I had an A2 with white LEDs on back order from OpticsHQ. (Nice price!) It seemed the wait would be long.
Various threads indicated that:
- white LEDs in an A2 are overdriven with primaries, let alone rechargeables (which I planned to use)
- resistors in the white LED ring are 33 Ohm
- 90-110 Ohm resistors in the LED ring are more conducive to long life when using rechargeables with standard white LEDs
- red led rings have 100 Ohm resistors
Then I noticed OpticsHQ had a few A2-HA-RD-Gift. This is an A2 with red LEDs, a spare MA02 lamp, a set of 123 primaries and lanyard, all in a "Rugged Cordura nylon presentation case" for a list price of $212.50. i.e. around $10 less than the list price of the contents bought separately.
I realised that if I had a modder swap red LEDs for one of the white alternatives, I'd have an A2 with better tint white LEDs and 100 Ohm resistors plus I wouln't have to wait for back order. A couple of PMs exchanged with milkyspit indicated that THC3 LEDs would have the best longevity and provide the tint that best matched the colour of the incandescent.
With the nice price from OpticsHQ and the saving on the A2-HA-RD-Gift compared to buying the components separately, a milkyspit modified A2 with THC3 LEDs would cost about the same as Surefire's list price.
So I changed my order with OpticsHQ and had them ship to milkyspit. He made the swap and shipped to me. (I live in Australia, so saving the cost of shipping the light across the Pacific a couple of times was worthwhile too.) When the light arrived, OpticsHQ was still back ordered on white LED A2s (since changed).
So how's the light? I've never actually seen a stock white LED A2, but I'm very pleased with mine with THC3 white LEDs and 100 Ohm resistors. On rechargeables (MP brand from AW), the LEDs are clearly brighter than my U2 on low (Surefire claims 2 lumens) or either of two HDS I've tried on the 2.5 lumen setting (all comparisons using ceiling bounce). With primaries, the brightness of my A2 LEDs can't be distinguished from the U2 on low but are still brighter than the HDS on 2.5 lumens. My guess is that this configuration is giving close to standard LED brightness.
As a small bonus, my A2 came with 2 sets of primaries.
If anyone else is interested in taking this route, OpticsHQ lists two A2-HA-RD-Gift in stock and milkyspit is great to deal with.
Various threads indicated that:
- white LEDs in an A2 are overdriven with primaries, let alone rechargeables (which I planned to use)
- resistors in the white LED ring are 33 Ohm
- 90-110 Ohm resistors in the LED ring are more conducive to long life when using rechargeables with standard white LEDs
- red led rings have 100 Ohm resistors
Then I noticed OpticsHQ had a few A2-HA-RD-Gift. This is an A2 with red LEDs, a spare MA02 lamp, a set of 123 primaries and lanyard, all in a "Rugged Cordura nylon presentation case" for a list price of $212.50. i.e. around $10 less than the list price of the contents bought separately.
I realised that if I had a modder swap red LEDs for one of the white alternatives, I'd have an A2 with better tint white LEDs and 100 Ohm resistors plus I wouln't have to wait for back order. A couple of PMs exchanged with milkyspit indicated that THC3 LEDs would have the best longevity and provide the tint that best matched the colour of the incandescent.
With the nice price from OpticsHQ and the saving on the A2-HA-RD-Gift compared to buying the components separately, a milkyspit modified A2 with THC3 LEDs would cost about the same as Surefire's list price.
So I changed my order with OpticsHQ and had them ship to milkyspit. He made the swap and shipped to me. (I live in Australia, so saving the cost of shipping the light across the Pacific a couple of times was worthwhile too.) When the light arrived, OpticsHQ was still back ordered on white LED A2s (since changed).
So how's the light? I've never actually seen a stock white LED A2, but I'm very pleased with mine with THC3 white LEDs and 100 Ohm resistors. On rechargeables (MP brand from AW), the LEDs are clearly brighter than my U2 on low (Surefire claims 2 lumens) or either of two HDS I've tried on the 2.5 lumen setting (all comparisons using ceiling bounce). With primaries, the brightness of my A2 LEDs can't be distinguished from the U2 on low but are still brighter than the HDS on 2.5 lumens. My guess is that this configuration is giving close to standard LED brightness.
As a small bonus, my A2 came with 2 sets of primaries.
If anyone else is interested in taking this route, OpticsHQ lists two A2-HA-RD-Gift in stock and milkyspit is great to deal with.
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