Rugged Portable Power Station & Light

Product Description

Combining a bright LED light, portable power charger, and outdoor hanging lantern, the ARC Rechargeable Light and Portable Power Station provides several days of light and power with its 10,400 mAh and high-speed USB charging port. Hang it, angle it, or mount it for 180 degrees of hands-free lighting.

The 60 LEDs produce an ultra-bright 320 lumens of light power, and they can be dimmed down to 20. Change the color temperature from cool (6500k, best for seeing details and reading) to neutral (4200k, best for working around the campsite) or warm (3000k, great for social settings like backyard parties). The ARC also includes 10 brightness settings and an SOS feature for emergencies.

The built-in Li-ion battery provides provides 8 to 96 hours of light (depending on brightness setting) and 32 Wh (watt hours) of charging power. The 1.5-amp high-speed USB port enables you to charge a wide variety of devices -- from mobile phones and tablets to digital cameras and Bluetooth speakers. The ARC will charge most iPhone models up to five times, Android phones up to three times, and tablets up to one time. A battery indicator displays available power, and the ARC can be recharged via micro-USB port in 7 hours when connected to a 2.0-amp charger.

Weighing 16 ounces, the ARC has an adjustable metal kickstand and an IPX5-rated spray proof casing. It has a 1/4"-20 threaded point for mounting to tripods, as well as using Gear Aid, RAM, and GoPro mounts (GoPro adapter sold separately) for mounting on vehicles, racks, canopies, awnings, tables, and windows. The included storage bag can be used as a light diffuser and hung for transforming the ARC into a soft-glowing outdoor lantern. It’s backed by a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

Gear Aid makes hard-working products that go the distance -- glue that outlasts your boots, patches that never peel away, water repellents that work, and portable electronics that give light and power for days.

Features

• USB rechargeable LED light and portable power pack; quickly changes into outdoor hanging lantern with included diffuser bag and hanging hook
• 10,400 mAh Li-ion battery recharges phones, tablets, and other devices with 1.5-amp USB port; charges most iPhones up to 5 times
• Fully adjustable light with 3 color temperatures and 10 brightness settings; runs 20 to 320 lumens for 8 to 96 hours of operation
• 1/4"-20 threaded point for mounting to tripods plus Gear Aid, RAM, and GoPro mounts (GoPro adapter sold separately)
• Built with an adjustable metal kickstand; IPX5-rated spray proof casing

Top Reviews

Solid build quality and simple interface. Great adventure and vehicle mounted overlanding light.
by jtfreelancer (5 out of 5 stars)
January 8, 2017

This is a solid built light. It is bright and I'm sure hits the advertised 690 lumen mark. I was on the fence between this and the model below it (Arc) due to size, weight, and price considerations. I am happy I spent the extra money and went with this model. I have compared it to my Streamlight Siege lantern which has 320 lumens and it is noticeably brighter though not by much. I'll discuss lumens more at the bottom if you're interested.

As far as issues other users have had I have not had these problems. The charging cable fits with no complications. The ridge that supposedly blocks the cable actually has a break in it that allows the cable to plug in. I did not need to find another cable.

The second issue I saw someone report is the handle only rotates 90 degrees when 180 is advertised. That reviewer misunderstood the light's specifications. McNett is stating the light beam pattern is 180 degrees rather than that the handle rotates 180 degrees. The reason the handle doesn't rotate completely from bottom to top is because the hard stop at 90 degrees allows you to set the light on the ground and have it angled up at 90 degrees. Another great feature about the rotating handle is that is has very firm catch points as you move it from 0 to 90 degrees. This allows the light to remain at the angle you set it if it is sitting on the ground or attached to a bracket.

This brings me to my last point. Don't waste your money on the RAM brackets. There are plenty of options on Amazon for 1/4" mounts. I bought a suction mount for $10 that works great! Then there's always the tripod option. This light will screw into any mount that a camera would screw into.

