Taking it to the next level

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protodoc

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Don't get me wrong, I really like ARC flashlights but all five I have bought over the past two years had the feel of being assembled in someones garage. Buy a CMG or Surefire and you have the feeling that these are comercial products. The ARC's just seem a bit, ahem, unrefined. Now, I haven't handled the ARC4 yet but from the pictures they seem similar to the earlier products.

Maybe this is because Peter really does assemble them in his garage or maybe ARC lights are at the bleeding edge of technology so that there is not enough time for refinement or maybe they would simply become too expensive or would have to be sold in larger numbers to make it feasable but I for one would like to see that added touch of professional appearance.

Please no /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif or /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/whoopin.gif just thinking that maybe more people could be drawn to buy these great lights.
 
The Arc4 doesn't have the fancy machining of a Surefire E1e/E2e but it's more integrated and refined than the LS series was. I've remarked on that in a few other posts. The AAA, of course, is a thing of near perfection. The same is probably true of the AA but I don't have one. The AA and AAA are much better looking than the CMG equivalents, IMO.
 
I think the larger manufacturers use some pretty sophisticated multi-axis CNC machines to make their lights in-house. An expensive initial investment in the equipment but likely a cheaper alternative in the long run. From what I've been able to gather about Arc is that they outsource their machining and I really couldn't tell you how well equipped their machinist is but outsourced machining is still an expensive proposition and particularly in prototype stages. I think the Arc's have an understated but refined simplicity about them. Not only that but they are each just slightly different which makes them retain a warmth of personal craftsmanship that is often lost on mass produced goods. That being said I still believe each one is superbly executed, form, fit, finish and function.

Tad
 
I'd have to disagree. I think the Arc products are all very aesthetically pleasing. The Arc AA makes the CMG look like it was made in someones garage. I have been very pleased with the many Arcs that I have purchased, both in the way they look, and the way they "feel". I will admit to not being crazy about the clip on the 4+, but some lower profile bolts helped quite a bit. I don't think anyone has better looking flashlights than Arc. Different, and also very nice, but not "better" IMHO.


Peter
 
[ QUOTE ]
paulr said:
The Arc4 doesn't have the fancy machining of a Surefire E1e/E2e but it's more integrated and refined than the LS series was. I've remarked on that in a few other posts. The AAA, of course, is a thing of near perfection. The same is probably true of the AA but I don't have one. The AA and AAA are much better looking than the CMG equivalents, IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]I agree completely with paulr in this respect. I have a CMG AA and it's assembly is not as precise as ARC's equivalent. For one thing, the LED is not centered in CMG's version. Perhaps what you miss is the fancy packaging.
 
i get almost the exact opposite.

with arcs, i can look at the design and see that it was designed in such a way to accomlish a certain goal. the machining is good, it fits together well, the design is solid, etc.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon3.gif
 
Aesthetics is one thing; Fit and Finish is another. Arc doesn't have the aesthetics of an SF but its fit and finish are the best. Arc goes for function at the expense of looks which is the way to go IMHO.
 
I think Protodoc is right about the Arc LS, at least about the LS with the 123 TSP. I remember remarking that it looked like a piece of military hardware built by the lowest bidder. The 123 twisty looked better and I don't know why it was discontinued so early.
 
I like Arc's aesthetic very minimal, looks like a flashlight. Now, someone please tell me that the new E2D doesn't look like a replacement valve for a fire hydrant? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon6.gif

Tad
 
dito.gif
about the LSH and the Kroll.
But apart from that, the Arcs are great lights reduced to the max. nothing to complain about, really. Those little telltale signs about Arc being a small manufacturer only add to the flavor of the light and do not diminish its usefulness.
bernhard
 
The new E2D doesn't look like a replacement valve for a fire hydrant, it looks like a product line in need of an overhaul. I think SF has gone as far as they can with the E2 line's aesthetics without adding tail-fins.

Like most of us here, we care more for function over form. Aesthetics are just the icing on the cake. The LS4 is still evolving. The base functionality is their for me, but I don't plan on getting one until the new tail is ready and shipping. Should be fun to see the differences between the Arc LS4 and the SF U2.
 
They were designed with durability, waterproofness, and performace in mind. I've always thought them to be high quality lights with their solid design. Plus if they do happen to break (does that really happen?), the customer service is second to none. I guess it depends on what you need in a light.
Not to knock on CMG, streamlight, or others. The great thing about becoming a flashoholic when I did is the increased competition.. one of these days I'll get that luxeon running on an AAA battery that doesn't cost $100 that I'm looking for. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I find the Arc AA THE best looking flashlight I know of: no fuss, the epitome of Form Over Function, yet perfectly proportioned and textured and flawlessly executed. The Arc4 and AAA are pretty good looking too, but the kroll equiped LS doesn't really do it for me. I find most SFs ugly, some even very ugly. Lots of unnessesary detailing.
All of this, of course, doesn't matter a bit: first it's my personal opinion, second these are first and foremost tools!

I have 3 Arcs (AAA, AA and 4), two of those hardly out of prototype stage when I bought them; only way you can tell they're not mass-produced (by, say, a high-end German company) is the packaging, the lack of a nice glossy manual for the Arc4, and the fit (or lack thereof) of it's clip (I'm pretty sure Peter already had a word with his suplier /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif about that?).
 
Looks like it was assembled in someone's garage?

Not to my eyes and hands. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif The fit and finish on my Arc4+ seem flawless. There is a color mismatch on the HA3 between the switchcap and the rest of the light, no big deal.

The packaging is low end, but since the package doesn't do anything for the light, so what. The basic directions that came with the light are just basic, I had to print the advanced instructions from here on CPF. But then again, without CPF I don't think I would have found and bought an Arc. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sssh.gif
 
I agree with Mark van Gorkum that the AA is the best looking flashlight I've seen. The head and body match perfectly, the finish is flawless and the scooped-out tail stand is nicely integrated on the end. The LS and AAA are good too, but just not as slick as the AA. YMMV.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mark_van_Gorkom said:
I find the Arc AA THE best looking flashlight I know of: no fuss, the epitome of Form Over Function, yet perfectly proportioned and textured and flawlessly executed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I feel the same way about the Arc LS with the 2AA pack. It's beautifully shaped and there's nothing there that's not absolutely necessary to perform its function. It's one of those objects that should be on display in the Museum of Modern Art.
 
even having the aaa, i was amazed at the aa!

not really sure exactly why. it was cosmetically prefect and all, but it was something more than that... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thinking.gif
 
They are very attractive lights indeed, and perform every bit as well as they look. I feel a picture coming on...

arcaassm.jpg


That`s better /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
And you can`t tell me that the Arc4 doesn`t look like anything other than great. Kind of minimal, even with that big ol` clip on there, with a hint of industrial that reminds you how tough it is.

arc4sm.jpg


wink.gif
 
I agree with protodoc. After buying a really perfect AAA I deceided to order two LSH`s. I was astonished about some ugly details. How can it be that such an expensive light doesn`t come in an uniform colour (head & switch)? Next thing was that the diameters of body and switch was notable different. Don`t they check their dimensions? Don`t get me wrong, I really apreciate peter`s work and I like his products very much but sometimes they look unprofessional crafted.
 
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