Arc Flashlights is back :Q

[screw3d]

The company went under for quite a while, and now they are back with the Arc AAA available for preorder :Q

http://arcflashlight.com/

These things were selling for >$80 on eBay..

 

[Eli]

Cool!

I was sad when they seemingly went under, even though I had never dealt with them before. Seemed like a wholesome, cool company.

Glad to see them back in business. Got any information on what has been going on? Probably some info on the candlepower forums, but I'm too lazy to go search.

 

[Ikonomi]

I expected the CPF board to be lit up (ha ha) with threads about this, but maybe it's too late at night for them.

Hmm. Maybe I should grab an 80% brighter AAA before Arc decides to disappear again or something.

 

[Eli]

I'd rather have a AA flashlight...

Sure, the novelty of ultra tiny is .. a novelty... but I think an AA cell is more practical.

They have more than 2x the capacity.. but they aren't twice as big.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: Eli
Cool!

I was sad when they seemingly went under, even though I had never dealt with them before. Seemed like a wholesome, cool company.

Glad to see them back in business. Got any information on what has been going on? Probably some info on the candlepower forums, but I'm too lazy to go search.

I think it might have something to do with Maglights.. but the lawsuit (or whatever) probably prevented Arc from revealing the details. I'm just guessing though. Glad that they are back so I can send mine in for some warranty action

 

[mobobuff]

As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

 

[Viper GTS]

I may just have to get one.

I love my Surefire for it's blinding output (120 lumens ) but it's a little too bulky to carry with me day to day.

Glad to see them back in business though.

Viper GTS

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

 

[Goosemaster]

:beer: to our imperial chinese investor overlords:neer;

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

No, lumens are not like MHz.

It's a direct measurment of light output.

MHz is not a direct measurment of computational power.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

It depends on the applications. Lumens are nothing like megahertz. More lumens = more light period. My single Inova T3 lit up a whole camp site where 3 other cheap flashlights can't. Plus I think I can knock out someone with it.

 

[Ikonomi]

Reading the new FAQ, the attitude that these guys are projecting is great. I haven't seen another manufacturer website with a "Mods" section in their FAQ, along with a version history which lists the changes in every revision of the AAA. That's just cool.

I'm tempted to pre-order a Premium AAA right now for a pocket light. That plus my car alarm fob is pretty much bulky enough for me. Of course, it'd be a kick in the balls to lose a $40 key chain.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

Let me see...

$35 for the light
$9 for the HO P61 lamp (I think, got it from ebay)

I still have both lamps so I can swap between them any time I want.

Only real drawback is the 120 lumen lamp chews batteries like a mother. 20 minutes on two CR123 lithiums.

Absolutely insane output though. It's particularly great everybody's reaction is to say "oh that's cute" and point it at their face.

Viper GTS

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I ordered one a few days ago :beer:

I'll post my opinions Friday hopefully!

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

No, lumens are not like MHz.

It's a direct measurment of light output.

MHz is not a direct measurment of computational power.

Well yeah, it's a direct measurement of light output... but does it define as well as a non-LED flashlight would? Does it show colors as accurately as a non-LED would? Are shadow-puppets warm cheery and inviting, or cold and bitter ?

I guess I'll just stick with this little guy for my LED needs. He cost about $7 IIRC. A nice spread but it doesn't focus very well. I suppose if I actually had the cash to blow, I'd splurge for a high-quality LED flashlight like the SureFire, just to say I have one. But what I'd really like is one of those high-powered green laser pointers. Talk about throwing power :Q.

 

[Ikonomi]

I honestly think color reproduction is much better with a good bin Luxeon as compared to an incan. My XO3 in particular has the purest white LED I've ever used. As manufacturing progresses, Luxeon Is and IIIs are getting whiter and whiter, with less blue, yellow, and cat urine green.

Of course, if you're looking for pure white, the Nichias in the Arc AAA are the wrong place to look.

Lumens are lumens, but that output could be in the form of long throw or a wide flood, depending on the flashlight. Which is better depends on what you're doing with the light. There are times when I'd prefer a wide flood with less total output to a long distance spotlight with more, but I'd probably be even happier with more lumens in that flood beam.

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

No, lumens are not like MHz.

It's a direct measurment of light output.

MHz is not a direct measurment of computational power.

Well yeah, it's a direct measurement of light output... but does it define as well as a non-LED flashlight would? Does it show colors as accurately as a non-LED would? Are shadow-puppets warm cheery and inviting, or cold and bitter ?

I guess I'll just stick with this little guy for my LED needs. He cost about $7 IIRC. A nice spread but it doesn't focus very well. I suppose if I actually had the cash to blow, I'd splurge for a high-quality LED flashlight like the SureFire, just to say I have one. But what I'd really like is one of those high-powered green laser pointers. Talk about throwing power :Q.

