Surefire A2 vs. Streamlight Twintask 2L

[charliek]

Has anyone ever done a side-by-side compare of these two lights?
Both at powered by 123 lithium cells- both have a 3 LED/ Xenon combination

The Surefire has a better made case, and regulator circuitry, but it there a $120 difference in the quality of the light output?

 

[RevDavid]

I am thinking about an A2 myself... but I have not really compared them. Construction quality and regulation are the things that attract me to the A2. Plus I have some SureFires already, and I am very happy with them. Tough, dependable, nice in the hand... everything you could want for a general light.
David <><

 

[Size15's]

There is also the size difference with the A2's form being better for EDC (slim and with a PocketClip)
The switching mechanism is also different.

The A2 and TwinTaskLights are playing different games.

Al

 

[yclo]

Think Ferrari and Ford, that is the most simple way to describe the relation between the two.

If you are looking for a car, both are the same. Depends what you look for in one.

-YC

 

[charliek]

What I'm really interested in is..... does the A2 throw a great deal more light than the 2L? Or is it just better focused and better regulated?

 

[NightStorm]

FlashlightReviews.com

Dan

 

[hawkhkg11]

I've had my hands on both, but only own the 2L, so I think I can give a basic review. In terms of the LED, both are on an equal playing field in terms of brightness and beam quality (The 2L only comes in white LEDs of course, and was compared against a White A2). In xenon mode, the A2 is brighter (I would say maybe about 10 lumens?), with a more focused, but oblong beam. Thus, the A2 will throw farther. The 2L has a wider beam, even when focused to its tightest, similar to the L4. The beam quality is relatively smooth.

Here's my take on the two lights. Both of are of extremely high quality in their respective fields. The A2 is smaller, and better suited for EDC. Its got the HAIII, if you really need that. And its got the SF name, quality, and the pre-focused beam, which some people like. And the TT-2L has the awkward switching mechanism which may inept if your job depends on a two stage tailcap. But the bottom line, I don't think the A2 is worth the extra $100+. The 2L is a perfectly fine light, and I don't see any immediate tangible advantages the A2 has over the 2L that is worth laying down your wallet for. Just my 2 cents.

 

[charliek]

PercaDan: I saw that review- it was one of the ones that made me order a TwinTask (Ordered it yesterday) It would have been nice if they used the same type of "Graph paper" that the A2 was measured against when they took the beamshots for the TT lights (Looks like a blank wall) so I could see the scale difference.

hawkhkg11: Thanks- that's a great answer. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I ordered the 3AA TT light- if it's as nice as I think it's going to be I may order the 2L as well.... As for the A2.... well if a certain 6 numbers come out for me one of these days......

 

[JohnK]

A plus not noted; the Streamlight 2L TT will go a cool 2+ hours on that ample Xenon.

And I bought 4 more TT excellent quality lights with that extra $ 100.

 

[charliek]

Is the light from the 2L TT about the same as the Brinkman Legend LX? (it's also a Xenon 2xcr123 light)

 

[hawkhkg11]

The Brinkmann is much brighter and more focused. It is around 65 lumens, the A2 is around 50 lumens, and I would estimate the TT 2L to be around 40 lumens. But the former two lights give you about one hour of runtime, the TT 2L will give you 2+ hours.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

If you are thinking about getting it for work and/or to get you out of a jam (like the NY,OH etc. power outs), I would 100% recommend the 2L.

If you mean to stun a threat or some such, you probably ought to get the SF.

I EDC a 2L SL TT and it is just peachy for what I want! Decent LED brightness, Good/Very good Xenon brightness. And I like the switch arrangement on the 1L,2L and 3AA models just fine. I keep it ready for the LEDs. Once I have LEDs, two quick clicks and there is Xenon.

I like that arrangement FAR better than the cycle through the modes of my 3C, so that light stays in my truck (along with StingerHP, and several other niche lights).

I can't see any way the SF is worth up to 5 times more $ than the Streamlight.

This advice is worth precisely what you paid for it!

