Coming Soon: Arc-LS Flashlight

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Yesterday, Craig and Brock (the quitesential LED flashlight reviwers) began beta testing LS prototypes. Chris (the third quitesential LED flashlight reviwer) will recieve a test unit later on (with changes).

During this test phase, they may release photos of the prototypes, etc. Just remember that these are prototypes and the production units will be somewhat different and improved.

We hope to have most of the testing completed by this coming Friday so we can begin tooling for production.

Peter Gransee
 
Update: Sunday 8/12/01

Still improving the prototypes. Production has started on some components. Still working on solving the water sealing problem around the optics. We are behind schedule on that! We hope to send a test unit to Chris once the water proofing is working.

Sent 12 Arc-AAA's for type III HE finishing to see how they come out. Should know on Tuesday.

Peter Gransee
 
You know- you could`ve sent mine the same time as the other 2- since the only water I have access to is the bathroom basin! The Tube of Doom (that I mentioned once or twice ages ago in other posts) never really left the concept stage as that 2 foot long glass cylinder got broken before I could dunk any lights in it. So water resistance testing is not one of my specialities right now.

Still.....waiting patiently.....got to count myself lucky that I`ll be only the 3rd person outside of Arc`s HQ that has got one
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Hmm. Maybe Brock should send you his, and we could send Brock one of the newer designs with the improved water seal. I understand Brock has the best facilities for testing water proofing.

What do you think?

Peter
 
I just had a thought. Since Brock has already conducted extensive battery run time tests on his LS- it wouldn`t be right to send him a whole new one and me have his current one. There would be little point me conducting my own tests on his old one and he`d have to run a whole batch of new tests- to see how consistent they are between each other and give a more accurate overall result. Tests which I would otherwise have performed here.

So, taking this into consideration.....I`ll change my mind wait for the new improved prototype.


Out of interest- I can`t remember how deep its waterproofing is rated at? I had a thought about a "tube of Doom Mk-II" using a long plastic drain pipe. Seal off the bottom and fill it with water- and I can lower the light down on a measured length of string. No big deal if I can`t see it while it`s in there- it`s what is, or isn`t, inside it when it`s taken back out and inspected that counts, right? So I possibly could conduct a moderately deep water test without visiting the local swimming baths (and I don`t do swimming, fat people like me should not be seen in public with not many clothes on I believe
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Update:

Making some progress in waterproofing the optics. This has really delayed things though. We should have been in production right now. As a result, we will not make our planned shipping date of August 31st. We want to have plenty of time to get this right. We do not want to release the light before it is ready. Therefore, the shipping date has been pushed back again to September 29th.

We apologize for the delay! We feel that with this new shipping date we will have the time needed to solve the remaining challenges and release a quality light.

Peter Gransee
Arc Flashlight
 
Peter,
Sounds reasonable.

Just remember the "Curt Special."

Regards,
The Pill Fob guy with the watermelon torch.
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Hi Peter,

I've been following the ARC-LS with great interest, and I'm definitely going to buy one.

There's just one issue you might want bear in mind, which I haven't heard mentioned. You've probably thought about it, but it can't hurt to bring it up.

Since you're producing a modular flashlight, revisions become a much bigger issue. That is, any changes you make, you have to take into account compatability problems. For example, I'm planning to order just a single battery compartment initially (the 2 AA unit), but I can easily imagine getting others later on, and I'd certainly hope they would work with the original head. And people who get a nice serial #d head might want to continue using it with future battery compartments (say, using the tail switch). Etc...

Its almost like software revisions -- (except I hope it works a lot better!) needs lots of testing with older models.

Of course, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and abandon backward compatability (when making big changes), but it's usually something to avoid when possible.

Just a thought...
 
Good point. Forutunately, the power pack interface is fairly refined. If we were to change that, it would have to be a completely different light.

Instead, I can see the revisions affecting things like fit and finish, water sealing, run time, brightness, beam quality, etc. The Arc-LS is a fairly broad system with lots of room for variation.

Peter Gransee
 
Geez it took me a good long time to read the 17 pages... but I really REALLY like the Arc-LS - great job! I am definitely buying one (maybe two)!!

Quick question, I reserved one in your site, but I didn't get a "serial number"... does it mean I am not gonna get the "limited first run" with serial numbers on it??

