geepondy
Flashlight Enthusiast
I have been comparing them for brightness side by side for three hours plus now and I think I have enough information to draw a conclusion.
First of all, I really like the Photon III concept. Easy push forward for momentary light, easy push backwards for steady light. I have always preferred a simple push switch vs. the screwing of the head method, particularly for a pocket light. I will probably only ever use the high mode but it's nice to know the medium and dim settings are there should the need arise. I would consider using the auto shutoff mode but the five second blinking every time the light is turned on does it in for me. Very easy to change the batteries which is a welcome relief compared to the II.
Many tests have been done by various flashaholics in determining the run characteristics of the Photon II. I extremely so, prefer the regulated output of the Arc light as opposed to the unregulated dimming characteristics of the Photon II. I decided to do an informal burn test comparing the Photon II, III and Arclight, hoping against hope, that the Photon III with it's IC would regulate the output similar to that of an Arclight. I loaded them all up with fresh batteries and as mentioned have been comparing the output for the past three hours plus. The photon III was set in it's high mode. Initially all three lights were fairly similar in light output. The Photons II and III were very similar to each other. Both had perhaps a slightly brighter center then the arclight but the arclight had a wider beam.
Alas, I can safely say the Photon III exactly mimics the drain characteristics of the Photon II. That is, dimming considerably over the first half hour or so and then dimming more slowly but dimming nonetheless, over the remaining period of time. This is an informal test and I haven't taken any pictures or done exact time light measurements but probably after an hour to an hour and a half the Photons were down to the light level of my pocketbright and now after three hours, it's less then my infinity. But again, the two photons are exhibiting similar characteristics compared to each other. The arclight however, continuous at near constant brightness levels. I think it may be a tad dimmer then when first starting the test but not by much.
So in conclusion, the Photon III hasn't become my ultimate pocket light I hoped it would be. In terms of size and operating characteristics, it's very close but the arclight blows it away in light quality. This is a "first generation" arclight. I was very disappointed in the rubber grommet which has now broken off completely and how easily the head became unscrewed even when the rubber grommet was still present. At this point the light is useful to me only as a test light. I have on the way another arclight (thought I'd try turquoise) that I assume will be a gen II light and hopefully is improved. Anybody who has owned both generations of arclights, care comment on this? I love the workmanship of the infinity so I hope it is similar to that.
Unfortunately, still searching for the perfect pocketlight.......
First of all, I really like the Photon III concept. Easy push forward for momentary light, easy push backwards for steady light. I have always preferred a simple push switch vs. the screwing of the head method, particularly for a pocket light. I will probably only ever use the high mode but it's nice to know the medium and dim settings are there should the need arise. I would consider using the auto shutoff mode but the five second blinking every time the light is turned on does it in for me. Very easy to change the batteries which is a welcome relief compared to the II.
Many tests have been done by various flashaholics in determining the run characteristics of the Photon II. I extremely so, prefer the regulated output of the Arc light as opposed to the unregulated dimming characteristics of the Photon II. I decided to do an informal burn test comparing the Photon II, III and Arclight, hoping against hope, that the Photon III with it's IC would regulate the output similar to that of an Arclight. I loaded them all up with fresh batteries and as mentioned have been comparing the output for the past three hours plus. The photon III was set in it's high mode. Initially all three lights were fairly similar in light output. The Photons II and III were very similar to each other. Both had perhaps a slightly brighter center then the arclight but the arclight had a wider beam.
Alas, I can safely say the Photon III exactly mimics the drain characteristics of the Photon II. That is, dimming considerably over the first half hour or so and then dimming more slowly but dimming nonetheless, over the remaining period of time. This is an informal test and I haven't taken any pictures or done exact time light measurements but probably after an hour to an hour and a half the Photons were down to the light level of my pocketbright and now after three hours, it's less then my infinity. But again, the two photons are exhibiting similar characteristics compared to each other. The arclight however, continuous at near constant brightness levels. I think it may be a tad dimmer then when first starting the test but not by much.
So in conclusion, the Photon III hasn't become my ultimate pocket light I hoped it would be. In terms of size and operating characteristics, it's very close but the arclight blows it away in light quality. This is a "first generation" arclight. I was very disappointed in the rubber grommet which has now broken off completely and how easily the head became unscrewed even when the rubber grommet was still present. At this point the light is useful to me only as a test light. I have on the way another arclight (thought I'd try turquoise) that I assume will be a gen II light and hopefully is improved. Anybody who has owned both generations of arclights, care comment on this? I love the workmanship of the infinity so I hope it is similar to that.
Unfortunately, still searching for the perfect pocketlight.......