LUMENS and Arc vs Flux: This gets into the weeds, but if you don't know how lumens work you should probably read this. At the beginning I said this light is noticeably brighter than my 320 lumen Siege. However, it is not noticeably twice as bright. Lumens is a measure of the total light output of a light. Beam pattern plays a large part in perceived brightness and the distance a light will reach. Both the Siege and McNett lights output 180 degree flood patterns. This is important because that means the lumens are spread over a much larger area than with a flashlight beam. Just looking at the numbers you might think 320x2 is 640 so the Flux must be twice as bright as the Streamlight Siege or the McNett Arc. In truth though because of the geometry of the pattern the 690 lumens is only slightly brighter than my 320 lumen Siege when run side by side. In order to truly double the perceived brightness of this 180 degree flood pattern you need a light in the 1200 lumen range. So if size and weight are a concern you probably should pick the Arc over the Flux. It will only be slightly dimmer. I went with the Flux because at the time the price was only $20 more since it was an open box deal and the battery in the Flux has twice the capacity. I think the Flux would be a little too big and heavy for backpacking. The Arc would be better suited for that. I chose the Flux as a camp light and to attach to my vehicle while overlanding.
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A couple small issues
by nozama (3 out of 5 stars)
December 31, 2016

The light seems good so far. I just got it and haven't really used it, but it looks well built, is easy to use, and meets my expectations for brightness. A couple small issues are immediately apparent, though, and while not deal-breakers by any means, for a light this expensive they knock it down a couple stars.

First, the charging cable doesn't fit. It's a proper micro-USB cable, but this particular cable has a wide plastic housing on the micro-USB connector that catches on a raised edge on the light's housing and prevents the connector from being fully inserted. I have a bazillion of these cables lying around, so I just grabbed another one and it fit fine, so I can now charge the light (it showed 3/4 charged out of the box).

The other issue is the rotating metal handle/mount. It only rotates 90 degrees. The item description states "180 degrees of hands-free lighting", but to achieve that, for instance when mounted by the 1/4" mounting hole, you'd have to unmount it, turn it over, and remount it. Probably not an issue in most use-cases, but still misleading. Also, the cable sockets are within the 90 degree rotating arc, so if you have anything plugged in you only get about 30 degrees of tilt.

Lastly, and probably most annoying, is that when the handle is the fully folded position there's not enough room to get your fingers under it to get a good grip. This would be the natural way to grab it if you were carrying it as a lantern. So you either hold it by your fingertips, or rotate the handle to get more clearance, which puts the light at an angle pointing downward instead of forward.

Still, I think it's a good light. It's small and sturdy, and gives nice, even light. The exceptional battery life (still untested by me) and light-level adjustability are big reasons I bought this, and are things that just aren't available on other products as far as I've seen. I mainly got it for use as a portable work light and battery backup, and for those uses I think it will serve very well.

I'd also considered the possibility of using this as a camera/video light, and given the even light pattern, color temperature adjustment, 1/4" mounting hole, and long battery life, I think it could be quite useful in that role as well. Here again though, the mounting handle is a limiting factor, as it doesn't allow for any forward/downward tilting from a standard vertical light stand mounting stud (it allows 90 degrees upward only), so it would require some additional articulation such as a ball-head mount.
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One of my favorite purchases.
by Elevator Man (5 out of 5 stars)
November 9, 2017

I am a Elevator Mechanic and I use this everyday.

It fits perfect in my veto propac just next to my multimeter. The different brightness settings are really nice. Also the bracket has a 1/4 20 threaded hole that i screwed a magnet into. I can stick this thing on any metal surface and have plenty of light to do what i need. Ive used this thing on full brightness for 2 hours at a time 2 days in a row on a full charge and it still had plenty of juice the next day.

Its also a charger for any of your usb devices. Super handy and very very durable.

I have dropped this thing about 12 feet onto concrete and still sealed up tight. I may have gotten a luck bounce but trust me its built very well.

Must have for an elevator service tech.

Its a flood light so you wont get a beam that shines far distance but for what i do its great.

It will liggt up a cartop and pit much much better than the existing bulbs.

No regrets so far im very pleased.

Ill update the review in 6 months since i really pull this out and use it everyday.
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A must for next camping trip
by Kenting Adventures (5 out of 5 stars)
July 5, 2017

The Gear Aid Rechargeable Light is great. Easy to use and combined with the magnetic mount allows the Gear aid to be used in multiple places on Truck or Trailer. Each camping trip I find myself placing it in a different location depending on the camp setup (passenger or driver side, front / back etc). I have 3 of these complete with Gear Aid lights and magnetic mounts and one faces down to light up cooler at rear passenger door, another on rear end lighting up the ground so not to blind people and another on the adventure trailer lighting up the back of the 4Runner. I also use them as back up lights on the adventure trailer and it is heavy enough to place on a table or the ground if you are setting up a tent, making a fire or setting up the kitchen in the dark as well. I have multiple Rigid Industries lights mounted on truck / trailer but these prove to be great addition and so easy to use. Charge before your trip and use them where extra light is needed. The adjustable brightness and adjustable color temp is fantastic, the warmer color temps are not as hard on the eyes and with adjustable brightness it is easy to find combination that is not too bright but still helpful. Recently I found myself turning off my Rigid Industries SRM lights mounted on the sides of the 4runner and used the Gear Aid because I could control the light temperature and output for the situation. Great product combined with the light mount and a must for camping and Overlanding.
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Bright light with plenty Of power
by George W (3 out of 5 stars)
March 29, 2019

