This is the single CR123 light in the new 4Sevens Quark series - again on loan by the kind courtesy of 4Sevens.
The packaging for this series is outstanding -
the boxes were in an almost mole-skin/suede like matte black material.
Please see 4Sevens Quark AA Comparison Review for more details of the packaging.
A couple of shots of the Quark Series -
Size -
The Quark 123 is slightly different from the rest of the series in that it comes in either clipped or clipless versions. The clipped version can have its clip removed - but it is somewhat less easy than the rest of the series.
Head -
Comparison on High/Max using primary CR123A -
Clipped vs. Clipless both Max primary CR123A -
these are (obviously) very comparable - since they are basically the same head/electronics/emitter except for the clip - any difference would be in the emitter sample variation (and any electronic component tolerance variation - normally almost negligible) - in this case the clipped version has a cooler tint.
vs. Fenix PD20 Turbo primary CR123A
seems close - but the Quark 123 beam is much wider.
vs. NiteCore EX10 Max primary CR123A
again close the Quark 123 looks a bit brighter to me (Note: this is a different sample of the NiteCore EX10 to the "over-achiever" I had been using - that had over-achieved itself and kind of burnt out....so it is NOT always better to get the brightest sample - this sample looks more typical)
and out of interest compared with the Quark AA (using NiMH)
vs. 4Sevens Quark AA Max NiMH
(note the Quark 123 is on the right)
the Quark 123 is noticably brighter (specs 123 = 170 lumens, AA = 90 lumens)
I think I need to mention/emphasize - the beam quality of these Quarks - I have several samples on hand and have now shown beamshots of 5 separate samples - and all of these Quarks all have smooth beams - thanks to the self-centering design of the reflector to emitter.
Just compare the Quark beams to the already fine Fenix and NiteCores and one can see the difference in smoothness, and lack of artifacts.
Like many others I would still say that practically a less smooth beam is just as useful, and in real-life usage one just is not going to notice much difference.
BUT when a design comes along that more or less GUARANTEES the emitter will be centered to the reflector -
this should be praised like any worthwhile advance in flashlight design.
I personally think that 4Sevens is hiding his light under a bushel!!!
Alright - so what's the Quark 123 like on Minimum?
well, from 4Sevens Quark AA Comparison Review - the only flashlight I have that comes close to getting low was the NiteCore D10 and EX10
clipped Min vs. NiteCore EX10 Min primary CR123A
The Quark 123 manages a noticably lower Minimum than the NiteCore EX10.
Notice the shift in tint for the Quark 123 on low/minimum?
When on Max it was cooler than the NiteCore EX10 - but on minimum is it more yellow-green. I believe this is the difference in design - the NiteCore uses fast PWM which means the current delivered is the same at Max and Min - just pulsed - whereas the Quark uses current regulation - so Min uses a lower current than Max - which changes the tint.......
Just to confirm -
Clipless Min vs. NiteCore EX10 Min primary CR123A
this set of beamshots look similar to the set above other than the tint difference.
OK so we see the Quark 123 also reaches a noticably lower level on Min than the NiteCore EX10 -
Do both the Quark 123 go as low as each other?
Clipped vs. Clipless both Min primary CR123A
very comparable as one would expect.
and out of interest how does the Min/low compare to the Min on the Quark AA?
vs. 4Sevens Quark AA Min NiMH
(note the Quark 123 is on the right)
interesting... the full exposure seems to show that the 123 is just a bit lower - one can only just make that out in the -2 Stops Underexposed shot - which normally is more revealing of differences in brightness levels.
So perhaps it's easier to regulate current using a CR123 since it is 3Volts vs. the 1.5Volts of an AA battery?
Overall another winner in the Quark series - I am particularly taken with the clipless version using the finger loop.
and really love the smooth beam because of the self-centering emitter to reflector design -
very WELL DONE 4Sevens!
