ARC LS REVIEW
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Mr Ted Bear
Flashlight Enthusiast
I agree.... it's getting dark out here
Brock
Flashaholic
First, keep in mind the lights we have are prototypes, so things could and probably will change.
I don't want to say too much, but I like it. We will have to wait and see what Peter thinks is OK to mention. The basics are easy. I really like the color, it looks more "daylight" color then most of the "white" Nichias we have been seeing, to me they look quite blue compared to this light.
It is really bright, brighter then all the lights I have except the Tektite (Expedition) 1400 and 1900. It actually is brighter then the 1400, but has a tighter beam of light, so a bit less overall light output. I am really amazed with how much light it puts out with only a single AA battery, very close to the Eternal light, maybe a bit brighter.
I am currently doing a runtime test on 2 AA alkaline batteries. Peter can we post those results, or should we wait on those? I will give everyone a ball park runtime if Peter is OK with it.
I know Craig gave some results at his site over at http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/arcls.htm
As usual I agree with what Craig has said bout the LS.
What else can I say right now? What did I miss Craig?
I don't want to say too much, but I like it. We will have to wait and see what Peter thinks is OK to mention. The basics are easy. I really like the color, it looks more "daylight" color then most of the "white" Nichias we have been seeing, to me they look quite blue compared to this light.
It is really bright, brighter then all the lights I have except the Tektite (Expedition) 1400 and 1900. It actually is brighter then the 1400, but has a tighter beam of light, so a bit less overall light output. I am really amazed with how much light it puts out with only a single AA battery, very close to the Eternal light, maybe a bit brighter.
I am currently doing a runtime test on 2 AA alkaline batteries. Peter can we post those results, or should we wait on those? I will give everyone a ball park runtime if Peter is OK with it.
I know Craig gave some results at his site over at http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/arcls.htm
As usual I agree with what Craig has said bout the LS.
What else can I say right now? What did I miss Craig?
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Craig and Brock, I think it would be ok to post what you think of the light, some test results, photos, run times, beam comparisons, etc. I think by now people have heard me say a zillion times that these are just prototypes, etc.
I am really interested in any constructive observations you have on things we need to change before we go to production.
Peter Gransee
I am really interested in any constructive observations you have on things we need to change before we go to production.
Peter Gransee
Brock
Flashaholic
I am at 2:30 on the AA's and still going strong.
Peter you said the optics will be different on the production run that would be my only concern. It is a relatively squarish (but soft) beam of light, but it is off center. So if you roll the light on a table the beam spins in a circle.
The light is solid aluminum, very sturdy, probably more then needed. Peter did you make the battery cases that size so they matched the head? Or are they going to change size? I imagine the head can't be made much smaller (thinking of the LS in Arc AAA size). I know this can't be that small, but it looks like it could be a bit smaller, but maybe the electronics take up the space? It the on/off going to remain the same? (it is AA mag style, twist the head for on/off)
The beam is somewhere between a standard LED light and one with a lens (Pal or Brinkman). Peter so you know what the beam angle is off hand? What is the beam angle on the Nichia white. If my memory serves me (and usually it doesn't) the Nichia was 10ish and the LS is 6ish?
Peter you said the optics will be different on the production run that would be my only concern. It is a relatively squarish (but soft) beam of light, but it is off center. So if you roll the light on a table the beam spins in a circle.
The light is solid aluminum, very sturdy, probably more then needed. Peter did you make the battery cases that size so they matched the head? Or are they going to change size? I imagine the head can't be made much smaller (thinking of the LS in Arc AAA size). I know this can't be that small, but it looks like it could be a bit smaller, but maybe the electronics take up the space? It the on/off going to remain the same? (it is AA mag style, twist the head for on/off)
The beam is somewhere between a standard LED light and one with a lens (Pal or Brinkman). Peter so you know what the beam angle is off hand? What is the beam angle on the Nichia white. If my memory serves me (and usually it doesn't) the Nichia was 10ish and the LS is 6ish?
Can you describe the lens. Is a chunk of polycarbonate, or a pal type lens, etc. I am just curious.
Also??, you may need the extra body to the head to conduct heat away. I am having quite a time dealing with it in my small plastic project boxes. I could mount a mini-fan..the kind you cool chips with.
I actually thought of doing it for a joke but I didn't have one quite small enough laying around.
Also??, you may need the extra body to the head to conduct heat away. I am having quite a time dealing with it in my small plastic project boxes. I could mount a mini-fan..the kind you cool chips with.
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
KenBar, the optics are the stock prismatic lens recessed into the front collar. The stock lens looks like a pyramid and is thicker than a regular lens.
