My new toys have arrived.

[Millhouse]

Just got a 4Sevens Quark AA2 Tactical and an ITP A3 EOS stainless steel.

Since selling my Fenix LD20, I have only had 1 2AA light, so needed another to supplement it. I really like the 2 user defineable modes of the Quark, and it has a really nice beam profile as well.

The ITP is now on my keys. It replaces my old Fenix E01 which just wasn't bright enough.

[Neil]

My old Fenix 2AA has been missing in action for over six months   I really need to replace it.

Good choice on the ITP A3 they are a cracking little light

[NutSAK]

Is your Quark an XP-G?  How do you like the beam profile?

I have two XP-Es and an XP-G, and I prefer the XP-E profile.  I find the hotspot too broad on the XP-G, and it needs a bit more throw.

[Millhouse]

The Quark has an XP-G R5. It has a broad hot spot and a uniform side spill. Great for use over short to medium ranges. You are right in that it is not a thrower.

The next purchase may be a Quark AA2 Tactical with Turbo Head.

[NutSAK]

The Quark has an XP-G R5. It has a broad hot spot and a uniform side spill. Great for use over short to medium ranges. You are right in that it is not a thrower.

The next purchase may be a Quark AA2 Tactical with Turbo Head.

I wouldn't even consider the Quark XP-E a thrower either, really, but it's a better compromise for me than the XP-G, even though the XP-G's R5 bin is more efficient/brighter.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd love to read a review of the Quark once you've had it a while please mate

[Millhouse]

Since getting my 2AA Quark Tactical, I have now added 2 1AA lights as well. Here is my first impression of the Quarks.



The lights come in very nice packaging, which contains the light, spare O rings, sheath, lanyard, batteries and rubber grip. For the 1 AA, you get a finger loop, and the 2AA, a hand grip.

1AA



2AA



For a long time, my favourite lights were the Fenix L1 and L2T series. I liked the simplicity of having 2 modes, selected by simply tightening or loosening the bezel. The Quark Tactical series takes this to another level. They have 2 modes of operation, but the 2 modes are user definable from 8 different levels – moonlight, low, medium, high, turbo, SOS, strobe and beacon.

The moonlight mode of 0.2 lumens is very useful. It allows the light to be used discreetly without drawing attention to yourself or disrupting night vision.

The rest of the lighting modes are sensibly spaced, so should suit most tasks.

All three of my Quarks use the XP-G R5 emitter. The beam profile is very nice, a broad hotspot and smooth side spill. These lights are definitely not throwers, but are good if you want something to use at short and medium ranges.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Thanks for the mini review mate

I'm very impressed with my Mini AA, and can see a good few Quark's in my future

[Millhouse]

I can as well. Thinking of a Quark Turbo next.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I can as well. Thinking of a Quark Turbo next.

They've got an awesome runtime on low

[nuphoria]

Considering one myself, but not the Mini as I have to have a clickie!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Considering one myself, but not the Mini as I have to have a clickie!

The threads are so smooth you can use the mini easily one handed

[John]

Haven't made up my mind which one I'll get but I might have to add a tail standing tailcap to my order 

[NutSAK]

Very nice Millhouse.  I hope you like your Quarks as well as I like mine. 

[Millhouse]

They are really growing on me. As well as being decent performers, I like the interface of the tactical series.

[NutSAK]

They are really growing on me. As well as being decent performers, I like the interface of the tactical series.

 

The only Quarks I own (beside the MiNis) have the tactical interface.  The tacticals are a compromise for me.  While I would prefer the best of both worlds; one where I could have momentary-on and easily change the levels with one hand; at least with the tac models I have the levels I want at my fingertips w/out having SOS and strobe in the way.

My Quarks are mostly set to turbo and medium.  They're not my primary EDC though (carried daily, but not in pocket).  If I were to do that, I'd use low and high or low and turbo.

For EDC, the NiteCore SmartPD models and the Novatac/Ra lights work best for me.  They allow me to easily select all the levels I need with one hand.  Quark MiNis have an excellent interface and well-spaced levels, but you lose the "tactical" aspect with the twisty interface....

....what a quandary...