INDEX to Follow-Up Parts -
Standardized Stairway beamshot comparison - Post #4
Current Draw at tailcap using primary CR123A - Post #22
The packaging for this series is outstanding -
the boxes were in an almost mole-skin/suede like matte black material.
Please see 4Sevens Quark AA Comparison Review for more details of the packaging.
A couple of shots of the Quark Series -
Size -
The Quark 123 is slightly different from the rest of the series in that it comes in either clipped or clipless versions. The clipped version can have its clip removed - but it is somewhat less easy than the rest of the series.
Head -
Comparison on High/Max using primary CR123A -
Clipped vs. Clipless both Max primary CR123A -
these are (obviously) very comparable - since they are basically the same head/electronics/emitter except for the clip - any difference would be in the emitter sample variation (and any electronic component tolerance variation - normally almost negligible) - in this case the clipped version has a cooler tint.
vs. Fenix PD20 Turbo primary CR123A
seems close - but the Quark 123 beam is much wider.
vs. NiteCore EX10 Max primary CR123A
again close the Quark 123 looks a bit brighter to me (Note: this is a different sample of the NiteCore EX10 to the "over-achiever" I had been using - that had over-achieved itself and kind of burnt out....so it is NOT always better to get the brightest sample - this sample looks more typical)
and out of interest compared with the Quark AA (using NiMH)
vs. 4Sevens Quark AA Max NiMH
(note the Quark 123 is on the right)
the Quark 123 is noticably brighter (specs 123 = 170 lumens, AA = 90 lumens)
I think I need to mention/emphasize - the beam quality of these Quarks - I have several samples on hand and have now shown beamshots of 5 separate samples - and all of these Quarks all have smooth beams - thanks to the self-centering design of the reflector to emitter.
Just compare the Quark beams to the already fine Fenix and NiteCores and one can see the difference in smoothness, and lack of artifacts.
Like many others I would still say that practically a less smooth beam is just as useful, and in real-life usage one just is not going to notice much difference.
BUT when a design comes along that more or less GUARANTEES the emitter will be centered to the reflector -
this should be praised like any worthwhile advance in flashlight design.
I personally think that 4Sevens is hiding his light under a bushel!!!
Alright - so what's the Quark 123 like on Minimum?
well, from 4Sevens Quark AA Comparison Review - the only flashlight I have that comes close to getting low was the NiteCore D10 and EX10
clipped Min vs. NiteCore EX10 Min primary CR123A
The Quark 123 manages a noticably lower Minimum than the NiteCore EX10.
Notice the shift in tint for the Quark 123 on low/minimum?
When on Max it was cooler than the NiteCore EX10 - but on minimum is it more yellow-green. I believe this is the difference in design - the NiteCore uses fast PWM which means the current delivered is the same at Max and Min - just pulsed - whereas the Quark uses current regulation - so Min uses a lower current than Max - which changes the tint.......
Just to confirm -
Clipless Min vs. NiteCore EX10 Min primary CR123A
this set of beamshots look similar to the set above other than the tint difference.
OK so we see the Quark 123 also reaches a noticably lower level on Min than the NiteCore EX10 -
Do both the Quark 123 go as low as each other?
Clipped vs. Clipless both Min primary CR123A
very comparable as one would expect.
and out of interest how does the Min/low compare to the Min on the Quark AA?
vs. 4Sevens Quark AA Min NiMH
(note the Quark 123 is on the right)
interesting... the full exposure seems to show that the 123 is just a bit lower - one can only just make that out in the -2 Stops Underexposed shot - which normally is more revealing of differences in brightness levels.
So perhaps it's easier to regulate current using a CR123 since it is 3Volts vs. the 1.5Volts of an AA battery?
Overall another winner in the Quark series - I am particularly taken with the clipless version using the finger loop.
and really love the smooth beam because of the self-centering emitter to reflector design -
very WELL DONE 4Sevens!
INDEX to Follow-Up Parts -
Standardized Stairway beamshot comparison - Post #4
Current Draw at tailcap using primary CR123A - Post #22
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