Personal camping flashlight - L1, A2, ??

Michael_Aos

Michael_Aos

Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
1,639
Just got back from 2 nights camping.

I brought my little Cabela's LED / Xenon combo light. I like it, and I _really_ like the concept of a long-running low-light and a high-power mode.

I _don't_ like having to "click through" high-power to get to low-power every time. I used it exclusively on low-power, for finding my way back to the tent.

Any suggestions on a personal dual-power flashlight? I have had my eye on the A2 for a while, but now I'm wondering if the L1 would actually be better for camping? How do the two compare?

Other suggestions?

Thanks,

Mike
 
I've got the little Cabela, and it is a neat concept, But I still carry three lights camping... My MadMax modded minimag is the around camp light. Sometimes I substitute my Opalec Newbeam modded mini-mag for this duty. For brighter work, I have the Surefire E2E or G2. Always on my belt and useful for finding another flashlight in the dark is the Arc AAA. - Lee
 
I consider the L1 to output really low and low outputs where as the A2 outputs really low and medium outputs.

I would pick the A2 to go camping with over the L1 (technically I would take both but that's me). The A2 can put it's quality light beam at ranges the L1 just can't. Camping in my limited experience has been the dual need for very close quarters long runtime low output "tent" light and a "What the hell was that?!" or general output beam for use outside.

Al
 
If you're not concerned about the money the A2 will fit your needs. I just ordered a white LED one for the same reason. I got tired of clicking through the power levels. I have the L1. I like it but the beam doesn't have a lot of throw, maybe 50 feet.

One other option if you don't need a lot of throw is the Eternalight. It looks like something out of Star Trek but it does use AA batteries, has multiple dimmer modes and some models are waterproof. Some models have a night beacon so you can find it in the dark. I almost always take mine of trips. Here's a link. Eternalight
 
Originally posted by beemerphile
The CMG Bonfire Blaze is a really good tent light. Runs forever. - Lee
Click to expand...

Got one -- and yeah, I like it.

Looks like an A2 it is...

I see Brightguy has a 2-cell, dual-power -- and only $30, but it looks like the same "click through" switch.

:-(

Mike
 
Originally posted by Size15s
Camping in my limited experience has been the dual need for very close quarters long runtime low output "tent" light and a "What the hell was that?!" or general output beam for use outside.

Al
Click to expand...

Exactly.
 
Originally posted by Michael_Aos
I see Brightguy has a 2-cell, dual-power -- and only $30, but it looks like the same "click through" switch.
Click to expand...
If you're talking about the Streamlight Twin-Task lights, then yeah, they are "click through." I have a couple on order so I'll see how irritating it is or not. How does the A2 switch work?

For myself, I think I would just carry two different lights (depending on how much I like the new Streamlights). I generally carry an E2 and Inova X5 anyway.
 
SureFire currently has three models that uses a "two-stage" pressure switch (aka 2sps). The 10X was the first, then the A2 & L1.

The 2sps TailCap has a LockOut feature to disable both beams. To LockOut a SureFire TailCap you rotate the TailCap unscrewing it from the body until no amount of pressure activates the light.

The 2sps works by pressing the button for the low output beam and pressing it harder for the main beam (10X has duty beam and high beam)
This is only one of the switching modes you can use.

Low beam LockOut / Main beam LockOut [flashlight disabled]
Low beam Momentary / Main beam LockOut
Low beam Momentary / Main beam Momentary
Low beam Constant-On / Main beam Momentary
Low beam Constant-On / Main beam Constant-On

Unlike other SureFires, I carry the A2 clipped inside my pocket in "momentary/momentary" mode rather than Locked Out. I've been carrying and using an A2 since before Christmas 2002 and I've never had it come on in my pocket.

Al
 
Based on what I've read over at www.candlepowerforums.com I take two lights camping: An ARC LSH-P and a Turquoise ARC AAA.

IIRC the ARC LS and E1e/KL1 combination both run longer than the L1. The A2 just seems to spendy for me. I'd rather attach a Photon or ARC AAA to the split ring on my ARC LS or the clip of my E1e/KL1 or E2o/KL1.
 
