Arc Flashlights 2002
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rigormootis
Newly Enlightened
Greetings all…This is my first post here...I usually can be found over on Bladeforum.com.
I joined this forum for the expressed purpose of keeping up with the ARC-LS developments... I have become especially impressed by Arc Flashlight LLC. after Peter Gransee responded (within hours) to an inquiry I posted late last night. He was incredibly fair and unflincing at my barrage of questions about the LS...hat's off to you Peter!
Now...after reading this thread...it seems that something else (the XR) has caught my attention.
I must say that from what I have read, this type of light does fit a viable niche for many military / LE personnel. I currently carry several red infinities simply because they last so long on 1 AA (esp. the lithium) and they are not 'too bright' - even in red - to draw undue attention. When more light is needed, I have a few more red Photon IIs - but their exposed LED is problematic for the attention-drawing effect they have. I have one Arc-LE on my regular keychain...but I rarely need a white light in the field. If Arc came out with the XR in red, I'd buy it immediately. I also want to get on "the list" (if one exists) for the LS when it becomes available again.
One final note on AA lights. Almost everything in my little 'arsenal' as a Criminal Investigator with a field MP Co. runs on AAs. NVGs, radios (we use Motorolas a lot), and my Infinities to name a few. I would be very interested in an Infinity-like Arc light. It should run on a single AA (so I can use lithiums in it and it would be compatible with all my near-dead batts from other items in a pinch), be about as bright or only a tad brighter than a Infinity, have a polycarbonate or other protective 'lens', and be up to the ARC Q/C standards.
Again, I would buy this light, as would many associates of mine, in a heartbeat...
Thanks for making such quality products, ARC…and thanks for lending an ear to suggestions such as this.
I joined this forum for the expressed purpose of keeping up with the ARC-LS developments... I have become especially impressed by Arc Flashlight LLC. after Peter Gransee responded (within hours) to an inquiry I posted late last night. He was incredibly fair and unflincing at my barrage of questions about the LS...hat's off to you Peter!
Now...after reading this thread...it seems that something else (the XR) has caught my attention.
I must say that from what I have read, this type of light does fit a viable niche for many military / LE personnel. I currently carry several red infinities simply because they last so long on 1 AA (esp. the lithium) and they are not 'too bright' - even in red - to draw undue attention. When more light is needed, I have a few more red Photon IIs - but their exposed LED is problematic for the attention-drawing effect they have. I have one Arc-LE on my regular keychain...but I rarely need a white light in the field. If Arc came out with the XR in red, I'd buy it immediately. I also want to get on "the list" (if one exists) for the LS when it becomes available again.
One final note on AA lights. Almost everything in my little 'arsenal' as a Criminal Investigator with a field MP Co. runs on AAs. NVGs, radios (we use Motorolas a lot), and my Infinities to name a few. I would be very interested in an Infinity-like Arc light. It should run on a single AA (so I can use lithiums in it and it would be compatible with all my near-dead batts from other items in a pinch), be about as bright or only a tad brighter than a Infinity, have a polycarbonate or other protective 'lens', and be up to the ARC Q/C standards.
Again, I would buy this light, as would many associates of mine, in a heartbeat...
Thanks for making such quality products, ARC…and thanks for lending an ear to suggestions such as this.
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Welcome to the CPF Rigormootis! If you don't know already you will soon find out that this is a good and hard working bunch of people here on the CPF.
The Arc-AA has been suggested on several occasions. I haven't always responded enthusiastically to the suggestion but enough people have asked for it to get my attention. It’s on the list of future products.
Currently and for the most of this year, we will be making refinements to the Arc-AAA and Arc-LS. This will keep us pretty busy.
Thanks for the idea of offering the XR in colors other than white. Would you agree that white, blue, red and turquiose should be in the running? Or at least white, red, turquiose? Of course this is not a publically available product yet and each color adds to the complexity of the manufacturing.
Peter Gransee
The Arc-AA has been suggested on several occasions. I haven't always responded enthusiastically to the suggestion but enough people have asked for it to get my attention. It’s on the list of future products.
