Comparison question/request ZLT+LS-MiniMag & ARC-LS

[Klaus]

As the ZLT+LS-MiniMag convinced me of the LS I just had to order one of the SLS Peter offered - so waiting for my white SLS which should be ready this week - or so ....

But one question comes to my mind (and it will be awhile befor I can test it myself)

How does the ARC-LS compare to one ZLT+LS-Mag - I don´t know if anyone owns both and can test this ?

Also in all the ARC-LS runtime tests there never showed up any NiMh cells - I saw some of the testers mention they would do some tests with those cells but nobody seems to have posted any results yet ?

Regards

Klaus

 

[JollyRoger]

You can "customize" the ZLT+ minimag for a higher output....so it is brighter. But does not last as long as the ARC LS this way, of course.

In terms of a bomb-proof, solid design, I'd go with the ARC LS, of course. But the ZLT+ minimag is definitely a formidable competitor, being a similar size and taking similar batteries. (I say similar batteries b/c I think most people would use nimh in their ZLT+. While I use nimh in my ARC LS as well, I think many use regular alkalines or lithium(s), CR123 included.

 

[remuen]

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

How does the ARC-LS compare to one ZLT+LS-Mag - I don´t know if anyone owns both and can test this?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm quite sure the ARC LS has a better working switch

!

 

[papasan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by remuen:
I'm quite sure the ARC LS has a better working switch

!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

that is arguable...while it's hard to tighten down a maglite enough to smush a battery i've read many reports that a arc-ls can do this without difficulty...with alkalines no big deal, with rechargables maybe a bit more...and something about the battery being tightened into the circuitry of the light to turn it on bothers me...

 

[Sean]

When my ZLT+ LS mod worked

is was noticeably brighter than my ARC LS is with 2 AA lithtiums.

It's hard to put into words but it was almost the difference between the ARC LS 1 AA & 2 AA battery packs! And yes, the ZLT got warm pretty quick.

I was going to send it to the LED Museum to test but the transistor burned up shortly after I began using a tailcap switch, LED still works great, maybe it's time to get it working again and do some comparison photos.

As far as how long NIMH last in either one, I don't have a clue.

 

[Klaus]

Thanks to all for responding so far

But seems I´m right that noone has both parts (working) on hand

But regarding the NiMh runtime of the ARC-LS I would still be very interested

And I fully agree that I expect the ARC-LS to be better engineered than a MiniMag and while the ZLT+ is a great DIY project I would expect Peter product to be ahead - but regarding Seans comments regarding brightness - I was re-re-reading some of the old LS threads and Peter once mentioned that after some initial spike to 340ma the circuit would be at around 250-280ma for hours - I think most of the ZLT+-ses were tuned to around 340 and so obviously should be quite brighter.

Very high on my wish-list would still be that one of our testers would run NiMhs in the ARC-LS to complete the runtime-graphs and also co-run one ZLT+ in comparison.

Klaus

 

[Larry R. Pace]

What is the ZLT, and where could you purchase one? Thanks!

 

[Klaus]

Larry,

the ZLT is a circuit driving the LS with full power from 2 NiMh cells and is designed to fit in a MiniMag head - lots of threads here on that one - also named Zetek300 as this is the chip used.

The whole project is nicely documented at

ZLT+ page

Its not a complete product up for sale but a CPF DIY project based on the work of some members who did a FANTASTIC job on this circuit.

Klaus

 

[InTheDark]

There are some runtime charts, not graphs on one of the post, I think duggg and dat2zip charted runtimes w/Nimh batteries, the run time is about 2-3 hours, depending on what you set the current to. My zlt was working fine too, until I fried my LS making some changes to it. and it worked great as a replacement for the original switch mechanism, as soon as I found out that I had to insulate the edges of the circuit board to avoid shorting the circuit inside the body.

 

[Klaus]

InTheDark,

thx

I do know the runtiume of NiMhs in a ZLT+LS

What i asked for is:

a) comparison of ARC-LS against ZLT+LS-MiniMag

b) runtime of NiMhs in the ARC-LS

Klaus

 

[Larry R. Pace]

Thanks Klaus!

 

[Klaus]

You are very wellcome Larry