The SureFire A2L thread
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Re: No love for new SF A2L?
I've wanted an A2 (the incan version) forever. I was very excited when the A2L was announced, but times being what they are, there's no way I can afford it. If I had the cash I'd buy one right now. What is the poor, poor, poor man's Lunasol? Maybe I can afford that?
I've wanted an A2 (the incan version) forever. I was very excited when the A2L was announced, but times being what they are, there's no way I can afford it. If I had the cash I'd buy one right now. What is the poor, poor, poor man's Lunasol? Maybe I can afford that?
Sgt. LED
Flashaholic
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
The old A2 was a (in it's white LED configuration) cool low flood and warm throwy incan in one package that made it very suitable for many tasks.
This new one is just a high and low cool flood that many many other lights can already do. To me it pretty much ruined the A2. Now if you like your low mode to be a colored LED then it's not as bad but still the main beam is not anywhere near as great as it was.
If Surefire would of made the reflector a bit deeper and used a Cree Q4 5B I would of gotten one. That floody cool/blue Seoul, that reminds me way way way too much of the P60L, made it a total and complete deal breaker.
Clips break and Surefire sends you new ones with a short phone call so for me that is not a factor. Also I have 2 LX2's and their clips are just fine so far for me.
The old A2 was a (in it's white LED configuration) cool low flood and warm throwy incan in one package that made it very suitable for many tasks.
This new one is just a high and low cool flood that many many other lights can already do. To me it pretty much ruined the A2. Now if you like your low mode to be a colored LED then it's not as bad but still the main beam is not anywhere near as great as it was.
If Surefire would of made the reflector a bit deeper and used a Cree Q4 5B I would of gotten one. That floody cool/blue Seoul, that reminds me way way way too much of the P60L, made it a total and complete deal breaker.
Clips break and Surefire sends you new ones with a short phone call so for me that is not a factor. Also I have 2 LX2's and their clips are just fine so far for me.
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
hmm... i've been on the fence on buying original SureFire A2, even before A2L comes out. Never really a fan of 2 cell lights, but the reviews on them are fantastic, and i dig in the 2 stage tailcap!
well, now that its discontinued and A2L comes out, i actually getting 1 now 😀
so, still no love for new A2L for me, i already have LunaSols 😛
hmm... i've been on the fence on buying original SureFire A2, even before A2L comes out. Never really a fan of 2 cell lights, but the reviews on them are fantastic, and i dig in the 2 stage tailcap!
well, now that its discontinued and A2L comes out, i actually getting 1 now 😀
so, still no love for new A2L for me, i already have LunaSols 😛
Size15's
Flashaholic
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
Unless it comes directly from SureFire there are no plans to discontinue the A2.
Unless it comes directly from SureFire there are no plans to discontinue the A2.
computernut
Enlightened
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
I was thinking of getting an A2L but I don't really want to buy another LED flashlight right now as I already have an L1 and an E2L. I decided to get a used A2 White and it's on the way as we speak. The A2 Y/G I have is awesome but I find that unless it's really dark the low beam is a bit too low. The original A2 was a unique beast making it hard to replace. From what I can see the A2L isn't really a direct replacment and seeing how Surefire still has the A2 listed for sale shows they probably think that too. I think the A2L is a good light but that A2 lovers can't just blindly buy one without thinking about how they will use it first.
I was thinking of getting an A2L but I don't really want to buy another LED flashlight right now as I already have an L1 and an E2L. I decided to get a used A2 White and it's on the way as we speak. The A2 Y/G I have is awesome but I find that unless it's really dark the low beam is a bit too low. The original A2 was a unique beast making it hard to replace. From what I can see the A2L isn't really a direct replacment and seeing how Surefire still has the A2 listed for sale shows they probably think that too. I think the A2L is a good light but that A2 lovers can't just blindly buy one without thinking about how they will use it first.
tsask
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2005
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- 1,765
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
For the past few years I have dreamed of the ideal LED light with a bright white LED a GREEN LED. The A2L seemed like just what Ive been asking for except the white LED technology used by SF is far from state of the art.
