advice needed on AA-AAA light

[steve_vance]

hey guys....I'm looking for a smallish AA-AAA light to replace some of the original CMG Infinities that I gave away. I see all the hoopla over the Arc AAA, but I wonder if it's too small...my primary concerns are brightness and a decent run time; I'm taking it camping, Also wonsdering about the CMG sonic and Inova X1. Any suggestions? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[shiftd]

CMG sonic is basicly similar to Arc in that they both uses (partially) regulated output. IMHO, Arc has a lot more coolness factor compared to the sonic, but that is just MY opinion. the Arc will runs of about 5 hrs (depending on your battery brand, of course, as your milleage may vary /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) and will then fall out of regulation and start its moon mode. The moon mode will allow you to perform most basic survival task such as finding another AAA cell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif . But the X1 is different from the other two. It uses some kind of focusing lens that project a tight round beam, so it might not too useful for near and close up work but too dim for lighting distance objects. the only thing I like from X1 is the form factor; it is simply as cool as its brother, the X5.
My suggestion is for you to buy Arc AAA. It's price (right now) also one of the many reasons that you should go and get one of yours. But if you think that Arc AAA maybe too small for you (which i think would not), go get the bigger CMG Ultra. More runtime, same brightness, similar price but with a bigger body and accept 1AA instead of 1 AAA.

the choice is yours. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[JohnK]

Moving up to the Infinity Ultra wil give you a much brighter light. One reviewer tested the original Infinity at 6 Lux, the Ultra at 28 Lux. The ARC is in that (28 Lux) ballpark, perhaps a bit less, but the Ultra will give you roughly twice the run time.

 

[Brock]

Hey Steve, I hate to sound like a broken record, but get at least one Arc AAA, you will find a use for it I am sure, and right now Arc has a special going, I think it was $15? Check their web site. My dad prefers the CMG for the runtime. The Arc AAA and the CMG Ultra are very close in brightness, but as mentioned the Ultra get about 2x the runtime and the regular CMG get about 20 hours, but at about 1/3 the brightness. I carry and Arc all the time.

http://www.arcflashlight.com

 

[steve_vance]

OK all you Arc-AAA freaks.....I ordered 2 from the Arc website @ $14.00 each plus shipping. I also ordered 2 of the Ulta-G from Countycomm....so we'll see which I like the best.
Also ordered several CMG Infinity old style in white from Eppes Corner @$12.97 each.....nice lights for the runtime.
Guess I'm set for poket lights for now (that is until the X1 is out)
Thanks all of you for the advice

 

[kakster]

You wont regret buying the ARC AAA's . Its an outstanding little blighter, and built to last.

 

[Roy]

There are a lot of runtime plotw that have been done on various flashlights. Doa search on the "Reviews" forum for "Run - Time" for the past year. Should get youall of the runtime plots that I have performed with comments. www.flashlightreviews.com is another great source of runtime plots and reviews.

Happy hunting!

 

[Zman]

I suppose its a bit late, but I see no one mentioned the micro illumnator. Its quite the light. Great output, very good run time. Cost is up there, but as many flashaholics here know, that doesn't matter as much to us!

 

[Hoghead]

steve vance
You are a man after my own heart. Two of each,ya done good!
You're a true Flashaholic.

 

[FlashlightOCD]

Steve Vance,

You might also consider buying some Lithium AA's for the CMG's, you can get them from www.batterystation.com much cheaper than at a retailer.

I don't know if he is still running the special or not, but he was selling them at 8 for $16 [including shipping] a while back.

The lithiums will drive the CMG Ultra-G a little brighter, and probably last longer too.

 

[The Wolf]

Thanks for this thread. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I ordered the same thing, 2 ultra-g's from countycomm and 2 of the special priced arc AAA's (had to get an OD 24/7 on impulse too ;-). The ultra-g's arrived quickly, and my wife said 'Cool!' and is planning on scarfing them up for her and my daughter's backpacking trip into the rockies... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Guess I might need to order another...

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

I prefer the CMG Infinity Ultra (not G) for the clip.

 

[batterystation]

Our July CPF only special is the Infinity Ultra (notG) with clip and lanyard for $15.00 Older ones in colors $12.00
$5 Any size order off that page. Link below sig file.

 

[Pi_is_blue]

You could get the Arc AA when it comes out.

 

[RonM]

I gut the CMG Ultra first and thought there was no need to get the ARC. But after getting the ARC it became my EDC becaue it is just that much smaller.For camping and outdoorsey stuff, I'll carry the Ultra.

 

[BuddTX]

Look, I LOVE the ARC AAA, and plan to buy the ARC AA when it gets released, BUT . . .

If you are looking for a small light, with a lot of output, and a low purchase price, consider the Streamlight Clipmate.

The Clip is really nice, and the clip pops in and out of the socket, and without the clip, it makes for a very small, nice, bright 3 LED light. I like it a little better than my Princeton Tec Attitude because it is a little smaller (3 AAA's vs 4 AAA's) and it has a silver relflector that, I think DOES make a difference in the total light output.

Brightguy sells these for 14.95 dollars each.

 

[PlayboyJoeShmoe]

Tiny (relatively) = ARC AAA
Slightly Larger = Infinity Ultra
Somewhat bigger...
But VERY usefull = Princeton Tec Attitude

Each somewhat brighter than the last, and each lasts around twice as long as the last.

I don't have any problem wearing an Ultra or a PT Blast around my neck.

But I wear my ARC AAA in my watch pocket along with a SAK Classic.

 

[paulr]

The PT Attitude is a bit larger than I'd like. It feels sort of like carrying a minimag.

The PT Blast is a great bargain light, just $4.00 at alpinewoman.com right now ($6.49 at TTS). It uses two AAA's and is incandescent, somewhat brighter than a Minimag, not so great on runtime (maybe 2 useful hours). Because it's plastic, it actually weighs less with batteries than a CMG Infinity or Ultra.

Arc has its own 2AA light coming out, similar to the CMG Ultra but will be a little more stylish and weigh a bit less.

Arc AAA is my favorite because of it small size and light weight. I haven't yet needed hours and hours of runtime from a camping light. I used to standardize on AA cells for portable gadgets but am thinking of trying to switch to AAA's.

I'd say if you bring a PT Blast (or the larger but brighter Rage which uses four AAA's instead of two) you'll have plenty of light for most camping needs which tend to be of short duration. Then for longer duration stuff (finding things in a tent) bring an Arc AAA which conveneniently uses the same batteries. In fact spent AAA's from a Blast or Rage will run the Arc AAA very nicely for hours.

 

[Pi_is_blue]

The Arc AA is supposed to be out in about 4 weeks.