Is Arc AAA Worth It?

[MicroE]

Gentlemen---I have been lurking in the background for a while now reading post after post. I feel at home here because we all, obviously, have the same illness. (My wife would call it an illness----When we got engaged I used to carry a flashlight everywhere I went even though I did not carry a picture of her everywhere I went).
I have learned a lot and have begun to decipher CPF's language (are all of the acronyms officially approved by the DOD?)
Here's the question (in two parts):
Should I buy an Arc AAA even though I have a lot of other, mainly 4AA, lights? My Photon I is cute but not bright enough and Mag's Solitare has

never cut it with me.
Two, where is the best place to buy it?---Marc
FLASHAHOLICS OF NEW JERSEY UNITE!!!

 

[this_is_nascar]

Get yourself 2-ARC AAA lights. One should stay on your keychain, the other should remain in your pocket at all times with your penknife, etc.

 

[dano]

Moved to LED...

And, yes, you should get one!

--dan

 

[Carpe Diem]

Marc...

You should get both the white and the turquoise EV Arc AAA`s. They`re spectacular, and you`ll end up carrying both of them as a part of your EDC.

As far as where to buy them, go to the Arc website and check out the availability from Arc as well as from the listed dealers. They will all treat you well.

Welcome to the CPF...
And may God have mercy on your soul!

 

[txwest]

My ARC LE probably handles about 80% of my light needs. I would say it's worth it to me. As far as carrying the light instead of your girl friends picture.....the light is much more useful. TX

 

[lemlux]

Tx: That may only be if you curl your girlfriend's picture into a cylinder the size of an ARC AAA. There probably are people for whom the Debbie Boone lyrics "You light up my life..." means that photos convey a mental luminescence.

On the other hand, I carry 2 ARC AAA's and no family pictures. I have limited pocket space.

 

[llvo]

Originally posted by this_is_nascar:
... remain in your pocket at all times with your penknife, etc.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">My white ArcAAA also serves me well with my penknife

My standard version ArcAAA cost me $32.5

At first I thought I made a wrong decision for buying such an expensive LED light with light output of a Photon2. But after a year of use, I can now say I have no regret and love it as much as my Surefire.

 

[logicnerd411]

Hmmm... where is darell and Saaby? I'm very surprised they haven't popped up here!

And, get one. Just get one and then understand..

 

[Saaby]

What timing Logicnerd...the minute I bring up the last 50 there your post is.

Yes, the Arc AAA is worth it. You need one, it's a must. I will repeat what Logicnerd said--just get one and understand. Trust me.

 

[ikendu]

Originally posted by MicroE:
Should I buy an Arc AAA...?

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Yes, buy one. Of all of the lights discussed on these forums, get an ARC AAA.

Originally posted by MicroE:
Two, where is the best place to buy it?---Marc

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">ARC AAA $20 at TTS

 

[logicnerd411]

I'm psychic, Saaby...

I haven't looked at the shipping cost of TTS, but...

Arc AAA at Vicomptel for $21 shipped

The math: $19.25 for light + $1 for plain shipping + $.75 handling fee for orders less than $50. (Vicomptel claims credit card co. fee on them).

 

[txwest]

But I bet William at TTS probably has them in stock. TX
(corrected...Wayne is at LPS)

 

[Carpe Diem]

Txwest...

Is it "William" at TTS, "Wayne" at TTS, or both?

I`ve talked with William...a really great person to buy from, but with my recent focus on buying colored LED Arc`s, I haven`t purchased anything from TTS for a while.

I`ll have to change that, though, and place some orders with TTS soon.

PS: Once again, Marc...BUY BOTH AAA`s ASAP!

 

[Pyractodoc]

Hello MicroE,

You're in for it now...hang on tight, get light after light, but always carry your ARC AAA. You will--that fate is inescapable...like fate...once you have been innoculated with the utility of having that darned sweet little light with you when least expected and most needed.

Like any good EDC you'll marvel at how you got along without it, and how well-suited it is to needs not imagined beforehand.

Cheers!
Norman

 

[Lux Luthor]

The Arc AAA is the best single 5mm LED light on the market - hands down!

 

[Zephyr]

You cannot go wrong with ARC. I was a bit skeptical myself in the beginning. But when I bought one, you'll never settle for anything less. PLUS!, you'll get an awesome customer service to go with your ARC-just incase anything will happen to it.

ZEPH

 

[MicroE]

OK. You have convinced me. The deed is done.
I just spoke with William at Texas Tactical and ordered a pair of Arc AAA's. He has a case, in case anyone is interested.
I don't want to think about how much money I have spent on flashlights in my life. It's a lot, even if I don't count things like my 18V Dewalt. The DeWalt, after all, is a "tool" rather than a flashlight because it's battery interchanges with my drill.--Marc

 

[nonbox]

TTS and VICOMPTEL don't have the arc aaa le in stock. Will they restock on the le?

 

[Grummond]

"Is the Arc aaa worth it?"
You will notice there are many posts asking if certain lights are worth it. Many people will say "yes" many "no" many will say "yes, but I'd suggest getting a …… instead".
Correct me if I'm wrong guys but I think the only light you can be guaranteed to get a big loud "yes" from everyone is if you ask that of the Arc aaa.

When I leave the house I grab my watch, my wallet, my keys and my Arc aaa in a Kydex holster and maybe my SAK. I then decide which flashlight(s) I'm going to take but I always have the Arc.

There are people who EDC other single LED lights, like the P3 and Infinity (both great lights imho) but I'd be surprised to hear anyone say the Arc aaa is NOT worth it.

Grummond.

 

[Darell]

Late the the party again. My life seems to be getting in the way more and more - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Can't say much more than has already been said at this point.

William IS TTS, and he's the one who gets most of my flashlight dollars. In the few times there have been problems (and my orders are ALWAYS complicated and usually consist of many items that don't even exist yet) he has made it right in a heart-beat. If William carries it, I buy from him.

The Arc AAA - This is the light that is on my person every day. It is used for 90% of my lighting tasks. (which, if you think about it is insane - I use a $20 light for 90% of my needs, and I have $1000 of lights for the other 10%... maybe I shouldn't have gone down this path...)

One word of caution though: If you find that a Photon with a "new" battery is not bright enough for you, then you won't be happy with the Arc output. A new Photon and an Arc are similar in brightness. After a few minutes, the Arc begins to win, and remains the winner 'till the batteries are dead.

Poke around the Arc forum a bit and see all the crazy stuff we've done with the little things.

Enjoy your new purchase!