I've been reading the posts here about the CMG Ultra-G and the ARC AAA lights. They both sound like nice lights but I've never seen either in person and haven't done anything with led lights except for some keychain types so I don't really have any idea of how much light they put out. I was wondering how the brightness, and range of the CMG Ultra-G compares to a Mag single AAA Solitaire? I know they are completely different lights but I've got one here so it can give me something to compare to. Thanks, John
How bright is the CMG Ultra- G, compared to...
- Thread starter pilot4x4
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- Remote NEast Minnesota, next to Lake Superior
I don't have a Solitaire to compare to but for a general idea.
With a fresh 1800MAh NiMH (rechargeable battery) in almost total dark I can see fairly well at 20-30 feet in a circle abot 10' in diameter. Hope that helps. I'm sre someone will post a pictre.
With a fresh 1800MAh NiMH (rechargeable battery) in almost total dark I can see fairly well at 20-30 feet in a circle abot 10' in diameter. Hope that helps. I'm sre someone will post a pictre.
yclo
Flashaholic*
This should put things into perspective, here's a hint as to which is which. Only the Solitaire's focus can be changed.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
-YC
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/infultra.htm
Has a beamshot comparison of the Infinity Ultra to the Arc AAA LE.
I use an Ultra every day and love it. I simply have an aversion to AAA-powered things, else I might have an Arc as well.
Has a beamshot comparison of the Infinity Ultra to the Arc AAA LE.
I use an Ultra every day and love it. I simply have an aversion to AAA-powered things, else I might have an Arc as well.
Wylie
Enlightened
You know I was not all that happy with my Infinity Ultra G at first /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twak.gif but I have to tell you after having one for a while now I am really happy with it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif I am still goofing around with changing the way the light is transmitted from this little jewel (narrower/brighter beam)/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif but I think they are about the best bang for the buck a guy could ask for. Forget the Mag and go straight to the CMG and if diameter is a problem go to the Arc.
just to have things in perspective - at least from the cpf point of view - here's a thread in the Review section of:
Arc AAA mini review vs CMG
Personally I look for an easy in pants pocket ride - but also fits the hand well for use over longer periods - for these criteria - the CMG Ultra-G is "better" than the ArcAAA for me -
plus the slightly better beam and white color (at least over the regular 2002 ArcAAA) -
and an overriding reason of much longer battery runtimes of 25 advertized hours and 11 tested hours of the Ultra vs. the 5hrs on the ArcAAA
Arc AAA mini review vs CMG
Personally I look for an easy in pants pocket ride - but also fits the hand well for use over longer periods - for these criteria - the CMG Ultra-G is "better" than the ArcAAA for me -
plus the slightly better beam and white color (at least over the regular 2002 ArcAAA) -
and an overriding reason of much longer battery runtimes of 25 advertized hours and 11 tested hours of the Ultra vs. the 5hrs on the ArcAAA
treek13
Flashlight Enthusiast
"the slightly better beam and white color"
I'm afraid that part is totally dependent on the individual led not on the light it is in. Nichia leds vary greatly in beam quality and color even within the same bin designations, just like luxeons. So unless the leds are being hand selected (something no one does for 5mm leds), the quality and color of the beam is somewhat luck of the draw. The only help you have in that area is from companies like Arc which try to use only certain higher quality designations but still individual leds will vary.
YMMV,
Pat
I'm afraid that part is totally dependent on the individual led not on the light it is in. Nichia leds vary greatly in beam quality and color even within the same bin designations, just like luxeons. So unless the leds are being hand selected (something no one does for 5mm leds), the quality and color of the beam is somewhat luck of the draw. The only help you have in that area is from companies like Arc which try to use only certain higher quality designations but still individual leds will vary.
YMMV,
Pat
Thanks for the info. I'm not considering carrying the Mag now at all, just wanted a comparsion to it since it's something I've got here to compare to. YCLO, thanks for the pictures. What distance are your pictures taken at? It looks like the Ultra-G will probably fit my needs since I'm looking for something AA powered, not AAA. Thanks, John
[ QUOTE ]
treek13 said:
"the slightly better beam and white color"
I'm afraid that part is totally dependent on the individual led not on the light it is in. Nichia leds vary greatly in beam quality and color even within the same bin designations, just like luxeons. So unless the leds are being hand selected (something no one does for 5mm leds), the quality and color of the beam is somewhat luck of the draw. The only help you have in that area is from companies like Arc which try to use only certain higher quality designations but still individual leds will vary.
