Arc AAA vs. CMG Infinity
- Thread starter Saaby
- Start date
B@rt
Flashaholic
I was wondering already...
B
BULLDOG
Guest
Okay online buying one right now. So it is better than the CMG?
B@rt
Flashaholic
Ah, now there's the voice of a newbie
:
Yes, if you want a bright light in a small package...
Yes, if you want a bright light in a small package...
BuddTX
Flashlight Enthusiast
Not as simple an answer as you might think!
There are TWO CMG Infinity's. The Original CMG Infinity, and the newer, CMG Infinity Ultra.
The CMG Infinity is much dimmer than the ARC AAA but ON PURPOSE! The CMG is designed to be a dim light, that lasts a very LONG time. Used when space and weight is at a premium.
Now the newer, CMG Infinity ULTRA and the ARC AAA are about the same brightness.
Now you know the rest . . . The CMG has a longer run time, just because the AA battery has more storage of energy than the AAA does, the ARC is tinier and fits better on a keychain.
There are TWO CMG Infinity's. The Original CMG Infinity, and the newer, CMG Infinity Ultra.
The CMG Infinity is much dimmer than the ARC AAA but ON PURPOSE! The CMG is designed to be a dim light, that lasts a very LONG time. Used when space and weight is at a premium.
Now the newer, CMG Infinity ULTRA and the ARC AAA are about the same brightness.
Now you know the rest . . . The CMG has a longer run time, just because the AA battery has more storage of energy than the AAA does, the ARC is tinier and fits better on a keychain.
Roy
Farewell our Curmudgeon Administrator
If you want a bright light in a small package, try the Techass Magmaled in a AAA Minimag! Very supprising! I had to sand the bottom of the reflector some to get the tightest focus. Other than that, a drop in! Some WriteRight to smooth out the light, and you have a really nice LITTLE light. I measured it against an ARC AAA and got 195ma for the ARC and 318ma for the Magmaled AAA.
brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 9,027
Why bother thinking in terms of the AAA "VS" anything else? You wouldn't think of your keys vs your wallet or your pants vs your underware.
Poor analogies aside, the AAA's great advantage is its miniscule size and weight relative to its output and bright runtime. In these respects it is truly unique. You can carry it just about anywhere including your keyring and you'll never know it's there until you need it.
Aside from the photon snd similar micro-sized lights it is the smallest true keyring light, though some might disagree. If you are someone who considers an ARC123 or Infinity a keyring light then the AAA's presence on that keyring doesn't preclude adding those lights as well.
My only regret concerning the ARC is that lithium AAA's are no longer made.
Or are they, anyone know?
Brightnorm
Poor analogies aside, the AAA's great advantage is its miniscule size and weight relative to its output and bright runtime. In these respects it is truly unique. You can carry it just about anywhere including your keyring and you'll never know it's there until you need it.
Aside from the photon snd similar micro-sized lights it is the smallest true keyring light, though some might disagree. If you are someone who considers an ARC123 or Infinity a keyring light then the AAA's presence on that keyring doesn't preclude adding those lights as well.
My only regret concerning the ARC is that lithium AAA's are no longer made.
Or are they, anyone know?
Brightnorm
brightnorm
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2001
- Messages
- 9,027
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Roy,
Sounds interesting. Have you done any runtime tests on it?
Brightnorm
Roy
Farewell our Curmudgeon Administrator
No runtime yet! I ran runtime on one in a AA Minimag. It went on forever as I remamber...the 50% brightness was at 32 hours! I would expect at least half that for AAA batteries. There is a plot posted in the last 30 days, either in this forum or the Modified Forum.
The "vs." question is really all about usage (IMHO).
I own:
A Photon & ARC AAA & Infinity & Infinity Ultra.
For keychain use...it is the Photon or ARC AAA.
For 1 minute use per day, you'd change the Photon batteries about once every two years. For this sort of occasional use, I think the Photon is great.
If you are using your keychain light a lot more than this (3-4 hours/month?) you'll likely want the ARC AAA 'cause the batteries will be so much cheaper.
If you are camping, walking, night sky observing, etc. and long life means a lot to you, you'll likely want the Infinity Blue-Green (30+ hours on 1 AA) or the Infinity Ultra (6+ hours).
The Ultra actually is brighter with a broader beam than the ARC AAA (although, if you just look at the hot spot...they seem quite similar). Either Infinity is great for using up "spent" AAs from other lights. Some people on the forum report never actually buying AAs for their Infinites 'cause they have a steady supply of used AAs from some other source.
Also, a lithium AA is a nice option too (cold weather and shelf life).
If you are only gonna buy one >shudder< you CAN'T GO WRONG by buying the ARC AAA.
I own:
A Photon & ARC AAA & Infinity & Infinity Ultra.
For keychain use...it is the Photon or ARC AAA.
For 1 minute use per day, you'd change the Photon batteries about once every two years. For this sort of occasional use, I think the Photon is great.
If you are using your keychain light a lot more than this (3-4 hours/month?) you'll likely want the ARC AAA 'cause the batteries will be so much cheaper.
If you are camping, walking, night sky observing, etc. and long life means a lot to you, you'll likely want the Infinity Blue-Green (30+ hours on 1 AA) or the Infinity Ultra (6+ hours).
The Ultra actually is brighter with a broader beam than the ARC AAA (although, if you just look at the hot spot...they seem quite similar). Either Infinity is great for using up "spent" AAs from other lights. Some people on the forum report never actually buying AAs for their Infinites 'cause they have a steady supply of used AAs from some other source.
Also, a lithium AA is a nice option too (cold weather and shelf life).
If you are only gonna buy one >shudder< you CAN'T GO WRONG by buying the ARC AAA.
B
BULLDOG
Guest
Which one is brighter? I always carry a E2e with me, and now I have a KL1 gfor it, is there a need for an Arc AAA? Can it do anything that the SF can not do?
V8TOYTRUCK
Flashlight Enthusiast
Well...It would be a good back up light because of its size. I also always carry a E2e with me, with a soon to be added KL1 inside a Pelican case with 6 123s. The lower light output can be useful in some situations, such as theatres, and other places where a KL1 would be overkill. Plus every CPF member just has to have one!
B@rt
Flashaholic
Besides being conciderably smaller, the Arc will put out a lot more light...
You just need one!
You just need one!
B@rt
Flashaholic
V8... We think alike..
V8TOYTRUCK
Flashlight Enthusiast
Im surprised we responeded before Saaby or Darell
B@rt
Flashaholic
ROFLMAO...
