I use rechargeable with the A2 modded with the Aviatrix ? Is the output the same with RCR123 (incan. and LED) ? what about the runtime ?

Thank you helping me !

 

[Size15's]

I don't think it's productive not using a product because it may wear out.
I use my L2 all the time and it still holds its own against seldom-used lights I have such as L4's after several years as my EDC.

Also, I've put over 45 sets of SF123A's through one of my A2's and the bulb still output's the same as a new bulb so I don't think you'll need to buy replacement bulbs each year.

Anyway... I believe SureFire will replace LEDs so in the extremely rare event it becomes an issue SureFire will take care of you.

 

[js]

Spyro,

First of all, USE YOUR L4 AS MUCH AS YOU WANT!!!!

You will never notice any sort of diminishment of the LED unless you are running the thing 8 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And at that point, SureFire would warrantee it (as Size15s pointed out).

The L4 is an awesome light. Use it. Use it. Use it.

Ok. Next. DON'T SELL YOUR L4. You will be sorry if you do.

However, that said, do get an A2 if you think it's for you. It's a great light.

If you want to use R123's with your A2, that's fine, but you should know that not all brands will physically FIT in the A2. I know the Powerizer Industrial R123's (unprotected) do fit, but that's all I can tell you. AND, you should know that owning and using unprotected Li-ion cells requires that you learn and observe proper safety/operating procedures. It's no joke. These puppies can EXPLODE if treated incorrectly.

Now, that said, the runtime of the incan with Powerizer R123's is about the same as the runtime with primary 123's. However, you do need to either remove the LED ring or else risk burning it out. Or you can have milkyspit do an "ledectomy" on your A2: he replaces the stock LED's with different ones capable of handling higher current. This will make the output greater and enable you to use R123's without damaging your LED ring.

Or, you can buy an Aviatrix ring when Atomic_Chicken starts making them again.

And remember:

USE YOUR L4

and

DO NOT SELL YOUR L4.

 

[Spypro]

I think the message is clear then

Seriously, I'm a little bit afraid of using it since I've read some posts about the life of the Luxeon in the L4 to be ~500-1000 hours.
The L4 is somewhat expensive so... replacing it after 500-1000 hours of use is out of the question.

This is why I wanted to sell it and buy an A2 instead.

I really love my L4 for its "unique" beam and I happy that I can use a rechargeable 17670 in it, its working perfectly.

 

[Brozneo]

What do you use your lights for? Maybe the A2 will suit your needs better.... However the L4 is a great light and if you have any issues - contact surefire and im sure they will set you right!

 

[greenLED]

What do you use your lights for? Maybe the A2 will suit your needs better....

Good point. I personally drooled over the L4 for quite some time, but never got one and I don't regret it one bit. The A2, and the L1 serve my purposes so much better than the L4 will ever do.

So, think about your particular situation before selling your L4, or keeping it and buying another light.

 

[Illum]

the possibility of failure exists in any light....that doesn't justify the paranoia of not using it because of the possibility that it may fail.

the L4 uses a luxeon V LED, yeah given that the Lumiled Test results is 500 hours to 70% output....70% output would be somewhere that of a 3W light driven at spec...no way are you going to notice the difference if you use it everyday. to drive the L4 through 500 hours would require 375 sets of cells assuming each set of cells run for 1 hour 20 minutes [right in line with Quickbeams runtime], when you get there, let us know.
Granted batteries can be expensive, if you commit yourself to use it often, I'd suggest investing in AW protected 17670 [or if your L4 body doesn't fit go for 17500s] my typical usage is about an 30 minutes each day...since 17670s can give a runtime of around an hour...I don't want to deep cycle lithium-ions too often

If your worried about heat related damage...I've ran my L4 for 2 hours at once and no issues. and those of you who own luxeon V lights...you'd know what your light feels like after 2 hours

the A2 on the other hand cannot be compared with the L4. if your used to the L4 an A2 would be either too dim or too much throw and not enough spill. the xenon lamp assembly has more chances of blowing than the L4...especially if you jarr it during an extended runtime. I drop my lights a little too frequently [no lanyard hole on the A2s :shakehead] but so far none of my current xenon lamps have blown.
the A2's advantage lies in power management...and the versatility of low/high output for different lighting needs. long life on low, blinding on high....if your considering the A2vs L4 for practical reasons or for a multitude of different lighting applications , I would buy an A2 for that matter, but for the love of god don't sell the L4....even as technology has progressed, the L4 still has a spot in being the most super awesome light ever made. the more you use it, the more places you will find uses for it

 

[IcantC]

A2 is a great light. No point in buying a pricey light though, if you will never use it to its potential.

 

[Spypro]

What I like of the L4: flood, bright and can use a rechargeable 17670.
What I don't like of the L4: poor throw

What I like of the A2: nice throw, good color rendition, LEDs for low light work, sexy.
What I don't like of the A2: stock LEDs will burn with rechargeables, must buy a LEDs mod to use rechargeables and I don't know what types of rechargeable battery I can use with it.

I use my lights for a lot of things...
Actually I EDC my P3D but in some case my L4 would be better ie for work. But the A2 seem to be a better overall works light in my case.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I have had four KL4's, one of them a complete L4. Sold three, lost one (USPS) and I just bought another one. Used a 17500, or an 18650 with a larger body. Also used one Powerizer LiIon with a one cell body. Great light. On the other hand, I sold my A2 (Jim, don't hit me), and did not replace it yet. Probably would of kept the A2 if it didn't have a red led. That was before the Avaitrix was introduced. Keep the L4.

