SUREFIRE A2 Aviator

A couple of weeks ago I came into a new SUREFIRE A2 Aviator. Like all of the SUREFIRE products I've owned, it's one of the highest quality lights I've tested.


The A2--designed for pilots--is capable of providing two levels of light. The low setting activates three LEDs and gives off three lumens of light. This setting is good for general cockpit usage and close-up work. The high power illumination is provided by a fifty-lumen incandescent lamp, and is designed for pre-flight inspection or emergency use.

The three LEDs come in five different colors: Red, yellow-green, green, blue and white. For my purposes, I chose the white LEDs. I was quite surprised that the specifications on the LEDs indicated that they produced only three lumens of light. When compared side-by-side to my L2 (rated at 15 lumens on low power), it actually seemed brighter than the L2. In any case, it's an impressive amount of light with an estimated runtime of twenty hours.

I also noticed that the incandescent bulb produces fifty lumens as opposed to most of the SUREFIRE lights of this size that produce sixty. I think this may be due to the reflector being less efficient because of the three built-in LEDs. Also, I found it interesting that on the high setting, both the LEDs and the bulb were illuminated. I'm not sure how much those three LEDs add when that main bulb is on, but maybe it serves to add some peripheral illumination. Keep in mind that on the high setting, the batteries are only good for about an hour.

Whether on the low setting or high, the light was very bright and even, with no real dark spots or abberations. I did notice that the white LEDs seemed to cast a more bluish tint than my L2. But it really wasn't enough to be objectionable.

If you're looking for a high-quality, dual-level light, the SUREFIRE A2 may be the answer. Check it out on the SUREFIRE web site at: http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_disp/displ/prrfnbr/900/sesent/00