Also, this might be a strange suggestion, (since people had mentioned tail cap / quick on-off switches before): If you make a battery compartment that has a threaded, open rear end that is COMPATIBLE with SureFire tail-caps, wouldn't it be a very cheap accessory for the button function? That way I can also use all the SureFire accessories such as lock-out rear cap or even the remote (mouse-tail) pressure switch... think about mounting the Arc-LS on my gun as "training" tactical flashlight when I really don't need that 110 lumens from my upgraded SureFire 9Z (since it burns through 123 like they don't cost a dime).

Thanks in advance for any responses. And may I say again what a great product to be available soon!!!

Wallace
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wallace:
Geez it took me a good long time to read the 17 pages... but I really REALLY like the Arc-LS - great job! I am definitely buying one (maybe two)!!

Quick question, I reserved one in your site, but I didn't get a "serial number"... does it mean I am not gonna get the "limited first run" with serial numbers on it??

Also, this might be a strange suggestion, (since people had mentioned tail cap / quick on-off switches before): If you make a battery compartment that has a threaded, open rear end that is COMPATIBLE with SureFire tail-caps, wouldn't it be a very cheap accessory for the button function? That way I can also use all the SureFire accessories such as lock-out rear cap or even the remote (mouse-tail) pressure switch... think about mounting the Arc-LS on my gun as "training" tactical flashlight when I really don't need that 110 lumens from my upgraded SureFire 9Z (since it burns through 123 like they don't cost a dime).

Thanks in advance for any responses. And may I say again what a great product to be available soon!!!

Wallace<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Serial numbers will be issued when the actual order is recieved. Having a reservation gives your order priority over orders without reservations.

We plan on opening the order system up right before the production run is done. Probally will be the last week of September or the first week of October.

Making the 123 or 2AA packs compatible with other manufacturers accessories intentially may not be a good idea. Interesting idea though!

Peter
 
Thanks for the prompt reply! Everything sounds good. I will eagerly await the product release!!

Wallace
 
I just started a new thread entitled "Arc Flashlights" in this forum. It is intended to aggergate most of the Arc Flashlight topics. I will continue to post about the Arc-LS to this thread until it ships and then I will start posting about the LS to the main "Arc Flashlights" thread thereafter.

Look for an update on the Arc-LS to this thread in a day or two!

Peter Gransee
 
Update on the Arc-LS for week ending 8/31/01:

Got the water proofing around the lens solved. As a result, we locked in the design and the quantity for the first run and began production on the housings. All contractors are ready to go.

The prototype earmarked for testing by CPF's very own Chris Millinship had to be used for the waterproof testing. We still plan on sending him a prototype for testing (someday!).

We would like to get pictures of the production unit on the website as soon as they are done.

More to come.

Peter Gransee
 
I like what I see, and have reserved mine.

I was wonderind why you don't use a current-regulated boost converter for these LEDs. I've looked over the data sheet, and it appears much easier to nail the light output by means of a known current than by means of a known voltage. Besides, the current regulator doesn't waste any power in a series dropping resistor.

FWIW, I've ordered the LED from ARC, and plan to play around with it. I've also ordered samples of the MAX1698 from Maxim. This chip, in conjuction with an extermal MOSFET driver, should do the trick nicely. I might even tap the current-adjustment voltage off the battery to achieve a graceful battery death, and maybe even add a thermistor to throttle back if the junction temperature goes too high.

Tom
 
Peter,

How about making "caps" for the spare battery compartments. That way you could carry the other size compartments with batteries loaded in them and ready to go. I'd be most interested in using the light as a 2AA, but carrying the 1AA or 123 compartment as a spare.

I'm been thinking of modifying the 123 compartment by drilling a hole in it for wires and a mount then attaching it to my caving helmet and powering it with a single "C" cell. Maybe in the future you could come up with a headlamp conversion kit. I think it would be very popular with the cavers and I think you could use the current head design. If you have some off spec head units lying around you can't use I'd be glad to build one up for you for testing then send it back to you when I'm done.
- Dave
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cave dave:
How about making "caps" for the spare battery compartments. That way you could carry the other size compartments with batteries loaded in them and ready to go. I'd be most interested in using the light as a 2AA, but carrying the 1AA or 123 compartment as a spare. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good idea!! Works like a reserve reloader with a different caliber bullet.

I think this is more economical than building a whole new tube or compartment for extra batteries.

Rubber caps or plastic caps?

I'll try it as soon as I get my hands on my Arc-LS set.

- verge -
 
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