4Sevens Quark regular AA2 R5 Vs Fenix LD20 R4?

[samgab]

Which of the following would you choose, and why?

• 4Sevens Quark regular AA2 R5
• Fenix LD20 R4

What advantages does the 4Sevens light have over the Fenix?
What advantages does the Fenix have over the 4Sevens?
What are the cons for each or either?

Just these two specific flashlights please, no alternative brands or models.

Interested in opinions on these two, both very capable, lights.
I've done a search, and found a few comparisons and tests of the older, Q5 and R2 models, but not of these 2 latest versions, and never directly just these two specific competitors.

 

[samgab]

Incidentally, for me:

Things I like about the Fenix:
The unique serial number imprinted on it, that I can check online.
It came with a kit with traffic cone, diffuser, red filter, and white cone, which add - for me - a lot of added functionality.
(Edit: also the anodised thread on the rear switch enables a simple lockout function)


Things I like about the 4Sevens:
Better knurling.
A little bit cheaper.
The lens is hardened on one side, antireflective on the other.
Possibly a slightly better beam.
R5 instead of R4.
Better sheath.
Moonlight mode.
Beacon mode.

 

[wyager]

I've owned both. They both have some thread play, the fenix maybe a bit more. The quark has moon mode, which I use 99% of the time. It has beacon mode, which is nice. The fenix didn't roll. The quark has a wider battery tube. The quark can take anywhere from 1 AA to one li-ion battery. The quark is cheaper and brighter. I say go for the quark. I got the neutral white, which is like a dollar or two cheaper with great color rendition.

Also, as samgab said I think the quark has a better lens, a lot more scratch resistant than the fenix.

 

[red02]

Fenix is more geared towards primary Alkalines and NiMH while the Quark is set to take either Li-Ions or Alkalines at the expense of brightness on Alkalines and NiMH.

Personally I don't think taking Li-Ions is an advantage in a AA light since Li-Ions are expensive, have less recharge cycles 500 (Li-Ions) vs 1000-1500 (Eneloops), Eneloops cost $2 ea. while AW protected cells will cost $8. The Wh/$ doesn't make sense. Maintainance is also a problem. Its anywhere from difficult to dangerous to maintain and Li-Ions don't have any real world advantages over current generation Eneloops, especially in a 14500 format.

You'll also need to worry about a spacer since either light will burn on 2x14500 Li-Ion cells. Otherwise you'll need a $20 body...

If your going to use Li-Ions get a Quark, otherwise get a LD20.

 

[wyager]

Red02, I completely 100% disagree. The quark is brighter on any battery configuration. I use duraloops in my quark, it works great.

 

[samgab]

Interesting debate...
I have some new pairs of 2500Mah NiMH Sony batteries, and also some new pairs of Sony 2100Mah NiMH ready to use, basically the same as eneloops.
Those are what I use.
I don't use Lithium primary batteries.
I think the moonlight mode would be very good, but I got the Fenix because it suits my needs much better, especially with the 5 accessories I have for it, the bike mount, the white tube/orange wand/red filter/white diffuser lens.
If it didn't come with those accessories, I'd probably go with the 4Sevens.

Oh, and after posting this thread I did find a couple of other very similar threads in the "similar threads" bit below. Ooops! I did try searching first, really!

 

[wyager]

WTF, my LD20 didn't come with any accessories besides the lanyard and cheap-o sheath. That's a point I ignored, the accessories. Keep in mind the quark comes with a cool sheath, a lanyard and a rubber hand grip thing.

 

[red02]

Red02, I completely 100% disagree. The quark is brighter on any battery configuration. I use duraloops in my quark, it works great.

The LDs are driven harder and the circuit is optimized for <3.*v. While the Quark must handle 0.9-4.2v in order to accommodate for larger variety of batteries. The old axiom goes "A jack of all traits is master of none".

Pics or it didn't happen.

Light reviews has the LD10 R4 at 170lms, while the QAA R5 is rated at 109...