Originally posted by Size15s
SureFire currently has three models that uses a "two-stage" pressure switch (aka 2sps). The 10X was the first, then the A2 & L1.

The 2sps TailCap has a LockOut feature to disable both beams. To LockOut a SureFire TailCap you rotate the TailCap unscrewing it from the body until no amount of pressure activates the light.

The 2sps works by pressing the button for the low output beam and pressing it harder for the main beam (10X has duty beam and high beam)
This is only one of the switching modes you can use.

Low beam LockOut / Main beam LockOut [flashlight disabled]
Low beam Momentary / Main beam LockOut
Low beam Momentary / Main beam Momentary
Low beam Constant-On / Main beam Momentary
Low beam Constant-On / Main beam Constant-On

Unlike other SureFires, I carry the A2 clipped inside my pocket in "momentary/momentary" mode rather than Locked Out. I've been carrying and using an A2 since before Christmas 2002 and I've never had it come on in my pocket.

Al
Click to expand...
So no matter which mode you're in, the LED's are always on? Is this the case with all dual/multi mode lights?
 
I went ahead and ordered the A2.

Yes, it seems awfully expensive to me too -- and I have spent a lot on flashlights.

E1, E1e. E2, E2e. G2, Innova X5, Innova X5 tactical. Arc AAA, 2xBrinkman Legends, 2xPrinceton Tech impact, CMG Bonfire, a bunch of Photon II's, Cabela's LED / Xenon combo...

Probably more.

I already carry too much "stuff" on my person, so it's worth it to consolidate 2 flashlights into one.

Mike
 
Originally posted by Michael_Aos
so it's worth it to consolidate 2 flashlights into one.
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In the end, that's all that ever matters--let us know how the light is when you get it.
 
After this weekend I tossed my dual-function LED / Xenon Cabela's flashlight in the Rover glove-box.

I was going to just use my G2 and either the Innova X5 tactical or Princeton Tech impact -- additional cost $0.00.

Then I thought about replacing the Impact with a PT "attitude".

But I keep coming back to wanting to minimize. I already carry an Entrek Companion (soon to be replaced with a Busse Anorexic Badger LE), Leatherman Flair and S&W 317 "Kit gun" .22 on my belt.

Mike
 
After a blackout last year I realized I need a headlamp. Now that I have one, I can't believe I ever got around without one! I got a Princeton Tec Aurora (3xAAA, 3 5mm LEDs), which would be "very low output" on Al's scale. It would be great for hands-free camp set-up, get the fire going, walking trails, etc. It's got 3 dimmer modes.

With that being my main light, I'd want a brighter, just-in-case light. E2 is probably my first choice, but I might end up bringing the UKE 2L instead.

That's my two main lights. Certainly attaching an Arc AAA to my pack doesn't cost me anything, so I'd do that just to have around. Maybe the eternalite x-ray as well, since its many dimmer modes are very useful, but admittedly the above lights probably handle everything very well so the eternalite is just an extra plaything.

Joe
 
Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
...so the eternalite is just an extra plaything. Joe
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If you camp at a motorcycle rally where yours is one of the 5,000 or so green tents in the campground, there is nothing like an Eternalight lashed to your tent emitting a slow strobe when you are wandering back from the beer tent at half past dark. Eternalight fills a void. - Lee
 
For the money the Streamlight TwinTask is a good light, but the cost includes a "Made In China" label, a price some find too high.
 
Got my A2 today (thanks Dan @ Tactical Warehouse).

I'm impressed. This is what I wanted, although I wish it weren't quite so long.

Does anyone have those pictures handy, that show the early-versions -vs- the later versions? I'm wondering if I have a prototype / early release? How exactly could I tell?

Mike
 
You do not have a proto-type - not unless you stolen one from the SHOT Show 2002 in Vegas or you were one of the early proto-type field-testers (I know of one or two). Dan's stock is likely to be very fresh. What is the Serial Number? In the thousands I guess?

I'll see what I can do with dragging up photos for you.

Al
 
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