If it had a neutral 2 stage white LED or that new CREE LED (that 4 Sevens has found) maybe I would spend the $$$
For the past few years I have dreamed of the ideal LED light with a bright white LED a GREEN LED. The A2L seemed like just what Ive been asking for except the white LED technology used by SF is far from state of the art.
If it had a neutral 2 stage white LED or that new CREE LED (that 4 Sevens has found) maybe I would spend the $$$
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litetube
Enlightened
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
I would love to have one , can't justify the cost . Especially with so many lights coming out now dumping all my $ into one light just seems like aa bad move. Used to be a new light would only come out once in a blue moon and as such it would get talked about endlessly on CPF and then the reviews and pictures . It was for me actually more fun back then. Now a light comes out, a review is quickly churned out and then the light starts the rapid process of "fading away" (haha) . Whithin a month a light can be utterly forgotten on here. I think also SF is losing some popularity on CPF for many of the same reasons. Other light makers are improving in quality and keeping the prices down for the "masses" .
I am still impressed by the beam shots I saw on here from a member comparing the new L2 against lights like the Olight M20. It blew them all away!!!. The output and beam are fantastic and the Tiros they have developed is really quite good. I really want a new L1 when they come out but it probably wont happen.
I would love to have one , can't justify the cost . Especially with so many lights coming out now dumping all my $ into one light just seems like aa bad move. Used to be a new light would only come out once in a blue moon and as such it would get talked about endlessly on CPF and then the reviews and pictures . It was for me actually more fun back then. Now a light comes out, a review is quickly churned out and then the light starts the rapid process of "fading away" (haha) . Whithin a month a light can be utterly forgotten on here. I think also SF is losing some popularity on CPF for many of the same reasons. Other light makers are improving in quality and keeping the prices down for the "masses" .
I am still impressed by the beam shots I saw on here from a member comparing the new L2 against lights like the Olight M20. It blew them all away!!!. The output and beam are fantastic and the Tiros they have developed is really quite good. I really want a new L1 when they come out but it probably wont happen.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
Edit: Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the TIR optic on the A2L, and a reflector on the L2X? That would have been more in keeping with the original concepts - the primary beam of the old A2 was oriented towards throw and the L2 was floody. Maybe the secondary LED's could have been configured for a usable flood somewhere behind or beside a TIR, I don't know. My two lumens,
Although I don't own an A2, the above makes perfect sense to me. A real differentiation would have been to place a warm primary emitter behind a deep throwy reflector or even an aspheric. That would probably be about as unique as the original A2. And I can't imagine what they are thinking about that cr@ppy cool/blue Seoul like they are cursing the P60LEDs with.:thinking:
Edit: Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the TIR optic on the A2L, and a reflector on the L2X? That would have been more in keeping with the original concepts - the primary beam of the old A2 was oriented towards throw and the L2 was floody. Maybe the secondary LED's could have been configured for a usable flood somewhere behind or beside a TIR, I don't know. My two lumens,
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Re: No love for new SF A2L?
I had known for quite some time of the coming of the SF A2L and was very curious as to what the design goals might be. At one point I was really concerned that it would come out while I was struggling trying to get a large wave of LunaSol's done and I considered the possibility that the A2L would take the wind out of my sales. (pun intended).
Well I just got one from a dealer the other day (white 3 mm LED's) and although I prefer the tighter and brighter spill of the beam distribution in the LunsSol 20 over the shallow reflector distribution of the A2L, I think the A2L is a great utility light and would and will recommend it to friends looking for a good and versatile light. I feared the 3 mm LED's would be too collimated in their flood output but I am quite pleased with them and their distribution.
I would expect the new A2L to receive the same mixed reviews and probably be somewhat misunderstood just like its predecessor. Over time, I think there will be some real diehard supporters for this light. I could be totally wrong and it wouldn't be the first time. :nana:
My bias and involvement in flashlights precludes me from loving any of them but the A2L is certainly way up there in terms of appreciation and my idea of a good all around light. :thumbsup:
I had known for quite some time of the coming of the SF A2L and was very curious as to what the design goals might be. At one point I was really concerned that it would come out while I was struggling trying to get a large wave of LunaSol's done and I considered the possibility that the A2L would take the wind out of my sales. (pun intended).
