CMG Sonic?

[JerryM]

When discussing small AAA lights I don't notice that the Sonic is mentioned. It had a good review, but is there some reason it is not popular?

Jerry

 

[brightnorm]

It's a good light for the money but is seriously out performed by the ARC AAA.

Brightnorm

 

[The_LED_Museum]

Other than the fact it kinda looks like a dog urinator (especially the red one), it's actually a good little light.
It earned a 4 1/2 star rating on my website. If you can get used to how it looks a bit like a *****, it should do well.

(Edit) Forgot to put my web page about the Sonic in.
It's right here if anyone's interested.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I actually use my Sonic as much or more than any other for navigating around the house. Its spot style beam is less likely to wake the wife and the switch is especially easy to turn with one hand. The beam is also about equal in brightness to the Arc AAA. It's not as robust as the Arc, but a little better than the Dorcy AAA.

 

[PJD]

I bought a Sonic a couple months back and was so unhappy with it that I just gave it away to one of my non-flashoholic friends. Output wasn't bad, but IMO the switch mechanism left a lot to be desired. Mine kept coming on by itself unless I unscrewed the tail cap all the way to the O ring. That, plus the fact that it ate AAA cells FAR faster than either my Arc AAA or my Dorcy AAA. It also "felt" cheap...I think even the Dorcy feels like a more robust light. To each his own, I guess. I do like the Ultra-G/Infinity Ultra a LOT...but I think that CMG struck out with the Sonic.

PJD

 

[The_LED_Museum]

PJD, you must have gotten a defective one. Mine has no switch issues. Current draw from a new AAA cell was measured at 215mA, so it's on the high side, but not horribly so.

I don't think CMG struck out with the Sonic, but making the O4 a momentary-only light is definitely not a good thing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
My opinion only; your results may vary.

 

[Led-Ed]

I was bored and recently took apart my Sonic.
I just heatd the tube up with a small torch and pressed out the circuit .There was no type of waterproofing or potting at all in the head of it.Mine was a very early model so the new ones may be different,but if that thing were dropped into the toilet 8') it would be an ugly situation.....I'll stick with my ARC aaa's for severe use and the Dorcy aaa(with the reflector heated and pressed out) for indoors around the house stuff.

 

[z06cajun]

I recently ordered my first one and it lasted a day before giving up the ghost. It was readily relaced by the vendor and I haven't had any problems with the replacement so far. It's been on for 24 hours and is still quite bright.

 

[paulr]

JerryM, the Sonic isn't a terrible light, but the Arc AAA is just a lot better, so the Sonic doesn't get much attention here.

Led-Ed, that's interesting about the Sonic disassembly, thanks.

 

[JerryM]

Thanks for the replies.

I h ave a couple of Infinity Ultras on order, and wondered if the Sonic was as good. Now I know enough to know I do not want one.

I really like the Dorcy AAA and just bought a couple more at Walmart. While I was there the clerk showed me a small light his wife had given him. It looked like the ones sold in Target with the Eddie Bauer name. He said they had been on sale for 4.99 at Big 5.
I went there and they had 2 left so I bought them both. When I got home I discovered that one of them had a bad battery. I went to Radio Shack thinking it would be 50 cents, and found it was $3.18 with tax. Since the lights use three of them, AG 13 Button Cells, I am not going to get any more lights that use them.
Yes, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Jerry

 

[paulr]

JerryM, batterystation.com is selling those button cells at $3.00 for a card with ten cells.

 

[JerryM]

Many thanks Paul. I'm going to order some.

Thanks again,
Jerry

 

[Mark_Larson]

The Sonic/Sonic-G is a fine light to sit between the Arc and the Dorcy price-wise. Its $ 12 at TW/MT or someplace and the G version is $ 14.50 at countycomm. Not as well-constructed as the Arc maybe, but it matches it in output and size.

 

[Mark_Larson]

[ QUOTE ]
JerryM said:
When I got home I discovered that one of them had a bad battery. I went to Radio Shack thinking it would be 50 cents, and found it was $3.18 with tax. Since the lights use three of them, AG 13 Button Cells, I am not going to get any more lights that use them.
Yes, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

[/ QUOTE ] You could return the light to where you bought it for a refund since it was obviously defective when you bought it.

 

[NeonLights]

I'm very happy with my CMG Sonic. If it wouldn't be for my ARC AAA, my Sonic would reside on my keychain full time. I like the Sonic, I just like the ARC a little better.

-Keith

 

[AZMAN]

I think the Sonic is a good quality little light. Are there better lights? Of course; but the Sonic's price sure is right.

 

[JerryM]

I wish they would have a sale on the AAA Arcs. Probably isn't going to happen because I suspect the demand is high.

Is there a difference in light output between the standard and deluxe models?

Jerry