Gransee
Flashlight Enthusiast
This is the first draft of the Arc4 FAQ. Once completed, this will be incorporated into the main FAQ.
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Arc4
What is it?
The Arc4 is an evolution of the Arc-LS series of LED flashlights using the high power Luxeon Star LED from Lumileds. Different power levels and configurations are available. These lights are designed for Every Day Carry (EDC) use.
Standard vs Premium
The Premium units are about 50% brighter than the standard units. They also have a slightly better tint ranking. Please note that the human eye has trouble seeing differences in brightness of 50%. It is more apparent when holding the two units side by side or when using a light meter. The best bang for the buck is the standard. The Premium is for those who need the absolute best. Please see below for more on the different LED types.
Arc4 Specs
<ul type="square">[*]1 watt, High Dome Luxeon Star LED from Lumileds
[*]Proprietary microprocessor based power supply. DC-DC buck/boost topology. Current/thermal regulation, multi-battery support, reverse polarity protection
[*]LED optics protected by new .092" AR coated, scratch resistant LEXAN lens
[*]water proof (depth pending)
[*]1x '123' 3V lithium pack with tail switch included (battery included), other packs available, see below
[*]Type III hard anodized Aluminum
[*]Cobalt Gold positive/negative battery contacts
[*]Simple, reliable housing construction w/knurled grips
[*]Other power packs available in the future
[*]Dimensions with TSP-123 included are 3.2 inches long by 1.0 inches in diameter
[*]Total weight with 123 cell and clip installed is 2.5 ounces
[*]10 Year warranty/30 day satisfaction guarantee
[*]Made in the USA
[/list]
Voltage: 2.0V to 6.75V
Power Source: one DL-123 Lithium Manganese Dioxide
Light Source: 1.25W white LED, regulated for constant brightness
Housing: aircraft aluminum, military hard anodize
Output: (650 lux at 1 meter for 2 hours)
Beam: (15 degree @ 3dB, 90 degree to shadow, 10 lux diagram) Settable Brightness Range: (25.5dB in 17) settings with 1.5dB spacing
Dimensions: 1 inch diameter by 3.2 inches long, excluding pocket clip
Primary Features: simple single button user interface, rechargeable
battery protection, reverse battery protection without diode penalty,
graceful power reduction for weak batteries, thermal management,
intrinsically safe design
Settable Options: SOS emergency signal, button lock, force primary,
locator flash, ready-for-service indicator, semi-momentary tactical
mode, pure-momentary tactical mode
LED Types
The LEDs selected for use in the Arc4 are hand sorted to be of the brightest and best tint. We use bin code 3 and 4 in the tint. The standard LS use an M-N flux while the Premium uses a P-Q flux.
Versions
1.0 - 1/2004 Production
Run Times
The Arc4 has the following average run times:
- 1.5 hours at level 1 with a good 123 cell
Note: these are average and your results will vary. In normal use, the single 123 cell will last about a month.
Because of variations in LED Vf (forward voltage), temperature, cell variations (within the same brand), inductor variations, etc- run times will vary by as much as 50% from unit to unit with the same brand of new battery. This means that a good 123 cell may run in continous mode a total of 1 hour to 2 hours. Run times for all battery types are lengthened when the light is used intermittantly. With 5 minutes per use, a good 123 cell could provide as much as 2-2.5 hours of total usage. That is why the numbers provided in the above list are averages only. Variations of this type is normal for electrical equipment.
Links to Reviews
No reviews are available yet.
Accessories
Current accessories offered by Arc include:
1x123 size nylon carry pouch
5-pack of 123 cells
Please check our website for a current list of accessories.
Note: The previous Arc-LS series battery packs are not compatible with the new Arc4 because of the new switch design.
The clip can be removed without affecting the operation of the rest of the light.
Maintenance
Please note that the LS ships with a thin plastic lens protector applied to the lexan lens (front part of flashlight). This protector can be left on or removed, it is your choice. If left on, it will help protect the lens from scratches. If you choose to remove it, this may be done by using a soft sharp implement like your fingernail or a plastic pick.
The o-ring is made of Buna-N (Nitrile) and can be used with petroleum or silicone based grease. About every 2-6 months, the o-ring can be lubricated with silicone or similar type of grease. Your local electronics store sells silicon grease for $3-4 a tube. Only a small amount of grease is needed to make the threads and o-ring smooth and quiet. Over time, the threads will accumulate a dark residue composed of dirt and/or aluminum oxide. This can be cleaned by adding oil to the threads (which puts the residue into suspension) and then wiping off with a cloth. The threads should then be lubricated with grease.
The outside of the flashlight can be washed with warm, soapy water. Solvents are not recommended because they may melt the Lexan lens.
The LS optics are protected by an AR-coated Lexan lens. The AR coating is silicon based and will help reduce appearance of scratches. If scratches do appear they can be buffed out with a polycarbonate polish.
