Arc stuff

[matt_j]

I really love the arc ls and Im thinking of selling most of my other lights. I'm also really tempted to buy the LS4. But browsing thru some for sale items I came upon a listing of LS which was 3w with some green powder coating lens super sized with fries inside. I mean for somebody who doesn't speak flashligh it was super impresive. Can somebody give me a run down or point into right direction for modification/featurer/benefits of buying a modified LS over LS4?

This is the thread I was talking about:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=535501&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

 

[Ronrph]

I bought the light in question; unfortunately I cannot compare it to a plain LS or an LS4 as I don't own one. I do have a luxeon modified aa and i can tell you that it much brighter than the aa ( Syolw binned @ 725ma- according to the specs when i bought it). The green glow is nice because you can turn it off in total darkness and still see to put it away

 

[Mattman]

If you bought a modded light, you'd gain some and you'd lose some. You'd have a less common light that was brighter than a stock LS. You'd also lose out on the Arc warranty and multiple brightness levels of the Arc4 and you'd have less runtime. I'm not sure how hot the modded lights run, but that might be another drawback. I guess it all comes down to what you're looking for.

 

[marcspar]

I have two of the modded LS in question - both done by Brock (Jets22).

I have compared their beams (not scientifically - just using my eyes) to my factory ARC LSH, LSL & 4+.

The modded 3W lights are brighter and seem to throw farther than any of the stock ARCs - probably due to the lens and the more powerful led.

The hotspot is more of a square and there is less side spill.

The only downside is the run time and maybe a little more heat, but the glowing paint and tritium make up for that!

I would recommend you get both a factory ARC and a modded one as soon as possible.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Marc

 

[sygyzy]

Thanks for the descriptive subject line. It will definitely make searching more effective and reposts a thing of the past.

 

[matt_j]

Marc

I have a regular arc ls but trying to decide between modified one and 4+ since they are only about 40 dollars appart. WHat would you say run time is on the batteries for modified one versus 4+? Where is glowing paint and tritium placed? Does it wear off?

Matt

 

[marcspar]

Hey Matt,

I love them both, but they are totally different.

I have had my ARC 4+ still putting out useful light, although dimly, after running constantly for over 2 days!

The modded 3W lights are very bright for about an hour - then they will fade out within another hour or two.

On Jets' modded 3W, the tritium vial is drilled into the twistie tail piece. I do not think he can do it if you want the clickie switch tail. The tritium should glow for at least 10 years.

The glow paint is on the reflector - protected under the lens. I am not sure about it's lifespan, but has not dimmed at all in the few months I have had the lights.

You have a tough decision to make!

 

[Prolepsis]

Here's my take on things, though most and many good points have already been raised by posters above. Note that you asked about the ARC4+ vs modded ARCs, so I'm not going to talk about stock ARC LSL and LSHs /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Modded ARCs vs the ARC4+ (formerly known as LS4)

Modded ARCs
Pros
- Generally better for collecting
- Can be customized--you can often specify how hard you want the LED driven, or what type of LED, for example. So you may go "give me a small light that is as BRIGHT as possible, with no concern whatsoever about runtime and heat" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
- Unique and rare
- Can add glow paint and tritium markers (which last 10 years)
- Can easily swap the optics--you want throw--Fraen--you want more flood--NX optic

Cons
- No warranty, though in some cases, modders will offer to cover whatever issues come up (and most modders are fantastic in this regards)
- Usually only one or two brightness levels (which may be fine, depending on your intended use)
- is likely not as efficient when compared to the ARC4+ (again, depends on the mod)

Stock ARC4+
Pros
- Temperature and "tint" regulation/monitoring
- Fully adjustable 16-level brightness
- uC (microprocessor) for behind the scenes control
- Machined reflector (matter of preference)
- Lifetime warranty from Peter et al.
- can accept a number of different batteries (when new body tubes come out)

Cons
- Not as unique (well, within CPF, that is)
- Costs a little more compared to most mods
- ARC4+ is bigger and heavier than the standard LSH/LSL body
- Since the design is quite robust (lots of stuff epoxied in for better shock protection), this light is very difficult, if not close to impossible, to mod

I have both an ARC4+ and Jets22's mod of an LS and a 1xAA bored out twisty tailcap. I love both lights--the workmanship on both is awesome. So really, you're in a win-win situation. For either lights, you can always buy one and then sell it to by the other. Personally, I use my ARC4+ more, mainly because I know that it is much easier to replace, but then again, that's just me.

In many cases, modded lights are brighter because there are less "restrictions" or constraints. For example, a car analogy is probably pretty close: most stock factory cars must be suitable for a wide range of drivers, from the fast lead foots to the Sunday drivers. So it wouldn't do to have the engine tuned for pure performance only--hence, stock lights. In this class, you get different types of cars (sports vs sedans), but they all try to, in general, cater to a wider audience.

Now a modded light is like a modded car--you can generally do whatever, but there's a tradeoff. Make the light super fast? Sure! You loss runtime. Make the car faster? Sure, you wear the engine more and generally use better/more gas.

So again, it depends on your likes and intended applications. Hope that helps /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[matt_j]

This may sound like reatrded question... But if you are overiding an LED wouldn't it burn out faster?

Matt

 

[marcspar]

Possibly - even probably, but that's the price to pay for the brightness.

I was concerned about the shortened life of the 5W luxeons compared to the 1W & 3W, but I realized that even if they only last 1000 hours, that still gives me around three years of use at an hour a day.

I am sure that by then ARC, or one of the modders, will have a 25W luxeon with a kinetic power source or something else that will knock our socks off and make us put the lights we are buying today on the back of the shelf....

Marc

 

[matt_j]

Marc and all,

thank you very much for your time, answers and patience. After some deliberations I decided to go with 4+ rev2. As much as I would love the tritium and green dust in the lens I think that battery life and levels of brightness are what I was sold on. Especially brightness level so I can check pupils responsivness in my patients eyes. But like with every addiction I will go out and buy modified arc ls soon.

Matt