While at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, FL, I got a chance to handle the new ARC-2 searchlight from SureFire.  The ARC-2 is an extremely powerful handheld light that can also serve as a vehicle mounted light.

How bright is the ARC-2?  The unit puts out 4,500 lumens and 1,000,000 candela.  (Note: The SureFire website indicates 890,000 candela.  However, both the printed literature at SOFIC and the SureFire rep stated 1,000,000.)  With that much power, the light will illuminate a target with at least 1 lux of light at a minimum of 2,000 meters.

The light has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.  The standard battery will run the light for 80 minutes.  However, an extended battery (in both length and run time) will increase output to 120 minutes.  A battery meter is located on the butt of the light.  Weight with the standard battery is 4.3 pounds.

MSRP has not been set, but the rep told me to expect this one under $2,000 with a probable price of “$1,500-ish.”  This is probably not the light for keeping in the average pickup truck, but it is rugged enough to mount to a SOF vehicle and go into combat.  That kind of ruggedization isn’t cheap.  The light should be shipping soon.