Flashlight noobie ~ Any alternatives to Arc LS?

[brx]

I just bought an Inova XO (on a whim) because I had a gift certificate to blow. And WOW, I love this light. I felt neat walking around in the Florida blackouts (hurricanes) with my 3D Maglite.. I wish I would've had the XO.

Anyway, I want another light now. The XO is great and I carry it any time I wear cargo pants or shorts - but with lots of keys, small cell phone, fat (coupons, not money /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif )wallet, chapstick, change, etc, I can't comfortably carry it all the time.

I like the Arc LS, but I can't help but think it looks kind of fatter than it needs to be. Also, it's expensive, the company went out of business, and I don't really care for the switch at the end. It looks like the switch would be too easy to bump while it's sitting in my pocket.

Are there any alternatives to the Arc LS that put out a decent amount of light? Idealy, I'm looking for something between a 2D and 3D cell light, an hour or so of run time, very compact, LED or incandescent (though preferably LED for the coolness factor), and possibly a bit cheaper (less than $100).. I'd also rather have a switch on/off because I have big hands and holding a switch while holding a light is uncomfortable.

I'd be really interested in building my own - but I am not sure I know where to start. I did take Digital Logic and Circuits, though, so I can understand the current regulation circuitry diagrams.

So, what are your recommendations?

 

[sithjedi333]

Re: Flashlight noobie ~ Any alternatives to Arc LS

There's another thread on a very similar topic HERE . Hope that helps.

 

[Hoghead]

Re: Flashlight noobie ~ Any alternatives to Arc LS

brx,

Welcome to CPF /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

Read a lot before you spend your money. You will get more use out of your lights if you can make an informed decision on your purchases. Here are some links to help.

Sean's Flashlight & LED Site
Quickbeam's Flashlight Reviews
Craig's LED Museum -Reviews of LEDs & LED Flashlights

Enjoy your search /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/au.gif

 

[SpecialAgent]

Re: Flashlight noobie ~ Any alternatives to Arc LS

Hi buddy and welcome to the forum.I went through many of the same questions you are dealing with and finally came up with an excellent light.I didnt know much about lights and all the tech jargon but follow along with this thread and you will learn as I did why it is not such a great Idea to buy an Arc Light(not at the current prices!)and move up to a new generation of LED lights made by the very best in the business with service and quality at the forefront.If I were you and you wanted a good light,stick with the many choices that the great Surefire Products produce....but,if you want to step it up a bit and spend a few dollars more(Take a pizza night of the budget for the family and eat at home) I would go no further then McGizmo and his lights.You tell him what you want,how you are going to carry it,size etc etc etc...and whammo.You get what you ask for in a very sleek custom one of a kind EDC light.I'm not giving mine back.........check out the "Say you have $200 bucks,what EDC Light to buy?" thread here....read,learn and then like the above poster wisely said, Decide.

I can tell you one thing, none of the posters here will give you bad advice.All are very up to speed on on these lights.I will buy an Arc light someday..when the price goes down...but from what I have seen, the Arc has been overtaken by newer custom models.It still is the innovator of LED based lights as Surefire is the Innovator of personal carry,weapons lights,combat lights and all things new in the world of flashlights.MagLights simply put everything in an aluminium tube and called it a flashlight.I have em but I dont use em for lighting.my 6 cell C flashlight is for my wifes jeep...as a club.