Help me choose a singe 'AAA' LED light

W

Will

Joined
Jan 4, 2003
Messages
659
I am looking for something small and easy to carry either in my pocket or in the side of my Charge sheath. I was going to get the Gerber Sonic, but have been looking at the (more expensive) Matterhorn series from Peak.

If I go with the Matterhorn, it will be one of the lug models, and probably the high power, (not the Ultra, or the one with 3 LEDS.) I think the the high will be more than bright enough, and that extended battery life is more important. Does anyone know how these compare to the Gerber, or if there is anything else out there to conscider? It would be nice to have one with a pocket clip, and variable brightness settings; maybe even a red LED as well as the white, but now I am asking for too much!

Will
 
I have to agree.

I've had my old AAA ARC for nearly three years..., along with my keys, firestarters and other things..., in my pocket every day, and never had a problem. Always worked, and have me adequate light.

Tuesday I got my new AAA ARC, which is, maybe, 50% brighter.

The AAA ARC is very small and solid. What more do you want :D
 
Sounds pretty good, and not more expensive than the Peak. I noticed that the brighter version has the same battery life time to 50%. How does that work?
 
I have a Sonic, its pretty damned good and throws an incredible amount of light when in the woods at night.
 
Try pelican, you break it, they fix it free, I love them.
 
I have one of the original design Peak Matterhorns and really like it. Was going to get an Arc but gave up on the long wait.

Arc has one of the most loyal group of customers (check out candlepowerforums.com) but the long wait and lack of communication from them via email and phone turned me away.

The Arc probably is a little better product, but I have no regrets and am very happy with my Matterhorn.
 
Don't know, for sure, why the "older" (since the less expensive flashlight is available, too)...., but I "think" the bulb is a newer and brighter. I have LED flashlights from 10 years ago, and flashlights 9, and 8, and 7, and etc. years ago, and I think the LED bulbs, and the circuitry with it, are being make better every day.

I saw that CMD didn't want to wait for the ARC..., and that may be a problem for you, if you need it NOW :rolleyes: . ARC used to be quicker, but that was probably part of closing ARC, a year back. ARC now sells a certain number of flashlights, then won't sell anymore, it seems, until they can make and mail the flashlights.

I bought my flashlight back in.., around Aug. 10, and it took 7 weeks to get it.
 
Temper said:
I have a Sonic, its pretty damned good and throws an incredible amount of light when in the woods at night.
Click to expand...

Do you have the CMG version, or the Gerber one? The CMG reviews are quite positive for a light less than half the price of the Arc. If the Gerber is no worse, it may just be good enough for me, leaving me with some extra cash for something else. I know some have complained about the protruding LED on the Gerber. (But that Arc sure looks tempting, and the wait isn't an issue for me.)

Will
 
I have a CMG but the Gerber one looks better as the LED protrudes from the end a good bit more.
 
Will said:
Sounds pretty good, and not more expensive than the Peak. I noticed that the brighter version has the same battery life time to 50%. How does that work?
Click to expand...


The new Arc AAA uses a Nichia CS LED which is much more efficient than the old Arc AAA's Nichia 5mm LED, hence the increase in brightness with the same runtime! The only drawback over the new Nichia CS LEDs are the reported blue tint. However, tint was not one of the MAIN criteria when Arc researched LEDs for the new Arc AAA.

"There are many LEDs available, but not all meet the goals of the Arc-AAA. The goals are: small, bright, long lasting, good combination of throw and flood..... .....the Arc-AAA is available in limited quantities. It is using the best LED for the design goals. It won't please everyone. My apologies."

Quoted from here by Peter Gransee, the designer and manufacturer of the Arc AAA.

Something to consider when purchasing your next AAA LED light.

-Allen
 
I prefer peak now because they have a larger variety of configurations, have better tint, more powerful and most importantly I don't have to wait to get one.
 
KingSmono said:
The new Arc AAA uses a Nichia CS LED which is much more efficient than the old Arc AAA's Nichia 5mm LED, hence the increase in brightness with the same runtime! The only drawback over the new Nichia CS LEDs are the reported blue tint. However, tint was not one of the MAIN criteria when Arc researched LEDs for the new Arc AAA.

"There are many LEDs available, but not all meet the goals of the Arc-AAA. The goals are: small, bright, long lasting, good combination of throw and flood..... .....the Arc-AAA is available in limited quantities. It is using the best LED for the design goals. It won't please everyone. My apologies."

Quoted from here by Peter Gransee, the designer and manufacturer of the Arc AAA.

Something to consider when purchasing your next AAA LED light.

-Allen
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. After asking here, I asked the same thing over on CPF and this fact was brought to my attention. I still think I prefer the more constant output, and brightness vs battery life of the Arc over the Peak Matterhorn, even though the Peak uses the "snow" LED which have a much nicer color output.

I guess the Stardand Arc light on the site is the older version, and the Premium the newer version? I think I will treat my self to the Premium version.

Will
 
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