Arc AAA mini review vs CMG

[James S]

I was thrilled to hear from UPS that my Arc AAA natural (not LE) was out for delivery today! Ordered from http://www.countycomm.com/ a week ago.

My first impression of the AAA is that it's an EXCELLENT piece of gear!

The only thing similar I can compare it to is the CMG Ultra-G that I also ordered from countycomm a while back. As far as light output the 2 are nearly identical. I cannot see a difference in the heart of the beam at all, but the Arc has a better, more usable corona for a brighter overall beam. The reason for this is that the CMG anodizing and coloring continues down the V to the LED, so it doesn't reflect as much light. The Arc has shiny aluminum inside the head and so creates a better reflector. The LED itself in the 2 could be identical, they both have the same kind of bluish/whitish artifacts right in the middle. This does not detract any from the usefulness of the beam at all though.

The quality of the build between the 2 seems similar. The Arc has a slight advantage I think. The edges where the keyring machining were done on the CMG are very sharp. The edges on the Arc are buffed down or beveled ever so slightly which just makes it feel a little nicer in the hand.

I'm still very happy with the CMG light, and it's made even neater by the "Us Government" etched on the side as these are government surplus ones from countycomm /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

All in all, you need this light! Get yourself an Arc AAA. And yes, if the rumored CPF special edition #2 gets made sometime this summer I will certainly be in for another one.

 

[Rothrandir]

nice review!

 

[shiftd]

Great review. It totally reflects the opinions that i have. I need to add, however, that ARC aaa is great for keychain light while Ultra is great for emergency light and for wandering down the house at night.

 

[James S]

The Arc is by far the better size for a keychain light. However, I've been carrying the CMG in my pocket for the last few weeks and it fits just fine. It's considerably larger and heavier than the Arc, but you can definitely put it on your keychain and live with it.

I finally read the documentation that came with it, and they actually link to cpf on the packaging!

If you have both lights then you'll never be without a battery you can easily get from somewhere. The CMG will stay in my bag rather than my pocket now though.

 

[Shark]

I agree I like both my arc AAA and CMG ultra both but after I got my arc AAA I now use my CMG as a emergency light I keep it in my glove box and use a AA lithium batt so I know it will work no matter how long it sits.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Hello and thanks for the review. I've been lurking for some time and have felt on several occasions that I could contribute so I finally registered.

On the subject of Arc AAA and CMG Ultra G I must disagree though. After coming to the realization that the Arc AAA is something just short of the Holy Grail here at CPF I recently ordered one from County Comm (who doesn't want to own the grail for $20?). While I wasn't disappointed I wasn't really impressed either. The one I recieved was not as bright as my Ultra-G (albeit on lithium), the beam was full of rings(reflector looks fine) and unlike the Ultra-g was virtually impossible to operate with only one hand. Perhaps if I had a wad of keys to hang on to it would be easier but it's my opinion that key rings are for keys and lights are tools to be used individually. So I gave it to my wife and she loves it and I ordered 2 more Ultra-G's @$15.00 ea (which incidentally is an outstanding deal on a VERY good light)

Thanks for entertaining my opinion.

 

[James S]

bgenivtex, The LED's are very variable so it could be that you just got a less than spectacular LED. But the fact that you can't turn it on with one hand makes me think there is more going on there. I can very easily hold mine in one hand and turn it on and off with my thumb and forefinger. I'm not sure I could do it with one hand in ski gloves, but otherwise it works fine. That makes me think that yours isn't living up to spec.

I would definitely drop a note to Arc and ask them about that, if you've gotten a lemon they will definitely want to make it right.

I do agree with you that the CMG Ultra-G is a great light. I also own 2 of them and am very happy. Like you said you can't beat the price!

 

[bj]

Just got my Arc and Ultra-G from countycomm as well, and I second (or third) your review, James. The Ultra-G is nice, but a bit chunky for my EDC, though it will definitely find itself with a lithium battery and tucked in my briefcase or car. Probably should buy one for each car...

Love the Arc! Very nice beam, smooth function, nice workmanship. As an engineer used to making lots of stuff in olive drab, I think it has a real tactical look to it. Except...

That CLIP! Oh God, the horror! I like the idea of being able to clip it to a hat or collar for hands-free use, but, I just can't. I can't. It's too shiny. I just can't. We need one in a flat finish to match or black. Something. But not this.

But seriously, I can see why this is the standard for all you hardcore guys. It's replaced my Mag solitaire (at least I'd done an LED mod on it, so don't make fun) on my keychain, but I may have to carry it seperately so I can play with it more...

I can't wait to see how it looks with a lithium battery running it.

-brian

 

[B@rt]

At the moment lithium AAA's are still unavailable... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[UnknownVT]

Just to be contrary....

Like bgenivtex said the ArcAAA is somewhat of a holy grail here on cpf, and the new 2003 models with the "natural" finish looking somewhat like last year's LE version makes the ArcAAA even more desirable -
no arguments from me.

- but I do have a slightly different view, so I might be called a "heretic" -
and I certainly don't mean to disparage anyone's new purchase of an ArcAAA and all the attendant pleasure, enthusiasm and excitment that go with it.

