Who's favorite flashlight is the SureFire Aviator?

[thenikjones]

Does the latest version run OK on a 16340 cell? They are very expensive now - about £350 new in the UK where you can find them - but I'd get one if it ran on rechargeables

 

[vicv]

OMG if I ever had a pet peeve with Torches/Flashlights, that would be it... the current trend toward external USB charge ports 🤮

Ya. I miss cradle charging lights. Only streamlight now it seems

 

[vicv]

I have a round body a2 xenon with the red secondaries. It's still my edc. Love this light. I use primaries. But I have some soshine lfp 16340s on the way. I hope they fit. But to the earlier question, yes standard 16340s will work. But will overdrive the LEDs. How much that will affect them…..I don't know

 

[hamhanded]

Xenon A2 here. I have warm high CRI 5mm LEDs modded into it. Still my favorite after others have come and gone.

 

[batman]

I'm considering getting myself the Aviator current model in YG. However, the technology is nearly 8 years old at this point. Does it still makes sense?

 

[vicv]

I'm considering getting myself the Aviator current model in YG. However, the technology is nearly 8 years old at this point. Does it still makes sense?

Here is the thing. If it was a good light eight years ago, it's still a good light now. Your LEDs and drivers have advanced since then. But it doesn't make older stuff obsolete. It's still a great light. I don't personally have the LED model but I have seen beam shots from them and they look to be just about perfect for an LED

 

[batman]

Here is the thing. If it was a good light eight years ago, it's still a good light now. Your LEDs and drivers have advanced since then. But it doesn't make older stuff obsolete. It's still a great light. I don't personally have the LED model but I have seen beam shots from them and they look to be just about perfect for an LED

Makes sense! I also have some new worry thoughts about making a purchase like this though. Reading more about the light I see that many, many units have had quality control issues that Surefire refuses to address from 2017-2023.
I guess I will just have to buy the light and see if I can get lucky and mine has no issues. If it does have issues, see if I can live with them. If not, just return the light for a full refund because Surefire service won't fix it anyways.

 

[leukos]

Long time OG A2 4-flat fan here as well (with LFP123s, bi-pin adapters and modded LED rings)! I may have to pick up one of the "newer" Aviators to try as well. I really like the mil-spec Kroma cousin too (B version, modded)!

 

[vicv]

Makes sense! I also have some new worry thoughts about making a purchase like this though. Reading more about the light I see that many, many units have had quality control issues that Surefire refuses to address from 2017-2023.
I guess I will just have to buy the light and see if I can get lucky and mine has no issues. If it does have issues, see if I can live with them. If not, just return the light for a full refund because Surefire service won't fix it anyways.

I am curious what issues they have had. I have not heard this. Not disagreeing with you or anything. I would really like to know.

 

[batman]

I am curious what issues they have had. I have not heard this. Not disagreeing with you or anything. I would really like to know.

Issues with the light flickering mostly. Also, it seems I remember when the light was first introduced the secondary emitters weren't properly aligned in the reflector housing.

 

[scalpel_ninja]

I am curious what issues they have had. I have not heard this. Not disagreeing with you or anything. I would really like to know.

Issues with the light flickering mostly. Also, it seems I remember when the light was first introduced the secondary emitters weren't properly aligned in the reflector housing.

I can attest to both of these issues. A recent red version (twist with detent) flickered on low, both white and red emitters were not aligned correctly.

I do have an older amber version (pull and twist) and that one has no flickering, both emitters with better alignment.

 

[vicv]

Interesting. That's not like Surefire

 

[Bogie]

Here are some secondary color beam shots might help some choose. The amber gets the most pocket time for me it's become my off duty carry.

 

[batman]

Here are some secondary color beam shots might help some choose. The amber gets the most pocket time for me it's become my off duty carry.

I have strong red/green color deficiency (I guess my ancestors were hunters)- is image 1720 the yellow/green?

 

[Bogie]

Yes 1720 is the Yellow/Green version. I'm also Green deficient so it's a bit more pale yellow to me

 

[batman]

Well, I went ahead and got the yellow/green model. Only 15 were left in stock on Amazon so I'll get it and just look at it as a classic tool that might not be available in the future. Surefire is the only flashlight I've ever found that has the interesting yellow/green emitters for aviation and night vision gear. I'm not a Navy seal or a fighter pilot but I sure do like that color.
I still have my original surefire M6 from 2006 unmodded with just a lumens factory drop-in module. My motto is "buy and hold" when it comes to cars and gear. I feel like I'm getting my moneys worth that way even if it was really expensive. That's why I still drive my 2007 Honda Civic!

 

[batman]

Update: Received Y/G model, new in-box from Amazon yesterday.

What I first noticed is that the reflector is not centered in the bezel. My first automatic thought was this is another QC issue. Could it be that the reflector has to be off-center in order to align with the emitters as you turn the bezel?

Next, the Y/G flickers on both low and high settings.

The double-tap up to high power setting actuation is finicky, unlike any other light I've used with this feature.

Tailcap sticks for a second or two after clicking off the light, then the rubber boot finally pops out to position. Feels cheaply made. Maybe that's because it's still brand new and hasn't worn in yet.

I'm definitely sending it back even though otherwise it's an interesting light. Considering exchanging it for the red model but with only three hour run-time on high red(?), plus the same potential QC issues, I'm almost ready to just get a refund.

Any and all feedback to these issues openly welcomed and desired here! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 

[WarriorOfLight]

That is correct in this way. My 4 Aviators are in the same way.

If you rotate the bezel from colored to White LED you see this asymetric reflector is necessay to "change" the LED.

 

[batman]

Here are some secondary color beam shots might help some choose. The amber gets the most pocket time for me it's become my off duty carry.

Just curious, since the red low is only 1 lumen and the YL/GN is 3 lumens on low, is the YL/GN low that much noticeably brighter than the red low level? Obviously, if both lights were the same color, I would think more lumens appears brighter, but since one light is red, and the other is YL/GN, I know rods and cones work differently with light perception. I'm seriously considering adding
the red version to my light collection just as a novelty at this point.

 

[Bogie]

This is both on low both are dimmer in person the red being dimmer of the two.