Arc-AAA Torch / Flashlight
I have one of these:
Arc-AAA LED Torch / Flashlight
It’s an Arc-AAA torch (flashlight, for those of the American persuasion). Specifically, it’s the Arc-AAA ‘Premium Edition’.
In short, it’s awesome.
Go, buy one.
No, I don’t get a kickback.Â
If I know you, and you’re on my (very short) list of people who get birthday or Christmas presents, then there’s a good chance that I’ve given you one of these.
You’ve probably wondered a little at the time about my choice in gifts, but smiled and been gracious anyway. And then after using the torch a few times, had an ‘ah hah!’ moment, and my gift didn’t seem so strange after all.
There are three models of Arc-AAA:
- Â The Arc-AAA LED Flashlight – this is the standard version, costs US$29.95, ‘CS’ LED, minimum output about 5.5 lumens, minimum run time about 5 hours until it’s down to 50% light output.
- The Arc-AAA ‘Premium Edition’ – this doesn’t seem to be available any more, it did cost US$44.95, ‘DS’ LED, minimum output about 9 lumens, minimum run time is the same as the Standard model. This is the one that I have, and have given out to a few friends and family.
- The Arc-AAA ‘Premium w/GS LED’ – this is available as of February 2009, and costs US$49.95, ‘GS’ LED, minimum output about 10.5 lumens, minimum run time is the same as the other models.
I could wax lyrical about this piece of kit, but I won’t, because Dan Rutter at dansdata.com has already done so.
At length.
Twice.
His reviews are very, very  good, so go and read them, although ignore any and all references to Arc being out of business (they were, but they rose from the dead, and I can confirm that I bought Arc-AAA’s off their website in late 2008):
- Dan’s first review of the original Arc-AAA, from 2001 (!). He’s updated the review recently with longevity comments, so read this one first.
- Dan’s most recent review, of the Arc-AAA versus another LED torch.
In: Cool Kit, General Nerdery, Review · Tagged with: arc, arc-aaa, BOB, DansData, flashlight, LED, torch