Would You still Buy an Arc AAA Today?
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Lucky Duck
Enlightened
- Joined
- May 22, 2010
- Messages
- 265
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I have an Arc AAA-P that I have used as a keychain light on a few trips outside the country, as I don't want to take a chance on having my PeakLED Baltic stolen/confiscated. It's outmoded, but still a reliable and lightweight companion. Used it to illuminate a shower stall on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (Pura vida, amigos!) when taking my third shower of the day. First time I had encountered that kind of humidity. Meh...
I have an Arc AAA-P that I have used as a keychain light on a few trips outside the country, as I don't want to take a chance on having my PeakLED Baltic stolen/confiscated. It's outmoded, but still a reliable and lightweight companion. Used it to illuminate a shower stall on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (Pura vida, amigos!) when taking my third shower of the day. First time I had encountered that kind of humidity. Meh...
chillinn
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
My third flashlight, the 375nm Arc AAA UV
I've only had it for about 3 years. I bought it in the hopes that I could use it for germicidal irradiation, which really needs the wavelength a bit higher energy, best if light curve peaks at 254nm. UV-C LED emitters are still outrageously expensive, and there are no UV-C commercial flashlights. But I discovered running the Arc AAA UV with NiZn secondary or Energizer Lithium cells does increase the light energy somewhat: after setting it down and running it for 10-20 minutes, I can detect the unmistakable aroma of ozone, which is formed by UV-C below 200nm. This is evidence, circumstantially at least, it is putting out wavelenths from below 200nm and up to and probably beyond 375nm. I have no way to know for sure, so I am cautious with it as these wavelengths damage the retina and can cause skin cancer. But my suspician is that I am a microbe killing machine.
Also, I use it for cat forensics:
Bad kitty! =^..^=
My third flashlight, the 375nm Arc AAA UV
I've only had it for about 3 years. I bought it in the hopes that I could use it for germicidal irradiation, which really needs the wavelength a bit higher energy, best if light curve peaks at 254nm. UV-C LED emitters are still outrageously expensive, and there are no UV-C commercial flashlights. But I discovered running the Arc AAA UV with NiZn secondary or Energizer Lithium cells does increase the light energy somewhat: after setting it down and running it for 10-20 minutes, I can detect the unmistakable aroma of ozone, which is formed by UV-C below 200nm. This is evidence, circumstantially at least, it is putting out wavelenths from below 200nm and up to and probably beyond 375nm. I have no way to know for sure, so I am cautious with it as these wavelengths damage the retina and can cause skin cancer. But my suspician is that I am a microbe killing machine.
Also, I use it for cat forensics:
Bad kitty! =^..^=
nzgunnie
Enlightened
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I've had an ARC AAA-P on my keyring for many years now. Still carry it everyday.
I've had an ARC AAA-P on my keyring for many years now. Still carry it everyday.
BobG
Newly Enlightened
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I loved them is the simple answer. I also have 9 of the Arc LS lights - Low dome and High dome editions - 3 or 4 of the short-lived Arc4. a few of the arc AAA that cycled Red-Green-Blue for my dog's collar. At the time there wasn't any other real power light around. I would stash them everywhere. I would be in Florida if I wasn't married. My wife (originally Irvington) can't leave the old friends.
I loved them is the simple answer. I also have 9 of the Arc LS lights - Low dome and High dome editions - 3 or 4 of the short-lived Arc4. a few of the arc AAA that cycled Red-Green-Blue for my dog's collar. At the time there wasn't any other real power light around. I would stash them everywhere. I would be in Florida if I wasn't married. My wife (originally Irvington) can't leave the old friends.
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
Still worth it in my opinion. I am starting to have a hard time finding hardy, purpose built long running AAA lights. I treasure my ARC-PS, and Fenix E0 very much. Its worth getting one IMO, but for the most part I don't really see a need for more than one.
Crenshaw
Still worth it in my opinion. I am starting to have a hard time finding hardy, purpose built long running AAA lights. I treasure my ARC-PS, and Fenix E0 very much. Its worth getting one IMO, but for the most part I don't really see a need for more than one.
Crenshaw
smokinbasser
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I have 3 or 4 in total floating around my home, I hang them on doorknobs in case of power failures
I have 3 or 4 in total floating around my home, I hang them on doorknobs in case of power failures
Pellidon
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I have three or four regular units, pre and post the issue with the very large flashlight company. One with a green LED and one with UV. Even have a couple of the red CPF special run units. Plus a couple of the AA versions, several LS with twisty and clicky bodies and the 2 AA tube. They were one of the first of the really useful LED lights that were not home brew units. Some of the early lights could barely light up the LED but the Arc AAA could light up the inside of a PC to allow you to see things.
