Oh, you’ll find plenty of reviews of the Arc AAA lights, ’oogle will find the conversations going back years.
This might be useful: peak AAA snow flashlight - Google Search
A Nitecore tube?
I think the Photon is still the best compromise anyway.
Between the Tube and the i3s(or pretty much any similar sized quality China light like Fenix,klarus etc) to my eyes -is of a ‘similar’ size because while the i3 is longer it is narrower than the tube , I actually think any 1xAAA twisty light where there is a split ring hole in the middle is ideal so that the light may naturally hang at the correct center of gravity( wait did I get this part right ? If I didn’t I mean basically -so the light hangs straight! The olight pictured in the last post cannot achieve this without modding. Lol that time of the day!)
And if you want to take it to the next level (of preparedness) you could build a Skinth-based kit to suit your needs.
What type of chain is that in the pic with the spy? Looks good!
I had an Arc AAA from the first generation and was so unreliable, never worked when needed, tried several tips I learned on the forums to no avail, and ended up smashing it flat with a hammer, very satisfying I must say… :evil:
No, I cannot recommend Arc, try other brands…
Huh. Those were the first LED flashlights.
They were warrantied forever, you know.
I had that crimp problem known in the first generation — with one out of seven or eight I own, and got it fixed without any further issues.
Last I heard, they still honor that warranty.
It’s the same issue we still face putting a driver into aluminum, getting a proper ground connection.
But if smashing it flat made you happy, enjoy.
Sure did J)
Didn’t those early aaa Arcs run $60.00?
To answer my own question, I guess not, they are listed in the 2005 review at flashlightreviews, at $39.95, but in 2008, CPF mentions the Arc GS at $50.00.
“Fenix E01 is $15, Arc AAA is $50 for the GS LED”
Arc website currently shows $45 for the AAA Premium. Add shipping and it’s over $50. Ridiculous prices.
Wow, I just saw the regular was $30 and thought, maybe, maybe… But then you have to power it too… I got burned years ago with a CMG Infinity that lasted ~1 year for $25. It is not the cost, but the fact that it was so hyped (back then) for being indestructible that really soured me on expensive SINGLE function lights. Sometimes there is strength in numbers, so multiple “budget” lights with separate batteries works better for me… Sort of a “herd reliability” thing…
Hm, I’m still using (well, have hung in grab-in-emergency spots around home) three CMG Infinities I bought back in the old days, as well as seven or eight Arc AAAs, and a couple of Arc LSs.
All still work — generally with Energizer Lithium primary cells, so I can neglect them for years at a time and know they’ll still work.
The irony of being an early adopter, back at the beginning of LED flashlights — although I don’t recall anyone paying retail, as there were flashlight sites even then where the people making them and improving them talked and hung out. Things nobody had ever made before got created, started expensive and got better faster than they got more expensive.
My how things have changed since then.
And they’re changing faster now.
Either buy something new every year (and hope they prove reliable)
or wear something several years out of date (because you’ve assured yourself it will keep working year after year)
But then we have the cost factor, button cells are expensive for the wallet and the environment in the long term unfortunately. Another positive of a relatively inexpensive AAA (even an eneloop is cheap compared to multiple button cells). There is always Fleabay ‘100 for $2’ but they last about 10 minutes(ok maybe not as Lo as 10! Lol) but I would not place that anywhere near my throat or heart!
So, wanta risk $5 and change? This looks likely to be a good one, to me:
(if tempted, read carefully; down below one of the review pics you’ll find Max’s link to a discount code for it at DX)
I actually thought I would check the price yesterday on the Arc, after I saw the price my heart skipped a beat! It was great years back when I had one but not that price for old tech today unfortunately! It still is an attractive light though,aesthetically speaking.
I know what u mean ! On that ” other” light that forum (lol) it used to be fun and creative like,people experimenting more than buying off the shelf but now it’s so commercialised. It’s all about ad revenue. Don’t get me wrong,there are still nice ppl there.
I just got 2 yesterday (black n silver) at least to try till I get a better one! This would have been quite perfect actually if only it has a lanyard/keychain loop!. In the meantime I will use it with a e-cigarette holder that clips onto the end(has a lanyard loop built in)
I wonder how skin reacts to being exposed to brass in long term. Any thoughts on that front?
Supposedly brass is antimicrobial, then again, human sweat may detract from that…. So I have no idea for the long term…