Arc AAA Flashlight

Posted by 141drew Posted onNov 3, 2010 at 3:46 PM and filed under Reviews & Features


I have terrible lighting in my garage. It’s my own fault really… I just haven’t gotten around to addressing it yet. Still, work goes on. I use all kinds of supplement clamp-on lights and what not, but I find myself reaching for my little AAA penlight most often. It’s an incredibly well made (in the USA by god) light that seems to be absolutely indestructible and is brighter than I dare claim. Somewhat grossly, it works great when you are on your back working under a dash (or something similar) simply because it’s easily “mouthable.”

Anyway, I use the Arc AAA and have for years. What do you use for supplemental lighting?


See Comments on the forum.

View thread (37 replies)
T

Tscott

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 17, 2006
Messages
1,484
Location
Keystone Heights, FL.
I just won a Streamlight flashlight at a vendor show a month or so back. It is a little cammo dude. I was expecting it to be just another flash light, but this thing has more range than most of my "D-cell" flashlights.

I runs white and green LED's and is adjustable from low to high in both colors. I will shoot a white beam of light a few hundred feet easily in total dark. The only downside I have found is that it uses special batteries like the kind you use for cameras and the like. I have not priced them, but I'll bet they aren't cheap.

Tom
 
T

Tjc

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
552
Location
where am i nj
I have a streamlight stinger and it's the brightest ive ever had... it has bit of a price though. My dad got it for free from a cornwell guy to see if he wanted to sell them so my dad tested it but i have one thats easier for "mouthing too it looks exactly like yours but silver.
 
G

gatchel

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
672
Location
West of King of Prussia, PA
Streamlight is the S#@$

I have a Scorpion which is the brightest, smallest light I have ever seen. I also use the Stylus for doing small parts work and computer work.

The stinger is a great all around rechargeable flashlight.
 
T

Tjc

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
552
Location
where am i nj
Yeah agreed we just got a wall charger for free to so now he has one for his truck and one for the wall..... it usually lasts us about 8 hours on and has a strobe for road work i bet you the stream lights could make a airplane land thinking it was a airport......
 
7

700807

Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2008
Messages
10
Location
griffin, georgia
4sevens is by far the best i have owned. I have owned several different streanlights and have used plenty of surfire lights also.
 
L

logical

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
2,447
Location
Northern fringe of the Motor City Suburbs
I went thru a period of hanging out on candlepower forums for a while and at the time the arc AAA was all the rage. I always have one on my keyring with a lithium AAA. I rarely use it but it always works when I need it.

There are better lights for most tasks but its a great product. Mines probably 10 yesars old.
 
M

millertime

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Messages
97
Location
MinnE soTA
I use a lumapower trust model 1. when using the 4.2v li-ion battery this little light throws some serious light. it also has differen't output levels.
 
B

banditbigdog

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
271
Location
Southeast
Arc's are nice, my wife has an AAA on her keychain.

I used to have an Arc LS, lost it years ago.

Everyday carry is now a Surefire E1L.
 
G

gatchel

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
672
Location
West of King of Prussia, PA
While the cost is high for batteries, lithium cell lights are definitely the way to go for the occasional use light that has to work when you need it. Lithiums have a shelf life of like 10 years. The scorpion I have I purchased in 2002, I keep in the kitchen "junk" drawer. It still shines as bright as they day we got it, same batteries. It has worked for every power failure and provided light to get the generator tied in.
 
B

blue dog

Banned
Joined
Jul 4, 2010
Messages
4,051
Location
Culver City Ca.
I have one of the arc AAA lights and think it is a great little light, but recently i acquired a streamlight microstream. It is basically the same size as the arc, runs on a single AAA, but it has a pocket clip and a tail clicky on off. this is a stout little light that is the size of a chapstick and cranks out 20 lumens with it's led bulb. And for $16, there is no way you can go wrong.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0983.jpg
    IMG_0983.jpg
    144.1 KB · Views: 109
A

american lockpicker

Banned
Joined
Nov 24, 2009
Messages
4,079
Location
Wood County, WV, USA, NA
Ryan said:
light.jpg


I have terrible lighting in my garage. It's my own fault really... I just haven't gotten around to addressing it yet. Still, work goes on. I use all kinds of supplement cla...

To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Click to expand...


I used to have 2 of those.
 
S

Scout Driver

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2009
Messages
4,286
Location
South Dakota
In the shop or garage I have used Harbor Freight freebie flashlights for extra light in cramped areas. My go-to light in the shop is a Rayovac "headlight" that I strap to my cap. Both are inexpensive and effective.

