SureFire A2 Aviator:
Produced
by Surefire
The
SureFire A2 is a 2x123A cell flashlight that is very unique.
The
A2 is the first incandescent flashlight to be both digitally
regulated
and contain 3 embedded 5mm LED's in the reflector.
Digital regulation means that the brightness from the
incandescent lamp
remains constant throughout the life of the
batteries.
The
A2 is 5.5" in length and 1 1/8" in diameter at the bezel.
It has a 2 stage, momentary
pressure sensitive tailcap switch.
A small amount of pressure will turn the 3 LED's on (low beam),
giving you ample short range light. Pressing harder will
turn on the 50 lumen incandescent lamp
(high beam), giving you
much more light and much greater range. For constant on,
twisting the tailcap
will give you constant LED light output (low
beam), twist a bit more and the main lamp (high beam)
turns on as
well. Twisting the tailcap counter-clockwise will "lock-out"
the push button momentary
switch, preventing it from being
accidentally activated while it's in your pocket.
The
SureFire A2 is the first incandescent flashlight to be both
digitally regulated and contain 3 embedded 5mm LED's in the
reflector.
Brightness on "high beam" is between that of
the E2e w/MN03 and the P60 lamp assembly.
Brightness of the "low
beam", 3 5mm nichia LED's is about the same as that of the
Opalec
Newbeam but the A2's LED produce a bit wider beam than the
Opalec which makes it great
for reading and close range
flood-light work. Overall, the A2 is a great light and a great
example of fusing 2 types of lights together, eliminating the
need to carry multiple lights.
(Photo by FC)
On
the left is the Surefire L4, notice the square shaped LED die
surrounded by a custom "orange peel" reflector.
On the
right is the Surefire A2 with 3 embedded 5mm LEDS and an incandescent
lamp in the middle.
Low
Beam (LED's only) on the left. High Beam LEDs &
Incandescent on the right. (Photo's by FC)
A2 battery life on "high beam" is rated at
approx. 40-45 minutes with the included 50 lumen lamp assembly.
The
LED battery life is rated at about 3 lumens for approx.12 hours.
Surefire
A2 LED's -vs- Arc AAA
Surefire
A2 LED's -vs- Arc LSH
Surefire
A2 LED's -vs- Opalec Newbeam
A2 High Beam Pics: 
