Arc LS query

[dirobesh]

I own a cmg reactor 2aa flashlight and am thinking of purchasing an Arc LS original (being in the UK my choices are somewhat limited - I'd like one of the new models but, alas). Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had compared the output of the reactor with the output of the LS running on 1 lithium 123? Which is the brighter of the two on fresh batteries? Thanks.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

The Arc LS should be brighter, depending on what you got in that Reactor (luck of the draw).

 

[Atrick-Pay]

I've got a good Reactor (I think)
It comes out as being about as bright
(with fresh Al. batterys) as a NEW Mini-Mag.
The Arc-LS is atleast 2 times brighter.

 

[randy740]

I also have a cmg reactor it comes with a luxeon star led isnt that the same as what is in the Arc ls? I payed 25.00 for the reactor please let me know if is worth the extra money I assumed the light output would be comparable

 

[geepondy]

Randy, yes they both have the same LED but the ciruitry is entirely different. The LS uses an electronic regulated circuit that provides a constant current source to the LED thruout the useful life of the batteries. The Reactor is "direct drive" meaning it is driven straight from the batteries. In all liklihood, the Arc LS will be brighter initially and certainly will maintain the level of brightness for a longer time then the Reactor. As other's have posted the Reactor does much better with lithium AA's then alkalines as the initial voltage is higher and the discharge rate is flatter.

From personal experience my Reactor on alkalines is noticably dimmer then my Arc LS. The Reactor on lithiums is just slightly dimmer then the LS but will maintain the brightness longer then the Arc LS. Having said that, I would much rather have the Arc LS.

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Geepondy is right. You need to run the Reactor on Lithium AAs (Eveready is only maker). This is only the 2AA version of the Reactor. The Reactor II (3AA) is for Alkaline only.

 

[GADGETOMETRY]

hi,
my cmg with new alkalines at 1 meter - 123lux
my ls with 123 at 1 meter - 300 lux

aloha

 

[randy740]

in defense of the reactor I believe it does have a special circuit to drive the led not direct drive as it was referred to earlier and it might be a little less bright than the ls but you will also get ten hours of useful light from the reactor with the ls getting one hour of useful light I think that makes the reactor more efficient than the ls

 

[Sean]

Originally posted by randy740:
in defense of the reactor I believe it does have a special circuit to drive the led not direct drive as it was referred to earlier and it might be a little less bright than the ls but you will also get ten hours of useful light from the reactor with the ls getting one hour of useful light I think that makes the reactor more efficient than the ls

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The only special circuit that the reactor may have would be a resistor, but even that would not make sence because 2 AAs are still underdriving the luxeon LED inside.

As far as run time I get 2.5 hours of constant brightness out of my Arc LS until it drops into "moon-mode" and continues to run at a lower output level. The Arc LS runs just as well on 2 AA NiMH batteries were the reactor will not even run on NiMH's.

The Reactor will only run 1.5 hours on a set of AA alkalines before it reaches half it's original brightness. It will run many more hours at diminishing brightness but the Arc LS is designed to be constant current & bright. Driving the LED to spec. The Reactor makes a great light for emergencies runnning off of lithium batteries but lithiums are expensive. I can run my LS off of rechargeable AA's and 1/5A's and never have to buy batteries again ( well, for this light, anyway

).

 

[Sigman]

Quote from: [email protected]

"We use a small resistor to ensure that we do not drive the LED over 350 ma."

 

[Sean]

Originally posted by Sigman:
Quote from: [email protected]

"We use a small resistor to ensure that we do not drive the LED over 350 ma."

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Well no wonder it isn't bright.