Currently and for the most of this year, we will be making refinements to the Arc-AAA and Arc-LS. This will keep us pretty busy.
Thanks for the idea of offering the XR in colors other than white. Would you agree that white, blue, red and turquiose should be in the running? Or at least white, red, turquiose? Of course this is not a publically available product yet and each color adds to the complexity of the manufacturing.
Peter Gransee
rigormootis
Newly Enlightened
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gransee:
The Arc-AA has been suggested on several occasions....
...Thanks for the idea of offering the XR in colors other than white. Would you agree that white, blue, red and turquiose should be in the running? Or at least white, red, turquiose...? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Gransee! I am perhaps in the minority here in that I only buy multi-color lights (other than white) when they have a specific purpose. The only color LEDs I currently own are Red, amber and white - well, with the exception of the turquoise Photon II on my wife's keychain.
The reason I would like to see a low intensity, long life, non-exposed LED (non-exposed to minimize side-visibility / light transmission & visibility to others) is to provide me with an alternative to the red CMG lights I currently use for night map-reading and other maneuvers. A light that is too bright may give me away...and one that is unreliable or has an uncertain lifespan is only a liability.
In short, for me, I would have little need for any other colors besides white and red...well maybe a green one too.
The Arc-AA has been suggested on several occasions....
...Thanks for the idea of offering the XR in colors other than white. Would you agree that white, blue, red and turquiose should be in the running? Or at least white, red, turquiose...? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Gransee! I am perhaps in the minority here in that I only buy multi-color lights (other than white) when they have a specific purpose. The only color LEDs I currently own are Red, amber and white - well, with the exception of the turquoise Photon II on my wife's keychain.
The reason I would like to see a low intensity, long life, non-exposed LED (non-exposed to minimize side-visibility / light transmission & visibility to others) is to provide me with an alternative to the red CMG lights I currently use for night map-reading and other maneuvers. A light that is too bright may give me away...and one that is unreliable or has an uncertain lifespan is only a liability.
In short, for me, I would have little need for any other colors besides white and red...well maybe a green one too.
The_LED_Museum
*Retired*
9 days 3 hours and change...and still going.
It's still reading .209 on the meter. Remember, it started at .280 when I started the test two Fridays ago.
It's still reading .209 on the meter. Remember, it started at .280 when I started the test two Fridays ago.
While we were talking about future products...
I was looking at the deep violet (not to be confused with deep purple) posts regarding the little coin light from china.
I recently sent peter an email re: adding the 395nm led to the ArcAAA spectrum of colors. He indicated that he had not received any substantial number of requests for the color, but was still investigating it for a possible future product.
I am looking for a short wavelength light with good fluorescing properties, but not as potentially dangerous as the short wave UV - ie: stray eye exposure. I also tried the ArcAAA blue light which actually works fairly well with certain dyes, but I anticipate the deep violet will highlight them better.
any thoughts? any interest in adding the color?
dan
I was looking at the deep violet (not to be confused with deep purple) posts regarding the little coin light from china.
I recently sent peter an email re: adding the 395nm led to the ArcAAA spectrum of colors. He indicated that he had not received any substantial number of requests for the color, but was still investigating it for a possible future product.
I am looking for a short wavelength light with good fluorescing properties, but not as potentially dangerous as the short wave UV - ie: stray eye exposure. I also tried the ArcAAA blue light which actually works fairly well with certain dyes, but I anticipate the deep violet will highlight them better.
any thoughts? any interest in adding the color?
dan
A little gentle prodding, Ken B?
JoeyL
Enlightened
Peter,
I have fiddled for two straight days with the LS in the 123 version and I have a few constructive comments.
I think a lot of the battery problems stem not only from the foam retainer, but also the fact that the nipple sizes on the batteries are different. This is measurable by a caliper. They are also different in how easily they are deformed by pressure.
I was going to start a thread "Does nipple size or hardness matter" but I figured it would get sent to an adult website.
I enlarged the hole of the retainer foam to find that the central contact on the light head is nearly the same size as the nipple on some cells. I believe in one case while I was trying to get the light to work, it appeared to short out the cell as it became very warm.
