Sierra Trading Post has the CEG Infinity Task Light for sale for $11.95 U.S., rather than $18 at REI. Find some more stuff you like there to spread out the shipping charge, and it could be a deal. (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/product.asp?base_no=99306&itemsearch=yes)

I'm used to carrying a Photon or Pulsar, but thinking about switching to the Infinity for EDC. Anyone else done the switch?

Rob,

I picked up 3 CMG lights from Campmor awhile back when they were running a similar sale. I have been pretty happy with them, and so far, no problems. They are nice in that they use common batteries, and seem pretty durable. My wife carried one around during the recent Isabel induced power outage, and really liked it.

This past weekend I picked up an Arc AAA, which is a very similar design, but obviously uses the smaller battery. It definately wins on size advantage, but it was more expensive. So far I like it, and it has quite a following.

I don't think you will go wrong with the lights themselves, if you aren't too concerned about the size difference between the Photon and the Infinity.

Greg

The SportsAuthority online has the CMG Infinity for 9.95 + shipping:

SportsAuthority CMG

kf

Here is a thread from a couple of years back[/url]. It's short but unanimous in its dissatisfaction with the Infinity.

CMG infinity light update

Does anyone know if CMG has improved the Task Light since then? Are they brighter and more reliable nowadays?

Stay safe,
J.T.

Infinity has improved the Task Light - the newer ULTRA version is what I have now on my key-ring. And yes, I like it.

For years, I carried a Mag-Lite 'Solitatre' on my key-chain. Cute, but always rather dull. But after reading about the Infinity, I got one several years ago. I loved it. Tough, cheap batteries, and as bright as your average 'Solitare'. But then my brother (a.k.a. Peanut) got a Photon. We did a little comparison and, well... I suddenly had Photon envy. <img src="images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Big time. The Infinity was, to not put too fine a point on it, dim. And about the same time, it just quit working. No drops, no nothing. So, into 'The-Drawer-of-Misfit-Toys' it went, and I got a Photon II.

My adoration of the Photon lasted about..... 15 minutes, I'd say. Its brightness waned almost immediately. Within a few weeks, it was as dull as my Infinity (my keys kept setting it off in my pocket). That first battery-change-from-hell clinched it, and it, too, was exiled into the 'The-Drawer-of-Misfit-Toys'. My brother gave me a Photon III, but that one died, too. It was cute, what with all the blinky settings, but the appeal soon fizzled. (I still keep one in my PSK, with the tab still under the battery. Hey, dim light is better than no light, right?). My 'Solitare' returned to the key-ring.

About 9 months ago, as I was about to pitch the old Infinity, I remembered CMG had some sort of return / money back policy. Well, being cheap, I went to the company's website to see how I could flow some sawbucks my way. Instead, I saw the blurb for the ULTRA. A few e-mails later (CMG's people are very friendly and responsive), I sent my old Task Light off, and got a new ULTRA in return. It's almost as bright as the Arc AAA-LE, so I'm happy. It has one nice feature that I like - it is heavy. I keep my keys on a short (4") lanyard. Car keys on one end, house keys, office keys, Leatherman Squirt and Ultra on the other. In a self-defense pinch, swing and connect with all that and, OUCH!

Hope this helps.

.....CLIFF

Texas Tactical Supply has the Infinity Ultra fo $15.99 and the new Infinity Sonic for $12.99. Texas Tactical Supply is also very reasonably on shipping.
The Sonic is supposed to be just as bright as the Ultra but smaller using one AAA battery instead of a AA. THe Ultra is a fantastic light. I have carried one continuously for over 10 months and deployed overseas with it. I now carry the Sonic on a lanyard at work but the Ultra is in my pocket the rest of the time.
Link:
Texas Tactical Supply

Hope this helps,

Turk

Thanks for the input, folks. Seems like maybe I should go with the ARC AAA instead.

Haven't said anything to date, but wanted to say "Thanks" to everyone for comments as well. Robert asked the question I've been pondering...

I've been weighing the merits of the Arc AAA -vs- CMG Infinity/Ultra for the past few weeks, myself. Looks like the more expensive Arc is a clear-cut winner. Check out CandlePowerForums for more info.

Thanks again.