Although it's expensive it's well-made The batteries last a long time and being able to change the color of light from bright white two yellow and then half-and-half really is a cool option it's definitely a little heavy and I wish they had done a better job with some kind of stand or clamp My largest complaint about this unit is that the buttons to power it on and off vary the brightness. And adjust the color of the light or on the back of the unit are not illuminated if you use the light all the time Then obviously you will remember the location of the buttons and which one does what however if like me You don't use it on a regular basis it's definitely an issue
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Perfect
by Greg Miller (5 out of 5 stars)
September 20, 2019

We've been hiking and camping with friends of ours that are well equipped but at night they pull out these miserable cold blue anemic camp lights that makes the camp site feel like detox cell. I had looked a long time to find a tungsten or warm white colored camp light. There's so little available. Then I came across this amazing light.

This thing feels like it was built for NASA or a Military. It looks and feels extreme well built and add to that it's very well thought out and ergonomic. I like that it has multiple buttons to control it's features and not a single button where you need to use multiple clicks or different length of holding down a button to get to what you want.

Why it so hard to find warm toned camp lights I don't know but this one is designed about perfectly. Now our campsite feels warm and cozy.
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Will not function unless plugged in
by Amazon Customer (1 out of 5 stars)
June 13, 2019

I have been incredibly excited to purchase the Flux since I was introduced to it by a friend on a camping trip. I camp almost every other weekend so this is a perfect addition to my outdoor kit and to my photography kit.

Upon arrival, I plugged it in and charged it for 18 hours. It works when plugged in but not when I unplug it. The battery is defective.

I'm bummed because I ordered it for a women's dual sport ride trip that I am leading for the upcoming weekend and I will not have the light, so have to choose a plan B and head to Home Depot to find a solution.

I requested a return and exchange. I sincerely hope the next light to arrive is not defective as well.

I will update my review when I receive my new Flux.
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First two Great - Ordered 20,800 Twice Now and Both Bad
by Larry E OHara (4 out of 5 stars)
October 11, 2018

I loved the first two 10,400 mAh/ 320 lumens (smaller) and still do . . . so much I decided to upgrade. The first one was DOA so I sent back for exchange. Now second is DOA. Will not light, will not charge up . . . I guess I'll try one more time
10/21/18: Amazon sent another with hesitation . . .again dead. Will not light up, will not charge even if plugged in for 2 days.

Manufacturer seemed interested in resolving and confirmed the battery(s) were faulty by having me perform a test. Since they first asked for my address I assumed they cared that there was an issue. Today I get an email that I can "send it in for them to test it". I needed these for an upcoming trip. . . who has time for this? I honestly loved / love the first units and wanted to purchase several of the larger but when 3 in a row do not function what do you do?
11/12/18

I'm happy to say, while it was a pain, the manufacturer did step up and send a new working unit. They required the return of course which after 3x it becomes a bit of a irritation but in the end I have a working product. The tossed in a car charger as well which I felt was good form. Solid lights. Hopefully Amazon will get a good batch so I can purchase more here.
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This is a great light. The other reviews have sung its many ...
by magcat (4 out of 5 stars)
April 14, 2018

This is a great light. The other reviews have sung its many praises but I wanted to address some ergonomic short comings ,hopefully Gear aid will fix in future versions.

The ON switch is small and hard to find in the dark,they made a bezel but its hard to find by feel -its the first in a row of similar buttons...and there is nothing in its symmetrical square design to orient your hand..

It always comes on in lowest power mode-makes sense in a way..but getting to full brightness means pushing the the ^ button over and over and over..many other (less expensive) lights allow at least some programing..

My "dream" to is to have a remote control-can be really nice for an area/tent light

The handle is to close to the body to use as a walking lantern (ie facing forward,arm at side)-another half inch clearance ( and maybe some rubber cush?-its sharp edged) and I could get my fingers in there.

These are quibbles in a great product-V2.0 Gearaid ?
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WOW
by Imbasman (5 out of 5 stars)
July 19, 2017

Better than expected, have been using it as a work light while spackling my ceiling. Lights up a good size area outside and the adjustability of light intensity and color spectrum make it extremely versatile. Would highly recommend this and I am a flashlight junkie.

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