I never seen a Arc LS but heard its pretty bright for a single LED and its compared to like 10-15 LED's. But how's it compared to a dual 123A's Surefire? I also heard that Surefire's is not duable if you drop it the you can easily break the buld and the bulb is not cheap.
Arc LS or a Surefire?
- Thread starter Turbo6
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Silviron
Flashlight Enthusiast
It is kind of hard verbally comparing the two- and if you are making a purchase decision, it would be helpful to know your primary use for the light. The Surefire is better for some things and the ARC LS is better for others.
If all you want is to compare the beams at a fixed distance, there are beam shots of a wide variety of incandescent and LED lights here:
http://az123.com/darksbane/beamshots_&_lux.htm
If all you want is to compare the beams at a fixed distance, there are beam shots of a wide variety of incandescent and LED lights here:
http://az123.com/darksbane/beamshots_&_lux.htm
geepondy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Depends of the light but generally not cheap. For an example, I see that a replacement E2 bulb is $12 from www.brightguy.com . I can't add much more then what Darell said but unlike him, my E2 lamp blew. It was replaced for free by Surefire as it did not have much useage.
this_is_nascar
Flashaholic
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Currently, you can't really compare an ARC-LS with any of the SureFire product line. Both lights serve a different purpose and is dependant upon you planned usage of the light. I find a combination of the ARC-LS and the SureFire E2E to be a perfect fit to handle over 90% of my daily needs. Both are very easily pocketable and will not feel intrusive while on you.
Darell
Flashaholic
I actually have found that an Arc AAA and an E2 make for a great combo carry. If I only want to carry one light, THEN I take the LS. But difference is good!
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Turbo6: Everything these guys have said, IMO, is 100% correct. I've found that most of these "vets" know what they're talking about. I've never been led astray.
Darell: Again, you speaketh the truth.
Darell: Again, you speaketh the truth.
Darell
Flashaholic
I wouldn't say that the bulbs break easily, or that Surefires are not durable. BUT, incandescent bulbs in general definitely break easier than do LEDs. Any LED will be more durable than an incandescent bulb. If bulb breakage is your primary concern, LEDs will become your friend very soon.
Well, I've got a few E series Surefires, and I've had a few Arc LSs. From what I can tell, they're finishes are equally durable. I have yet to need to replace a bulb in a Surefire, but I also know that the time is coming, and I have spares at the ready. If I knew I'd be dropping the light regularly, I'd narrow my choices to LEDs.
And as for the light quality, it is very difficult to compare a great incandescent and a great LED light. The Surefire will throw the light MUCH further, but the LS is far more useful for near-field tasks. If you're searching for an object in an open field, the SF would be best. If you're looking for something in the bedroom, I'd grab the LS. For things like working in enclosed areas (under the dashboard of the car, under the sink, etc) an LED light is superior, in my opinion. But for now, incandescents still have the edge for distance illumination.
Oh, and I almost forgot the official CPF response: Get both!
BTW, if you want both a Surefire AND a Luxeon-based light, the KL1 will be out soon.
Well, I've got a few E series Surefires, and I've had a few Arc LSs. From what I can tell, they're finishes are equally durable. I have yet to need to replace a bulb in a Surefire, but I also know that the time is coming, and I have spares at the ready. If I knew I'd be dropping the light regularly, I'd narrow my choices to LEDs.
And as for the light quality, it is very difficult to compare a great incandescent and a great LED light. The Surefire will throw the light MUCH further, but the LS is far more useful for near-field tasks. If you're searching for an object in an open field, the SF would be best. If you're looking for something in the bedroom, I'd grab the LS. For things like working in enclosed areas (under the dashboard of the car, under the sink, etc) an LED light is superior, in my opinion. But for now, incandescents still have the edge for distance illumination.
Oh, and I almost forgot the official CPF response: Get both!
BTW, if you want both a Surefire AND a Luxeon-based light, the KL1 will be out soon.
