SureFire M4 (or whatever) batteries to Arc LS

[Joe Talmadge]

Just wanted to mention to SureFire owners that I've finally tried out the theory that I could put rundown 123As from my SureFires into my Arc LS. I've been working on the theory that I change my SF batteries as soon as the lamp yellows, then run those batteries in my Arc LS, where the Arc would still give me good performance on depleted batteries. [note: for those who don't know, running the SureFire when the beam starts to yellow can decrease lamp life]

Well, I finally got the chance to try it out, and it works pretty well. The Arc is running pretty bright on batteries depleted by my M4. I almost feel like the Arc batteries are "free" now, since formerly I would have switched out the SF batteries and just thrown them away. Which makes me feel free to use the Arc constantly, for everything, including more frivolous uses.

Nice system! I think I deplete my SF batteries at a high enough rate to keep my Arc always fed. So for me, the allure of running a 2AA LS system for reasons of battery expense is completely gone. In fact, I have buddies who run SureFires, who have not taken my advice to buy an Arc LS ... I'll be asking them for their partially-depleted 123As from here on out, too.

Joe

 

[AlphalphaPB]

Those LED lights sure are good for suckin 'em dry eh? The problem is I don't use them nearly enough to beat my incandescent usage, so the pile of partially depleted batteries is piling up.

Do you have an approximate voltage level at which you switch out? I do it at around 2.85V, IIRC. I hate that yellowing, plus I would hate to be showing people my E2e when the batteries suddenly run out of juice.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I actually just do it by eye. Once it seems to start to yellow at all, it's gone. My C-2 is kept for strictly tactical situations, once in a while I give it a flash to make sure it's in good shape, and when I do that, I check the E2's color against the fresh C2.

BTW, not sure if you got this or not, but it's not just that fact that it's an LED light that makes the Arc LS such a good fit. I know most regular LED flashlights (by regular, I mean, "unregulated") can be run on weakened batteries to supply a nearly-useless amount of light for a very very long time. But the Arc LS is regulated -- I am getting a very high % of new-battery brigthness, from batteries that are definitely depleted! I'll take an hour at 85% brightness over 12 hours at 25% (and decreasing) brightness any day.


Joe

 

[AlphalphaPB]

I also occasionally check the E2e lamp's yellowness against a 6P with a "tactically" fresh set of batteries.

I haven't really done much research into the ARC LS, since I'm worried about buying seconds, old stuff, etc. I figure I should let the product kind of stabilize before I plunk $100 on a flashlight. I know, there was a seconds sale and Peter stands behind his products, but I guess I'm just more of a knife nut with a touch of flashaholism. I use an Inova X5T to use up my 123's.

The next light I will buy is probably going to be a regulated LS light, either the Arc LS or KL1 bezel. Gotta fill up that unmonitored mom-safe slush fund first though. Hehe.

 

[Skyline]

Yup! I take the batteries that are going down in my G2Z/M2/6P and put them into my E1/KL1. The partial dead batteries work great with the KL1.

 

[Joe Talmadge]

I've been a huge advocate of the Arc LS. However, there seem to be some problems with the LS2 (they weren't any brighter than the version 1, but cost more), so Arc has lowered the price to reflect that. The various flavors of the LS1 are still floating around, too. The E1+KL1 also seems like a great choice.

Joe

 

[Gary W. Graley]

Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
I've been a huge advocate of the Arc LS. However, there seem to be some problems with the LS2 (they weren't any brighter than the version 1, but cost more), so Arc has lowered the price to reflect that. The various flavors of the LS1 are still floating around, too. The E1+KL1 also seems like a great choice.

Joe

Any news or updates on the ARC LS brightness? A date of mfg to watch out if buying them? I'm getting more into light lately, can't have enough lights!

SureFire 9P
SureFire E1e
SureFire E2e HA
Inova X5
ARC AAA

G2...me...not the light...