UK2L & UK4AA

[G Pilot]

I have had the 4AA for a while and heard that the 2L had the same lamp assembly. Well I just got a 2L and they aint the same.

The 4AA bulb is raised up in the reflector. The 2L bulb sits low in the reflector. So just think of an ajustable beam light and you'll already know what I am going to say next.

The 2L has a spot and the 4AA is a flood. What is cool, the assemblies can be swapped.

I'll post pics later.

 

[Gandalf]

This came up once before; the older lamps I ordered for my UK 2L are idential to the original lamp in my UK 4AA and UK 2L; at some point, Underwater Kinetics changed their lamp assemblies, for no reason I can understand.

I like the 'old' spot style lamp, and I'm glad I have a number of them on hand. But if you like the flood style beam, then the choice is a good thing, and gives you an exta option for the beam from these two lights. The UK 2L is, IMHO, one of the very best 2 123 lights on the market; at around $25, it does a great job. It's tough, absolutely waterproof, lightweight, and gives 3 to 4 hours of light. There's no other light on the market (that I know of) that shares the niche that the UK 2L has.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gandalf:
The UK 2L is, IMHO, one of the very best 2 123 lights on the market; at around $25, it does a great job. It's tough, absolutely waterproof, lightweight, and gives 3 to 4 hours of light. There's no other light on the market (that I know of) that shares the niche that the UK 2L has.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Gandalf,

I couldn't agree more, though I'd feel more comfortable rating the useful runtime as 2:45-3 hours. Even though the 2L is ten or fifteen years old in design, it remains unique among all commercially available flashlights. The only potential area for improvement as I'm sure you know is in lamp/reflector design. Despite that this is a gem of a light, possibly the single most useful, virtually indispensible incandescent because of all the features you mentioned plus its incredibly small size and miniscule weight (2.6oz with batteries). Even the E2 with LOLA will not be a serious competitor IMO because of its two or three times greater cost, its less effective waterproofing, and its possibly lesser runtime and brightness, (which we will have to see if and when the d**mn thing ever comes out). I expect a better beam, but that may be of lesser importance than the cumulative weight of these other features.

We shall see.

Brightnorm

 

[Wick]

Brightnorm,

Check out Surefire discussion board concerning the MN02. They are currently taking pre-orders so it really must be close. $15 a piece, 25 lumens, 150 minute run time.

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wick:
Brightnorm,

Check out Surefire discussion board concerning the MN02. They are currently taking pre-orders so it really must be close. $15 a piece, 25 lumens, 150 minute run time.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks Wick

BN

 

[rlhess]

But this then becomes a strategy issue. One of the beauties of the E2e is it's bright light in a small package. If you put the MN02 in it and reduce it from 60 to 25 lumens--presumably a hair brighter than the UKE 2L--then when you need the brighter light you have to dork with changing LAs.

I have Brinkmann LXs in the cars...should I also be getting 2Ls? (I also have RayOVac 2D swivel lights and one other light: a 5D mag in my car and another 2D in the other car.) I also have an amber SOLAS-type strobe with magnet base in each car.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rlhess:
...should I also be getting 2Ls?.....
Cheers,

Richard<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Richard,

I like to think in task-specific terms. For EDC I want to have one superbright 2x123 light and a relatively long run moderately bright light which serves as my
"primary/utility" light along with at least one long burn backup, preferably two.

Those lights currently are:

1) "Mini-Superbright": Tacm III or ASP TRIAD/TACLITE because they are by far the longest throw 2x123 lights available, far superior (in this respect)to any Surefire 2x123 or even most 3x123's

2) Relatively long burn moderately bright light: either the X5 or 2L. When the LS arrives the 2xAA version MAY replace the X5 and 2L, all of which MAY be replaced by the E2/LOLA.

3)Relatively long burn backup keyring lights: ARC AAA plus PHOTON II or INOVA MICROLITE

Note: the total weight of the four EDC lights I am currently carrying is 7.9oz including batteries, plus another ounce for my belt holster.

For very hot humid days I EDC the same keyring lights and belt carry a single primary/utility light: the 2L in a conventional 6P holster with a bottom aperture to accommodate an extra 2L lamp assembly. I always carry at least two extra 123's next to my mini AM/FM radio in its tiny holster. Thus I am really carrying two 2L's with one body that is both a primary and a backup.

Once you have defined your flashlight needs/wants thinking in task-specific terms the rest is easy. Just research and buy the best or most appropriate lights based on your research within CPF.

If I owned a vehicle I would keep my regular EDC lights and simply ask myself what characterists I would want in a car light(s)
and proceed from there.

Brightnorm

 

[rlhess]

Hi, Brightnorm,

Thanks!

The TACM III must be an eye fryer! It's listed as 105.5 (sic) lumens on the Web site...almost double the E2e.

Was at a classmate's of my son's birthday party today and the place was full of LEOs (the parents are both LEOs) and I talked with some of them and most seem to be carrying small versions of the Stinger--they have to buy their own, but are reimbursed. The stuff isn't issued to them.

One guy showed me his Stinger and I showed him my ARC LE and E2e--we were both impressed <smile>.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[brightnorm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by rlhess:
Hi, Brightnorm,

Thanks!

The TACM III must be an eye fryer! It's listed as 105.5 (sic) lumens on the Web site...almost double the E2e.

Was at a classmate's of my son's birthday party today and the place was full of LEOs (the parents are both LEOs) and I talked with some of them and most seem to be carrying small versions of the Stinger--they have to buy their own, but are reimbursed. The stuff isn't issued to them.

One guy showed me his Stinger and I showed him my ARC LE and E2e--we were both impressed <smile>.

Cheers,

Richard<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have strong doubts about that high lumen figure for the TACM. If I remember correctly, Brock's chart listed the wattage as very similar to other 2x123's.

I think that the beam characteristics are the real factor here. Faceted reflectors are great, but the two longest throw 2x123's have smooth reflectors.

Brightnorm

 

[Brock]

Yup, for close up work the TACM isn't real good since the beam is so narrow, but that makes it good for outside distance lighting. The rings on the TACM still bug me to much to use it, I am so spoiled by Surefire's, Streamlight's, and any LED light.

I can't believe the TACM 3 is at 110 lumens, unless their lamp assembly's are about 60% more efficient then anyone else in the world that makes them.

 

[rlhess]

I think the E2e is fine for what I'm doing--having a bright light for looking inside buildings, electrical and mechanical rooms, and getting me out of buildings (10 floor and more--my office is on the tenth floor) when the power fails and the earth moves or...

If I NEED long throw, I have in various places 5D Mag, 6D Mag, (3) Brinkmann Legend LX, Vector 137CO, Brinkmann QBeam MaxMillion (or whatever it sez in my sig), and my fave light sabre the UKE SL6...which actually fits nicely in a hip pocket--but I'm not an LEO on a daily beat carrying that.

From all I've heard, the Ultra Stinger might fill a niche, but I don't see using it that often. By the way, I get a real 11,000 cd from the SL6 and 100,000cd from the Vector.

Cheers,

Richard

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yeah, the UKE SL6 is one bright light.