AardvarkSagus
Flashlight Enthusiast
4Sevens Preon ReVO
The Preon ReVO is 4Sevens first revision to the acclaimed Preon line. This light represents a revolution in keychain lighting by stepping it up to a level that has normally been reserved for larger EDC lights.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Meat and Potatoes
4Sevens claims that The Preon ReVO is the first current regulated AAA powered light being mass produced. What is for certain, is the torch is one of the most minuscule available for this class of lighting. The ReVO is the smallest light I have ever held personally. Barely larger than the cell powering it, this minute specimen is dwarfed by even such tiny lights as the Fenix E01 that graces the keychains of a large number of flashlight aficionados.
Housing a full fledged power LED in such a tiny body, 4Sevens has opted to take a step back to the Cree XP-E for its smaller die size in order to allow the necessarily small reflector to properly do its job. Nevertheless, the ReVO still produces an extremely useful flood beam that is perfectly suited for most short range tasks. With a light texturing and the inherent smoothness offered by this LED, the beam has absolutely no artifacts or imperfections to mar its usefulness.
Offering a simple 3 mode UI extremely similar to the Preon, the ReVO steps up a notch with an amazingly powerful 82 lumens of output on high, and yet retains an extremely efficient long runtime on low. 4Sevens choices of low, medium, and high are excellently spaced giving a broad useful range. There are no real zones where you find yourself forced into using more light than you need just because the only other options are too low. The output and efficiency are very well balanced in this torch, giving you exactly what you need.
Sporting ample knurling the ReVO corrects the problem many users had with the smooth finish of the original Preon line. Though the anodizing of those fine lights did offer some grip, it just cannot compare to full fledged knurling similar to what is found on the remainder of the 4Sevens lineup. Aesthetically, I think the ReVO has one of the nicest appearances, especially in its category. The subtle fluting is an excellent touch and the brass accent looks just as good here as it has anywhere else. The anodizing as well is extremely durable. Even after several weeks subjected to thetorture of my keyring, it is only just beginning to show wear on the hardest of corners.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Constructive criticism
While 4Sevens did design the light with a very robust attachment lug, they only paid bare homage to the concept of tailstanding. Yes, technically the lug is flat topped enough to allow low level room lighting using this method, but the slightest disturbance in the force is enough to send the light tumbling. I know this isn't a necessity by any stretch, but a simple twisty like this could stand to have the extra stability if possible.
The Preon ReVO has a feature that genuinely causes me some confusion. In any of the hidden "blinkey" modes, the light never fully turns off. It will flash on either high or medium for the "on" section of the sequence, but then reverts merely to "low" for the points where any other light would simply be off. I really am not certain what is the reasoning behind this. In the long run I guess it doesn't really change anything, but it is a little distracting.
Once again, having a UI that requires cycling the power on a twisty light to change modes seems to almost guarantee that it will try to mode skip thanks to thread play. This light has almost none of the visible wobble I have seen in other lights, offering testament to the quality machining, but the propensity to end in an unintended mode is still present. I'm not entirely certain what can be done to alleviate this, but I would definitely support research into options. Perhaps a minimum off time of 1/3-1/2 a second before it will change modes will be the answer, but I am not sure how that would play out in real life.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Conclusions
A powerful light with a tiny source of energy. This light is easy to underestimate but once you try it, it is tough to overlook. This is the first time I have felt comfortable using just an AAA powered light as my primary EDC. That alone speaks volumes.
Provided for the duration of the review by 4Sevens.
The Preon ReVO is 4Sevens first revision to the acclaimed Preon line. This light represents a revolution in keychain lighting by stepping it up to a level that has normally been reserved for larger EDC lights.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Meat and Potatoes
4Sevens claims that The Preon ReVO is the first current regulated AAA powered light being mass produced. What is for certain, is the torch is one of the most minuscule available for this class of lighting. The ReVO is the smallest light I have ever held personally. Barely larger than the cell powering it, this minute specimen is dwarfed by even such tiny lights as the Fenix E01 that graces the keychains of a large number of flashlight aficionados.
Housing a full fledged power LED in such a tiny body, 4Sevens has opted to take a step back to the Cree XP-E for its smaller die size in order to allow the necessarily small reflector to properly do its job. Nevertheless, the ReVO still produces an extremely useful flood beam that is perfectly suited for most short range tasks. With a light texturing and the inherent smoothness offered by this LED, the beam has absolutely no artifacts or imperfections to mar its usefulness.
Offering a simple 3 mode UI extremely similar to the Preon, the ReVO steps up a notch with an amazingly powerful 82 lumens of output on high, and yet retains an extremely efficient long runtime on low. 4Sevens choices of low, medium, and high are excellently spaced giving a broad useful range. There are no real zones where you find yourself forced into using more light than you need just because the only other options are too low. The output and efficiency are very well balanced in this torch, giving you exactly what you need.
Sporting ample knurling the ReVO corrects the problem many users had with the smooth finish of the original Preon line. Though the anodizing of those fine lights did offer some grip, it just cannot compare to full fledged knurling similar to what is found on the remainder of the 4Sevens lineup. Aesthetically, I think the ReVO has one of the nicest appearances, especially in its category. The subtle fluting is an excellent touch and the brass accent looks just as good here as it has anywhere else. The anodizing as well is extremely durable. Even after several weeks subjected to thetorture of my keyring, it is only just beginning to show wear on the hardest of corners.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Constructive criticism
While 4Sevens did design the light with a very robust attachment lug, they only paid bare homage to the concept of tailstanding. Yes, technically the lug is flat topped enough to allow low level room lighting using this method, but the slightest disturbance in the force is enough to send the light tumbling. I know this isn't a necessity by any stretch, but a simple twisty like this could stand to have the extra stability if possible.
The Preon ReVO has a feature that genuinely causes me some confusion. In any of the hidden "blinkey" modes, the light never fully turns off. It will flash on either high or medium for the "on" section of the sequence, but then reverts merely to "low" for the points where any other light would simply be off. I really am not certain what is the reasoning behind this. In the long run I guess it doesn't really change anything, but it is a little distracting.
Once again, having a UI that requires cycling the power on a twisty light to change modes seems to almost guarantee that it will try to mode skip thanks to thread play. This light has almost none of the visible wobble I have seen in other lights, offering testament to the quality machining, but the propensity to end in an unintended mode is still present. I'm not entirely certain what can be done to alleviate this, but I would definitely support research into options. Perhaps a minimum off time of 1/3-1/2 a second before it will change modes will be the answer, but I am not sure how that would play out in real life.
4Sevens Preon ReVO
Conclusions
A powerful light with a tiny source of energy. This light is easy to underestimate but once you try it, it is tough to overlook. This is the first time I have felt comfortable using just an AAA powered light as my primary EDC. That alone speaks volumes.
Provided for the duration of the review by 4Sevens.
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