Changes to the Arc-LS?

[LEDagent]

For those of you that have reviewed the ARC-LS first hand, and have been in close contact with Peter Gransee, have there been any other changes to the ARC-LS production units that are now available? I know that a few dramatic cosmetic changes have been made, but i was wondering if the performance has been change.

On Stingmon's site, he says that their could be changes in the quality of the light too.

P.S. Those of you that are gonna get it, which battery pack will you get or use the most? I was thinkin the 2AA pack becuase it outputs the most light when using lithiums. BUT i was also thinking of getting the CR123 battery pack instead because then i could use my spent batteries from my E2. And those batteries still has PLENTY of juice left. ~2.6Volts left to be exact.

 

[Doug]

I have not heard of any changes (other than cosmetic)... I am sure Peter will chime in!

Actually, I plan to get the "kit", all three battery packs... $99 total.

Doug

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LEDagent:
For those of you that have reviewed the ARC-LS first hand, and have been in close contact with Peter Gransee, have there been any other changes to the ARC-LS production units that are now available? I know that a few dramatic cosmetic changes have been made, but i was wondering if the performance has been change.

On Stingmon's site, he says that their could be changes in the quality of the light too.

P.S. Those of you that are gonna get it, which battery pack will you get or use the most? I was thinkin the 2AA pack becuase it outputs the most light when using lithiums. BUT i was also thinking of getting the CR123 battery pack instead because then i could use my spent batteries from my E2. And those batteries still has PLENTY of juice left. ~2.6Volts left to be exact.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

[Gransee]

LEDAgent- yes, there has been some changes made (always changes!) from the prototypes that the reviewers have.

Note: for this list, I am also referring to Craig's Preview of the prototypes and the list he made of recommended changes.

Some things that haven't been changed from the prototypes:

- The circuit is the same, so battery run times should be similar
- No roll inhibitor added
- LS LED still has normal "blobbyness" of beam
- No Pyrex or other lens-protecting disc added

Please refer to my comments in the main Arc thread on why some changes where made and not others.

...And the changes made from the prototypes (these changes appear in all first run units):

- Housing is finished in Type III HA Natural (probably the most noticeable change)
- Interior is Chemkoted for corrosion resistance (gives aluminum a gold tone)
- Positive battery contact is now Cobalt/Gold (improves corrosion resistance)
- Improved centering of LED in relation to reflector (improves beam centering)
- Reflector is better seated in the aluminum collar (also improves centering)
- Knurling added to both head and pack
- End cap is now one piece with the rest of the power pack (so it cannot accidentally come off)
- Waterproof
- Foam battery retainer is thicker so the battery dampening is improved
- Improved handling of lens during manufacturing (no fingerprints like prototypes)
- Improved heat sinking of LED and PCB
- Improved sorting of the LS LEDs, eliminating the worst of the bunch from being used.

Peter Gransee

 

[Brock]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>- Improved handling of lens during manufacturing (no fingerprints like prototypes)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Darn I kind of liked that "personal touch"

The knurling will help a lot. I would like to see a different lens setup, but that isn't Arc's issue... yet… The LS's do a have squarish beam, maybe once Luxeon Star make the next version of this LED it will be better. Again we just have to wait for them to make it.