[/ QUOTE ]
While this is generally correct - there is this line in the CMG Ultra-G at County Comm advert -
QUOTE:
As with all military and government flashlights these are the made with only the best materials for the optimum performance. These LEDs are hand picked for brightness and smooth, even illumination.
UNQUOTE
Of course one can always cast aspersions on any advert (those of Arc aren't exempt) -
and I recall some very vocal aspersions cast at County Comm's offering of the Ultra-G "US Government" model - on whether it was any different from the plain (civilian) Ultra, and even if it was really US government issue.....(in the locked thread here ) ....
but as we now see the Ultra-G has NSN: 6230-01503-9513
treek13 said:
"the slightly better beam and white color"
I'm afraid that part is totally dependent on the individual led not on the light it is in. Nichia leds vary greatly in beam quality and color even within the same bin designations, just like luxeons. So unless the leds are being hand selected (something no one does for 5mm leds), the quality and color of the beam is somewhat luck of the draw. The only help you have in that area is from companies like Arc which try to use only certain higher quality designations but still individual leds will vary.
[/ QUOTE ]
While this is generally correct - there is this line in the CMG Ultra-G at County Comm advert -
QUOTE:
As with all military and government flashlights these are the made with only the best materials for the optimum performance. These LEDs are hand picked for brightness and smooth, even illumination.
UNQUOTE
Of course one can always cast aspersions on any advert (those of Arc aren't exempt) -
and I recall some very vocal aspersions cast at County Comm's offering of the Ultra-G "US Government" model - on whether it was any different from the plain (civilian) Ultra, and even if it was really US government issue.....(in the locked thread here ) ....
but as we now see the Ultra-G has NSN: 6230-01503-9513
I've bought five ultras, from different, all varying in whiteness and beam centering. Oddly enough, they also vary in *case* color. My current EDC Ultra is a mint-green color. The others were deep green. But this one has the whitest, most-centered beam.
Well, I just went up to grab my 14 year old Solitaire to compare to the Inifnity Ultra I finally got around to buying two days ago. After blowing off the Solataire's dust (I can't believe I even found it!) I put in a fresh AAA battery. Nothing. Nada. I guess that's why I stopped carrying it 13.9 years ago. Just can't take the bumping around of everyday carry. My Ultra on a brand new AA is just a bit brighter and has a slighty larger beam circle than my ARC using it's older AAA battery (probably 1 hour total intermittant use). Realistically, their light output is the same. The ARC rides on my keychain. It's seldom used, but always there. The Ultra is my roam around the house at night light. It's only two days old, but it has replaced my old original Infinity (green) that used to serve this purpose. I still like that green Infinity, the beam is less than the Ultra, but not by all that much. However, the Ultra's beam is SOOO much smoother that the old green one.
C
Cosmic Superchunk
Guest
I don't own an Ultra-G, but I do have an Arc AAA, a regular Infinity and an Infinity Ultra. In my opinion, the Mag Solitaire doesn't stand a chance against any of them. The Arc is much brighter than the Infinity, but my Infinity Ultra is a bit brighter and whiter than my Arc. Regarding the Solitaire, it's a useful light for close up tasks, but the beam sucks real bad. The only great thing I can say about the Solitaires is that they are built tough and make good lights for mods. Other than that, they haven't changed much in 15 years.
[ QUOTE ]
Blikbok said:
I've bought five ultras, from different, all varying in whiteness and beam centering.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think there is a difference between the plain Ultra and the Ultra-G which is the subject of this thread.....
....controversy not withstanding.....
see:
CMG Ultra-G vs. Ultra
Blikbok said:
I've bought five ultras, from different, all varying in whiteness and beam centering.
[/ QUOTE ]
I think there is a difference between the plain Ultra and the Ultra-G which is the subject of this thread.....