The easiest fix for me is to take a bunch of 123 cells, and put a small blob of solder on the nipple, tharefore creating another small nipple. This may be a lot of work for some, but it was no problem for me. I guess I'm a small nipple man...
Every cell I have put in works perfectly with less effort to screw the battery holder in to turn on.
Hope that can be of help...
I have fiddled for two straight days with the LS in the 123 version and I have a few constructive comments.
I think a lot of the battery problems stem not only from the foam retainer, but also the fact that the nipple sizes on the batteries are different. This is measurable by a caliper. They are also different in how easily they are deformed by pressure.
I was going to start a thread "Does nipple size or hardness matter" but I figured it would get sent to an adult website.
I enlarged the hole of the retainer foam to find that the central contact on the light head is nearly the same size as the nipple on some cells. I believe in one case while I was trying to get the light to work, it appeared to short out the cell as it became very warm.
The easiest fix for me is to take a bunch of 123 cells, and put a small blob of solder on the nipple, tharefore creating another small nipple. This may be a lot of work for some, but it was no problem for me. I guess I'm a small nipple man...
Every cell I have put in works perfectly with less effort to screw the battery holder in to turn on.
Hope that can be of help...
JonSidneyB
Flashlight Enthusiast
Gransee, I see that the Arc-LS ordering link has been deactivated and that there will be no Arc-LS's available for several months. Is there any way I can place an order and patiently wait????
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi Jon, good to see you again. I recognize you as a long standing CPF'er and also an early Arc customer.
We were accepting pre-orders for a while but it just got out of hand. I personally don't like to have a lot of back orders in the system if I can help it. We have stopped producing the Arc-LS right now while we tweak the design. We hope to start fullfilling existing orders by the first of March and accepting new back orders by April.
Peter Gransee
We were accepting pre-orders for a while but it just got out of hand. I personally don't like to have a lot of back orders in the system if I can help it. We have stopped producing the Arc-LS right now while we tweak the design. We hope to start fullfilling existing orders by the first of March and accepting new back orders by April.
Peter Gransee
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Arc-LS Update:
The new masking fixtures have been completed and the anodizing has started up again on the LS metal parts.
The new retainer design was received and tested today. They worked with the 123 pack but I asked our supplier to change the design further to give us more margin for error on the assembly line.
We are still waiting on more lenses to arrive. They where ordered back in November.
The current version that has shipped has been designated version 0.9.
We are also making the following changes at various points over the next 2 months:
Version 1.0
- Redesigned battery retainer
- Silicone Grease will be applied to the head threads and one power pack attached to keep the grease from drying or leaking during transit (if customer only buys head unit grease will still be applied)
- New method for cleaning lens (should reduce dust count)
- Better education for assemblers on detecting DOA units, gross tint variations, etc.
- Raised knurling plane (same cut depth)
- Improved thread cleanliness and overall anodize finish quality due to improved masking fixtures
After that, planned changes are:
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
Successive improvements to the base design will be designated versions 1.2, 1.3, etc.
Peter Gransee
The new masking fixtures have been completed and the anodizing has started up again on the LS metal parts.
The new retainer design was received and tested today. They worked with the 123 pack but I asked our supplier to change the design further to give us more margin for error on the assembly line.
We are still waiting on more lenses to arrive. They where ordered back in November.
The current version that has shipped has been designated version 0.9.
We are also making the following changes at various points over the next 2 months:
Version 1.0
- Redesigned battery retainer
- Silicone Grease will be applied to the head threads and one power pack attached to keep the grease from drying or leaking during transit (if customer only buys head unit grease will still be applied)
- New method for cleaning lens (should reduce dust count)
- Better education for assemblers on detecting DOA units, gross tint variations, etc.
- Raised knurling plane (same cut depth)
- Improved thread cleanliness and overall anodize finish quality due to improved masking fixtures
After that, planned changes are:
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
Successive improvements to the base design will be designated versions 1.2, 1.3, etc.
