Surefire U2 Question

[Englander]

Hi

I have a Surefire U2 I bought in about April 2006. I am pretty sure its the older model. I was wondering how the new model differs in spec from mine and any other ways, ive had a quick look at older threads, but just confused myself :S. Is my model 100 lumen as the 'new' one on their website states? With same runtimes? Or does mine only share its good looks with the current model?

Also, I am pretty sure I can't but I thought I would ask anyway.. Can I use rechargeable CR123A's in my Surefire U2 as it would beat having to keep buying CR123A's.

Thanks in advance!

Englander

P.S. The new Surefire UA2 Optimus looks like it might well be a good replacement for my U2 down the line ... My wife will likely baulk but what the hell.

 

[gswitter]

I have a Surefire U2 I bought in about April 2006. I am pretty sure its the older model. I was wondering how the new model differs in spec from mine and any other ways, ive had a quick look at older threads, but just confused myself :S. Is my model 100 lumen as the 'new' one on their website states? With same runtimes? Or does mine only share its good looks with the current model?

The new one's a little brighter, with a tighter beam, and considerably longer runtime.

Also, I am pretty sure I can't but I thought I would ask anyway.. Can I use rechargeable CR123A's in my Surefire U2 as it would beat having to keep buying CR123A's.

The new one can use RCR123a's, the old one can not.

Both the new and old can use a single 17670 Li-ion cell, and some bodies of the older model (very early ones) can even accept an 18650 Li-ion.

 

[MarNav1]

There are beam and tint differences, some prefer the Lux5 and some the SSC emitter. Since the SSC is more efficient it will likely run longer and with less heat although heat doesn't seem to be an issue with any U2. Some of the earlier U2 models would accomodate 18650 cells as well, the new model will not but it will work with unprotected 17670 cells. I would not use 2 RCR's in a U2, maybe someone else will chime in on that. The new ones run just peachy on one RCR though, I can't say about the older ones. Either one is an excellent light IMO, a keeper. Light-reviews.com states about 150 lumens on a RCR, 189 lumens with 2 primaries. Your results may vary. In my opinion this light (mine is an A model) is deceptively bright. During the day it doesn't look like much really. At night though (when it counts) level 1 is more than enough indoors for moving around without stumbling or losing vision.

 

[paintballdad]

Your U2 if bought in 2006 would be the older model with a Lux V emitter rated at 100 lumens for 1 hour. The newer U2A has a SSC P4 emitter with the same 100 lumens but rated for 2 hours of runtime.
Your U2 shares the same good looks and great UI as the newer model. I prefer my Lux V U2 over the SSC P4.

 

[carrot]

If your U2 has a black plastic sleeve inside the body, you may be able to remove it and use 18650 Li-ions. A cool trick forgotten by history. Some even older U2s didn't even have the sleeve, but still fit 18650's. New U2's have thicker walls and thinner bores so do not fit 18650, only CR123's and possibly 17670's.

 

[Tempest UK]

P.S. The new Surefire UA2 Optimus looks like it might well be a good replacement for my U2 down the line ... My wife will likely baulk but what the hell.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any plans to release the UA2, last I heard.

Regards,
Tempest

 

[lumenal]

I prefer my Lux V U2 over the SSC P4.

Why is that?

 

[angelofwar]

Not sure about paintballdad, but the tint on my Lux-V L4 seems warmer than the tint on my SSC-P4 L4...more "white" than the blue-er tint of the P4...I'm sure it's the same with U2's...

 

[carrot]

Don't forget the nice big fat hotspot...

 

[paintballdad]

I just like the beam pattern and tint on the Lux V better than the SSC P4. Just as angelofwar and carrot have mentioned, the Lux V has a warmer tint to it and the hotspot on the Lux V is larger & the spill is also brighter.
I prefer those attributes over the extended runtime of the SSC P4 U2s. YMMV.

 

[Englander]

Thanks for the info guys, its appreciated.

Unfortunately, there are no longer any plans to release the UA2, last I heard.

Regards,
Tempest

Gutted! Wierd as well, as some websites seem to be taking pre-orders for it. It looked like a winner for replacement as its 200 lumens not to mention other advancements.

Englander

 

[lumenal]

I just like the beam pattern and tint on the Lux V better than the SSC P4. Just as angelofwar and carrot have mentioned, the Lux V has a warmer tint to it and the hotspot on the Lux V is larger & the spill is also brighter.
I prefer those attributes over the extended runtime of the SSC P4 U2s. YMMV.

Yeah, OK, I feel the same way.

The tint and beam pattern on my Lux V U2 are IMO finer than the SSC P4 U2s I've handled. The newer ones had very noticeable blue tints (tint lottery), where my Lux V is just pure white, with that big fat hotspot. Definitely lights up a room from floor to ceiling. :thumbsup:

 

[MarNav1]

My SSC is white, no blue at all. Would be nice to compare to a Lux 5 just for sh""s and giggles even though I'm not a Lux5 fan. Are you going to buy one Englander?

 

[Justin Case]

The older U2 that uses the Luxeon V LED has a boost driver. If you try to use 2xLi-ion, you'll probably fry the driver.

The current version U2 with the Seoul P4 LED uses a buck driver. Reports are that 2xLi-ion will work with the Seoul P4 version of the U2. But I've not tried this on my P4 U2.

As previously mentioned, you can also use 1xLi-ion -- either a 17670 or an 18650, whichever fits. The current version U2 won't be running in full regulation, but it'll still be quite bright. I don't have an old version U2 to test if the boost driver will run in full regulation or not. But I would imagine that even if it doesn't, the light will still be bright.

If you can get the head open, your U2 is probably well-suited for a 2S2P Cree MC-E mod.

 

[paintballdad]

My SSC is white, no blue at all. Would be nice to compare to a Lux 5 just for sh""s and giggles even though I'm not a Lux5 fan. Are you going to buy one Englander?

Here are some beam shots comparing the Lux V to the SSC P4 U2s.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=205637&page=4

 

[Englander]

Thanks Painballdad useful link that one.

My SSC is white, no blue at all. Would be nice to compare to a Lux 5 just for sh""s and giggles even though I'm not a Lux5 fan. Are you going to buy one Englander?

No, im going to stick with my 'old' U2, until something comes along in a similar sort of package that blow it away. From the link, the flood of the older one is more useful to me to pick ou objects in a wider area on the hill, the newer one although good seems a bit too focused and wouldn't light up the same sort of area to be useful for night nav.

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated

Englander