....controversy not withstanding.....
see:
CMG Ultra-G vs. Ultra
varying ultra finishes
UnknownVT:
I was trying to illustrate that within one rather well-defined product line, the finish, LED tint and beam centering vary wildly. It's hard to say if the Ultra-G is "better" when the comparison to the Ultra is based off small samples.
5 is still small, but I wish I would have snapped a picture of all the beams before selling them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
UnknownVT:
I was trying to illustrate that within one rather well-defined product line, the finish, LED tint and beam centering vary wildly. It's hard to say if the Ultra-G is "better" when the comparison to the Ultra is based off small samples.
5 is still small, but I wish I would have snapped a picture of all the beams before selling them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
[ QUOTE ]
AZMAN said:
Was the "controversy" ever worked out?
Are the leds in the G any better "hand picked" than the leds in the regular Ultra?
[/ QUOTE ]
This is NOT definitive -
the "controversy" - if one reads the referenced thread were:
the Ultra-G might not be real US goverment issue -
it is: the Ultra-G has a US goverment NSN # -
NSN: 6230-01503-9513
There is no difference between the Ultra-G and (plain) Ultra - well, the NSN # above is just one difference.......
Ultra-G is claimed to be HA-3 hard anodized and (plain) Ultra is not - but they are the same - maybe, maybe NOT -
apparently some plain Ultras were delivered with dark green almost black anodizing - which probably was the same run as the Ultra-G anodizing - whereas most of the plain Ultras delivered now are the mint green color as shown in my comparison (referenced in my previous post).
Some have compared the wearability of the Ultra-G claimed HA-3 with that of the ArcAAA LE - the Arc seemed much harder wearing -
but this could be due to the sheer fact the LE is a much lighter grey color so will not show wear as obviously - also the LE has knurling all over the surface which again will not wear inside the recessed grooves - which again retains the natural color.... the Ultra-G conversely has large plain areas which will and can show wear much more easily - it is also very dark green (almost black) so will show any wear much more obviously.
I've read numerous posts about blue'ish and off-centered LEDs in Ultras - that's the plain Ultras -
but can't recall reading about these on the Ultra-G.
My one sample comparison has the Ultra-G with a much nicer white and well centred than my plain Ultra - but it is only one sample of each.
Again from what I've read here about the supplier of Ultra-G - Country Comm seems to be reputable and if you get a beam that you are not happy with (and it's a legitimate complaint) I think they will exchange it.
With regard to County Comm's good reputation I don't think their advert of the Ultra-G should be any less believable than say Arc's advert of the ArcAAA LE versions over the plain ArcAAA.
To some there is no practical difference between the ArcAAA LE and the plain ArcAAA - just as for some there is no practical difference between the Ultra-G and the plain Ultra -
Only this very important aspect the ArcAAA LE is nearly $30 vs. the ArcAAA cost of about $20......
The Ultra-G is $15 from County Comm, and the plain Ultra is often $20 from most vendors and lowest I've seen is $15.99 from TTS........
I think the choice is down to the individual,
and how "gullible" we're prepared to be....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
AZMAN said:
Was the "controversy" ever worked out?
Are the leds in the G any better "hand picked" than the leds in the regular Ultra?
[/ QUOTE ]
This is NOT definitive -
the "controversy" - if one reads the referenced thread were:
the Ultra-G might not be real US goverment issue -
it is: the Ultra-G has a US goverment NSN # -
NSN: 6230-01503-9513
There is no difference between the Ultra-G and (plain) Ultra - well, the NSN # above is just one difference.......
Ultra-G is claimed to be HA-3 hard anodized and (plain) Ultra is not - but they are the same - maybe, maybe NOT -
apparently some plain Ultras were delivered with dark green almost black anodizing - which probably was the same run as the Ultra-G anodizing - whereas most of the plain Ultras delivered now are the mint green color as shown in my comparison (referenced in my previous post).
Some have compared the wearability of the Ultra-G claimed HA-3 with that of the ArcAAA LE - the Arc seemed much harder wearing -
but this could be due to the sheer fact the LE is a much lighter grey color so will not show wear as obviously - also the LE has knurling all over the surface which again will not wear inside the recessed grooves - which again retains the natural color.... the Ultra-G conversely has large plain areas which will and can show wear much more easily - it is also very dark green (almost black) so will show any wear much more obviously.