Peter Gransee
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gransee:
Arc-LS Update:
After that, planned changes are:
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
Successive improvements to the base design will be designated versions 1.2, 1.3, etc.
Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Peter,
What are high dome lens ? Would this make the LS more brighter ?
thanks,
sylvestor
Arc-LS Update:
After that, planned changes are:
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
Successive improvements to the base design will be designated versions 1.2, 1.3, etc.
Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Peter,
What are high dome lens ? Would this make the LS more brighter ?
thanks,
sylvestor
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Arc-AAA Update:
The LE is being put on hiatus for 3-6 months until the SB1 LED is available to us again. We should sell out of current inventories in a matter of weeks or days.
The price for the standard Arc-AAA will be increased beginning in the month of February. The higher price units will feature a few design revisions.
Peter Gransee
The LE is being put on hiatus for 3-6 months until the SB1 LED is available to us again. We should sell out of current inventories in a matter of weeks or days.
The price for the standard Arc-AAA will be increased beginning in the month of February. The higher price units will feature a few design revisions.
Peter Gransee
The_LED_Museum
*Retired*
Arc-XR-AAA beta update:
10 days 5 hours, and still at .208 on the meter. Test was started two Fridays ago shortly before 1pm with an initial reading of .280. It sank to .240 within the first day, and to .225 on day 2, then plateau'd off. It has fallen steadily, though only much more slowly ever since.
Talk about getting your money's worth out of a battery...
Arc-AAA-395 & Arc-AAA-405 update:
I've taken them out of the "lab" on two seperate occasions to test them in the field. The 395 does light up the UV thingie in money adequately in all conditions tested thus far; the 405nm is more of a decorative item with a unique color that isn't very good for checking money; though many visible dyes and inks will still fluoresce with it.
If you got some of the shorter wavelength ranking 395s, they would give you a very good and long-lasting source for various commodity UV checking, and one wouldn't have to feel guilty about burning through expensive and hard-to-find coin cell batteries every time you turned one on. For this very reason, my Wilycon keychain UV light doesn't get used nearly as much as the Arc, despite having a better LED in it.
The testing venues were various bars just east of downtown Seattle. Lighting varied from "bathroom with 5W nightlight" intensity (you can't see s*** for several minutes after entering!) to near full overcast daylight level. Since I also wanted to test my Light Cannon a couple of more times (knowing it would be dark for the second half of my round-trip), this gave me the perfect opportunity to test the Arc products as well.
10 days 5 hours, and still at .208 on the meter. Test was started two Fridays ago shortly before 1pm with an initial reading of .280. It sank to .240 within the first day, and to .225 on day 2, then plateau'd off. It has fallen steadily, though only much more slowly ever since.
Talk about getting your money's worth out of a battery...
Arc-AAA-395 & Arc-AAA-405 update:
I've taken them out of the "lab" on two seperate occasions to test them in the field. The 395 does light up the UV thingie in money adequately in all conditions tested thus far; the 405nm is more of a decorative item with a unique color that isn't very good for checking money; though many visible dyes and inks will still fluoresce with it.
If you got some of the shorter wavelength ranking 395s, they would give you a very good and long-lasting source for various commodity UV checking, and one wouldn't have to feel guilty about burning through expensive and hard-to-find coin cell batteries every time you turned one on. For this very reason, my Wilycon keychain UV light doesn't get used nearly as much as the Arc, despite having a better LED in it.
The testing venues were various bars just east of downtown Seattle. Lighting varied from "bathroom with 5W nightlight" intensity (you can't see s*** for several minutes after entering!) to near full overcast daylight level. Since I also wanted to test my Light Cannon a couple of more times (knowing it would be dark for the second half of my round-trip), this gave me the perfect opportunity to test the Arc products as well.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gransee:
Arc-LS Update:
- thread change to make them smoother
Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Peter, will the 1.1 head threading be compatible with the 1.0 bodies in case we want to purchase additional different color heads later for use with the extra bodies in the 1.0 kit?
Arc-LS Update:
- thread change to make them smoother
Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Peter, will the 1.1 head threading be compatible with the 1.0 bodies in case we want to purchase additional different color heads later for use with the extra bodies in the 1.0 kit?
