Would Another A2 Color be Useful?

[BigBluefish]

I picked up an A2 with the red LEDs the other day, my reasons being, honestly 1) it is just so cool, I've wanted one since before I was even "into" flashlights; 2) the low red will actually be really useful for stargazing, and probably poking around the campsite after dark, and perhaps in the mornings on the way to the deer stand.

My question now is, with all the other cool A2 colors, is there any reason to get a different color, besides the 'cool' factor? As much as I'd like to, I can't see myself expending the funds on another A2 unless I have an objective reason to do so.

So, for the following nighttime activites, is there any other LED color besides Red that would do a better job for situations where the incan light is far too bright? I selected red LEDs to preserve night adapted vision. Are there any other reasons to have a different LED color on another A2 for any of the following activities?

Stargazing
Working around the campsite after dark
Watching wildlife
Walking a trail in the dark
Walking to a deer stand, hunting spot
Nighttime fishing
Reading, maps, instructions, manuals (I think red lines on maps would be invisible under red light)

 

[ninemm]

I don't have specific experience with an A2 of any color. So this is thought is based on my own research (on CPF) into which A2 color I would buy. (I have a Kroma so the red and blue are covered for me) I have read that the Yellow Green A2 is excellent for map reading etc at night and general nightime navigation. I can't remember what threads, but a search should find them pretty quickly.

 

[ebow86]

White secondary LED's are going to be the most useful by far. If you are really concerned about preserving night vision then the yellow-green LED's make sense, even though you already own red.

 

[Ronin28]

I purchased the one with Green LEDs...I really love that color for lighting up a room at night. I plan on getting the one with Red LEDs for preserving night vision. Of course once I get it, I could use both A2's whilst going for my evening walks around Xmas time... :crackup:

 

[Chrontius]

White or yellow-green would do better for reading, but red is about ideal for the other tasks listed, as many critters you might want to eat can't see red light so well.

Walking a trail at night... I could go either way with the two I mentioned and the one you have.

 

[Echo63]

CPf member koala is making his "onion rings" for the a2
They basically replace the led ring in the a2 with a new ring that will allow the use of rcr123 batteries and they have sockets instead of soldered LEDs so you can change them out when you feel like it and run a selection of different colours at once

 

[kramer5150]

CPf member koala is making his "onion rings" for the a2
They basically replace the led ring in the a2 with a new ring that will allow the use of rcr123 batteries and they have sockets instead of soldered LEDs so you can change them out when you feel like it and run a selection of different colours at once

... waiting for that as well. Its been a 2+ year development. But a ~10 Lumen warm tint A2 is on my want list.

 

[KiwiMark]

There have been discussions on these forums before about night vision and the short story is that only red light (light above a certain wavelength) would be properly able to preserve your night vision. If that is your main concern then red is the best way to go.

I have an A2 with white LEDs and it is good for lower light that is floodier for close use without too much glare which complements the incan that gives the brighter light that has excellent throw for seeing stuff further away. For lower light and 'normal' colour rendition the white LEDs are the way to go.

I would put the white LEDs in number 1 spot for usefulness and red LEDs in number 2.

 

[DaveG]

I have green leds in mine due to the fact it was a close out and the only one they had.My first led color would be white first then green next,I have not used the y/g model,but it sounds good also.Blue or red leds just seem not to be bright enough to me any way.I think it may be just me though in what makes my eye balls happy.I use my green led A-2 for night fishing and so far so good.

 

[M@elstrom]

A UV modded A2 would be good for checking your campsite for undesirables (scorpions etc.) before bed & for those CPF'ers who actually use UV light to cure compounds, conduct forensic investigations, check for security features on cash/ID & hunt for pet stains :thumbsup:

 

[JNewell]

I have white and YG and would rate the YG well above white, mostly because the white LEDs are quite bright. What I personally want from the LEDs is a really low level light, and the YGs provide that and also deliver reasonable (though not perfect) color rendition. YMMV!

 

[computernut]

I find the Y/G to be quite useful but only when it's really dark. I find it a really relaxing colour. I find red bothers my eyes a bit when I try to read or pick out the detail in something.

A colour that I'd like to play with (maybe once I get an Onion Ring) is Blue/Green, it's used in a lot of car dashes now.

 

[tolkaze]

Why is it yellow green? I remember reading that it is a good map reading colour when there is a lot of blue and red lines on the map, but thats all i remember about it...

Also, aren't they quite rare? or only rare second hand?

 

[NE450No2]

I have 2 SF A2 Aviators.

My first was the Yellow Green Led's It was given to me by a fella at SF when I did a "tour" there a vew years ago.

The Y?G is designed to read a map and not destroy your night vision. The brightness of the YG seems quite a bit less than the other Led's IMHO.

My second A2 has the White Led's. I consider them the most useful for normal "navigating" around in the dark when you do not want or need a lot of light.

I never leave the house or go on any type of trip without it.

I use it every night to go from my "man cave" to the bedroom, as ll the other lights are off in the house and it does not wake up the wife.

I have also found it bright enough to walk down trails in the dark on LED only, thus preserving your night vision.