Which is the true "must have" ?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Two very similar, excellent torches, but which one would you choose if you could only have the one, and why?

[Benner]

Arc-P.

Why? Because I don't like the EO1 

Fenix lights are OK, but are all just a bit "meh" to me.  I have owned a few now and have sold them all on.  That says something to me.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I do like the E01, and really do think it's a fantastic light

The Arc's a bit special though, and if the shtf I'd the one aaa torch I'd grab

[Benner]

To be fair though, and Arc - P is a $45 light and an E01 is a $15 light so you would expect to prefer the Arc.

Even the cheapest Arc AAA is still twice as much as the E01.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well I'm hoping to do a runtime comparison between my Arc and E01 this weekend to see if there's really much of a runtime advantage going to the Fenix

[NutSAK]

I voted for the Arc-P simply because it's made in the US.

I don't have any reason to believe that the Arc is so much better than the E01 that the price difference is justified.  The Arc might be slightly more durable, but I think an E01 would take all the abuse I would care to give it.


Arc

PROS: HAIII, build quality, made in US, smaller physical size
CONS: price, no tail-stand ability, cell squasher

E01

PROS: price, thicker walls, tail-stand ability, spring-loaded so will not damage cells
CONS: finish, size, quality control (tint)

[Mr. Whippy]

You should toss into the poll the Fenix LD01 and Maratac AAA.

The Maratac is my favorite EDC AAAX1 because it's easier to manipulate with one hand, but I think the LD01 is a more stout light.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

You should toss into the poll the Fenix LD01 and Maratac AAA.

The Maratac is my favorite EDC AAAX1 because it's easier to manipulate with one hand, but I think the LD01 is a more stout light.

I'm trying to keep the light's in question as similar as possible, and these two really do go LED to LED

Once I started adding multi mode torches then this would become a horsepower race

Would make a good thread though Nate

[NutSAK]

You should toss into the poll the Fenix LD01 and Maratac AAA.

Actually, I view those lights as something completely different than the E01 and Arc-AAA.  The only thing they really have in common is the cell they use for power & twisty switch.  Otherwise, they're much more complicated mechanically and electronically.

[Mr. Whippy]

Ah hah!  I see.

The single speed lights are ok, but leave a lot to be desired for my uses.  If I'm limping along with single mode, I'd just as soon go with my old Mag Mini 2XAAA--much better run time.

Carryon! 

[NutSAK]

Ah hah!  I see.

The single speed lights are ok, but leave a lot to be desired for my uses.  If I'm limping along with single mode, I'd just as soon go with my old Mag Mini 2XAAA--much better run time.

Carryon! 

Mag Mini incan?  Better runtime?  Surely you jest!

The E01 runs for something around 10 hours on 1xAAA.  Can your 2xAAA Minimag do that?

...and talk about a light that is complicated mechanically compared to these... 

To me, the simple "single mode" lights such as the Infinity Ultra, E01, Arc-AAA are survival lights.  Potted electronics, very waterproof, no reflector, lens or bulb to break, etc.

[Mr. Whippy]

Ah hah!  I see.

The single speed lights are ok, but leave a lot to be desired for my uses.  If I'm limping along with single mode, I'd just as soon go with my old Mag Mini 2XAAA--much better run time.

Carryon! 

Mag Mini incan?  Better runtime?  Surely you jest!

The E01 runs for something around 10 hours on 1xAAA.  Can your 2xAAA Minimag do that?

...and talk about a light that is complicated mechanically compared to these... 

To me, the simple "single mode" lights such as the Infinity Ultra, E01, Arc-AAA are survival lights.  Potted electronics, very waterproof, no reflector or lens to break, etc.

Minimag with LED drop in (old NiteIZE thingy--been about 10 years since I did it).  It goes for a LONG time on 2 AAA and has better ergos.

Edit: It's a 2XAA not AAA miniMag.  Probably has the same Alkaline cells in it for the last 5 years.

[NutSAK]

Minimag with LED drop in (old NiteIZE thingy--been about 10 years since I did it).  It goes for a LONG time on 2 AAA and has better ergos.

Edit: It's a 2XAA not AAA miniMag.  Probably has the same Alkaline cells in it for the last 5 years.

Ah, that makes much more sense runtime-wise.  However, it's hard to compare that light in any way to an Arc-AAA or E01.  It's WAY different in size, durability and complexity.

[Mr. Whippy]

Minimag with LED drop in (old NiteIZE thingy--been about 10 years since I did it).  It goes for a LONG time on 2 AAA and has better ergos.

Edit: It's a 2XAA not AAA miniMag.  Probably has the same Alkaline cells in it for the last 5 years.

Ah, that makes much more sense runtime-wise.  However, it's hard to compare that light in any way to an Arc-AAA or E01.  It's WAY different in size, durability and complexity.

Agree about size, but complexity?  miniMag?  Gotta disagree about that.

More durable is probably true too.

[NutSAK]

I'm trying to keep the light's in question as similar as possible, and these two really do go LED to LED

You know, I wonder how it would affect the poll if you added the Infinity/Infinity Ultra.

They're very similar except for cell & size.  The infinity will run just fine on a AAA anyway! 

[NutSAK]

Minimag with LED drop in (old NiteIZE thingy--been about 10 years since I did it).  It goes for a LONG time on 2 AAA and has better ergos.

Edit: It's a 2XAA not AAA miniMag.  Probably has the same Alkaline cells in it for the last 5 years.