 

[charliek]

Stun a threat? Nah.... I'm really interested in a good camping/around the house/Poweroutage/attic crawling/Inside the PC/server case/under the desk/in the wiring closet kind of a flashlight. Something that I can grab that I know will work when I need it- and I know it'll last long enough to get the job done. I really like the LED lights for the runtime and the smooth area light- but sometimes I need an incandescent, and it would be nice to have it in one package.

 

[JohnK]

What Playboy said quite eloquently................

 

[Bernhard]

The reason I'm not choosing streamlight is that switch mechanism is very annoying to me. I have another flashlight that has those kind of switch mechanism, and I don't really like, having to cycle the switch for choosing different brightness. As Al said, they play different game. I second you, Al /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Completely understandable Bernhard. Completely.

But you are NOT CharlieK!!!

He said "I'm really interested in a good camping/around the house/Poweroutage/attic crawling/Inside the PC/server case/under the desk/in the wiring closet kind of a flashlight. Something that I can grab that I know will work when I need it- and I know it'll last long enough to get the job done. I really like the LED lights for the runtime and the smooth area light- but sometimes I need an incandescent, and it would be nice to have it in one package."

So it would seem that he doesn't need the absolute brightness or the instant OH MY GOD Incandescent beam.

He can save a BUNCH of coin by getting a Twin Task. It would leave ample scratch left to get maybe a Peli M6 and even something like an Impact or a Sandwich for a MiniM*g to get a pretty bright LED.

I'm a low budget sort of guy. It takes a bunch to get me to spend. SNII is perhaps my costliest and most exotic light (and it is a GOOD ONE!). But for what Charlie has asked for I MUST recommend the TT 2L.

please deposit 2 cents.

 

[Quickbeam]

CharlieK:

[ QUOTE ]
It would have been nice if they used the same type of "Graph paper" that the A2 was measured against when they took the beamshots for the TT lights (Looks like a blank wall) so I could see the scale difference.

[/ QUOTE ]

"They" is "Me". All you need to do is ask! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Server space limitations prevented me from doing a separate Beam Target shot for each of the twintasks. It was much easier and smaller to do them all at once on a blank wall, thereby giving a good comparison between models.

A2, 2300 Lux:

TT-2L, 700 Lux:

Use only to compare beam width, not brightness - both shots taken at 1 meter.

[EDIT] re-took the A2 beam picture - much more true to life now color-wise, but brightness should not be compared between the pictures due to autoexposure settings which were different in each shot to prevent overexposure - updated pics.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

[ QUOTE ]
PlayboyJoeShmoe said:
He said "I'm really interested in a good camping/around the house/Poweroutage/attic crawling/Inside the PC/server case/under the desk/in the wiring closet kind of a flashlight. Something that I can grab that I know will work when I need it- and I know it'll last long enough to get the job done. I really like the LED lights for the runtime and the smooth area light- but sometimes I need an incandescent, and it would be nice to have it in one package."

So it would seem that he doesn't need the absolute brightness or the instant OH MY GOD Incandescent beam.



[/ QUOTE ]

On the other hand, I've seen people with similar requrements say the same thing about the TT's switching -- that it drives them crazy. Now that I think about it, I don't even like twist-head switches for the same reason -- too much trouble, even if I don't need instant-on capability.

On the other hand, for 30 bucks, not all that expensive to find out whether or not you like the switch. I'm now thinking of picking one up. If I don't like the switch, well, I've been looking for a light to keep in my glove compartment anyway as an emergency light or light to grab if I need one at work, and a xenon/LED lithium light would fit the bill nicely.

Joe

 

[Quickbeam]

We REALLY need to find someone who is willing to lathe/drill/tap the encaps of the TT-1L and 2L for Kroll switches. This pretty much takes care of the switching problem...

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=134082

 

[charliek]

Hey- not that I'd refuse an A2 should someone want to buy it for me... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Maybe if I was a young single guy with a lot of disposable income....

I'd love to be able to see a Surefire light in person (and in action)... that may make me save my "lunch money" until I could get one.... I don't know anyone who has one, and can't find a store that carries them here (and would demonstrate the light if I *could* find one)