I have three or four regular units, pre and post the issue with the very large flashlight company. One with a green LED and one with UV. Even have a couple of the red CPF special run units. Plus a couple of the AA versions, several LS with twisty and clicky bodies and the 2 AA tube. They were one of the first of the really useful LED lights that were not home brew units. Some of the early lights could barely light up the LED but the Arc AAA could light up the inside of a PC to allow you to see things.
parnass
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I have several ARC AAA-P ("Premium") flashlights and one UV model. The last AAA-P I purchased employed the DS version LED, but that was years ago. I used it to take a mile long walk outside when I first got it.
The AAA-P lights are useful for night navigation inside the house and I'm keeping them on neck lanyards in case of a power failure.
https://www.arcflashlight.com/index.html
I have several ARC AAA-P ("Premium") flashlights and one UV model. The last AAA-P I purchased employed the DS version LED, but that was years ago. I used it to take a mile long walk outside when I first got it.
The AAA-P lights are useful for night navigation inside the house and I'm keeping them on neck lanyards in case of a power failure.
https://www.arcflashlight.com/index.html
Wireman
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2006
- Messages
- 149
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
How does that Micro Stream compare?
How does that Micro Stream compare?
FLASHLIGHTMAN
Newly Enlightened
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I still have a half dozen in my collection as well as the AA version. I have a few "users" also. I
remember when they had just went out of business and they went through the roof on eBay selling for around 100.00 each.
If my memory is correct, ARC was basically sued out of business by Mag light. They got sued because of lettering going "around" the light.
They were, and still are a neat light.
I still have a half dozen in my collection as well as the AA version. I have a few "users" also. I
remember when they had just went out of business and they went through the roof on eBay selling for around 100.00 each.
If my memory is correct, ARC was basically sued out of business by Mag light. They got sued because of lettering going "around" the light.
They were, and still are a neat light.
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
I was a regular CPF reader long before I joined and my memory of the Arc AAA is that it was so incredibly expensive, and that I wanted one so badly but couldn't afford it, then the Fenix E01 came out, and then the LOD-CE, I am so glad that Fenix came along.
I was a regular CPF reader long before I joined and my memory of the Arc AAA is that it was so incredibly expensive, and that I wanted one so badly but couldn't afford it, then the Fenix E01 came out, and then the LOD-CE, I am so glad that Fenix came along.
Kestrel
Flashaholic
Re: Anyone have an Arc AAA?
Nothing wrong with your post at all, but I took the liberty of merging it with the epic ARC-AAA thread that has a long and storied history.
kyhunter1
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Arc-AAA GS - still a classic? Worth buying or should I be happy my E01?
I remember reading somewhere that one of these arc aaa's was dropped in a cave stream and laid there for a few years submerged. It was eventually found by miraculously by the same person that lost it. A new cell was put in and the thing worked! That is enough to tempt me to buy one.
I remember reading somewhere that one of these arc aaa's was dropped in a cave stream and laid there for a few years submerged. It was eventually found by miraculously by the same person that lost it. A new cell was put in and the thing worked! That is enough to tempt me to buy one.
RI Chevy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Arc-AAA GS - still a classic? Worth buying or should I be happy my E01?
That same story prompted me to buy one as well! There was a video made of that story and posted on here.
That same story prompted me to buy one as well! There was a video made of that story and posted on here.
kyhunter1
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Arc-AAA GS - still a classic? Worth buying or should I be happy my E01?
Check out this video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnpMKC77TFg
Check out this video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnpMKC77TFg
RI Chevy
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Arc-AAA GS - still a classic? Worth buying or should I be happy my E01?
Cool video.
Cool video.
emarkd
Flashlight Enthusiast
Re: Arc-AAA GS - still a classic? Worth buying or should I be happy my E01?
Threads like this make me feel like I'm missing something. I'm kinda new to "good" flashlights and never had an Arc. I haven't read the whole thread but I get the impression the Arc lights available today aren't the same as the old ones. Is that safe to say? Is there a reason to prefer buying an older used Arc instead of one of the new ones linked above? And if that's true, anybody want to part with one of theirs? Most of you guys seem to have them by the dozens :laughing:
Threads like this make me feel like I'm missing something. I'm kinda new to "good" flashlights and never had an Arc. I haven't read the whole thread but I get the impression the Arc lights available today aren't the same as the old ones. Is that safe to say? Is there a reason to prefer buying an older used Arc instead of one of the new ones linked above? And if that's true, anybody want to part with one of theirs? Most of you guys seem to have them by the dozens :laughing:
