4 Sevens Quark AA Tactical Flashlight Review - Pics Up

The Quark series of lights by 4Sevens is a collection of high-efficiency, multi-mode LED lights. These lights are lego-able and offer many different options for not only battery choices, but user-interfaces as well. Among these options are both single and dual cell bodies for AA and CR123 batteries as well as an optional 18650 body. The user-interface can be had in two different options, regular or tactical.

The regular UI has two modes (head tight/head loose) with the following light settings available through cycles of the tailcap:

• Head Tight: Max->Strobe
  
• Head Loose: Moonlight->Low->Medium->High->SOS->Beacon
  

The tactical UI differs by offering two programmable modes (head tight/head loose) of Moonlight, Low, Medium, High, Max, SOS, Strobe OR Beacon. Once the mode is programmed the tailcap only serves as an On/Off/Momentary switch. For example, my EDC light is programmed for Head Tight: Maximum and Head Loose: Low. My nightstand light is programmed for Head Tight: Maximum and Head Loose: Moonlight. Just in case this is thoroughly confusing, here's a link to a demo of the UI.

I decided on the Quark AA Tactical because this light was to be my EDC/CCW light and in an emergency situation I didn’t want to have to cycle through different light levels to get to the one I need. Had this been a camping or hiking light however, I would have probably opted for the regular UI in order to have all of the brightness levels immediately available.

I’ve carried this light everyday for roughly 12 months now and have had zero problems with it. It has been dropped several times with no ill-effects and has maintained its anodizing quite well despite living in my pocket next to a spare Ruger LCP magazine. The amount of light that this little light puts out is nothing short of amazing for all but the most jaded flashaholic. The light is listed as putting out 109 lumens with the supplied Duracell alkaline AA battery, but will push upwards of 230 lumens for roughly 45 minutes with a 14500 3.7v li-ion rechargeable. To put this in perspective, the well-known 2 and 4 D-Cell Mag-lites only manage 25 and 60 lumens, respectively. On the lower end of the scale the Quark AA has been tested as running for more than 100 hours (4 days continuous) on Low (4 lumens) and an amazing 336 hours (14 days continuous!) in moonlight mode (.2 lumens) on an Energizer Lithium (L91) battery.



The tint of the LED on my lights are slightly greenish, however it is only noticeable on a white wall or when compared to a pure-white light source…it in no way effects the usability of the light. The size of this light is perfect for me, it conceals easily in a front pocket and is comfortable in the hand. The one upgrade that I’ve made to my light is to add the flat, forward clicky version of the tailcap from the Quark Turbo series ($12).



The beam on this light is about as perfect as one can get. There are no holes or artifacts in the beam and the transition from hotspot to spill is very smooth. The combination of flood and throw suits my needs very well as it can put out a wall of light, but can also throw a solid 50+ yards.



Overall I’ve found this light to be quite impressive and a valuable asset that I carry 24/7. You can find more information, including complete pricing, runtimes, options, etc. on the 4Sevens website.

I''m interested in one and more interested in seeing one. Your image link ain't working.

sidroski wrote:I''m interested in one and more interested in seeing one. Your image link ain't working.

I just joined the forum, so I have to wait 7 days before the forum will let me post links or pictures. You can check out 4sevens.com and click on the left menu under 4Sevens->Quark Tactical to view the different models.

I'll post pictures as soon as my 7 day waiting period is up.

Hope this helps.

Updated with pics...