LSH vs. LSH-P

[BigMac]

I have been wanting to get a high-dome arc LS for a while now. I can either get and LSH for about $85 or an LSH-P for aobut $105. These are the best deals I can find. If anyone knows where I could get it for better, please let me know. I was just trying to find out if the premium version is really worth the extra $20. What are your opinions, and why?

 

[obeck]

I have an LS1 with a bluish tint and a LSH-P that is white. I also have a BB400 Q3L that is very white. I think it is definitely worth it to pay a bit extra for a whiter LED. You are paying a lot already, why not get a nice white LED?

 

[jtice]

I am in the same exact boat as you BigMac.

I want a Arc LSH bad !

But, I dont really have the money to spend. Where did you find those prises at? Those are really good prices? Please share. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I figure if its only 20 bucks more, it will be worth it.

 

[paulr]

There are still some Arc LS seconds at $60. You don't get to choose the model (luck of the draw). I bought one a couple days ago as a gift for my mom. It turns out to be an LSL-P and I've been playing with it before giving it to her (may actually end up getting her a different light instead). Very nice light, I'd say the beam still has a blueish cast. I don't mind it. I think I'd rather have an LSL than an LSH because I like the semi-flood coverage more than I care about long-distance throw. After this LSL-P arrived I realized I'd forgotten to order some of the Lisun batteries for it, re-opened Arc's web page, and fell into the temptation of ordering another LS second. It hasn't come yet so I don't know what it will be.

Countycomm was selling the LSH-S for $70 til they ran out of them. That's the lowest price I've seen. It's sort of conceivable they'll get some more at that price or near it.

I like the LS with the clickie more than I thought I would, except that the clickie spring is so stiff. I'd previously felt I'd rather have the twist cap because of its shorter length. But the clickie's extra length doesn't bother me so much after all, since the LS is already way too thick to use as a keychain light. If I'm carrying it in my belt pack, I won't really notice the extra 3/4 inch (I would easily notice an ounce weight difference but I think we're talking about just a few grams here).

 

[jtice]

I am tempted to order a "second".

If I find that there isnt THAT much of a brightness difference between the stand and premium ,,, I might go ahead and order one.

But for my uses, Id Really like to have a LSH. I like having the throw. Besides, the LSH is going to flood alittle light anyway.

I just know, my luck I would get a LSL standard. LOL

 

[Cosmic Superchunk]

Countycomm did have one of the best deals I've ever seen on the Arc LS, and maybe they'll get some more in soon. TADgear currently has the Arc LS Low Dome standard version for $75.95, but I also recommend keeping an eye out for them in the Buy/Sell/Trade section. Occasionally, forumites put them up for sale and you can find pretty good deals. I just got a basically brand new Arc LSH-S from a fellow forumite for under $70 bucks. I don't have any experience with the Arc LSH-P, but my LSH-S has the whitest beam of any LED torch I own and it has exceeded all my expectations.

 

[paulr]

I think you shouldn't worry too much about the brightness difference. I'd pay a few bucks extra for a premium but paying $50 extra is ridiculous. LSH vs LSL is a matter of preference of course. You shouldn't hope too much for perfect color neutrality from a premium either, the one I got has a definite blue cast (I don't mind).

Basically I'm pretty sure that the only way to tell that a premium is brighter than a standard is to put them next to each other and turn both on simultaneously. When I do that with my CMG Ultra and my Arc AAA, I can tell the difference. Either light by itself looks about the same. If you want a stunningly bright EDC light, get an incandescent or wait for a KL4 or LS5. The LS's are nice but they won't stun, even hte premium versions.

 

[jtice]

Just how much better and brighter is the LS5 supposed to be.

The LSH uses a 1W led right? And the LS5 will use a 5W?

1 vs 5... hmmmm that might be the winner Im looking for. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[paulr]

Yes, the LS5 will use a 5W underdriven to about 3W in normal use. By pressing a button you can put it into "boost" mode and get 6W, but only for a short time (like maybe a minute) before the light gets too hot. A built-in thermal sensor automatically switches off the boost mode once the temperature reaches a certain level or the battery voltage drops below some level, so it is safe. Once the light cools down, you can use boost mode again. You will also be able to dim the output from 3W to lower levels like maybe 1W and 0.1W to get more runtime. It sounds very nice. I think I'd rather buy an LS5 than an LS4 even though the LS5 will be somewhat bigger (it will use two 123's instead of one). There's some more details about it in the Arc forum.

 

[jtice]

Sounds Great!

But what about the LS4? So its 4W?

Does it have those light level features, and the boost feature?

Never mind,,,, I found all that out on the anouncement post... DUH. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ohgeez.gif