Two Stage Light (SF A2 type)

[flasherByNight]

I'm looking for a suggestion on a two stage light. Low for lengthy close area use, and a brighter (not necessarily eye retina scorching) secondary.

I'd like to prioritize run time. Weather resistance would be nice as well.

I'm wondering if there's been any updated lights I should consider, seeing as the A2 is no longer in it's "prime".
Also a sub $200 price tag would be nice...

(Size wise, the A2 is about as large as I'd go..)

Thanks!

(Also suggestions on where to buy would be nice if that's not against forum rules)

 

[flasherByNight]

E2D and L2 are in the running...

 

[Penguin]

L1 too.

I've had all 4 mentioned

The A2 is great if you want to use it outdoors, there's still something about an incandescent light outdoors that even the high CRI lights cant quite match yet (esp when you need it to throw) plus you get the option of colored low output.

The E2DL is a scorcher, the optic that surefire employs really throws the beam, the E2DL looks brighter than it actually is because of its unique beam characteristics.

The L2 still uses the LuxeonV, it provides a wide swath of light, pretty much exactly like the L4, if floody is what you're after and dont want to deal with any diffusers, the L2 is what you want.

The L1 is kind of like a toned down E2DL with imho a better interface (A2, L2 style), high is still quite impressive while the low produces a VERY usable amount of light

 

[Penguin]

whoops, cant forget the outdoor series, E2o and E1o. Surefire Backup too. All these lights are from SF, if you would consider other brands my Fenixs are quite nice.

 

[flasherByNight]

How low is the low on these?

I originally was thinking merely for very close useage ie like map reading....however now that I think about it, it'd be nice if the low was sufficient enough to walk in the woods by?

(been considering the fenixs as well..price sure is nice) ie L2D

 

[Penguin]

runtimes are on Surefire's website. I know the Fenix T-series have a comparatively high 'low mode' so you may want to take a look at those. You can pretty much use the light in low mode for more than 90% of the time, and be able to really kick up the lumens if the situation calls it ;)

 

[flasherByNight]

asking more about brightness then runtimes...

Is the low sufficient to walk by, or is it only sufficient to read a map by?

 

[Penguin]

imho it's too dim to walk with unless you're surroundings are very dark. if you want to use your light on 'low' for the majority of the time so you can achieve some long runtimes, the Fenixs maybe what you're looking for...

 

[flasherByNight]

hmm, i see...I'll have to consider that.
As far as the fenix goes, the L2D is the best option?

I must say, I first bought a couple of SFs 6p, G2 and E1 after reading this site...and always laughed when people said it was addictive, now that I consider how my collection has mysteriously grown I'm left scratching my head lol.

 

[delbert]

I have a Surefire E2L outdoorsman that is with me always.

I have used a few of the surefires but this is my favorite.

So much so that I am afraid of being without it and I ordered
another one just for a backup..........even though I have a couple G2s, 6Ps, an L4 a couple of A2s an E1B and an older E2L.:whistle:

Good throw and add a diffuser for a nice flood. Plus 11 hour run time on high and 100 on low. Oh, and I use rechargeable batteries in mine.

There are lots of great lights out there but be sure to give this one a look.

 

[flasherByNight]

I like the crazy long runtimes...but the 3 lumens on low worries me. Priced right as well...

SFs are hard to figure out as the pricing doesn't match up to what the "specs" are as far as lumens/runtimes. Makes it harder to compare

 

[Illum]

whoops, cant forget the outdoor series, E2o and E1o. Surefire Backup too. All these lights are from SF, if you would consider other brands my Fenixs are quite nice.

E2o and E1o are dual stage lights?:thinking:

you meant the E1L/E2L right? E2o/E1o [before they were discontinued, was xenon] :)

 

[mwelch8404]

I have an A2 - my only SF, which I purchased based on lots of reading and reviews here. I've never regretted it.

The white LEDs are plenty for navigation. If ambient light is enough to wipe 'em out, then you don't need em.

As far as the regulated incan, it's definetly worth it for me. I like to be able to see "real" colors at night.

ALthough I have looked at the A2L (mmm no bulbs to buy,) I just don 't know if I can give up the color temp on the incan. Hell, it's close enough to sunlight's temp u could probably use it with an old fashioned film camera...:popcorn:

 

[Grox]

I like the crazy long runtimes...but the 3 lumens on low worries me. Priced right as well...

SFs are hard to figure out as the pricing doesn't match up to what the "specs" are as far as lumens/runtimes. Makes it harder to compare

Haven't seen the 3 lumen low but I think it'd be plenty in good dark (ie outdoors settings). You'd be surprised how little light is needed. I think 3 lumens is enough to see directly in front of you and read maps by. And then if you have too much light (eg. nature's call in the middle of the night) it is quite painful to have too much light. For comparison 5 lumens is just about right to read a map in the car when someone else is driving. Can't emphasize how important the ambient light is here - if you're walking in well lit streets, 3 lumens won't cut it.

Keep your eyes peeled on the CPF Marketplace Sell forum and you'll easily pick up something - if you don't like it, get another.

 

[Penguin]

whoops, yeah, illumthenation is right. e2L and e1L, not O. Guess I haven't caught up with the times :)

 

[flasherByNight]

Haven't seen the 3 lumen low but I think it'd be plenty in good dark (ie outdoors settings). You'd be surprised how little light is needed. I think 3 lumens is enough to see directly in front of you and read maps by. And then if you have too much light (eg. nature's call in the middle of the night) it is quite painful to have too much light. For comparison 5 lumens is just about right to read a map in the car when someone else is driving. Can't emphasize how important the ambient light is here - if you're walking in well lit streets, 3 lumens won't cut it.

Keep your eyes peeled on the CPF Marketplace Sell forum and you'll easily pick up something - if you don't like it, get another.

yeah...thanks, kind of summed up/confirmed what I was thinking.
*just checking out the marketplace now, kinda weird you have to re-register.

 

[hyperloop]

Jetbeam Jet III M, can run on 18650s or CR/RCR123s. 2 modes, MAX @ 225 lumens and the other is programmable using their IBS user interface. Its pretty rugged too and i think well within your budget which would let you get, what else? Another light!

 

[greenLED]

Definitely the L1, IMO. Small, long runtime, yada-yada-yada...

Optics HQ has them for a little over $100.

 

[RobertM]

I'm wondering if there's been any updated lights I should consider, seeing as the A2 is no longer in it's "prime".

I'm not really sure how you came to the conclusion that the A2 is no longer in it's "prime." If anything, it is still ahead of its time. To my knowledge, it is still the only regulated incandescent on the market. Having bright, white, non-diminishing incandescent light for the entire run of its batteries is a pretty awesome feature. Sure, the white LED's could use some 5mm LEDs with less blue/purple in them, but that's about it. If you go for any of the colored ones, they are about perfect.

If you're not interested in having a regulated incan., I'd wait for either the upcoming LX1, LX2, or A2L.

-Robert

 

[flasherByNight]

Only meant that it came into the market awhile ago, and all the the glory threads on it are quiete old. It made me wonder if anything had come into the market since; as technology is always rapidly advancing. Sorry for the misleading wording...noobie; catching up though :)

Anyhow, just purchased an A2 on the marketplace, 2 Fenix E1's, and 1 Fenix L2D for comparisons sake and umm a guys gotta have a flashlight that uses them "normal" looking batteries ;)