Now that Arc is gone . . .

[powernoodle]

. . . what is the next best thing to the Arc AAA? Answering "nothing" may be correct, but lets stick to actual lights that are currently available.

- Infinity/Ultra G? Similar output, probably better runtime, but its not teenyweeny like the Arc.

- Photon? Small, but quickly diminishing output, and coin cells can't be found at the corner Stop-n-Rob.

- I'm back to "nothing".

- Its inevitable that something Arc-like will come along someday, and unlike Arc it will thrive ("the second mouse gets the cheese"). Its just not here today.

best regards

 

[_mike_]

Peak LED Solutions would be a good place to look. http://www.peakledsolutions.com/

Mike

 

[Fitz]

I'd say a Peak high power is the next best thing, 'though it is longer.

 

[Eugene]

1 and 3 led, interesting. I don't want to EDC my arc anymore because I'm afraid I might loose it.

 

[Cornkid]

A AAA flashlight with a "Hi-Power 14 to 18cp"???
Ok..... Ive seen better, no thanx

-tom

 

[_mike_]

CMG Sonic maybe.

Mike

 

[Fitz]

cornkid- the Hi-Power 3 LED is 42 to 54cp.

 

[paulr]

CMG Sonic, not as nice as Arc but about the same size, $9.50 at TTS.

The Peak Led 1aaa light is a little bit larger than the Arc--it's not quite as bright, but the battery should last longer. The lower brightness is a deliberate design decision to not overdrive the LED the way Arc did. For more brightness, they have a version with three LED's. However, these lights have more directional beams than the Arc, and I'd have preferred more of a flood beam.

Peak originally used the same housing as Arc (the brouhaha with the machine shop) but switched to a different design, possibly to make the products distinct. Now that Arc is gone and there's no longer a conflict, perhaps Peak could be talked into offering the Arc design again.

 

[nerdgineer]

I was always a fan of the Sonic. Put an extra small split ring on the back (not the thing that comes with it) and it's a pretty good pocket light light with better regulation than many other small lights (except of course the Arc). The beam is narrow but about as bright as an Arc center and takes care of most things I use a small light for. And still $9.50 at TTT (at least for now).

The new ones from Gerber use a thicker o ring so they're stiffer and don't tend to turn on in your pocket like the older ones did.

If you really want the Arc AAA beam pattern, the Dorcy AAA comes close, although of course not as sleek and shorter run times than the Arc.

I used to carry these and the Arc AAA more or less alternately. Now, I think I'll put the AAA's away as heirlooms or something. Sigh....

 

[_mike_]

Aw come on guys, don't stash your Arc AAA"s away. Use them, that's what they were meant for. If they break, there are enough folks around here who could fix them up for you. Losing them, well now that's another story. But how often have you lost your keys or whatever they are hooked to? I hate to see people stop using these little guys because they are very good at what they were intended for.

Mike

 

[Cornkid]

First... Arc-AAA LED Flashlight

20,000 MCD, 3 lumen output (independently verified)

Second... CMG Sonic™ AAA Flashlight

Third... Infinity Ultra Task Light

I can get you more...

-tom

 

[Cornkid]

One minor problem... I DONT OWN ONE. I cant get one can I? I was thinking about it. I have a SF G2 and L1 and love them to death. Is an ARC AAA really worth it?

-tom

 

[_mike_]

It's only worth whatever a person is willing to pay for it. It was worth the $24.95 I paid for mine. Would I pay $30.00 or more, no I would not. But that's just me. There are those who wouldn't have even paid the $24.95 that I did.

I think there is someone (turbodog) who thinks he may have found a nice stash of Arc products somewhere and is going to be making a group buy if it pans out. It is in the Arc forum. Turbodog says he is not going to make extra money on it. Part of it is he would really like those who do not have an Arc light, to be able to have one.



Mike

 

[RonnieBarlow]

I carry an Infinity Ultra-G everyday on my key ring. It puts out decent light, it's small, and with a lithium battery it weighs very little in my pocket. The Ultra-G is especially nice because of the Type III HA finish. Mine still has no significant scratches.

That being said, I also have a Photon Freedom Micro on my keyring. I barely notice it's there.

 

[h_nu]

I recently received my Arc AAA Turquoise and it's just the right size for EDC. I really wanted white so I was wondering what to get too.

I've got the Peak AAA hi-power on order (and a AA, and an N) but I may also try the Sonic.

 

[paulr]

You know, shortly after the east coast blackout, I was holding my Arc AAA and thinking of how handy it had been and what a wonderful light it was, when I had one of those sudden cold horrible feelings we all have once in a while. I realized, "someday I'm going to lose this thing", just like I occasionally lose other lights, pocket knives, and stuff like that. And I realized "it's not from some giant corporation and there aren't millions of them out there. The day may come when I can't get another one". So I bought a second one a little while later and stashed it. I had no idea that the day would come so soon. I had recenty been thinking of trading the spare one or giving to a friend, but I guess I will hold onto it, until I lose the first one or until a special occasion calls for it.

 

[GarageBoy]

Loose in my pocket is how I carried mine and I'velost 3 Mag Solitairs before. The Arc is staying at home (as my early morning make up light)

 

[Fitz]

You're early morning makeup light? Garageboy, is there something you want to tell us?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

 

[_mike_]

[ QUOTE ]
Fitz said:
You're early morning makeup light? Garageboy, is there something you want to tell us?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh man, that was funny! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crackup.gif No offense Garageboy, please, I figure you meant wake up light anyhow.


Mike

 

[Eugene]

[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
You know, shortly after the east coast blackout, I was holding my Arc AAA and thinking of how handy it had been and what a wonderful light it was, when I had one of those sudden cold horrible feelings we all have once in a while. I realized, "someday I'm going to lose this thing", just like I occasionally lose other lights, pocket knives, and stuff like that. And I realized "it's not from some giant corporation and there aren't millions of them out there. The day may come when I can't get another one". So I bought a second one a little while later and stashed it. I had no idea that the day would come so soon. I had recenty been thinking of trading the spare one or giving to a friend, but I guess I will hold onto it, until I lose the first one or until a special occasion calls for it.

[/ QUOTE ]
I do the same but don't yet have a spare ARC and don't see a whole lot of hope in getting one now. I've learned to save up and buy two of everything /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif