Surefire ARC1 & ARC2

[Bushman5]

saw these in the catalog. 2000 lumens in a small EDC sized flashlight for the ARC1. Same for the Arc2, but it has 2800 lumen then a 5000 lumen momentary mode.

does'nt say what batteries though? any idea on price and who carries them? this is more my style of an EDC light (lumens output wise) than my current 120 lumen Surefire "matchstick"

EDIT: sorry, just noticed it uses 12 CR123s. Any thoughts on modding it battery wise?

 

[Guy's Dropper]

Does it use the battery to charge some capacitor or something?

 

[Monkiee]

I believe there are going to be 3 Arcs, 2 of which are going to use primaries and 1 are going to be rechargeable.
I am just reading in the catalog, these are not set in stone.
The Arc1 (2,000 lumens) is going to hold 12 SFcr123as and burn time is about 1 hour.
The Arc1R (rechargeable) is slightly longer but will burn for about 2 hours with batteries fully charged in less than 1 hour O_O
The Arc2 is also rechargeable and will burn about 1 hour.

Also i wouldn't say that it would be an EDC light. The length of the Arcs are all about the same length as a Surefire M4. The body is also as thick as an M6 with a 3.5-3.75 inch bezel. IMO i would classify this as a searchlight.

Also to add I've heard a rumor from Shot Show 2008 that it might run about 1k. Pretty steep but at least less than SF Beast.
Surefire is really horrible at setting a time to release products, so it might not even come out this year

 

[Bushman5]

i'm down for a rechargable is this is the case! I was going to buy a Microfire Warrior but if Surefire is making HID lights i might wait. I need one for a night security gig at a festival in May.

 

[Tempest UK]

As Monkiee said, there are three models:

ARC-1 (primaries, 2,000 lumens)
ARC-1R (rechargeable, 2,000 lumens)
ARC-2 (rechargeable, 2,800/5,000 lumens)

I wouldn't call any of them "EDC" size, either. Also keep in mind that the ARC lights have been floating around as vaporware for a while now...

Regards,
Tempest

 

[monkeyboy]

I believe that the 5000lm mode on the ARC-2 is in fact a continuous mode. It's thermally managed though meaning it throttles down if things get too hot.

 

[Patriot]

I also would not consider any of them to be EDC's. I know that's a broad terminology but if it can't fit comfortably in a person's pocket while at work or play, I don't consider it EDC. Every day pack carry, or vehicle carry are different categories imo.

In another thread below, someone has suggest a msrp of $1500 which would put it 300% more expensive than the K3500 but probably 300% the quality and performance too. Unfortunately I just can't see SF offering a variable output, 5000 lumen HID for $1500. My guess it that it will cost substantially more which of course makes the Polarion X1 shout "me, buy me!" There will always be the "gotta have" SF collectors who choose the ARC but I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

SF told a CPFer in the other thread that they plan on shipping them the last week in Feb. Either the dealers are acting really dumb and pretending not to know anything or I'd say that date isn't realistic at all.

 

[65535]

I think the Arcs will be competitive with the imported 35/50W big dollar lights like Polarian. They have been in catalogs for over a year now I would imagine that they are working around a price point rather than just building it and pricing it what they have to to make the profit they want. The Beast is there HID light and it's $4-6000 I'm guessing these will fall far cheaper.

 

[FrogmanM]

$1000-1500 sounds like an achievable price range for me! I just hope we're not chasing vaporware again...

Mayo

 

[Patriot]

$1000-1500 sounds like an achievable price range for me!

Mayo

Anything is possible I guess.

Here are my off the wall guesses..

Arc1 $1600
Arc1R $1900
Arc2 $2400

 

[FrogmanM]

Anything is possible I guess.

Indeed! I have been looking at Polarion recently, however if SF can come up with something I'll have to sell some Titanium...

...pass the popcorn plz!

Mayo

 

[Entrope]

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[Patriot]

Indeed! I have been looking at Polarion recently, however if SF can come up with something I'll have to sell some Titanium...

...pass the popcorn plz!

Mayo

Polarion has been awesome but even they haven't yet produced a variable output HID. If Surefire can pull this off at a sensible price range they'll really have something.

The only thing that I consider to be on the negative side is that the Arc's reflector appears to be heavily orange peeled. It's just not going to produce the throw but it will have the smooth beam which they have become known for.

 

[FrogmanM]

I am willing to pay for SF's new HID lineup, mainly because I feel the need for solid CS backing my first(and possibly only) HID. I am not knocking on anyone else, its just for the price, and type of flashlight/searchlight, I'd like to know down the road I'll be able to pick up the phone and call someone for help/part replacement/repair.
The duel level HID does intrigue me, and the orange peel seems ok as well. I think that as a searchlight, throw may not be THE priority.

Mayo

 

[Entrope]

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[Patriot]

Only the Arc-2 is variable though aye? The only reason for me to hold off on the Polarion right now is to wait until the end of the month to see if the Arc series will really be launched soon.

I have to say though even the Beast II's "variable" (okay, the low mode were 12 little LED's) was pretty useful. Sure, it was 12 god damn lumens... but inside a reflector that big it did produce enough visible light for urban navigation short-distance.

Yes, only the Acr2 is variable.

I would consider the Beast II to be a multi-mode HID light but not a variable output HID. I also think the LED's are kinda neat and add to the usefulness of the Beast II.

 

[Patriot]

I think that as a searchlight, throw may not be THE priority.

Mayo

I'd probably disagree with that one. :tinfoil:

I think one of the key features of HID which really sets it apart is throw.


Good point about factory support for big money lights. SF has been around for a long time and will likely be there in the distant future. They seem to be a very solid organization, to say the least.

 

[socom1970]

Hey Patriot!

Do you think you're close on those prices? I hope so. I would really like to own a Surefire HID, but there's NO WAY I'm spending $5,000.00 on ANY light, HID or otherwise. (But then again, I never thought I would own 2 SF M6's or any other of the expensive lights I have)

BTW, did you see my picture of the U2 I bought from you? I can't remember if I showed you a pic of it after Milky got a hold of it, but...

Thanks again, Patriot, for such an enjoyable purchase experience. You are truly a class act.

Know that I pray for you and you are loved.

 

[FrogmanM]

Patriot,

I have no HIDs I'm one of those "kiddie Ti pocket torch guys" I am hoping the HID I purchase will indeed have a good amount of throw. So for all purposes, I'd like to throw away my previous statement on HIDs not having throw as a main purpose...:laughing:

Bring on the Non-vapor-ware SF HIDs please!:huh:

Mayo

 

[Patriot]

Heck no...I haven't seen your U2 since it was modded. Holy Cow!! Can I buy it back now?...lol.

Seriously, that is really trick and looks great too. It's a very techy mod and performed by the best. I also remember that U2 having an especially smooth power ring on it. Smoother than my other U2 and others that I've operated anyhow.

Thanks for the nice compliment...and right back at you. That goes for the prayer too. :thumbsup:


Regarding the Arc prices...no, I'm not sure at all. The dealers have been frustratingly tight lipped about them which make me think that the light is still a ways off. Some dealers stated flat out that they don't know what the price will be yet.


P.S. There is a Beast II selling on ebay right now. Has about 16 bids and $2400 as we speak.