ARC LS REVIEW

For those who cannot get specialty products for polishing minor scratches out of plastic, use Brasso. I've had a great deal of success with it. (EDIT: Hmmmmm... the post prior to mine was deleted - sorry if this seems out of context - I apologize if I was stepping on anyone's toes!)
 
123 battery pack looks better. I hope this can be a good keychain/pocket light. Regarding the lens and scratch problem, I think it may not be an issue if the lens is recessed inside the head. Can someone please post info about the thickness of this lens? Just curious.
 
I haven't had a problem with lens scratching, it seems recessed enough to prevent most problems.

As for battery rattle, couldn't you just use the same sort of foam ring like the newer Arcs?

I will have to dunk my LS right after I finish the last of the battery tests, just in case.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
I haven't had a problem with lens scratching, it seems recessed enough to prevent most problems.

As for battery rattle, couldn't you just use the same sort of foam ring like the newer Arcs?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I haven't had my lens get fuR$*#$#@*ed up yet either, but I've mostly kept it dangling from its keychain attachment.

Normally, I don't keep anything in my pans/shorts pockets, since I'm SITTING in a wheelchair most of the time.

But I've had some lights get fu$*#&@ed up inside my metal lunchpail, usually by hitting something else inside the pail at the time.

As for battery rattle, there is already an annular foam disk inside that greatly minimises it, but does not completely eliminate it.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Brock:
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.
smile.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Questions

Before going into moon mode, did the light output remain stable, and when in moon mode, what is the measeure output (lux or candella)?

What is the measured light output for the three different modules. Is the 123 module the same as two same as 2 AA, and are the 3v modules twice as bright as a single AA?

The reviews (yours and stigmon) suggest the ARC-LS to be as bright(er) or having simular light output to Trek 7, almost as much as the Trek 1400... with what LS module? all three?

What is the issue with water resistance? As mentioned by someone else, will there be a problem if I overturn my kayak and my dry bag goes under ?
 
I am starting an excel sheet with different lights and runtimes with brightness levels. Yes the light is very close to the output of the 1400, actually a little tighter beam so it is a bit brighter, but about 1/3 as wide. Let me see if I can cut & paste excel in here... nope... I will try to get a xls to html and post a link to my site later. But for now if you have excel here it is.
http://www.uwgb.edu/nevermab/battery.xls

Basically with 2 lithium's it started at 160, then fell to 140 for about 3 hours then fell off again. It starts at 140 with both regular AA's and a single lithium.

I haven't dunked it yet, but I am guessing a quick dunk would be fine and 2 feet should be OK, I will have to get back to everyone once I dunk it.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pooh:
[QB]Questions<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

>What is the measured light output for the >three different modules

When I get some 123's, I'll measure with all common battery types at once, and then post the results.


>will there be a problem if I overturn my >kayak and my dry bag goes under?

This is very preliminary, and the test was rather crude (a suction test only), but if your dry bag becomes a wet bag, I don't see the Arc LS leaking or becoming flooded as long as your bag floats somewhat, or only sinks in a few feet of water.

Brock has access to deeper water than I do, so I'll leave that test in his capable hands.
 
Just a note.
smile.gif
None of the prototypes to date have been very waterproof. We plan on solving this though as it is our number one issue.

I dunked one in a foot of water for an hour last Sunday and the lens got humid. The light still worked of course, but this shows that the lens interface needed to be redesigned. As soon I am finish posting here, I am on my way up to the shop to work on a new idea on how to improve the water seal.

Peter Gransee
 
Brock,
From your Excel sheet it looks like the Lithium AA significantly outperforms the Lithium 123 battery. Is it visibly brighter at start up? It looks like it lasts quite a bit longer and stays brighter longer as well?
 
Brock, would it be possible to test a couple AA NiMh's on the LS and add them to your runtime/brightness XL sheet?

Also, what are the units for brightness? Did I miss that somewhere?
tongue.gif


"Thanks!" to you and Craig. Keep up the good work!
icon14.gif
 
I took some brightness readings, but not sure where they went.

Let me go through my sent e-mail wastebasket and see if they show up...

hmmm.... 4,400 messages and the header's gone t*ts-up.
Time for more drastic measures...

2 Energizer Lithium AA: 80,500mcd
2 Right-Aid alkaline AA: 73,600mcd
1 Energizer Lithium AA: 56,100mcd
1 Right-Aid alkaline AA: 50,100mcd

All configurations tested appear as bright or brighter than a new Expedition 300 with very few hours (and consequently, like-new LEDs).
Multi-cell configurations appear brighter than an Expedition 1400, but with a somewhat narrower main beam.

I don't yet have any 123s to test the 123 configuration, but will do so the moment I get them.

NOTE: These are preliminary, and are prototype readings only. The production units *may* read slightly differently.
 
I thought my meter was reading in candle power (although I know it can't be by the readings), I know Craigs is WAY more accurate so mine is in the scale of my meter. Craig and I seem to match at the lower readings but the higher ones are off on my end for some reason.

I didn't even think of running NiMH cells, I will have to do that.

Yes 2 lithium AA's were the brightest and stayed that way the longest, they should being 2850 mA at 3v. The 123 is less then 1/2 that at 1300mA at 3v. I beleive the 123 drops more voltage under the load, but very similar output to the 2 AA alkaline with a shorter runtime. The 123 is very small and much lighter though.
 
Regarding the lens for the Arc LS, is it not possible to have replaceable ones. This means being able to screw off the front of the head and when one lens is scratched to death another can be replaced. Is there a water restistant problem here? Hmmm. Maybe not- you would just have an o-ring seal for the screw part...I suppose it is the free lens which may pose a threat. Any chance in having something push it up nice and secure- water tight!
I just think that mine will be getting a workout strapped to my helmet for caving. And when it comes to the point where the light is effected by a poor quality lens it may make the flashlight somewhat void.

-mIKe
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stingmon:
Any idea of where the platinum catalyst will go? I don't see a space for it inside.
Where will the hydrogen go?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmm, is this important? What could happen if there is none? I don`t think my Infinity has one...but my Expedition does.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ken B:
Hmm, is this important? What could happen if there is none? I don`t think my Infinity has one...but my Expedition does.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

They are usually used in sealed, high-drain flashlights (the Trek multi-LED, many good incandescents), to prevent them from EXPLODING!

I'd hate to imagine I'm carrying around a latent pipe bomb in my pocket if the batteries start to complain about the several hundred mA load by venting hydrogen.

Then again, the metal walls are so thick, it is possible the gas will just push its way around the O-ring once a certain pressure was reached and pose no threat whatsoever.

Peter?
 
Hmmm. Why not short out the LED, and send one to Botach as an evaluation unit? Then we'll know for sure if it's a problem.

Guy Guyer
 
so has anyone tried nimh in the ls? I am curious also. if it has a circuit to bump up the voltage and stay at constant brightness wouldnt nimh be as bright as the rest?
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrchri5:
if it has a circuit to bump up the voltage and stay at constant brightness wouldnt nimh be as bright as the rest?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
The brightness is not completely indepent from the input voltage (according to Peter Gransee). Otherwise it would not be possible that one AA cell lasts longer than two of them.
But NiMH AA cells may easily have the same or even more useable capacity than alkaline cells. The usual 2850 mAh capacity rating for alkalines is not much more than a number on paper. At a load of some 0.5A the NiMH may have the same 1.5 Ah at an even higher average voltage.
That also means that the 123 cell is not so far behind (two AA cells) as it looks. At 1A you will easily get 1.1 - 1.2Ah at 2.4-2.5V, probably more than alkalines.
 
Top