Joe Talmadge
Flashlight Enthusiast
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">nascar: while I agree with you generally, I do think you can make a meaningful direct comparison between the Surefire E1 and the Arc LS. They are similar in size, and have roughly similar purposes in life.
For me, the Arc LS blows the E1 away as far as usefulness. The Arc LS's beam is nearly perfect for utility use, IMO. The E1's beam is too tight to be generally useful. If you put the beamshaper on the E1, now the beam is more useful, but it's also so much wider that it's not very bright compared to the Arc.
The Arc also has the standard durability advantages over the Surefire. Surefire's one advantage is that great tactical switch, which to me is more useful than a head-turn switch for just about any application.
Joe
I can help you with that. The KL are luxeons and the A2 is three 5mm leds and the mno3 bulb all together but separate... they are all regulated and the are switchable from leds to bulb... Kinda like having a E2 with opalec new beam all in one nice HA package!!! but what KLs fit on what lights? and, and, and... Thanks in advance
Size15's
Flashaholic
The KLx are Konversion LED Bezels.
Check out this photo gallery for the KL2 & KL3:
http://www.pk-engineering.com/kevin3.html
There are four products here:
KL1
Fits on the E1, E1e, E2 & E2e.
A single Luxeon - digitally regulated.
The output is practically the same regardless of whether you power it with one or two SF123As. The runtime of the KL1 powered by two SF123As is longer.
KL2
Fits on the M3.
19 LEDs - [edited by Al] I assume digitally regulated - exactly how I am not sure... The output is constant brightness for a very long time as far as I can tell.
KL3
Fits on standard body two SF123A and three SF123A bodies such as the C2 & C3.
A single Luxeon - digitally regulated.
The output is practically the same regardless of whether you power it with one or two SF123As. The runtime of the KL1 powered by two SF123As is longer.
The A2:
The A2 is a Digital Fusion of a Regulated incandescent bulb and three 5mm LEDs within the same reflector, activated by a two-stage pressure switch.
The A2 bulb is NOT the MN03. The output will be roughly the same Lumen output but the colour temperature is far whiter then any other bulb. Because it is digitally regulated, the bulb specification can be matched to the supply allowing the bulb to be more robust, have a longer life, and output a whiter beam.
Here is a photo of the A2 will a bunch of other SureFires:
I hope this helps?
Al
Size15's
Flashaholic
treek13
Flashlight Enthusiast
This thread is helping me a lot, but I have one question: What's the L1?
Thanks, Pat
Thanks, Pat
Darell
Flashaholic
That's an EXCELLENT question for which I have no answer. Where did you see "L1" mentioned? This thread? Sure it didn't have a "K" in front of it?
Size15's
Flashaholic
The SureFire L1 is a digitally regulated flashlight with a Luxeon like the KL1 powered by one SF123A, BUT like the A2, has a two stage pressure switch giving you low output/long runtime beam or standard output beam depending on how much pressure you put on the switch...
Not that SureFire like to give us options or anything! The L1 and A2 are likely to go head-to-head as the most useful EDC flashlights of all time.
Al
Not that SureFire like to give us options or anything! The L1 and A2 are likely to go head-to-head as the most useful EDC flashlights of all time.
Al
Darell
Flashaholic
Man, I can NOT keep up with this stuff. I tried reading the new catalog at one point, but I got one of them big ol' headaches that I get when things start to go all blurry.
Good thing we have the animated catalog in Al...
Good thing we have the animated catalog in Al...
Size15's
Flashaholic
Unlike the catalogue, I'm more accurate, but not such a pretty picture...
SureFire's aren't "just" anything. They are SureFires!
BTW, How much is an ArcLS? How easy is it to get hold of a "first"?
Al
SureFire's aren't "just" anything. They are SureFires!
BTW, How much is an ArcLS? How easy is it to get hold of a "first"?
Al
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