Arc AAA - shared shipping costs?

[apsilon]

I'm looking at ordering an Arc AAA light to replace my aging (20+ years) Solitaire. As the shipping costs are US$24 (they must charge a minimum and hope to make some extra profit) I was wondering if anyone else was interested so we could split the shipping. I already have a friend who wants one and can fit 6 in the one package without effecting he cost and it only goes up a couple of dollars for 10. Haven't cheked more than that.

In case anyone hasn't seen them: Home of Arc Flashlight (http://www.arcflashlight.com)

I'm also open to suggestions for alternatives but I'm really after something that uses AAA or maybe a single AA due to being able to find the batteries anywhere unlike the 123A batteries a lot of the "tactical" light use.

Any interest? Probably best for locals who can pickup etc but I'm happy to post anywhere at buyers expense.

[Matthew]

What is the price of these mate including post to Qld ?

[Apatari]

Open to suggestions - try Fenix. I have 2 and they are excellent. Here is a local supplier.

TorchWorld (http://www.torchworld.com.au/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&zenid=23b3094dbb6845d912d7c5d695edd99e)

[apsilon]

I' actually just looking at Fenix. I hadn't heard of them before but so far I like what I see.

Matt, the final price on the Arc would depend on how many we get. Shipping for 1 or 6 is US$24 so if we got 3 I'd dived the postage 3 ways so US$8 each. Might be pointless as the Fenix range appear to be just as good and even ordering from the US shipping is free.

[apsilon]

Guys, I've been reading up on them over the last few hours and I think the Fenix may be a better choice. They're cheaper yet the quality appears to be very good. The little E0 Dart has the same output as the Arc premium but is only AUD$24.50 from the Torchworld place Apatari posted which beats US$39.95 in my books. For about AUD$50 look at the L0D which has multiple output settings including one of 50 lumens and still only a single AAA cell.

Have a look at Light Reading » Fenix L0P Review (http://lights.lightrefineries.org/?page_id=58)
for a comparison of an Arc premium and an Fenix L0P. Has photos showing side by side output etc.

[Kid Kerambit]

Led lenser are a good torch also. Have a look at the small David Micro Tactical that runs on 1AA. Pumps out 30 lumens. Ive got the David 19 and its awesome, little bit bigger than keyring size but easily EDC-able

Welcome to Ledlenser Australia (http://www.ledlenser.com.au/ledlenser_tactical.htm)

[apsilon]

Hope I don't inconvenience anyone but I'm going to give the Fenix a try. As shipping is free I don't see any point in having them shipped over together.

If there's interest I'll post a mini review when I have them.

[bigocean]

You got me interested on that Fenix LOD, apsilon!
Looking forward to your review!

[apsilon]

My torches just showed up. Initial impression is they're well made items. Brightness wise, all I can say is technology has certainly surpassed my beloved little Solitaire.

I'll post back with more once I've had a chance to play with them (got an E0 Dart, L0D CE and L2D BTW) and see if I can grab some pics but photographing lightspots never tells the true story IMO.

[apsilon]

OK, no pics but I've been EDC the L0D CE in place of my Maglite Soitaire for coming up to two weeks now and a few days of that I worked nights so it's been used a bit.

So far I couldn't be happier. It "outshines" the Solitaire in every way. The difference is remarkable. If anything it's too bright for small close in work due to the amount of light that bounces back. Even with the Mag turned down to a spot the Fenix on it's lowest setting blows it away and on it's highest is better than a 2D cell Mag for general work.

The anodised (?) coating has held up well so far, some light surface marks (to be expected when it's in your pockets with keys) but the Mag had been totally stripped of it's coating and even the machined ridges had been worn smooth over time ad I do expect the Fenix to end up the same although this won't effect it's usability.

If I had to complain about something it's that other than the small keyring there's no way of attaching it to your keys. A small lanyard like the Mag has should be supplied so you can point the light in the same direction as the keys when you're opening a door at night. This ws easily fixed bu some paracord however.

Yes it's not cheap but given it's only around the price of 2 Solitaires I think it's well worth it given the performance gap.

Haven't used the other 2 lights much at all but they're every bit as good.

Now if it lasts as long as the Mag has then it'd be just about perfect. I'll get back to you on that in about 20 years.

[boonhtan]

The good thing abt it is that you dont have to worry abt changing the bulb which is a + point and also you may want to change the battery to lithium to avoid leakage.

[apsilon]

Funny thing was I never changed the bulb in my Solitaire other than to see if a new one would brighten it up a bit. Always use Lithium in my torches. I find it performs better and lasts longer,

[boonhtan]

I used to have a solitaire but the battery leaked and the next - then I found the fenix both the Fenix AAA and the AA which blow the Mag away. so now I carried the Fenix AAA.

[SIRGALANT]

my view on torches ; i find LED lensers to be good value for money i`m currently EDCing my V2 . it has 5 white LEDS and 1 green LED , is very powerful , and the best bit is it runs on 3 AAA batteries. on the other end of the pricing scale (retail anyway) i have a surefire x200 weapon light , this will be going on my crossbow once i get the chance to make the brackets . maglite are ok but they`re not all that great . you can get the tailcap and LED upgrade for the maglite , but i`ve heard even then they`re nothing flash , pun intended.

[apsilon]

Maglite let technology pass them by. There's no arguing they make tough torches and IMO once upon a time they used to be "the" torch but now they've lost their crown and I doubt they'll ever recover it.

Headed bush this coming weekend so I'll get a good chance to put the L2D I picked up through it's paces.