There is NO doubt that the ArcAAA is smaller than the CMG Ultra-G -

BUT there is a whole area of functionality and how well a flashlight handles and fits the hand.

The CMG Ultra-G just does this better - especially with a wrist loop - it fits nicely in the palm of the hand and is easier to direct/point.

This is not saying the ArcAAA is deficient in any way - but just by the sheer fact it is smaller it is simply less easy to handle.

Also being smaller the ArcAAA will tend to "get lost" in the pocket (I think it tends to "migrate" to the bottom - which means one is likely to have to dig for the thing) whereas the Ultra-G is just about the right size for pocket carry - witness the very popular size of about 3.25-3.5" pocket knives.

Ah! but one may well argue that keyring carry makes the ArcAAA superior over the Ultra-G -

I agree(!) - the Ultra-G is way too big and heavy for comfortable keyring carry......

However is the ArcAAA really ideal sized for keyring carry? -
come on be honest
(I've already conceded that the Ultra-G is INferior in this aspect......)

It isn't is it?

- the Photons and Inova Microlights are FAR superior for keyring carry than the ArcAAA - and they are just as functional and bright......
perhaps somewhat functionally "better" too -
as both have squeeze instant ON - that makes them much, much more convenient for an instant shot of light......

both the Photons and Inovas are much smaller and lighter - making them much easier/better for keyring carry than the ArcAAA.

Oh, of course the ArcAAA is beautifully engineered and made - but we're talking suitability for the task and functionality -
the MagLites are beautifully engineered too - so does that make a 6-D cell version a good EDC on the keyring?

So similarly does this "engineering" make the ArcAAA a better "pocket" light than the Ultra-G ....regretfully - NO.
and a better "keyring" light than either the Photon or Inovas?.... regretfully - NO.

IMHO the ArcAAA is a thing of beauty - but unfortunately falls between being a superior pocket flashlight and a superior keyring flashlight and has become neither - for me -
of course YMMV

 

[Zeppert]

I agree 100% that the SHINY clip on the Arc LE that I just received is horribly matched to that flashlight. As soon as I received my backordered LE last week, I opened the package took out the light and instantly said Eeewww in regards to that shiny clip attached to my LE. Sure it serves its function but GIVE ME A BREAK! That shiny clip on my beautiful LE?! What's going on here?! Is this a bad dream or something? Well needless to say.. it went straight in the trash. Not that I don't want a clip; I do. But you will not catch me showing off my LE with that thing attached. All I can say is Peter Peter Peter what were you thinking?

As far as what light is on my... hands down LE ($27-Vicomptel.com)over the Ultra-G($20-elsewhere). For a $7 difference I have a light that is nearly indistructable, bright, small, efficient, crafted well, has a flawless beam and has a ten year warrantee. WOW! I'm going to pass out right here. Ahhhhhhh It's to good to be true! But it really is TRUE... YES!!!

 

[Zeppert]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[SRB]

Thanks for the info. I know I was curious. I picked up an LE but was tempted to get a CMG just to see

 

[bgenlvtex]

SRB,
When in doubt buy them both,and give the inferior one to your wife.She'll love you for it and won't know the difference. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

 

[Stingray]

UnknownVT....the ARC AAA is the perfect size for carry in the change pocket of jeans. Give it a try.

 

[radellaf]

Yes, honestly, the Arc AAA is fine for keyring carry, using a Mag Solitaire lanyard anyway.

I've had it with Photon microlights and their dimming so quickly. Yeah, they're small, but those batteries just aren't made for that kind of use and it shows. The Photon IIIs are kinda fun to play with, though, and when they came out, the IIs were the cat's meow.

 

[PieThatCorner]

James-

Excellent and useful review. I just ordered an Arc AAA LE tonight and I'm looking forward to putting it to good use. Funny you should mention ski gloves, since I was looking for a small, pocketable backup LED that would stand up to a bit of punishment and snow while night skiing here locally.

By the way... is the clip easy to remove? It looks removal-friendly, but just wanted someone's opinion on that.

Thanks-

-Jim

 

[bgenlvtex]

The clip is like a pen clip that slides onto the barrel and yes is easy to remove.

 

[James S]

PieThatCorner: While I've only had mine for a few days and haven't had a chance to take it sking with me yet I think it will hold up fine. I've got a great deal of confidence in the hardyness of the casing.

If you're going to be in extreemly low temperatures then you MIGHT be better off with a CMG and a lithium AA. That will work better below zero. At this time there is nobody making lithium AAA's. But I don't think this needs to be a concern a normal sking temperatures!

As bgenivtex said, the clip is just "clipped" on there, but I've left mine on for the time being. It is also useful that way.

A photon type light would be easier to activate by squeezing in your ski gloves, but they are not water proof and I wouldn't count on it after being attached to your ski jacket zipper for too long out in the snow...

 

[PieThatCorner]

Thanks bgenivtex and James - I'll probably go the #550 para-cord route for attachment rather than the shiny clip.

I'm still considering the CMG series of lights. I'll give it some more thought, but I'll keep your review handy for reference. In the meantime, luckily the temps at Mammoth Mountain is in the 21-25 degree Fahrenheit range at night.

Thanks again, fellas... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

-Jim