I've read numerous posts about blue'ish and off-centered LEDs in Ultras - that's the plain Ultras -
but can't recall reading about these on the Ultra-G.
My one sample comparison has the Ultra-G with a much nicer white and well centred than my plain Ultra - but it is only one sample of each.
Again from what I've read here about the supplier of Ultra-G - Country Comm seems to be reputable and if you get a beam that you are not happy with (and it's a legitimate complaint) I think they will exchange it.
With regard to County Comm's good reputation I don't think their advert of the Ultra-G should be any less believable than say Arc's advert of the ArcAAA LE versions over the plain ArcAAA.
To some there is no practical difference between the ArcAAA LE and the plain ArcAAA - just as for some there is no practical difference between the Ultra-G and the plain Ultra -
Only this very important aspect the ArcAAA LE is nearly $30 vs. the ArcAAA cost of about $20......
The Ultra-G is $15 from County Comm, and the plain Ultra is often $20 from most vendors and lowest I've seen is $15.99 from TTS........
I think the choice is down to the individual,
and how "gullible" we're prepared to be....... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Re: varying ultra finishes
[ QUOTE ]
Blikbok said:
I was trying to illustrate that within one rather well-defined product line, the finish, LED tint and beam centering vary wildly. It's hard to say if the Ultra-G is "better" when the comparison to the Ultra is based off small samples.
[/ QUOTE ]
I understand and point taken.
However I don't think you ever mentioned any Ultra-<font color="red">G</font>'s -
were your 5 samples all plain Ultras?
However I think it would be fair to say the difference between the Ultra-G and the plain Ultra
is somewhat equivalant to the ArcAAA LE and the plain ArcAAA?
with about the same variations in the "G" to the "LE" ? -
(yes, I am merely basing this on the adverts and reputation of the suppliers......but I don't think any one should be any less believable than the other)
[ QUOTE ]
Blikbok said:
I was trying to illustrate that within one rather well-defined product line, the finish, LED tint and beam centering vary wildly. It's hard to say if the Ultra-G is "better" when the comparison to the Ultra is based off small samples.
[/ QUOTE ]
I understand and point taken.
However I don't think you ever mentioned any Ultra-<font color="red">G</font>'s -
were your 5 samples all plain Ultras?
However I think it would be fair to say the difference between the Ultra-G and the plain Ultra
is somewhat equivalant to the ArcAAA LE and the plain ArcAAA?
with about the same variations in the "G" to the "LE" ? -
(yes, I am merely basing this on the adverts and reputation of the suppliers......but I don't think any one should be any less believable than the other)
Re: varying ultra finishes
Got 4 Ultra's for the kids and then I broke down and finally got myself a Ultra "G". Compared the 5 side by side and it was easy to see that the "G" was definately brighter. However, the down side is that the "G" has puke green spots off to one side whereas the Ultra's were mostly white. All, had the beams off centered as is usual. I can assume, if my "G" is the norm, that they are picked for brightness but probably not for whiteness. I finally gave the "G" away for the green was giving me headaches. My usual EDC's are still keyring Infinity, 3AA Opalec and now a BB400 Q3L. This covers, for me, the need for long run-time(Infinity) to really bright but shorter run-time (Q3L). The LGI and Blaster II now stays at home.
Got 4 Ultra's for the kids and then I broke down and finally got myself a Ultra "G". Compared the 5 side by side and it was easy to see that the "G" was definately brighter. However, the down side is that the "G" has puke green spots off to one side whereas the Ultra's were mostly white. All, had the beams off centered as is usual. I can assume, if my "G" is the norm, that they are picked for brightness but probably not for whiteness. I finally gave the "G" away for the green was giving me headaches. My usual EDC's are still keyring Infinity, 3AA Opalec and now a BB400 Q3L. This covers, for me, the need for long run-time(Infinity) to really bright but shorter run-time (Q3L). The LGI and Blaster II now stays at home.