Brock, yes, the beam isn't at it's best yet. I have one here that I am finishing up for Chris that has a nicer beam to it. We are continuing to refine our technique.
The bulk of the single cell packs is mostly for balance and aestetics. Otherwise you would have a big head, small body (kind of like in gradeschool).
By far, most of the head size is devoted to the optics. The PCB is actually pretty compact.
The On/off is going to be twist action for now. We could/may offer a pack in the future that has it's own pushbutton butt switch.
Just so people understand the design process. There is a point where you have to lock in the design and minimize making any changes. Otherwise your work on production techniques is pointless. We are at that point. The only changes we should make are one absolutely critical to the quality of the design.
Peter Gransee
Brock, yes, the beam isn't at it's best yet. I have one here that I am finishing up for Chris that has a nicer beam to it. We are continuing to refine our technique.
The bulk of the single cell packs is mostly for balance and aestetics. Otherwise you would have a big head, small body (kind of like in gradeschool).
By far, most of the head size is devoted to the optics. The PCB is actually pretty compact.
The On/off is going to be twist action for now. We could/may offer a pack in the future that has it's own pushbutton butt switch.
Just so people understand the design process. There is a point where you have to lock in the design and minimize making any changes. Otherwise your work on production techniques is pointless. We are at that point. The only changes we should make are one absolutely critical to the quality of the design.
Peter Gransee
The_LED_Museum
*Retired*
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrchri5:
I was wondering will the final version of the ls have a key ring attachment on it?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The version I'm testing has a beefy attachment hole on the tailpiece for a keyring. I've been using it that way over the last couple of days.
I was wondering will the final version of the ls have a key ring attachment on it?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The version I'm testing has a beefy attachment hole on the tailpiece for a keyring. I've been using it that way over the last couple of days.
Brock
Flashaholic
Well the light I have does have a key ring attachment in the tail. Peter I know you mentioned the tail cap was removable, but the one I have is all one piece of aluminum with a small hole for attaching a small ring.
Running 2 lithium AA the entire light gets warm, all the way to the tail, it makes a great heatsink. I would guess maybe 100 F, not even close to as hot as the E1 running the same amount of time.
Remember this is a prototype, but the power consumption is as follows, it is also the brightness order. Keep in mind this is power at the battery not the LS module after the voltage step up it should be a bit less.
1 alkaline AA 400mA
1 lithium AA 470mA
2 alkaline AA 460mA
1 123 lithium 460mA
2 AA lithium 470mA
I really like the size of the single 123; it is the same diameter as a "C" cell or 1 inch and 2.5 inches long.
Running 2 lithium AA the entire light gets warm, all the way to the tail, it makes a great heatsink. I would guess maybe 100 F, not even close to as hot as the E1 running the same amount of time.
Remember this is a prototype, but the power consumption is as follows, it is also the brightness order. Keep in mind this is power at the battery not the LS module after the voltage step up it should be a bit less.
1 alkaline AA 400mA
1 lithium AA 470mA
2 alkaline AA 460mA
1 123 lithium 460mA
2 AA lithium 470mA
I really like the size of the single 123; it is the same diameter as a "C" cell or 1 inch and 2.5 inches long.
JonSidneyB
Flashlight Enthusiast
The keyring, you know when I heard that it was recessed, I pictured a depression in the bottom of the light an maybe something like a foldaway D ring so that the light would be centered on the lanyard or ring with a perfectly round base to stand on. Well the set up that you have will do. Still can't wait to get an Arc-Ls. Noticed that the Arc posts have died down a bit.
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Waiting for more reviews!
[How I wish 'high dome' white LS be available right now!]
[How I wish 'high dome' white LS be available right now!]
Brock
Flashaholic
Labor pains is right, three 11 hour days. Anyway, some early results on battery life show the Arc LS dropping to "moon" mode after 5:00 and 5:15 hours on 2 differnt sets of lithium AA's. On regular AA's it was 4:15 and 4:45, Duracell (might have been used a bit) and Enegizers. The first lithium 123 (duracell) was 3:00 hours.
I am supprised Craig didn't mention that you can stand the LS on its tail with all three battery packs. He seems to like that in a light. It does nice job as a room light on it's tail. Speaking of the tail all three battery parts have the same style of ring or lanyard attachment.
Ask me more questions (I have 2 days off now)
I am supprised Craig didn't mention that you can stand the LS on its tail with all three battery packs. He seems to like that in a light. It does nice job as a room light on it's tail. Speaking of the tail all three battery parts have the same style of ring or lanyard attachment.
Ask me more questions (I have 2 days off now)
The_LED_Museum
*Retired*
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
I am supprised Craig didn't mention that you can stand the LS on its tail with all three battery packs. He seems to like that in a light<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's odd... I could have sworn I had that in my preliminary "like/dislike" list.
