Coming Soon: Arc-LS Flashlight

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Yes, we did get a LS to run off the Arc-AAA circuit and pack. The problem was even with no lens, the LED was too big. Also, the extra material cost of $10-14 did not translate into a good final list price for the flashlight for the minor amount of extra output it produced.

We also tried single 5mm S-ranks and a cluster of 3, 3mm S-ranks. None produced an output fitting with their cost.

We got another idea to check out. We will probally know if it's a go in about a month.

I checked on the "flashy 5" (latest Arc-LS prototypes) last Friday and they where still being worked on. I hope to see good progress this Monday. Maybe we can get some pictures soon.

Peter Gransee
 
Okay, this has been a looong thread, and I know things have changed through it. Peter, could you summarize the 123A vs AA guesstimate on brightness and runtime? I'm about to order one, and would like the latest info to go on. thanks!
 
Some random requests for Gransee:

First off, sorry if this has been requested -- I may have missed something in the 15 page-thread here...

1) Do you have any plans for a belt clip on the LS head -- much like the SureFire E1/E2? To me, this is the key thing that allows me to "wear" my flashlight at work/play without having to pull out a big holster.

2) I don't have the measurements of a 2AA MAGLite on hand, so I cannot compare... but... if possible, please consider making the diameter of the 2AA power pack shaft as the same as a 2AA MAGLite, so the Arc-LS w/2AA power pack will easily fit in the MAGLite 2AA holster -- which is arguably the most commonly available holster.

Thanks!
 
Joe, runtime on a 123 lithium is about 2.5 hours sun with a moon mode of about 2+ hours. 2AA is 3.5 hours sun with 2+ hours moon. The single AA was not runtime tested with the new circuit yet but is estimated to be about 4.5 hours.

Single 123 is brighter than single AA. Single 123 and double AA are similiar in brightness. Single 123 has a flatter discharge than 2AA's.

AA tested where cheapy sanyo, walgreens, etc. Lithium 123's tested where Duracell ultras. I would expect that high qulaity ultra AA's would perform much better than the cheapy AA's. They will be brighter and longer lasting.

The brightest power pack is going to be the 2AA pack with suped-up batteries like ultras or AA lithiums.

This flashlight classifies as a High Drain Device. You will see a improvement in using ultras, titaniums, etc.

Kaz, thanks for your post.

No plans for the belt clip as of yet. However, the 2AA battery compartment should fit in a 2AA mag holster nicely (good idea!).

Peter Gransee
 
Any plans for a dual 123 pack? This would give some additional balance to the light, but of course jacks the voltage up to 6V. It would be nice to parallel the battery configuration of the E2, which is so popular (atleast to people like us), and have a better runtime for situations where you're not trying to blind someone.
 
JonSidneyB,

Pics were posted a bit after you asked a question earlier -- check page 12 of this thread, or try this link.

Guy Guyer,

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>...and have a better runtime for situations where you're not trying to blind someone.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

While I like your idea of longer run-time, your comment caught my attention. I don't know how serious you were with the comment, but with a guesstimate output of 8-12 lumens, I don't think the Arc-LS would be bright enough to blind, would it? (My SureFire E1, rated at 15 lumens, is not enough to blind, as I can still see the flashlight holder.)

...not arguing, just thinkin'...
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Peter,

One last question, this time regarding the LED colors. I just ordered an LS in TTS's group buy. I would like the brightest LED. If two colors are relatively close in brightness, I favor the whiter one.

With overdriven Nichias, I expect turquoise to be enough brighter than the white to be worth favoring turquoise. Green and blue are bright also, but turquoise is much whiter than those two, so turquoise has been the ultimate winner. How would you compare the LS colors? Actually, in the case of the LS, if the white is somewhat close to cyan and its ilk, I might end up favoring white.

Joe
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Joe Talmadge:
Peter,

One last question, this time regarding the LED colors. I just ordered an LS in TTS's group buy. I would like the brightest LED. If two colors are relatively close in brightness, I favor the whiter one.

With overdriven Nichias, I expect turquoise to be enough brighter than the white to be worth favoring turquoise. Green and blue are bright also, but turquoise is much whiter than those two, so turquoise has been the ultimate winner. How would you compare the LS colors? Actually, in the case of the LS, if the white is somewhat close to cyan and its ilk, I might end up favoring white.

Joe<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

This was mentioned earlier too, but I don't mind clarifying things. The brightest in lumens is amber/red and white in that order. For good output and usability, the amber is good. For general use, white is preferred.

