Hhmm, they are for me. It’s photobucket, I’ve been using for years. Wonder if it’s having some connectivity problems…
I got the latest A8 version. It is very usable flashlight despite the mode spacing. Nothing beats this light at this price range imo.
Where did you get the A8, and what is the A8? I think the A2 is the XM-L2 version, and the A5 is an XP-E version. Should have bought the A5 - cheaper and will be changing the LED anyway.
Isn’t the A5 non-zoom and no usb charging?
Ooops, A5 here: http://www.dhgate.com/store/product/2015-supfire-new-flashlight-a5-outdoor-3w/376183205.html
yes - non-zooming, with USB charging, and best guess at LED is XP-E
Does it zoom out pretty good (no rings)? Are you planning on putting a different emitter in it?
There’s rings, but very minimal. I looked at it in flood, and little to none artifacts outside the zone. In zoomed out focused, there’s a circle around the square LED, but again looks very uniform, but expected without a full blackout of the head.
For now, think I’d try a simple amp boost (two R500’s shown) by adding a resistor, and replace the LED with either a de-domed XP-L V6, or maybe the XP-E2 Torch, or a de-domed XP-G2. Hoping for a good 30K+ - would be nice.
A8 is 2016 summer model, rated "1100lm" XM-L2 (unknown bin) with new box package.
Well, an A8 is not on their website (http://www.supfireenglish.com/Products/led_flashlight/) - the A2, A3, and A5 are, so again, where did you get it? Where's anything describing it?
Don't mean to be a pain, but am interested in finding out more about it.
Weird, Gues here: http://www.yoycart.com/Product/525687374564/ and http://www.chinaglobalmall.com/products/525687374564
But not too helpful - don't see anything that changed, but a lot is left out or in Chinese.
It looks more or less the same. They should have named it A2 (2016). I bought it from their official store in tmall.
Tom E,
Please let us know what you did to it if you do decided to mod it.
Nothing yet - hope to get to it soon. Might go with the new 219C 320 from Richard, or maybe the new XP-G3, de-domed. Want to push it for throw though.
The one thing that is really attractive about this light is that it’s able to be used while charging.
I'm a fan of the ZeusRay's, but this A2 light is no comparison. The ZeusRay, if you actually get one like advertised, is a good deal for $8, but the A2 is equally as good a deal, or better, for $18. Can't compare the two - like comparing a Sipik SK68 to a Convoy in quality, plus all the better features with the A2 (LVP, USB charging...).
The more I look at it, the more I'm impressed with it - I agree with freeme in that it competes with much higher cost brand name lights - $17.42 now, here: dhgate.com-supfire-a2
Also right now, outstanding deal for volume purchasing: $11.75 each for min qty of 20, free DHL shipping: dhgate.com-supfire-a2-volume purchase.
It's not perfect by any means. It's too long - they could have been smarter to get it down in length, plus the modes I mentioned - not a big fan of this type of UI. But I do like it's compact pocket size in width, like other tube lights but in a zoomie.
Hope I get some time this eve to mod mine up... Might throw in a XP-L HI for now.
Tom, can you confirm if it can be used while charging? I like that feature a lot
It’s in pieces and at home right now… I can rig it up though to try it when I get home.
Nice review and teardown.
Would it be possible to add some beamshots? In both flood and throw modes.
Thanks!
Ok - rigged it up on the bench and tried it. While on the charger, the RED LED in the switch blinks, and turning the main LED on works fine, and the RED LED still blinks. So it all appears to fully work while charging.
Well, it's still all in pieces, but will be modding it first. Just from my own opinion, it's a pretty nice clean beam for a zoomie. Full flood is smaller than some, but kind of expected for the small lens. it focuses perfectly, showing the dot patterns of the XM-L2 surface, with a ring pattern immediately around the dye image, but again, looks smooth. You really need to black out everything under the lens and around the LED to get rid of everything.
Thanks Tom.
Anyone know what’s the different between the 2015 and 2016?