ARC flashlights

[donvito]

Anybody got one? If yes which model? I'm just looking for an excuse for getting the AAA version for my key chain. Any feedback is appreciated.

[jzmtl]

Had an AAA-DS, sold it and now use a fenix e01. It's 1/3 the price and more efficient, so kinda hard to justify keeping the arc.

Never put it on a keychain, couldn't bring myself to put a $40 light there and get banged up.

[NutSAK]

jzmtl summarized it well.

However, I know you're looking for a US-made product, and the ARC-AAA is a good choice.  I have an ARC-AAAP Snow  that I don't use much since I got an E01 (for the reasons jzmtl mentioned), but the ARC is a very solid, well-built light.  The fit and finish is perfect on mine.

[Gadget Guy]

I've carried the same Arc-P flashlight on my keys for two years now. IMO, there is no better keychain flashlight available. It's built like a tank, light weight, and has just enough power to get the job done. I highly recommend them...

[Mike]

My wife and I have had our Arc AAA's for something like five years. My wife has never taken hers off her key chain, I have because I rotate my lights around. They are darn tough, but pricey. I have a Fenix as well, it's tough and like others have said much more affordable.

Anyway, when I bought the Arc AAA's you only really had two choices in a single AAA key chain light which was the Arc and the Mag Solitaire. I opted for the Arc because of the runtime and LED, but they were also much less expensive then, by about half. Today I would not buy an Arc simply because I do not see the value. Don't get me wrong, I buy "Made in the US" when I can, but not if I feel it's unreasonably high and the value for my money isn't there.

But, they (Arc) are solid and work great.

Mike

[donvito]

Thank you guys for your input, opinion, and pictures. I've placed an order for the premium model and hope to get it next week. I have 2 surefires e2d incandescent, and g2 led, both (not at the same time) I edc but they are in my bag and not on me. My inova micro led rides on my key chain but it has it's limits. Basically I want to have a small light which is always on me, that would keep me company in the dark for small tasks. the arc light seems to be a good choice (plus I really want it). The fact that it's made here in US is a major selling point for me.

[NutSAK]

I don't think you'll be disappointed. 

[zepla]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

[Gadget Guy]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

Take a real close look at the workings of the E01 and tell me what you think about the quality. 

[Splat]

I had an ARC-AAA Premium for about 1+ years and upgraded to a Fenix LOD Q4 last Christmas. The ARC went to my sister where it's been residing on her keychain since. I've been keychain carrying my Fenix since getting it and it's never let me down. Not once. I will admit that the strobe and SOS functions I never use and I'm still, to this day, not a fan of twist-on lights. I'm now looking at a Leatherman Serac S3.    A few for Donvito to look into are Fenix, NiteCore, or the Leatherman. Either way you can't go wrong.

[NutSAK]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

Take a real close look at the workings of the E01 and tell me what you think about the quality. 

I see nothing wrong with the E01's quality.  In fact, there are several design elements of the E01 that are better than those of the ARC AAA, IMO.

There's certainly not enough difference in quality to justify a three-fold difference in price.  Granted, I'm sure the ARC AAA has a much higher profit margin, since that product is ARC's bread-and-butter.  Fenix has many models to gain profit from.

[zepla]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

Take a real close look at the workings of the E01 and tell me what you think about the quality. 

I see nothing wrong with the E01's quality.  In fact, there are several design elements of the E01 that are better than those of the ARC AAA, IMO.

There's certainly not enough difference in quality to justify a three-fold difference in price.  Granted, the I'm sure the ARC AAA has a much higher profit margin, since that product is ARC's bread-and-butter.  Fenix has many models to gain profit from.

I do not have the  EO1, but have the LOD-CE and I do not see what you mean about your comment on the quality. The LOD give lots of light for such a small light and never broke down. I use it almost everyday and droped it a lot on the floor, never fails. What more do you want? (or maybe I was lucky and got the only good fenix light in the world  )

[donvito]

I've got nothing against fenix, I like the fact that they are a chinese company making their product in their own country. I've looked at leatherman s2 and I like it a lot, the two output modes and the small size are very appealing.  S3 uses the a123 batteries which I'm trying to avoid and switch to the more common battery type.
Is the leatherman flashlight completely made overseas or just the led and electronic component?

