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Light & Motion ARC Lights

We first reviewed the Arc in 2002. At the time it was brand new on the market. It was one of the brightest available, as well. HIDs were just hitting the big time, and it was anyones guess how well they would last or if the high price would kill them off quickly.

Not only did they last, but the following year Light & Motion introduced the Arc Li-Ion reducing the weight significantly while increasing the already long burn time a little. I am happy to report that both lights have seen considerable use. The Arc is a bar mount only, with a water bottle NiMH battery. The burn time is as long now as it was when we first received the light.

That is more a testament to Light and Motions charger than anything else. They continue to charge the batteries monitoring the temperature. This allows them to charge at the maximum rate without damaging the battery.

The Arc Li-Ion has spent about half it’s life as a helmet mount. You want to light up the night? Put one of these babies on your head and bars. You can go as fast as you can at full noon. Your riding buddies will turn off their lights and ride by yours.

These lights truly are that bright.I have used the lights for mountain biking at night and commuting to and from work in the worst possible rainstorms and the lights have never let me down. The connectors have never failed and the lights have always turned on.

The only issue we have had was with the original Arc. The ballast started to misbehave. The light still lit, and I was never stranded, but it would dim down into a reddish color and then brighten back up. This behavior isn’t unusual in and of itself—any sharp blow will stir the gasses in the bulb enough to cause this to happen—but the light was doing this sitting on a shelf.

A quick call to Light and Motion and the light head was on its way back. After a quick diagnosis, they replaced the ballast and shipped the light head back. They were very prompt and got the job done.

They stand behind their product 100%. The Li-Ion has been trouble free. I recommend Light and Motion to anyone looking for a reliable lighting system. If you can swing the price of entry, get an Arc or Arc Li-Ion. They don’t disappoint and cars will see you, guaranteed, and that kind of piece of mind is priceless.