Why an ARC AAA?

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
17,489
I've looked at the ARC light many times, but I question if a small light is worth 40.00 dollars. For the last year I've been carrying a Dorcy AAA in my pocket next to my sak and its been a good light. I use it every night on the way to bed so's not to wake up the other half, and I use it walking the dog at night. I like a small single AAA light for the compact size and the availability of batteries anywhere I happen to be.

The ARC is 8 times the price, and I want to hear from ARC users why it worth it. Is the light output that much better?

I'm curious. I don't mind spending money if I can see a real difference in preformance.
 
I think the Fenix is a better buy. I sold off my Arc and replaced it with a Fenix.
 
I don't own the Dorcy but I do own an Arc aaa and can say its one solid light. I keep it in my back pocket on my key chain and i sit on it all day, gets banged around all the time and never fails to function. Its a bright litte light and provides many hours (I think its 6) of usable light. I've went swimming with my Arc aaa multiple times with it in my pocket and have never had a problem with it malfunctioning including when I turned it on underwater to light up the pool. I think the price may be a little steep because you are paying for the name just as with any big named brand.
 
I have a Fenix AA that I bought on a whim, and it has been excellent. It was also $40. I was considering a ARC AAA.
 
I plan on either an Arc or a Fenix this Christmas (I always buy myself a present when I'm shopping :D ).
At the moment I own a multitude of "non-fancy" flashlights like Surefire and Dorcy's and Mags and Streamlights and some of those Chi-Com cheapies to boot.
Out of all of them the one I feel in 'love' with was my little Streamlight Keymate
10-4650.jpg
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It is my EDC and works like a charm , was cost effective too , the only thing I do not like about it is it takes those little 'hearing aid' type batteries instead of an AA or AAA.

I have heard nothing but good about Arc , and Fenix though.
 
I've owned both Arc and Peak. I now carry a Fenix. More light for the money. Check out the Fenix EO, E1 or LOP-SE. All three have their place, depending on your needs.

I very much hope that Arc survives, but if they don't move forward with technology, Fenix will put them out of business.

Scott
 
seriously, with the advent of fenix and the other fenix "clones" companies like arc and peak will have a tough time trying to get my dollar.

the fenix L0P-SE is WAY much more light than the ARC.

the only fault with the fenixes is that their HAIII is not as good as the arcs and peaks, etc. but that can be overlooked for a 1 watt light in an ARC AAA sized light and now with 3 outputs.
 
I looked at the Fenix and the Arc torches and decided to get a Arc AAA Premium. I've heard great things about the Arc so I decided to give it a try. Then I went to the CandlePower.com forums and heard about the Photons International CR2 Ion. Wow, I could believe the performance for such a little flashlight. It is pretty pricey but I am willing to give it a chance and add it to my collection of tactical/specialized flashlights.
 
If you are looking at the standard arc you are probably just as well served with a Gerber Sonic (LED Museum rated it equal in brightness). The ARC Premium is supposed to be brighter. The Sonic is regulated and is around $12.
 
the arc AAA at one time were the bomb of AAA lights, they are still pretty darned good, but the fenix lights give them a run for the $$ for sure and are better iin some regards, like stated earlier in this thread the ano on the fenix is kind of 2nd rate (scuffs/scratches a LOT easier than a arc) but other than that no complaints from me.

either one is head and shoulders above a dorcy in terms of brightness, durability, H2O proof, batt life, etc, in other words what makes one light superior to another.
 
Scott Ridgeway said:
I've owned both Arc and Peak. I now carry a Fenix. More light for the money. Check out the Fenix EO, E1 or LOP-SE. All three have their place, depending on your needs.

I very much hope that Arc survives, but if they don't move forward with technology, Fenix will put them out of business.

Scott
Click to expand...

I just looked at the Fenix EO on thier web site. From the photos it looks like it is about as small as the ARC. Thats what I'm looking for, the smallest good quality AAA lite I can get without paying a kings ransome. I looked at the Gerber Sonic and am considering that as well. I had a maglite solitare a few years back-loved the size, hated the light. The reason I'm drawn to the ARC in spite of the price is the size and run time.

The Fenix EO lookes very interesting.
 
I have both the Arc and the Fenix. I believe that the Fenix is a bargain but I also believe that the Arc will take more abuse.
 
I own 2 Arc-P's and an LOP-SE. The Fenix has 3 different brightness levels and is about the size of an Arc-P. It is a littel longer and wider than the Arc-P. Am I giving up my Arc's? No. I still love these little lights!!
 
Arc has the original cool factor, plus it's not imported (i think.). That doesn't make Fenix any less light - but can you send it back for an upgrade? You used to be able to with Arc. Not everybody can buy another light time and again.

I have gotten great service from my Arc.
 
I liked the ARC for it simplicity and its reputation as a very durable little light that has a very good warranty. It is also such a size that it stays with me regardeless of what else I'm carrying. I guess I look at the $40 as well spent.
 
I have an Arc AAA on my keychain. I also have a couple of Fenix's. The Arc is the one I know will always work, it is basically bomb proof. The fenix's occasionally give me problems the Arc never. If you want a light that will work no matter what in any situation the Arc is the way to go.
 
Don't believe the Arc hype. People have problems with Arc, and furthermore have sometimes waited far longer for Arc warranty service than anyone has for Fenix, as far as I know. Instead of innovating something useful now, Arc is trying to get out some expensive gimmick product in order to provide a comfortable retirement when they go out of business, again.
By the way, Fenix is making a limited quantity of titanium LOP SE lights. Beautiful lights that Arc could have tried making, had they any marketing savvy. Titanium FENIX
 
ARC flashlights are made in USA. Fenix are made in China.
I own an ARC Premium AAA and a Fenix P-1. Both are good lights. Not sorry I purchased either one. FWIW.

--Mike L.
 
If you can live with its slightly longer length, then you can get the MJLED drop in LED unit for the MagLite Solitaire. This will give it a 4 hour run time and a much more useful white lite than its poor original incan bulb. This LED unit is brighter than the original ARC AAA. But not as bright as the current version. It is also smaller overall than the Gerber Sonic. You can get a complete setup for about $20. And keep the candle mode intact to boot! :)

N.
 
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