Scott
 
G

GarageMac

Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2009
Messages
7
Uh Oh, a flashlight tread! :)

Have a couple older Surefires, all excellent lights. Burn through bulbs and batteries if used for everyday stuff that you can get away with a lesser light...

...On the other end of the spectrum, have a bunch of the HF freebies too. (Can't beat the price.)

The one I use the most is the paklite. www.9voltlight.com Not the brightest, not the cheapest (though reasonable, to me), but it's the one I use the most.
 
C

cheap

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2009
Messages
7
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
For you "mouthers", wrap the end (about 1" from the bottom) with F4 or electrical tape several times - it gives your teeth something cushy to bite on to so you don't have to use your lips or chip a tooth.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
J

Jack Olsen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
6,678
Location
Los Angeles
This thread just got me to buy one of these:

41idhJPYqiL._AA300_.jpg


31SzrKokHiL._AA300_.jpg


I realized I'm most often in need of something that will hold itself in place. This one is less than $20, delivered, and puts out 100 lumens in a pretty wide arc. The legs articulate and grip and there are magnets at the end of each leg.
 
Last edited:
N

Nuts

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 31, 2010
Messages
376
Location
Baker City, Or
Dear gawd don't get me started on flashlights.
I had to swear off of Candlepowerforums, was costing me way too much money.

Nuts
 
W

Woogeroo

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 2, 2007
Messages
96
Location
Seeing the USA in my Chevrolet!
a small mag lite with the two AA batts, and a headlamp for when it's serious and ya need both hands... or yer holding a zip tie with yer mouth.

I still have a hanging work light with the 60 watt bulb... and a big 3 d cell mag lite as well.

That is a nifty little light, thanks for the review.

-W
 
S

Sick Puppy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
869
Location
Sydney
Nuts said:
Dear gawd don't get me started on flashlights.
I had to swear off of Candlepowerforums, was costing me way too much money.

Nuts
Click to expand...

lol I went on there for advice re: installing LEDs into some Maglite Solitaires I'd been given, on my list so far are some Arc AAAs, LED lensers (V2 and P7), and still didn't really get an answer re: the solitaires! But then, they are old hat and low spec... what did I expect? :lol_hitti
 
P

Plombob

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2008
Messages
4,116
Location
Tennessee
I've used headlamps for at least 35 years. First one was a "Forrester" that had a belt pack holding 4 D cells. Still have it; it's built like a tank. As technology improved I replaced them. Now I have a Black Diamond and a Princeton Tech. Princeton replaced the lamp for free when the switch broke.

Headlamps are the best! :thumbup:
 
S

scott442

Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2010
Messages
12
Anybody out there have a good source for replacement 18V bulbs for a Dewalt or Ryobi flash light? Home Depot,Lowes want $10 for 2 little bulbs,CRAZY money
thanx
 
X

xcgates

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 7, 2008
Messages
678
Location
TX
CPF, don't remind me, I had to ban myself, lets see how long my willpower holds out.

Streamlight Microstream, 3 Inovas (I carry the X5 daily, may not be the brightest, but it is a good mix of everything.)
 
C

Coolabah

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 6, 2010
Messages
1,370
Location
2nd Floor, 3rd on the Right,Narooma, Australia
xcgates said:
CPF, don't remind me, I had to ban myself, lets see how long my willpower holds out.

Streamlight Microstream, 3 Inovas (I carry the X5 daily, may not be the brightest, but it is a good mix of everything.)
Click to expand...

I feel ya. 4 arclight AAA's ( 1 in green LED wtf) , 2 surefire E2's including a green hard anodised, 8 different headlights , ...photons x like 12 ( one for every keyring or relation I own) ... maglites ( the heavy clubs ie 4 x D cells , don't know if the flashlight part of it even works - only "legal" self defense weapon allowed around here !!)

Plus around a dozen Gerber, streamlight etc hand helds... I am probably not a well person....:headscrat but ya gotta be able to SEE ! :rocker:

Just ordered 2 Fenix lights ..LD01, PD30..
 
J

Jack Olsen

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 22, 2009
Messages
6,678
Location
Los Angeles
I got it through Amazon -- although when I thought about getting a second one, I saw that the price jumped up. I think it's worth the $19 I paid -- but I wouldn't buy a second for $34.

Link
 
E

eurokid

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 20, 2010
Messages
104
Location
Tacoma, WA
I have several flashlights, I believe all but one are LED. The one that I use most is my Streamlight Strion LED. It's the brightest light of it's size that I own. I also have a Stinger LED, and a regular Stinger that I converted to LED. Can you tell I like LED's?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!