Surefire and rechargebles

JorgeM · Jan 9, 2005

I´m a newbie and have been threading around for some days and hours.
SEEMS like Surefire A2 (aviator) doesn´t like any type of rechargeables. Too thick, too long, low voltage for the regulation circuit (doesn´t even go on). That´s the threads I´ve read.
HELL, where can I find them ? The rechargeables for my light.
Another question: does the new U2 spot at level 5/6 like a normal Surefire with HID lamp (50 or 65 lumens one) or does it flood a lot more? Moreover, can I replace the HID A2 for the U2 ?
I work on planes and need the spot to spot tails and wings; so nothing´s gonna go wrong.

greenLED · Jan 9, 2005

Jon at jsburlys.com sells the Pila rechargeable batteries a lot of ppl use here. There are newer rechargeable 123's coming out, but I am not familiar with those at all.

Ray_of_Light · Jan 10, 2005

SUreFIre A2 uses three Nichia 5 mm LED and one regulated incandescent lamp; it means that the brightness of the incandescent will stay the same for about 50 mins, and than the light will, after some warning, turn off, leaving the LEDs on for some more hours.
There aren't, yet, good rechargeable solutions for the A2.

The only SF "HID" light is the "Beast". The "50 or 60 lumen" SF lights you mention are the incandescents using the P60 lamp assembly, or the MA02 in the case of the A2.

The SF U2 is the best light if you plan use rechargeable batteries; it hosts the Pila 168A (the fat one: 3.7 V 1.8 Ah) sold from JS Burly. It is the only commercial light capable of hosting the 168A Li-Ion battery.
The other lights using rechargeable 168S (the thin one) are the L4, and the E2e fitted with the KL1.

The U2 is brighter than lights using the incandescent P60 lamp, but is more a flood compared to the P60. I have no direct experience in spotting an aircraft tail and wings, so I cannot tell you how the U2 may perform in this specific use.

Anthony

JorgeM · Jan 11, 2005

Thanks for the post.
I considered the U2. But I think the A2 will be more of a spot light than the great (I think) cousin, the U2. For long distances that is.

turbodog · Jan 11, 2005

[ QUOTE ]
JorgeM said:
Thanks for the post.
I considered the U2. But I think the A2 will be more of a spot light than the great (I think) cousin, the U2. For long distances that is.

[/ QUOTE ]

I disagree. A2 is a spot light, BUT the u2's higher output makes up for that. It swamps the output of the a2. I have had both, but sold my a2 when I found the higher output lights like the l4 and u2.

Also, for what it's worth. The pila li-ion batteries also fit the pila (surprise) lights. This includes the larger "A" cells. I have not seen these lights personally, but they appear to be very nice. Pricing is on par with surefire.

JorgeM · Jan 13, 2005

Well, I´ll have to wait and see that. I oredered the A2 yesterday. Anyway, I think it´ll do great. At least as EDC pocket light for my work; smaller than the U2. And a little lighter too. Maybe next comes the U2.