Surefire A2 questions

[doubleE]

1. How do you switch the A2 between incandescent and LED output? I think I read that the momentary switch has two settings: light push: LED; hard push: incan.
What about the constant-on mode? Does the twist tailcap have two settings (LED/incan) ?

2. I read that the A2 LEDs only put out 3 Lumens. I suppose that's enough for some applications, but that just turns the A2 into an oversized keychain LED, right? I'd rather have 15 Lumens like the KL1. I guess you can't fit a 1W Luxeon and an incandescent bulb in the same bezel.

3. Brock's website shows that two 123 lithium batteries can put out 5 Watts. So why doesn't Surefire use 5W Luxeons? Is there a problem with the beam quality or color of the 5W Luxeons? Are there any mods available for people who want to build a 5W Luxeon-based light anyway?

Thanks. -Matt

 

[yclo]

1. Actually, the two settings on the tailcap switch are: light push = led, hard push = led + incan. Same goes for twist on. Twist a bit = led, twist more = led + incan.

2. 1W Luxeon with optics will definitely not fit into the same head as an incandescent bulb. Since the reflector is 1" and optics is 1" in diameter. Without optics the LS is more of a floodlight.

3. 5W Luxeons can be bought but this only applies to colored ones. White 5W LS's are still at a development stage with problems in manufacturing, so I'll doubt they'll come out soon. Since no one has even seen a 5W LS yet, it'll be even harder to design a light around it.

Hope it helps.

-YC

 

[McGizmo]

Matt,

1)I think you sized things up right in your first question/ comments.

2)I believe your observations were also on the money in your second question/comment. 3 LED's are more than sufficient for reading a map or other close at hand tasks. They can also provide reasonable illumination well after the batteries are exhausted in terms of powering a high current light source, like an incandescent bulb or Luxeon.

3) SureFire probably will do something with the 5W Luxeons, if and when they are available with a consistant quality and supply. There is no indication that this will be the case for a while.
Since SureFire deals primarily with white light sources, I doubt they are interested in the colored 5W luxeons which are the only 5W's being sold right now.

In case you hadn't noticed, there is another current thread on the A2 :

HERE

- Don