SureFire A2? Clue me in, please...

S

Steve C

Joined
Mar 31, 2000
Messages
60
It's time to replace my venerable 6-series SureFires (I have a like-new 6Z and used 6P listed in the Trade Forum). Since leaving SWAT for health reasons, I've been out of the "new gadget" loop, so I decided to look here for info.

I was going to get an E2, but now I see there are several interesting options.

What is the deal with the new A2 light? What is the L1?

Regarding this KL-1 (?) attachment for the E2, does it permanently reduce the E2's output from 60 to 15, or just selectively?

Thanks for your patience and responses.
 
Last I heard the A2 was a light with both an incandescent and 3 white LEDs in the same bezel.
Push lightly for the LEDs (very low light) push harder to kick in the incandescent. Sort of like the low/high power of the 9N.
No official price or release date.

The KL1 is a 1W luxeon star replacement bezel for the E1/E2.
The regular bezel unscrews and gets replaced so nothing is permanent -- you just can't use both at once.
In stores now for about $40.

The L1 is a complete LED flashlight built from the ground up. No need to first buy an E1/E2. No official price or release date.

At least I think that's right.
a2-latest.jpg
 
Thanks, GJW. The more I look into this, the more choices I find; and the more confused I get:(

The SureFires are certainly too bright for "close-in" work. I carry a 6P on my nightly walk. That particular one has served me well for many years, but it is just a tad too big for EDC, now that I am in plain clothes. I'm using a Mag-Lite Solitaire for the time being, but of course that is too small for serious use.

I'm leaning toward the Inova, but it seems about the same size as an E2, and I'm not sure I want to sacrifice the power (lumens) a regular SureFire provides. Which makes me wonder if an E1 will be the best compromise?

Man; who would have thought choosing a lousy flashlight could be so difficult???:rolleyes:
 
If the 6P is too bright for close work, then the E2 series will also be too bright.

The E1's original bezel brightness is about the same as that with the KL1 replacement bezel (or so I've heard), but the KL1 will last for 4.5 hours at full brightness (as opposed to 75 minutes with the original). Buying an Executive will cost more than the Inova, but the price gets you:

1. Regulated brightness
2. Surefire fit and finish
3. Some modularity in what kinds of bezels you can attach
4. A pocket clip. Very important for EDC

I already have an Inova, so I'm going to put off buying the KL1 as long as I can. The KL1 looks damn good, especially with that HA finish. The Inova scratches easily.
 
[...the E2 will also be too bright.]

Yup. What I need is something for EDC that can be used around the house/office (LED-type), but has the bright capability for "tactical" use if need be. I want ONE light. I do believe in back-ups, and carry two guns and two knives while working. Two flashlights is just a bit over the edge, IMO. I've got too much stuff in my pockets as it is.

It looks like the A2 is just what I need, but no one really knows what the deal is yet with that one.

I'm also intrigued by the L1; anyone seen a prototype or heard any details about that one?

Steve
 
Hehe. Don't hold your breath waiting for the A2. The L1 is even further off over the horizon.

Surefire takes a while to tweak their design, but lets out their information early, so that everybody gets all hyped up for a product that might only start appearing a year later.
 
I figured as much. Nothing new there, it happens in many other areas of interest. It's their way of testing the water to see if a new product will be worth their time and trouble to produce. In the meantime, our interest gets piqued and then we get to squirm and sit on our hands waiting.

Communist bastards...:D
 
imho the best thing going is a inova X5t for low light needs and a E2e for brighter light. throw in a M3 for anything else, and ya are fixed up in the light dept, imho. these are what i am carrying now.

seriously, imho the inova is a little too dim for edc use for me, at least w/out a SF to back it up, they arent very bright.

if i could only have 1, give me a SF E2e HA, they rule!!!

greg
 
Greg, that's about what I have concluded. I found an original X5 to try out; it should be here in a day or so. I've pretty much decided on an E2 for "tactical" considerations. If the X5 (blue light; nobody has any white left, apparently) isn't satisfactory for pocket/EDC, I'll just keep the Solitaire on the key ring. I got the X5 because it is more compact than the X5T.

No doubt, a SureFire compact is the ONLY choice for do-everything/general purpose/serious use. I traded for an E1 that will be here soon, too. Working on an E2...;)
 
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