Bill

 

[Illum]

What I don't like of the L4: poor throw

What I don't like of the A2: stock LEDs will burn with rechargeables, must buy a LEDs mod to use rechargeables and I don't know what types of rechargeable battery I can use with it.

the lack for throw was to be expected....in my use I don't need all that throw, that ultimately depends on your needs

I'm pretty sure theres a thread somewhere regarding the aviatrix ring capable of handling rechargeables [rcr123A I think]

 

[js]

. . .

I drop my lights a little too frequently [no lanyard hole on the A2s :shakehead] but so far none of my current xenon lamps have blown.
. . .

The A2 comes with a lanyard! And it can be removed if you like. And then reinstalled. And then removed. And so on. Granted, it's not trivial to do it, and it isn't designed to be installed and removed frequently, but I just wanted to point out that the A2's come from SF with a lanyard.

Also, should point out that while they are not anywhere near as drop-proof as an LED light, they are more durable than most people would suspect. A drop onto concrete while running the incan will almost certainly break the lamp. But a drop onto a wood floor or a linoleum or plywood floor usually doesn't, ESPECIALLY if it isn't running at the time.

Still, as I said, not nearly as drop proof as something like the L4.

 

[js]

I have had four KL4's, one of them a complete L4. Sold three, lost one (USPS) and I just bought another one. Used a 17500, or an 18650 with a larger body. Also used one Powerizer LiIon with a one cell body. Great light. On the other hand, I sold my A2 (Jim, don't hit me), and did not replace it yet. Probably would of kept the A2 if it didn't have a red led. That was before the Avaitrix was introduced. Keep the L4.

Bill

LOL!

No worries Bill! I am not the "everyone must own an A2--it's the best light ever" spokesperson.

Rather, I am the "I am NOT stupid for buying an A2--for SOME of us, it's the best EDC light ever" spokesperson.

Big difference between those two spokespeople!

As for the RED LED A2, yeah, I think I too would have traded away my A2 if I had bought it in RED. I have an Aviatrix LED ONLY RED ring, and it is fun to install it every now and then, but overall I much prefer the white LED's.

 

[Spypro]

I think I will keep my L4 and wait for Christmas to give a gift to myself

By the way, is there a good holster outhere for the L4 ?

Thanks!

 

[Illum]

The A2 comes with a lanyard!

yes....I am aware of that, but where do I hang the alligator clip on when the break away lanyard ring is missing?

I tried clipping it to the hole toward the end of the [long] clip...it doesn't look right....

I use the V20 [or rather V21] from surefire...heard mixed comments about their nylon holsters, so far mine hasn't given me issues...as long as your not wearing a fleece or wool overcoat the Velcro wont wreak havoc
V20 is a standard belt loop, V21 is essentially the same as a V20, but the belt loop is connected by two Velcro sides, making it removable without the need to loosen the belt.
its compatible for my EDCs G2, E2D, A2, L4, and streamlight scorpion

 

[js]

yes....I am aware of that, but where do I hang the alligator clip on when the break away lanyard ring is missing?

Ah. I see. Well, I guess, you have to leave the ring there and clip onto the hole. If ring is missing, get SF to send you a new one.

If hole is not big enough, add a split-ring to the hole, then clip onto slip ring.

Or, use a holster.

 

[jumpstat]

IMO keep the L4, and get the A2....

 

[Lightguy27]

I think the message is clear then

Seriously, I'm a little bit afraid of using it since I've read some posts about the life of the Luxeon in the L4 to be ~500-1000 hours.
The L4 is somewhat expensive so... replacing it after 500-1000 hours of use is out of the question.

This is why I wanted to sell it and buy an A2 instead.

I really love my L4 for its "unique" beam and I happy that I can use a rechargeable 17670 in it, its working perfectly.

First of all, Even using it for 20 solid mins. a day it would take you years to wear out the LED. Second, all you would have to replace is the Kl4 head it uses ($129.00). And third if you ever manage to get the LED so worn out that it doesent meet your needs anymore, and that would be at least 500 hours on it, Im sure that surefire would replace the Head for you. Do not sell your L4 for an a2. Save so you can have both!! :tsk: Trust me, I know.

 

[Patriot]

Js, can't he use 3.0V RCR123s without the worry of burning out his LEDs? To me, taking out the LED ring sacrifices one of the great aspects of the A2.

 

[js]

Patriot36,

I agree. I was only trying to answer his question.

As for 3.0 volt RCR123's, I just don't know. I would guess that they wouldn't be up to the current draw of the incan, but I don't know for sure. If they were up to it, though, yes, that would be fine and wouldn't hurt the LED ring.

Myself, I run primary Duracell CR123A's in all my lights. I have 6 Powerizer Industrial R123's, and at some point if Atomic Chicken starts offering rings again, and I can get a nice white LED-only ring, I might switch over to using rechargeables, but it's not a big deal.

Either way, though, I would not take out the ring. Plus, that causes an issue: with the ring out and the LOTC activated to the LED-on position, there will actually be current flowing through the incan and regulator. The LVR3K will be switching on a number of times a second to "test the waters" to see if it should try to power up the incan, but every time it tests it will see the voltage too low (due to the 10 ohm resistance in the LOTC) and will not do it. But it will keep trying, because IT IS POWERED UP when the LOTC is in LED-on constant position. It's a small current draw, but over days and weeks, it will draw down the batteries.

So, if you did this, you'd have to ensure that the LOTC was in it's normal TRUE OFF position, one full turn back form the incan constant on position, and not just half a turn back.