Ah, that makes much more sense runtime-wise.  However, it's hard to compare that light in any way to an Arc-AAA or E01.  It's WAY different in size, durability and complexity.

Agree about size, but complexity?  miniMag?  Gotta disagree about that.

More durable is probably true too.

Minimag is definitely more mechanically complex:

3 orings (one on E01 and Arc, w/potted, waterproof electronics)
plastic lens
plastic reflector
plastic switch
tailcap
bulb/led connector

These are all parts that don't exist on an E01 or Arc-AAA, and most of them are plastic.  Show me a plastic, breakable part on an E01 or Arc-AAA.

[Mr. Whippy]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

[NutSAK]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

I'm from Missouri.  You'll have to "Show Me". 

If you epoxy the tailcap on, how will you change the batteries?  If you epoxy the switch, how will you turn it on/off?  

[Mr. Whippy]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

I'm from Missouri.  You'll have to "Show Me". 

If you epoxy the tailcap on, how will you change the batteries?   

Remove the head. (I did that for a couple years before I realized there was a tailcap  )

[NutSAK]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

I'm from Missouri.  You'll have to "Show Me". 

If you epoxy the tailcap on, how will you change the batteries?   

Remove the head. (I did that for a couple years before I realized there was a tailcap  )

Huh....    I guess I wasn't aware that you could change the batteries in a Minimag by removing the head.  Can you pull the switch/bulb connector out and remove the batteries? 

[Mr. Whippy]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

I'm from Missouri.  You'll have to "Show Me". 

If you epoxy the tailcap on, how will you change the batteries?   

Remove the head. (I did that for a couple years before I realized there was a tailcap  )

Huh....    I guess I wasn't aware that you could change the batteries in a Minimag by removing the head.  Can you pull the switch/bulb connector out and remove the batteries? 

Yup 

[NutSAK]

10 minutes with JB kwik weld and my miniMag is just as simple.

I'm from Missouri.  You'll have to "Show Me". 

If you epoxy the tailcap on, how will you change the batteries?   

Remove the head. (I did that for a couple years before I realized there was a tailcap  )

Huh....    I guess I wasn't aware that you could change the batteries in a Minimag by removing the head.  Can you pull the switch/bulb connector out and remove the batteries? 

Yup 

Cool! 

You're still stuck w/a a plastic switch with the JB Quik mod though.    Either that or a tailcap you have to remove to turn the light off. 

[Mr. Whippy]

The head is twist on/off.  No tailcap switch.

[NutSAK]

The head is twist on/off.  No tailcap switch.

The Minimag head pushes on a plastic piece to disconnect the batteries and turn the light off.  That plastic piece is what the bulb/LED connects to.  There's no such part on the E01 or Arc-AAA.  If you use JB Quik to "simplify" that part, won't you have to come up with another plan for turning the light on and off?

[Gareth]

Back on topic for a second.  As someone who doesn't own either I'm interested in the result of this poll, I can easily believe the Arc-P will be more popular but is it really 3 times better?  Even the basic Arc is twice the price of a E01.  Also very interested in the run time comparison. 

[Mr. Whippy]

The head is twist on/off.  No tailcap switch.

The Minimag head pushes on a plastic piece to disconnect the batteries and turn the light off.  That plastic piece is what the bulb/LED connects to.  There's no such part on the E01 or Arc-AAA.  If you use JB Quik to "simplify" that part, won't you have to come up with another plan for turning the light on and off?

JB the whole head together.  Twist to on and off. All that has to move are the threads to the head to tube. (O ring in there).

I'm pretty sure it will still work that way with the tail cap in place, but I'll check this evening.

[NutSAK]

Back on topic for a second.  As someone who doesn't own either I'm interested in the result of this poll, I can easily believe the Arc-P will be more popular but is it really 3 times better?  Even the basic Arc is twice the price of a E01.  Also very interested in the run time comparison. 

Not IMO.

I didn't answer the way I did because I thought it was 3 times better though, as that's not what the poll asked.  The runtimes will be similar, but the E01 is a bit better at regulation.  Meaning, it will run appoximately the same amount of time, but will maintian brightness a bit better throughout the runtime.

I will try to find some runtime graphs to support this...  Take a look at my "pros and cons" above for a more detailed opinion of the two models.

[Gareth]

I read your opening post and did think it was a very measured and fair reply.  I realise Mike didn't mention money, that was all me (I am Scottish you know  ).

[NutSAK]

The head is twist on/off.  No tailcap switch.

The Minimag head pushes on a plastic piece to disconnect the batteries and turn the light off.  That plastic piece is what the bulb/LED connects to.  There's no such part on the E01 or Arc-AAA.  If you use JB Quik to "simplify" that part, won't you have to come up with another plan for turning the light on and off?

JB the whole head together.  Twist to on and off. All that has to move are the threads to the head to tube. (O ring in there).

Right.  How do you eliminate the breakable plastic piece that disconnects the batteries?  That plastic piece has to move to push the batteries away from the LED/bulb connection, not just the threads.  That's why I call that plastic part the "switch".

[NutSAK]

Very good of you Terry. 

Here are a couple of graphs for you.

The E01 runtime: http://www.light-reviews.com/fenix_e01/

The Arc-AAA (GS) runtime: http://www.cpfreviews.com/Arc-AAA-Premium-GS-LED.php - look at the topmost graph

Unfortunately, I don't think you can compare these graphs directly, because the output levels may be a bit different.  I think the Arc-GS is somewhat brighter at the beginning of its runtime.  However, you can see the differences in regulation quite clearly.