AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
4Sevens MiNi CR2 - Submitted for consideration for the review forum.
This recent entry by 4Sevens into the heavily populated EDC Market expands their existing Q MiNi line to include the tiny CR2 cell that has been growing in popularity as LEDs become more efficient.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Meat and Potatoes
The Q MiNi CR2 is really just another optional power source package for the acclaimed electronics of the rest of the Q MiNi line (as well as the Preon line). 4Sevens continues to find useful methods of repurposing their design into all manner of lights. However, don't be fooled, that's not a bad thing. The net result is that the cost savings of mass producing a universal driver are then passed down to you, the consumer. The entire Q MiNi line are affordable entry level lights that use the latest in emitter technology in a big way.
The use of a CR2 cell in these little pocket rockets gives them a full 3V power source, the same as the venerable CR123 cell, however the reduction in cell size has been fully taken advantage of, as the MiNi CR2 is one of the smallest torches I have ever seen. It never fails to draw comments about how so small a flashlight could possibly put out such a bright 180 Lumen beam. That beam is incredibly useful as well. The combination of a small, textured reflector and the larger LED die of the Cree XP-G create a perfectly flawless very floody beam that works wonders for close to medium range illumination.
Cree XP-G
Being almost an identical light to the rest of the MiNi line, there isn't much to say that hasn't been said. This light is a combination of a fairly useful UI that sticks with just the basics of "Low", "Medium", and "High" (unless you specifically are looking for more), and an incredibly small and pocketable size.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Constructive Criticism
Again, due to the similarities to the rest of the MiNi line my points of recommendation also remain quite predictable. As useful as the simplistic 3 mode UI is, I still find myself wondering whether it could be made better. Power cycling works in a pinch as a method of mode change, but I continue to wonder whether a "Twist further to increase" type interface could be implemented with a 3 stage light. To reiterate however, this isn't really a case of the current UI being problematic, but rather a "what if?" on my part.
Similarly, the one frustration that showed up during extended use of the other MiNi lights has also cropped up here to some extent. The fine threads of the entire MiNi line do not seem to be the robust square cut threading of the remainder of the 4Sevens brand. There is actually a pronounced bit of thread play with these lights causing them to sometimes jump through levels unexpectedly when you are activating them or re-selecting modes. This problem goes away by using more deliberate motions (usually involving two hands rather than one), but on the fly it tends to come up fairly often. Now having had the chance to test out 5 different samples I can definitely say that though this situation appears to be prevalent through the entire line, the extent that it is a noticeable problem is variable. My sample for the MiNi CR2 happens to be the least issue of all the lights I tested. Whether the tolerances have been tightened up some since this subject first came up or it was merely luck of the draw, I cannot say.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Conclusions
When I first tested a Q MiNi I thought it to be one of the most versatile, inconspicuous lights available on the market. After spending some time with them and also now with this new sub-compact CR2 model, my opinions have changed little. It seems to be the epitome of an EDC light, combining usefulness with minute proportions in a technologically advanced package.
Provided for the duration of the review by 4Sevens.
This recent entry by 4Sevens into the heavily populated EDC Market expands their existing Q MiNi line to include the tiny CR2 cell that has been growing in popularity as LEDs become more efficient.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Meat and Potatoes
The Q MiNi CR2 is really just another optional power source package for the acclaimed electronics of the rest of the Q MiNi line (as well as the Preon line). 4Sevens continues to find useful methods of repurposing their design into all manner of lights. However, don't be fooled, that's not a bad thing. The net result is that the cost savings of mass producing a universal driver are then passed down to you, the consumer. The entire Q MiNi line are affordable entry level lights that use the latest in emitter technology in a big way.
The use of a CR2 cell in these little pocket rockets gives them a full 3V power source, the same as the venerable CR123 cell, however the reduction in cell size has been fully taken advantage of, as the MiNi CR2 is one of the smallest torches I have ever seen. It never fails to draw comments about how so small a flashlight could possibly put out such a bright 180 Lumen beam. That beam is incredibly useful as well. The combination of a small, textured reflector and the larger LED die of the Cree XP-G create a perfectly flawless very floody beam that works wonders for close to medium range illumination.
Cree XP-G
Being almost an identical light to the rest of the MiNi line, there isn't much to say that hasn't been said. This light is a combination of a fairly useful UI that sticks with just the basics of "Low", "Medium", and "High" (unless you specifically are looking for more), and an incredibly small and pocketable size.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Constructive Criticism
Again, due to the similarities to the rest of the MiNi line my points of recommendation also remain quite predictable. As useful as the simplistic 3 mode UI is, I still find myself wondering whether it could be made better. Power cycling works in a pinch as a method of mode change, but I continue to wonder whether a "Twist further to increase" type interface could be implemented with a 3 stage light. To reiterate however, this isn't really a case of the current UI being problematic, but rather a "what if?" on my part.
Similarly, the one frustration that showed up during extended use of the other MiNi lights has also cropped up here to some extent. The fine threads of the entire MiNi line do not seem to be the robust square cut threading of the remainder of the 4Sevens brand. There is actually a pronounced bit of thread play with these lights causing them to sometimes jump through levels unexpectedly when you are activating them or re-selecting modes. This problem goes away by using more deliberate motions (usually involving two hands rather than one), but on the fly it tends to come up fairly often. Now having had the chance to test out 5 different samples I can definitely say that though this situation appears to be prevalent through the entire line, the extent that it is a noticeable problem is variable. My sample for the MiNi CR2 happens to be the least issue of all the lights I tested. Whether the tolerances have been tightened up some since this subject first came up or it was merely luck of the draw, I cannot say.
4Sevens Q MiNi CR2
Conclusions
When I first tested a Q MiNi I thought it to be one of the most versatile, inconspicuous lights available on the market. After spending some time with them and also now with this new sub-compact CR2 model, my opinions have changed little. It seems to be the epitome of an EDC light, combining usefulness with minute proportions in a technologically advanced package.
Provided for the duration of the review by 4Sevens.
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