Arc 4 or FireFly 2 level?

[Wits' End]

Buy both isn't an option for me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif I only allow myself one big flashlight purchase a year. So which should I get?
No price yet on the FF 2s but it could replace my Ultra on neck lanyard and the Arc LS in my pocket. Leave the Arc AAA as back-up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The Arc4 has more features but do I need them? One thing leaning me toward the Arc4 is the warranty, I tend to be hard on stuff.
So any input other than buy both /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif is welcome.

 

[chamenos]

if you're going to carry it on a lanyard on your neck, you'd be better off with the firefly. smaller and lighter. looking at the prices they've been going for on B/S/T, they should be cheaper than an arc4 too. i just got myself one /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Miciobigio]

Hi,

if you have a MM or a BB you could consider buy a FF semicomplete + Arc4+ second for the price of an Arc4+ first; but .... no warranty on the Arc4+ second....

 

[Rothrandir]

if size is a concern, get the firefly.

if size isn't a concern, get the arc4. (the arc4 is pretty darn small compared tomost lights anyway)

oh, and refer to my sigline /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[chamenos]

happy birthday rothrandir! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Rothrandir]

you too! err, thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Frenchyled]

Roth /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

Is it really your birthday ?
If Yes happy birthday to you Rothrandir /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif
If No, happy birthday to you /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinser2.gif

An now back in the subject. I have one Firefly 1 and one Arc4+. I like two very much, but for the size concern I agree with roth, the Firefly is very small and bright. And on my Arc4+ I use only two levels, level 16 when I go to bed, and level 3 other time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's seems that a two levels Firefly will be a great concurrent to Arc4+ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Wits' End]

[ QUOTE ]
FrenchyLed said:
... And on my Arc4+ I use only two levels, level 16 when I go to bed, and level 3 other time /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It's seems that a two levels Firefly will be a great concurrent to Arc4+ /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
This is what I was wondering. I can't imagine anyone using 16 levels every day but 2 might be limiting. I hadn't thought about the Arc4 second but it might be the best option. I mentioned I edc the Ultra on my neck how akward would that be for the Arc4? I am a big guy.

Hey Roth /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/party.gif

 

[Rothrandir]

thanks guys /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
if you need my address so you can send me presents and/or cake, please feel free to pm me /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

i think edcing an arc4 on a neck would be ackward, since the landyard attachment is more on the side of the light than on the back...

 

[Wits' End]

[ QUOTE ]
Rothrandir said:
i think edcing an arc4 on a neck would be ackward, since the landyard attachment is more on the side of the light than on the back...

[/ QUOTE ]
That was my understanding. Has anyone come up w/ a way to do it successfully?
How do the FF and Arc4 feel? Heft, finish, 'cool' factor...overall feel in the hand.

 

[Rothrandir]

dunno about feel, i don't have either /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

they're each cool in their own respects though...

 

[cy]

Happy Bday Rothrandir /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

If neck carry is the primary requirement. firefly w/an extra aluminum head for $20 would have to be it. With the aluminum head installed, only run MM lite sammie or a BB500 w/Tbin. You want to have the copper head also for those times you want to run something HOT (temp). MM+ R2H will get hot enough to blister you VS MM+ TWOK will only run 101 degrees as measured w/IR temp gun in the current firefly w/copper head.

As for warranty issues, Arc is of course in another class. That being said, firefly like Arc is built like a tank. With a sammie design, if something does goes wrong. Stick in another sammie.

firefly with the new two level switch functionaly is close to Arc4+.

It's a tough choice! I EDC both firefly and Arc4+.

 

[Aten_Imago]

Re: Arc 4 or FireFly - Ergonomics Point

This is a small but related side comment:
"i think edcing an arc4 on a neck would be ackward, since the landyard attachment is more on the side of the light than on the back."
I've asked DSpeck several times to kindly show what the new and improved tail-end of the Firefly will look like because one ergonomics feature that matters greatly to me is whether the light, either 1 or 2 cell will hang verticallyfrom a lanyard or not. This is an ergonomics and usability factor that all the makers should be considering. ARC is off my list till they solve that. Jury is out on the new Firefly and the VIP may or may not solve this puzzle either. A Japanese CPF'r had solved it with a lanyard ring that tucks into a recess in the tailpiece. Very tidy and allows for candle mode. I realise this isn't a form-factor or light output comment so ignore this question if "how it hangs" doesn't matter. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

 

[Greymage]

Re: Arc 4 or FireFly - Ergonomics Point

I have both, but EDC the firefly. The Arc4 features are nice, but I haven't found them particularly useful. And the Firefly is easier to upgrade - when new luxeons come out, just replace the sandwich.

The Arc4 does have better throw though, I guess because of the big reflector, so that may be a factor if throw is a consideration. I prefer the extra spill on the FF.

 

[SilverFox]

Re: Arc 4 or FireFly - Ergonomics Point

Hello Wit's End,

You have a tough decision ahead of you.

The FireFly 2 is more compact and easy to upgrade.

The ARC 4+ has a lot more features. The most significant (in my opinion) is the advanced thermal management.

I think the decision is going to come down to how you use the light. If you turn in on for extended periods of time, I would go towards the ARC with its thermal management. If you just use it for brief moments, the FireFly is smaller and easier to carry.

I am sorry to say that my suggestion is to get both of them. Get the FireFly 2 this year and an ARC 4+ next year.

Tom

 

[Wits' End]

Re: Arc 4 or FireFly - Ergonomics Point

There is another thread asking this same question /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I posted to it thinking it was the thread I started /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif .

How the light hangs is a factor for me. It would probably eliminate the Arc4(5?) from discussion.

The thermal issues probably are not a factor. I use my Ultra most often for walking/reading/long tasks. So I wouldn't think the thermal issue would be a factor.

Copper? I take it I'd wind up with a green spot on my chest if I EDC'd the stock FF on a neck lanyard? Is there a protective coating for copper?

Would the stock 3W FF be brighter than the brightest setting on the Arc4?