Wonder if somebody tampered with one of my pages again... I'd better go check that.
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/arcls.htm
Meanwhile, the broadcast of tonight's Mariners game may have been briefly interrupted - twice - thanks to me.
Apparently the home plate umpire didn't like my Rave'n (red & yellow LEDs taped over), nor did he like the First Star LED marine light I have on my mast.
I was seated in DEEP center field, almost as far away from home plate as you can get, yet I was still accosted by security and asked to extinguish the offending lights, saying they were "distracting somebody behind home plate".
I am supprised Craig didn't mention that you can stand the LS on its tail with all three battery packs. He seems to like that in a light<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That's odd... I could have sworn I had that in my preliminary "like/dislike" list.
Wonder if somebody tampered with one of my pages again... I'd better go check that.
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/arcls.htm
Meanwhile, the broadcast of tonight's Mariners game may have been briefly interrupted - twice - thanks to me.
Apparently the home plate umpire didn't like my Rave'n (red & yellow LEDs taped over), nor did he like the First Star LED marine light I have on my mast.
I was seated in DEEP center field, almost as far away from home plate as you can get, yet I was still accosted by security and asked to extinguish the offending lights, saying they were "distracting somebody behind home plate".
D
**DONOTDELETE**
Guest
Craig did implicitly mention the stand-on-the-butt ability by having a hi-res image of all three packs standing right there.
Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
Craig, one of these days a jumbo jet is going to mistake you for an airport beacon and then who will update your site?
I was playing with the Arc-LS again tonight. Using it to read street signs from my car (a common task for the light in my car).
This Friday we hope to lock in the housing design for the Arc-LS and start programming the CNC machines. Still a few design kinks to work out. We need to get these solved if we are going to ship by the end of the month! It's going to be close.
Looking over Craig's list of recomendations on his website, I am not sure we will be able to address every one of them right off. We should get most of them though.
So far it looks like we have solved the beam focus/alignment fairly well. The no-roll feature will have to be part of future power pack designs (it would add too much to the head bulk if we put it there instead). Still working on improving water tightness- this is a tough one. Battery rattle is still being worked on.
Probally the toughest compromise is going to be the lens protection. The stock lens is optomized for optical performance and not strength. It can be scratched. But, using other optics or placing another lens (for protection) in front of it would make the light slightly dimmer plus add bulk and cost. With the prototypes, we opted to recess the lens deeply to protect from sharp pointy things. In normal use, it shouldn't get scratched. I haven't damaged my prototype's lens yet and I routinely carry it in my pocket with my cell phone. How about you Craig and Brock, any scratched lenses yet?
We may find that the lens just doesn't make it in normal use. What we will do is either recess them further, make custom lenses, or add an extra lens (acrylic, etc). Please be aware that adding a second lens may sound cool, but it will reduce output by as much as 10 percent.
Finally, we already plan on using gloves to install the optics and we already plan on locking up the rear threads.
Chris's prototype will be sent off after we solve some of the water sealing problems.
Peter Gransee
I was playing with the Arc-LS again tonight. Using it to read street signs from my car (a common task for the light in my car).
This Friday we hope to lock in the housing design for the Arc-LS and start programming the CNC machines. Still a few design kinks to work out. We need to get these solved if we are going to ship by the end of the month! It's going to be close.
Looking over Craig's list of recomendations on his website, I am not sure we will be able to address every one of them right off. We should get most of them though.
So far it looks like we have solved the beam focus/alignment fairly well. The no-roll feature will have to be part of future power pack designs (it would add too much to the head bulk if we put it there instead). Still working on improving water tightness- this is a tough one. Battery rattle is still being worked on.
Probally the toughest compromise is going to be the lens protection. The stock lens is optomized for optical performance and not strength. It can be scratched. But, using other optics or placing another lens (for protection) in front of it would make the light slightly dimmer plus add bulk and cost. With the prototypes, we opted to recess the lens deeply to protect from sharp pointy things. In normal use, it shouldn't get scratched. I haven't damaged my prototype's lens yet and I routinely carry it in my pocket with my cell phone. How about you Craig and Brock, any scratched lenses yet?
We may find that the lens just doesn't make it in normal use. What we will do is either recess them further, make custom lenses, or add an extra lens (acrylic, etc). Please be aware that adding a second lens may sound cool, but it will reduce output by as much as 10 percent.
Finally, we already plan on using gloves to install the optics and we already plan on locking up the rear threads.
Chris's prototype will be sent off after we solve some of the water sealing problems.
Peter Gransee
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