[NutSAK]

Considering the way they are made, I would assume that the entire light is manufactured and assembled in China.

[american lockpicker]

How does the Arc compare to a Photon Freedom Micro?

[Gadget Guy]

How does the Arc compare to a Photon Freedom Micro?

I think the Arc has a little better beam quality. What I really like about the Arc is that it's a AAA flashlight. It works even better with lithium batteries.

[Gadget Guy]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

Take a real close look at the workings of the E01 and tell me what you think about the quality. 

I see nothing wrong with the E01's quality.  In fact, there are several design elements of the E01 that are better than those of the ARC AAA, IMO.

There's certainly not enough difference in quality to justify a three-fold difference in price.  Granted, the I'm sure the ARC AAA has a much higher profit margin, since that product is ARC's bread-and-butter.  Fenix has many models to gain profit from.

I do not have the  EO1, but have the LOD-CE and I do not see what you mean about your comment on the quality. The LOD give lots of light for such a small light and never broke down. I use it almost everyday and droped it a lot on the floor, never fails. What more do you want? (or maybe I was lucky and got the only good fenix light in the world  )

The E01 uses a paste on circuit board. Sorry, but I'm not trusting that light at all! 

[Mike]

I like key chain lights that can take AA or AAA batteries as well. One reason being, if your battery dies during a power outage or an emergency you can usually find a new battery in things like remote controls, cameras, etc. Now, don't get me wrong, I have a bunch of Fauxton-like lights and give them to people all the time. But for sheer preparedness, AA or AAA is a good choice.

Mike

[Styerman]

One convincing argument re ARC is the battery tube is done in Gun Kote to protect it from leaks. AAAs are the most leakprone of the common batts. I like the fact that the electronics are epoxy potted. As an earlier poster stated , it was in a class by itself when it came out.

Chris

[NutSAK]

My advice goes out for fenix as well. Who care where it is made. Just get the best light that fits your need (and budget).

Take a real close look at the workings of the E01 and tell me what you think about the quality. 

I see nothing wrong with the E01's quality.  In fact, there are several design elements of the E01 that are better than those of the ARC AAA, IMO.

There's certainly not enough difference in quality to justify a three-fold difference in price.  Granted, the I'm sure the ARC AAA has a much higher profit margin, since that product is ARC's bread-and-butter.  Fenix has many models to gain profit from.

I do not have the  EO1, but have the LOD-CE and I do not see what you mean about your comment on the quality. The LOD give lots of light for such a small light and never broke down. I use it almost everyday and droped it a lot on the floor, never fails. What more do you want? (or maybe I was lucky and got the only good fenix light in the world  )

The E01 uses a paste on circuit board. Sorry, but I'm not trusting that light at all! 

Paste or epoxy?

From the disassembly photos I've seen, it appears that everything is epoxy potted in the E01, just as the ARC is.

Do you like how the negative current flows through threads that must be cleaned & lubed, the way the nub at the bottom of the body dents batteries and that high quality anti-rattle foam ring that the ARC has too?  Or would you rather have a stainless spring at the bottom of the body, anodized threads and direct contact between the circuit board and the body like the E01?

I'm not trying to argue which is the best here--I think both designs are great.  I just want to point out that neither of them is perfect.

[Mike]

I agree with NutSAK, both are great lights and neither of them is perfect. Get whichever one "speaks" to you and enjoy it. I mean, they are just flashlights after all and it's your money. I really don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Mike

[zepla]

At the time I was looking for a aaa light the fenix had 75 lumens and the ARC about 15 or something like that. That's why I bought the Fenix. And at the time I found mostly positive reviews about fenix. And I like when in the few times I invest in something (yes it was an investment at the time, about 40 or 50 euros iirc, rediculious for a little light) I want the most up to date technoligy. And fenix seemed to offer that back then.
But today i don't know, i am not in the market for a aaa light so never researched it any more.

But one way or another, like mike said; they are just flashlight. Not your future mother of your first born one  And buy what you want