Quark Mini AA2 R5 - Kind of... disappointing

[jekostas]

Well, just got this in today after waiting nearly a month for it (thank you Canada Post) and I have to say it's... it's kind of disappointing, actually.  The body is machined well, the output is great and packaging nice, but the overall fit and finish really leave something to be desired. 
The threads on the head came really gritty, to the point that I had to completely clean the threads and add my own lubricant.  Worse is that when loaded with batteries, this thing rattles and rattles bad.  Every time I hold up the light and move it around a little bit I can hear the batteries clunking around inside, and this is the same on two sets of LSD NiMHs (Eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid), a set of high-cap standard Energizer NiMHs and the Duracell Alkalines supplied by 4Sevens.

I know I got the light at clearance pricing ($29 vs. $44), but come on.  A 1mm longer/stronger spring would've likely nipped it in the bud.

PS:  No, you still can't have it.

[Gareth]

Ah well.   I actually don't mind a touch of rattle in my MT/lights, but if you can't move it without it rattling I can see that easily becoming very annoying, very quickly.

I really liked the look of this one myself but I'm now possibly glad I spent my money elsewhere.

[NutSAK]

I've handled several new Q-MiNis, and I can say that the gritty threads are not out of the ordinary.  I've had to clean and lube all of them.

The battery rattle thing can be annoying, for sure.  I'm sure it doesn't help that the body is so thin either, as it wouldn't "dampen" the sound much.  I may be wrong, but doesn't the tail piece where the clip is mounted unscrew on the AA²?  If so, can you unscrew it and stretch the spring a bit?  Other than that, my only suggestion is to wrap a post-it note around the batteries before inserting them.

[jekostas]

I've handled several new Q-MiNis, and I can say that the gritty threads are not out of the ordinary.  I've had to clean and lube all of them.

The battery rattle thing can be annoying, for sure.  I'm sure it doesn't help that the body is so thin either, as it wouldn't "dampen" the sound much.  I may be wrong, but doesn't the tail piece where the clip is mounted unscrew on the AA²?  If so, can you unscrew it and stretch the spring a bit?  Other than that, my only suggestion is to wrap a post-it note around the batteries before inserting them.

I ended up adding a piece of paper to the tube to stop the rattle.  Yes, easy enough fix, but why should I have to do this with a light that retails in the $45-50 range?

[NutSAK]

I've handled several new Q-MiNis, and I can say that the gritty threads are not out of the ordinary.  I've had to clean and lube all of them.

The battery rattle thing can be annoying, for sure.  I'm sure it doesn't help that the body is so thin either, as it wouldn't "dampen" the sound much.  I may be wrong, but doesn't the tail piece where the clip is mounted unscrew on the AA²?  If so, can you unscrew it and stretch the spring a bit?  Other than that, my only suggestion is to wrap a post-it note around the batteries before inserting them.

I ended up adding a piece of paper to the tube to stop the rattle.  Yes, easy enough fix, but why should I have to do this with a light that retails in the $45-50 range?

Add a piece of paper?  You shouldn't.  Clean and lube the threads?  That wouldn't disappoint me.  I've seen much more expensive, higher quality lights that needed a clean and lube when new.  It's usually the first thing I do when I take a light out of the package anyway.

I guess stretching the spring is out of the question?  If it only requires 1mm as you stated, you should easily be able to obtain that by stretching it.

[jekostas]

I tried stretching the spring already, it wasn't strong enough in it's current state to stop the rattle.  Sorry, why no paper?

[NutSAK]

I tried stretching the spring already, it wasn't strong enough in it's current state to stop the rattle.  Sorry, why no paper?

Sorry, what I meant was, you shouldn't have to add a piece of paper to a light at that price.