The cyan, green and blue are not as bright as the amber, red or white.

Peter
 
Kaz,
Sorry, I should have been more clear. The pics that I was asking about is for a later version referred to as Flashy-5 that we have yet not seen.
 
Gadget/JoeT,
I too am wrestling with that same choice...(amber vs. white)
Maybe of some consideration is the Air Force's choice of Amber for visual acuity in the dark. -Like the famous "Nighthawk" hi-intensity finger lamp used by the military in "Desert Storm".

In my OWN tests (at least with Equal intensity on the light meters), I have also found that for making out small details from a distance, (over 5' or so) the amber IS better, alright, - but it ain't quite as pretty
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QUANDARY...............
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Got the shipment of ambers in tonight for people who want to order the loose LEDs.

Got the first of "the flashy five" (what a silly name) tonight. I will post a picture later tonight.

Peter
 
Ok, here's a pic of the first of "the flashy 5". Both the head and the 2AA pack in this picture have been improved from the last prototype. Again, this is a prototype and the production units will have a dark finish.

lsproto2.jpg


Peter Gransee
 
Yes it is.
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I like the idea of brighter, but I've grown very used to the white color of my LED lights. I'd hate to get an Amber and say, "Boy, that's bright, but the color pisses me off."
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I think I too will go with white, and maybe get an Amber LS for tinkering with.
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> I don't think the Arc-LS would be bright enough to blind, would it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I meant the E2. I don't have one yet, but I've heard it can be used as a defensive tactical light. I don't usually need this much light, though.
 
Hey- looks great! Can`t wait to get my hands on it
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Any plans for any strategically placed knurling?

BTW I saw you also have the Cyan Luxeons now- what`s the colour like- bluer or greener than the Turquoise 5mm Arc-AAA LED? I`ll find out soon enough (just ordered one) but still, I`m curious.

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I suppose my problem with all this whiz-bang refinement of the Arc Ls and AAA every second so that the lights are always getting brighter/smaller/better means that I am afraid to commit early. I am speaking from a "cheap" point of view here. i.e. I don't have the money like a lot of the others seem to have. (millions of flashlights to there names and always buying more) I am as excited as we all are about this product but I fear if I buy one now then in a few months a better model will come out and the model I have will be second class. I am therefore a very select customer and I want to be certain that what I am purchasing will be pretty darn special.
All I can say really is top work Peter, you do us all proud and the more you refine- the more you design- the more you create, then the world may not be a better place, but to some it will be a much brighter place!
I suppose it is down to me to step out in faith and get one of these beauties!
How I crave. How I long!
I thought I was a sad soul looking at flashlights all day long on the net...then I found this forum and all ye like minded nutters!

As Ali G would say- Keep it real!
 
Yes Chris, knurling will have to wait until the production units. We left a half dozen changes or so out of the prototypes because they were not necessary to proving the design. As prototypes these are hand made and immensely expensive. But on the other, hand we want to make sure we include anything new that might require testing. Knurling is hard to screw up, so we won't test it now.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by melmso:
I suppose my problem with all this whiz-bang refinement of the Arc Ls and AAA every second so that the lights are always getting brighter/smaller/better means that I am afraid to commit early. I am speaking from a "cheap" point of view here. i.e. I don't have the money like a lot of the others seem to have. (millions of flashlights to there names and always buying more) I am as excited as we all are about this product but I fear if I buy one now then in a few months a better model will come out and the model I have will be second class. I am therefore a very select customer and I want to be certain that what I am purchasing will be pretty darn special.
All I can say really is top work Peter, you do us all proud and the more you refine- the more you design- the more you create, then the world may not be a better place, but to some it will be a much brighter place!
I suppose it is down to me to step out in faith and get one of these beauties!
How I crave. How I long!
I thought I was a sad soul looking at flashlights all day long on the net...then I found this forum and all ye like minded nutters!

As Ali G would say- Keep it real!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks and welcome to the CPF!

Yes, there will always be improvements. We already have a half dozen waiting for the production units from the above prototype. And the second run will be more refined, etc. Of course, just to confuse you, only the first run will have a "limited first run" serial number. Also, with the Arc-LS we are doing more pre-production testing than we did with the Arc-AAA. Mostly this involves sending units out to trusted testers. So, the first run units should be fairly refined.

It's your choice!

Peter Gransee
 
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