Have you ever used any of those high-end LED light? The only thing that LEDs lose to incandescents is the sheer output. I'd say white light > yellow light for lighting up stuff

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I honestly think color reproduction is much better with a good bin Luxeon as compared to an incan. My XO3 in particular has the purest white LED I've ever used. As manufacturing progresses, Luxeon Is and IIIs are getting whiter and whiter, with less blue, yellow, and cat urine green.

Of course, if you're looking for pure white, the Nichias in the Arc AAA are the wrong place to look.

Lumens are lumens, but that output could be in the form of long throw or a wide flood, depending on the flashlight. Which is better depends on what you're doing with the light. There are times when I'd prefer a wide flood with less total output to a long distance spotlight with more, but I'd probably be even happier with more lumens in that flood beam.

That's true, although you won't find a Luxeon based light in the size of an Arc, which is the main reason I want it.

What a comparable (in terms of price and size) Luxeon based light>

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

No, lumens are not like MHz.

It's a direct measurment of light output.

MHz is not a direct measurment of computational power.

Well yeah, it's a direct measurement of light output... but does it define as well as a non-LED flashlight would? Does it show colors as accurately as a non-LED would? Are shadow-puppets warm cheery and inviting, or cold and bitter ?

I guess I'll just stick with this little guy for my LED needs. He cost about $7 IIRC. A nice spread but it doesn't focus very well. I suppose if I actually had the cash to blow, I'd splurge for a high-quality LED flashlight like the SureFire, just to say I have one. But what I'd really like is one of those high-powered green laser pointers. Talk about throwing power :Q.

The really high output lights are not LED's, my Surefire is not.

Surefire does have some LED lights but for sheer output the non LED are far brighter. Unfortunately they eat batteries like candy.

And yes a green laser would be damn entertaining. Down to $100 on ThinkGeek IIRC.

Viper GTS

 

[mobobuff]

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I honestly think color reproduction is much better with a good bin Luxeon as compared to an incan. My XO3 in particular has the purest white LED I've ever used. As manufacturing progresses, Luxeon Is and IIIs are getting whiter and whiter, with less blue, yellow, and cat urine green.

Of course, if you're looking for pure white, the Nichias in the Arc AAA are the wrong place to look.

Lumens are lumens, but that output could be in the form of long throw or a wide flood, depending on the flashlight. Which is better depends on what you're doing with the light. There are times when I'd prefer a wide flood with less total output to a long distance spotlight with more, but I'd probably be even happier with more lumens in that flood beam.

Can most high-end LED flashlights adjust flood/focus like the Maglites? Also, what's the difference between a candella (candela?) and a lumen?

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Ikonomi
I honestly think color reproduction is much better with a good bin Luxeon as compared to an incan. My XO3 in particular has the purest white LED I've ever used. As manufacturing progresses, Luxeon Is and IIIs are getting whiter and whiter, with less blue, yellow, and cat urine green.

Of course, if you're looking for pure white, the Nichias in the Arc AAA are the wrong place to look.

Lumens are lumens, but that output could be in the form of long throw or a wide flood, depending on the flashlight. Which is better depends on what you're doing with the light. There are times when I'd prefer a wide flood with less total output to a long distance spotlight with more, but I'd probably be even happier with more lumens in that flood beam.

That's true, although you won't find a Luxeon based light in the size of an Arc, which is the main reason I want it.

What a comparable (in terms of price and size) Luxeon based light>

ARC had their LS, which ran off of one CR123.

Hopefully ARC intends to resurrect that as well.

It's shorter & fatter, don't recall the price.

Viper GTS

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Viper GTS

Originally posted by: mobobuff

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: mobobuff
As long as people are still stupid enough to spend more than $50 on a flashlight, they should be fine.

n00b.

Don't make me give you a massive concussion with this huge ass ugly Maglite.

That's about all stock mags are good for.

My MiniMag sized SureFire puts out more than a 6 cell mag (120 vs 106 lumens).

Viper GTS

Yeah, I suppose that's impressive... but how much did it cost? And are lumens kinda like MHz, more doesn't necessarily mean better?

No, lumens are not like MHz.

It's a direct measurment of light output.

MHz is not a direct measurment of computational power.

Well yeah, it's a direct measurement of light output... but does it define as well as a non-LED flashlight would? Does it show colors as accurately as a non-LED would? Are shadow-puppets warm cheery and inviting, or cold and bitter ?

I guess I'll just stick with this little guy for my LED needs. He cost about $7 IIRC. A nice spread but it doesn't focus very well. I suppose if I actually had the cash to blow, I'd splurge for a high-quality LED flashlight like the SureFire, just to say I have one. But what I'd really like is one of those high-powered green laser pointers. Talk about throwing power :Q.

The really high output lights are not LED's, my Surefire is not.

Surefire does have some LED lights but for sheer output the non LED are far brighter. Unfortunately they eat batteries like candy.

And yes a green laser would be damn entertaining. Down to $100 on ThinkGeek IIRC.

Viper GTS

A knowledgeable person I know says his L4 creates a "wall of light" lol