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by One001:
Peter, will the 1.1 head threading be compatible with the 1.0 bodies in case we want to purchase additional different color heads later for use with the extra bodies in the 1.0 kit?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am making a point to have them be backwards compatible. This also saves us from having a bunch of orphaned power packs (we have many more power packs than working illuminator heads as you can imagine).
Peter
Peter, will the 1.1 head threading be compatible with the 1.0 bodies in case we want to purchase additional different color heads later for use with the extra bodies in the 1.0 kit?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I am making a point to have them be backwards compatible. This also saves us from having a bunch of orphaned power packs (we have many more power packs than working illuminator heads as you can imagine).
Peter
Peter:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> The price for the standard Arc-AAA will be increased beginning in the month of February. The higher price units will feature a few design revisions. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What revisions are you making to the Arc AAA?
Telephony:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> Arc-XR-AAA beta update:
10 days 5 hours, and still at .208 on the meter. Test was started two Fridays ago shortly before 1pm with an initial reading of .280. It sank to .240 within the first day, and to .225 on day 2, then plateau'd off. It has fallen steadily, though only much more slowly ever since.
Talk about getting your money's worth out of a battery... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sounds like this battery will spend the rest of the year in your tester.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> The price for the standard Arc-AAA will be increased beginning in the month of February. The higher price units will feature a few design revisions. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What revisions are you making to the Arc AAA?
Telephony:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> Arc-XR-AAA beta update:
10 days 5 hours, and still at .208 on the meter. Test was started two Fridays ago shortly before 1pm with an initial reading of .280. It sank to .240 within the first day, and to .225 on day 2, then plateau'd off. It has fallen steadily, though only much more slowly ever since.
Talk about getting your money's worth out of a battery... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sounds like this battery will spend the rest of the year in your tester.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gransee:
Arc-LS Update:...
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
...Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
When the high dome white LS's are out will they automatically be put into the ARC LS for the $106.45? Will that new price cover the cost of high domes? Or will their be a new ARC LS (version 2, etc.) with white high dome LS's at a higher price?
Arc-LS Update:...
version 1.1
- Kit price increased from $99.95 to $106.45
- deeper cut on knurling
- thread change to make them smoother
- High dome lens ready
...Peter Gransee<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
When the high dome white LS's are out will they automatically be put into the ARC LS for the $106.45? Will that new price cover the cost of high domes? Or will their be a new ARC LS (version 2, etc.) with white high dome LS's at a higher price?
Daniel Ramsey
Retired Account
Hello Peter, I know you are busy trying to refine the LS and also finding Luxeons that are available so this is not a bad comment on your product but a praise, concerning my order if it hasnt shipped already (# 1210) please cancel the Arc AAA because I would rather get the LE version later(in March or so) and as for the LS cancel it and let someone else get theirs ahead of schedule, I would rather wait for a more refined model than purchase one now that is still developing.Its funny that there is two different colors of the Luxeons that I have bought from you and Future, there is a pure white version mixed in with mostly a blue/pink color on 3 different orders, your 4 I bought were the pink/blue, 10 w/o from Future were pure white and then another 25 emitters only were blue/pink again, what is this? Any idea why the color difference? Or could it be the new high domes? I thought only the batwing low domes were in white on all my orders so far from Future. Is your LS the white light or does it have the blue/pink Luxeon color? Thanks Peter
The_LED_Museum
*Retired*
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 5BY5:
Peter:
Sounds like this battery will spend the rest of the year in your tester.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Whoever was putting bets on it, it's finally over. It croaked sometime overnight, meaning it lasted somewhere between 10.6 and 10.8 days. I won't know the exact figure until I dig into the other computer and get to the datafile.
Peter:
Sounds like this battery will spend the rest of the year in your tester.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Whoever was putting bets on it, it's finally over. It croaked sometime overnight, meaning it lasted somewhere between 10.6 and 10.8 days. I won't know the exact figure until I dig into the other computer and get to the datafile.
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