David

David:

I have the ARC AAA and the Ultra G. If you want EDC the AAA is the way to go. For outdoor gear, though, I like the Ultra G because it is bigger and easier to handle.

my $.02

Chris

FWIW, ARC Flashlights currently is selling a llimited run of AA size LED flashlights based upon their ever popular AAA size model. At the moment, they have the units made, and expect to start shipping early October. Based upon the AAA, they will be pretty great little lights and a 10 hour run time has been mentioned.

http://store.yahoo.com/flashlight/arcaa.html

This link should take you to the pre-order page.

There are several varieties available, all hard anodized type III.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthre...amp;amp;fpart=1
This link should take you to a Candle Power Forums thread that discusses the AA in more detail.



Take a look.

Regards,
Comanche7

The CMG Infinity Ultra is as bright as the ARC AAA Limited edition but it is less than half the price.

Led Museum Review

The CMG Sonic is just as bright as the Infinity Ultra bu is smaller being a AAA light: Either way a better deal for equal lumens.

Led Review of Sonic

Turk

Not being nit picking here, or disputing the link above...I just went back to the Ledmuseum website and looked up the AAA Arc and noted that the link in the post above is dated 09-16-02 for the Infinity.

There is a much later link for the AAA Arc dated 08-28-03 comparing the Arc and Infinity again.
This should take you there.
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledleft.htm

Regards,
Comanche7

I am also not nit picking, but we are talking Apples and Oranges. I am comparing the Infinity ULTRA vs the ARC Limited Edition (or L.E). Your reviews are comparing the old Infinity Task Light vs the standard ARC, which I will agree is a better light than the old Infinity. The Infinity ULTRA, I believe, is shown to match the ARC L.E. in brightness for around half the price if you shop around. (Best price I have found is Texas Tactical Supply) It does come down to confidence in the product and personal preference. So Whichever you prefer is the right choice for you.

Turk

Well, IMO you both make good points. All three are sturdy and relatively bright lights (for size).

Here's my 2 cents:

The ARC AAA LE has all-over precision knurling and HA-III anodizing and so far that is as tough as they claim. So far, not a scratch on it from EDC in a "hazardous" location (RF pocket; truck keys +, work auto keys +, Micra, Schrade 340T) (Yes, I did saw deeply into another namebrand flashlight with an LE - one stroke thru the other's anodizing and deep into the body - I couldn't resist trying it and it flabbergasted me.)

I don't carry a Sonic (two kids do), but I predict they will scuff up like a Solitaire over time - no big deal <shrug>

I like the CMGs a lot - but there is a look and feel to the ARC AAA LE that screams "quality" and "elegance in design" - you have to hold one and use it to sense this, I suppose. It's remarkable - understated techo art or something.

But the CMGs cost a heck of a lot less and both the I-ultra and the Sonic seem to be about as bright. Both the Infinity Ultra and the Sonic are some of the gifts I will be sending to family members this year. A special birthday for a sib is an ARC AAA LE, though...

And I *DID* pre-order some of Peter's AA version ARCs <grin>

The ARC AAAs and the CMG Sonics have replaced our EDC Photon II whites. Which reminds me - I need to get a few ARC AAA reds to replace some EDC Photon II reds... too bad the Sonic does not have a red LED variant. Lights based on AAs are a bit large for EDC pocket carry for my tastes - the Sonic and ARC AAA are just right.

There is just enough mass and volume to both ARC AAA and Sonic that I sense their presence or absence in my pocket throughout the day, which has been an off-and-on issue with the Photon IIs - they are so light that they have been "invisible" in my pockets and I've misplaced them/dropped out of a pocket unnoticed a few times as a result - who would have thought... OTOH, I prefer the Photon on a neck lanyard for exactly the same "invisibility" reason - YMMV. But I rarely use a neck lanyard.

So our Photon II whites are finally going where they are a great fit - the PSK/FAK type stashes. And I think the reds/oranges/yellows are going to become "permanently" attached to attic loops in our various packable tents (girth-hitched short lanyards). There is a slight chance that they will get turned on when packed, but we'll see.

Regards,

Tom

Well, after weighing all the posts here, I went ahead and ordered the Sonic from Texas Tactical. It fits my current price range and feature requirements. Thanks for everyone's input.