Arc AAA LE vs. CMG Infinity Ultra

Diamond Cut II

Diamond Cut II

Joined
Sep 1, 2002
Messages
1,245
The CMG closely relates to the AAA LE but has a longer battery life and is 10 or 20 dollars cheaper at TexasTacticalSupply.com. The CMG works up to about 20 hours longer than the AAA and is just a hair off in brightness. So I thought to myself, "self, why don't you just get the cheaper one with the most battery life instead of paying about 10 dollars more(plus constant change of batteries) on something that lasts only 5 hours?" Am I just not seeing something here? They're practically the same light. Aren't they? Can someone please give me some advice on this subject? Thanks in advance.


-DC2
 
Hard anodized versus not.
.75" diameter vs .5"
AAA vs AA

It's just a matter of what you are looking for. The ARC fits on a keychain better IMHO. The CMG Ultra would be my choice on a camping trip - it's perfect on a neck lanyard.

6 of one, half dozen of the other.

Kevin
 
Normally I'd agree with you. In this case however, size is the deciding factor for me. The Ultra pushes the limit for comfortable carry (either in my pant pocket or on a neck lanyard) because of its' larger diameter. The Arc LE is the same dia. as a Mag Solotaire. I like both the Ultra and the LE, but LE wins out for edc.

Mith.
 
Arc for my edc on my keychain clipped to my pants belt loop. Ultra and E2E in my carryall bag.
 
How much brighter is the plain version of the ARC than the Infinity Ultra?? I have the ARC, and I've been looking for something just about as bright, but with a longer run time.

Thanks!

Jeff
 
I have an Arc AAA and an Ultra-G. Both are great lights and both have their uses. The Arc lives on my keychain and serves as my always-have-with-me light and as backup to my usually-have-with-me Brinkmann LX. The Ultra normally stays at home unless I specifically need it elsewhere. Comparing the two beam colors head to head, the Ultra looks more violet and the Arc looks more blue. As for beam pattern, the Arc puts out a slightly brighter hotspot, but the hotspot is half the size of the Ultra's. Also, the Ultra's corona is far larger, causing the total amount of light it puts out to be significantly more. This is the reason I'll pick up the Ultra for use around the house. Its larger size is easier to grip and easier to turn on with one hand. A large advantage that the Ultra has is the ability to utilize Lithium AA's. This doesn't seem to increase brightness since the light is regulated but run time will be FAR FAR longer and the lithiums give it the ability to survive extreme temperatures as well as have a better shelf life. Someone mentioned that the Arc has the type III HA. Well, the Ultra-G does as well.

As you can see, I really like the Ultra-G. But the Arc will stay on the keychain, size being the determining factor for that use.

Get both! :)

Mark
 
My Arc AAA is just the perfect size for my keychain. I wouldn't want any bigger, even if it did mean longer runtime.
 
I've had both of these lights for about 2wks now and I like them both. The ARC AAA is small,easy to carry,and bright enough to use to walk to the car,find things in the floor,read by and check out dark corners. To me it's biggest asset is that it is small and will probably always be with me.

The CMG Infinity Ultra is a very well made light that seems to light up an area better. I would feel more comfortable using it in the woods or around camp than the AAA. It is bigger and not as comfortable to carry in my pocket. It is good on a lanyard or in a pack. The only thing I don't like about the Infinity is the battery rattle. Not a big problem but anoining at times.

I would suggest getting both lights. You will use them in different situations and appreciate both of them. You can't have toooo many lights anyway can you???:D


Dean
 
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