Well I just got one from a dealer the other day (white 3 mm LED's) and although I prefer the tighter and brighter spill of the beam distribution in the LunsSol 20 over the shallow reflector distribution of the A2L, I think the A2L is a great utility light and would and will recommend it to friends looking for a good and versatile light. I feared the 3 mm LED's would be too collimated in their flood output but I am quite pleased with them and their distribution.
I would expect the new A2L to receive the same mixed reviews and probably be somewhat misunderstood just like its predecessor. Over time, I think there will be some real diehard supporters for this light. I could be totally wrong and it wouldn't be the first time. :nana:
My bias and involvement in flashlights precludes me from loving any of them but the A2L is certainly way up there in terms of appreciation and my idea of a good all around light. :thumbsup:
MSaxatilus
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: No love for new SF A2L?
I actually had just the opposite feeling as many posted here. I was NOT a big fan of the oringal A2 because of the combination of LED and incan. light sources. I found the color temperature between the two very distracting and unpleasant.
That being said, when I heard SF would put out an all LED version, I was quite excited as this would have fixed the deal breaker issue for me. So I picked up mine a week or so ago, and I have really liked it and find it to be a very useable illumination tool. I do think its a bit awkward to have the low beam remain on while you shift to high beem, but its a minor problem for me.
That being said... I agree with Don above... the Lunasol 20 has a better beam distribution than the A2L, but I like mine! :thumbsup:
MSax
I actually had just the opposite feeling as many posted here. I was NOT a big fan of the oringal A2 because of the combination of LED and incan. light sources. I found the color temperature between the two very distracting and unpleasant.
That being said, when I heard SF would put out an all LED version, I was quite excited as this would have fixed the deal breaker issue for me. So I picked up mine a week or so ago, and I have really liked it and find it to be a very useable illumination tool. I do think its a bit awkward to have the low beam remain on while you shift to high beem, but its a minor problem for me.
That being said... I agree with Don above... the Lunasol 20 has a better beam distribution than the A2L, but I like mine! :thumbsup:
MSax
Size15's
Flashaholic
I merged the "No love" thread into the the SureFire A2L thread thread
I seem to have developed a stutter. No matter.
That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is :candle:
I seem to have developed a stutter. No matter.
That that is is that that is not is not is that it it is :candle:
DimeRazorback
Flashlight Enthusiast
Size15's :laughing:
I wouldn't trade my A2L for anything, it may be a little cool... but not as bad as the P60L's.
It has a nice little hotspot, and PLENTY of spill, to give a nice floody beam aswell.
The beam profile is pretty much EXACTLY the same as the original A2, and I still believe that that was their intention.
They are just to alike to be coincidence.
I wouldn't trade my A2L for anything, it may be a little cool... but not as bad as the P60L's.
It has a nice little hotspot, and PLENTY of spill, to give a nice floody beam aswell.
The beam profile is pretty much EXACTLY the same as the original A2, and I still believe that that was their intention.
They are just to alike to be coincidence.
manoloco
Enlightened
you know guys what i would love to see?: an A1L
in fact i would love to see an A2 and A2l. since i have never seen one of those (besides pics or videos) either 😀, but 1 cell lights are safer and easier to mantain and operate, at this point a 1 cell light has good output for an all around versatile pocket flashlight.
in fact i would love to see an A2 and A2l. since i have never seen one of those (besides pics or videos) either 😀, but 1 cell lights are safer and easier to mantain and operate, at this point a 1 cell light has good output for an all around versatile pocket flashlight.
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Force Attuned
Enlightened
Have the blue and green versions been released yet??
manoloco
Enlightened
Thinking more about this, if the LX1 is compatible with the A2L head it will be wonderful, probably nice to drive with an AW protected RCR123a black label if the driver inside allows, but many questions rise: is the driver on the LX1 on the body like the cree version? or is it in the head now?, and is the A2 driver in the head? (likely to be).
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DM51
Flashaholic
LOL. You've developed a strobe, not a stutter.
I think he was implying an aluminum "budget" model A1L, not the titanium supercharged McGizmo special we've mostly been drooling over for a couple years 🙂
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