Arc vs. CMG? ...

[cmeisenzahl]

In general who do you like better? Why?

Light strength?

Regulated?

Actual bodywork?

Fit and finish?

Anything else?

Thanks very much, this site is great!!!

Christopher

 

[Denny Francisco]

Chris, I got a CMG Reactor and found the optics perfect and the construction is incredibly tough, but I thought it was clunky, though, and cut it up, mounted the LED and optics into a lipstick case with a 123A battery and got a cool, tiny, bright light. Now my question is, also, how does it compare with the Arc LS2? I don't know if the electronic circuits(regulators, dc/dc converters, I believe) make Arc LS2 any brighter than the CMG Reactor, but the cost difference is substantial. Flashaholics to the rescue, please.

 

[Nerd]

Light Strength? ARC is brighter
Regulated? ARC is regulated
Actual Bodywork? ARC is smaller
Fit and Finish? ARC is Hard Anodized

Price? ARC is much more expensive than CMG Reactor.

*edit* I was refering to ARC LS and CMG Reactor

 

[ikendu]

Which ARC vs. which CMG?

 

[cmeisenzahl]

Oops, sorry. I was mainly thinking about the Arc AAA vs the CMG Infinity Ultra. They look to be very similar:

http://store.yahoo.com/flashlight/arcaaa.html
&&
http://www.cmgequipment.com/Infinity_New.html

How does the Arc LS fit into this?

Thanks very much,
Christopher

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

Christopher,

The topic title isn't specific "Arc vs. CMG"

Arc makes the AAA and the LS, and CMG makes a number of lights, including 2 Luxeon Star lights.

Now that you have clarified things, they are both good products. If you like AAA based lights and don't need anything for cold environments, then the Arc AAA would be an excellent choice (no Lithium AAA).

However, if you need something for cold environments, then the Ultra is the better choice, since you can use alkaline or Lithium AA (eveready L91).

 

[kodiak]

Hey Denny. I too loved the Reactors output and optics. I work in a machine shop, I was also thinking of cutting it open . Unlike you however, I couldn't think of how I could adequately open it up, or what to do with it. Your idea intriques my. Would you care to share the details?

 

[ikendu]

If you only ever intend to buy one LED light...there's no doubt, get the ARC AAA. You simply can't beat it for a compact, versatile light that will fit many needs; keychain, backup light, camping, etc. You won't be sorry.

Although, if you are going to buy two...I prefer a Photon (I've got a white P3) for the keychain (lighter, more modes and more scratch resistant and less "scratchy" than an ARC AAA).

For "carry in the pocket" like for camping, hiking, glove box or around the house I definitely like the Ultra better; brighter, smoother, bigger beam, longer run time and more battery choices (alkaline, NiMH or Lithium for cold weather). It also comes with a nice lanyard and clip (very handy for one handed operation cliped to a ball cap).

At our house, we all carry Photons on the keychain. My favorite LED is the PT Attitude and my wife's is the Ultra. My ARC AAA sits on the shelf except when we are camping; I substitute it for the Photon on the keychain for camping trips.

 

[Denny Francisco]

IKENDU, I agree, the Arc AAA is a winner for it's size, nice beam, and about 5-hour battery life. I EDC a Photon 3 on my keychain also...best light for its size, period. The Luxeon in the CMG Reactor is awesome in its power, but the pocket version of the luxeon(Arc LS) is SO pricey.

KODIAK, I hacksawed the CMG Reactor as that sucker was made NOT to ever come apart, unlike any other flashlight I've seen. It was fun to incorporate the Luxeon into a pocket light measuring only 2 7/8" X 3/4" in a squared-off clear lipstick tube. Sorry no closeup photo capability as yet, but I filed down the optic and headsink to slide into the tube, soldered battery contacts, and added a miniature push-button on the base of the lipstick tube. The top of the tube acts as a protective lens, and I covered the length of the tube with gold foil tape, making this one slick-looking pocket light. If I had purchased the LED/optic alone, the total cost of this super-bright pocket light would be under $25, a poor-man's Arc LS.

I'm into caving, and I would like to make a twin Luxeon head that articulates, along with an ON-LOW-HIGH-OFF switch to go with one or two beams. I would power it with AAX2 for 5-10 hours of peak brightness. Anybody know where one can get a tiny push-button SPDT switch???