+++++++++++++
Arc4
What is it?
The Arc4 is an evolution of the Arc-LS series of LED flashlights using the high power Luxeon Star LED from Lumileds. Different power levels and configurations are available. These lights are designed for Every Day Carry (EDC) use.
Standard vs Premium
The Premium units are about 50% brighter than the standard units. They also have a slightly better tint ranking. Please note that the human eye has trouble seeing differences in brightness of 50%. It is more apparent when holding the two units side by side or when using a light meter. The best bang for the buck is the standard. The Premium is for those who need the absolute best. Please see below for more on the different LED types.
Arc4 Specs
<ul type="square">[*]1 watt, High Dome Luxeon Star LED from Lumileds
[*]Proprietary microprocessor based power supply. DC-DC buck/boost topology. Current/thermal regulation, multi-battery support, reverse polarity protection
[*]LED optics protected by new .092" AR coated, scratch resistant LEXAN lens
[*]water proof (depth pending)
[*]1x '123' 3V lithium pack with tail switch included (battery included), other packs available, see below
[*]Type III hard anodized Aluminum
[*]Cobalt Gold positive/negative battery contacts
[*]Simple, reliable housing construction w/knurled grips
[*]Other power packs available in the future
[*]Dimensions with TSP-123 included are 3.2 inches long by 1.0 inches in diameter
[*]Total weight with 123 cell and clip installed is 2.5 ounces
[*]10 Year warranty/30 day satisfaction guarantee
[*]Made in the USA
[/list]
Voltage: 2.0V to 6.75V
Power Source: one DL-123 Lithium Manganese Dioxide
Light Source: 1.25W white LED, regulated for constant brightness
Housing: aircraft aluminum, military hard anodize
Output: (650 lux at 1 meter for 2 hours)
Beam: (15 degree @ 3dB, 90 degree to shadow, 10 lux diagram) Settable Brightness Range: (25.5dB in 17) settings with 1.5dB spacing
Dimensions: 1 inch diameter by 3.2 inches long, excluding pocket clip
Primary Features: simple single button user interface, rechargeable
battery protection, reverse battery protection without diode penalty,
graceful power reduction for weak batteries, thermal management,
intrinsically safe design
Settable Options: SOS emergency signal, button lock, force primary,
locator flash, ready-for-service indicator, semi-momentary tactical
mode, pure-momentary tactical mode
LED Types
The LEDs selected for use in the Arc4 are hand sorted to be of the brightest and best tint. We use bin code 3 and 4 in the tint. The standard LS use an M-N flux while the Premium uses a P-Q flux.
Versions
1.0 - 1/2004 Production
Run Times
The Arc4 has the following average run times:
- 1.5 hours at level 1 with a good 123 cell
Note: these are average and your results will vary. In normal use, the single 123 cell will last about a month.
Because of variations in LED Vf (forward voltage), temperature, cell variations (within the same brand), inductor variations, etc- run times will vary by as much as 50% from unit to unit with the same brand of new battery. This means that a good 123 cell may run in continous mode a total of 1 hour to 2 hours. Run times for all battery types are lengthened when the light is used intermittantly. With 5 minutes per use, a good 123 cell could provide as much as 2-2.5 hours of total usage. That is why the numbers provided in the above list are averages only. Variations of this type is normal for electrical equipment.
Links to Reviews
No reviews are available yet.
Accessories
Current accessories offered by Arc include:
1x123 size nylon carry pouch
5-pack of 123 cells
Please check our website for a current list of accessories.
Note: The previous Arc-LS series battery packs are not compatible with the new Arc4 because of the new switch design.
The clip can be removed without affecting the operation of the rest of the light.
Maintenance
Please note that the LS ships with a thin plastic lens protector applied to the lexan lens (front part of flashlight). This protector can be left on or removed, it is your choice. If left on, it will help protect the lens from scratches. If you choose to remove it, this may be done by using a soft sharp implement like your fingernail or a plastic pick.
The o-ring is made of Buna-N (Nitrile) and can be used with petroleum or silicone based grease. About every 2-6 months, the o-ring can be lubricated with silicone or similar type of grease. Your local electronics store sells silicon grease for $3-4 a tube. Only a small amount of grease is needed to make the threads and o-ring smooth and quiet. Over time, the threads will accumulate a dark residue composed of dirt and/or aluminum oxide. This can be cleaned by adding oil to the threads (which puts the residue into suspension) and then wiping off with a cloth. The threads should then be lubricated with grease.
The outside of the flashlight can be washed with warm, soapy water. Solvents are not recommended because they may melt the Lexan lens.
The LS optics are protected by an AR-coated Lexan lens. The AR coating is silicon based and will help reduce appearance of scratches. If scratches do appear they can be buffed out with a polycarbonate polish.