 

[samgab]

WTF, my LD20 didn't come with any accessories besides the lanyard and cheap-o sheath. That's a point I ignored, the accessories. Keep in mind the quark comes with a cool sheath, a lanyard and a rubber hand grip thing.

Yes, I can see how that rubber hand grip would come in handy for certain functions, I could see myself attaching the light to the back of my hand using that, rather than in the palm, thereby keeping my hand free for writing, gripping stuff, etc.
As for the accessories, the supplier kindly sent me the pack with the filters when I asked him about it, and I did buy the bike mount, which although made by Fenix works with any torch with a 18-26mm diam. grip; including the 4Sevens. FYI if others are in the market, I notice that 4Sevens is supplying that accessory pack with the Fenix light mentioned above at the moment, with free shipping worldwide. I'm not going to post the link, as this isn't a thread for advertising. I just thought it was a point of interest.

 

[Locoboy5150]

I made this choice too not too long ago. I went with the Fenix LD20 for the following reasons.

1. Its anti-roll bezel prevents the light from rolling away even when the pocket clip is removed. I don't like pocket clips because they have a habit of slightly interfering with taking the light in and out of a belt holster quickly. I only holster carry my 2 AA lights and I never pocket carry them, thus I would remove the pocket clip on both lights. The Quark AA2's only anti-roll feature is its pocket clip.
2. The body shape of the LD20 with its smaller outer diameter near the tail cap makes it feel much better for my hands in a cigar type hold, which is what I hold my 2 AA lights in 99.99% of the time. That smaller diameter section prevents the LD20 from sliding not only forward when held that way, but also rearward. The shape of the AA2's body in that same part only prevents the light from sliding forward. At least that's what I've found with my rather small hands.
3. The LD20 is a tiny bit lighter, according to Fenix's and 4Sevens' specifications. I bought my LD20 for EDC use so the lighter the better.

 

[workingmids]

Having both, I agree with all the comments, both top shelf, though a bit different:

LD20: + less battery slop, won't roll, has better throw and tighter beam, good run times, never had a defective Fenix, low not low enough?

AA2: + much better accessories provided, like the lower lows - moon & 4L, slightly more comfortable wider clicky, mfg. available forward clicky for $9, wider beam with slightly less throw, available in neutral tint, better warranty

Competition is good; slight edge to Quark?

 

[samgab]

...less battery slop...

Interesting that battery slop should be mentioned. I wrapped a sheet of paper around the batteries in both my 4D LED Maglite and the Fenix so the batteries are a snug fit, with no rattle or movement at all. It gives the torch a much more solid, quality feel when nothing is moving around inside.

 

[wyager]

The LDs are driven harder and the circuit is optimized for <3.*v. While the Quark must handle 0.9-4.2v in order to accommodate for larger variety of batteries. The old axiom goes "A jack of all traits is master of none".

Pics or it didn't happen.

Light reviews has the LD10 R4 at 170lms, while the QAA R5 is rated at 109...

They both use buck/boost drivers. Those really can't be "optimized". Efficiency will be the same. "A jack of all traits is a master of none" is not an axiom, it's a largely incorrect proverb. What exactly should I take pics of? We're not talking about single AA either. Fenix tends to overstate their output a lot too, the LD20 is definitely lower output than the 2AA quark.

 

[shado]

The LD20 for me is the better of the two. I like the beam better and the way it feels in my hand. :twothumbs

 

[Mr Floppy]

LD20 R4 is a bit disappointing for me but LD10 R4, thats the one for me. Wish they would include a spare AA tube with the LD20, or vice versa.

 

[red02]

They both use buck/boost drivers. Those really can't be "optimized". Efficiency will be the same. "A jack of all traits is a master of none" is not an axiom, it's a largely incorrect proverb. What exactly should I take pics of? We're not talking about single AA either. Fenix tends to overstate their output a lot too, the LD20 is definitely lower output than the 2AA quark.

Fenix uses a boost circuit, thats why you lose low, med and high when you try to run it with a 14500. The light goes direct drive off the battery until the battery drops below 3.something volts. I understand you want to defend the QAA2 which is a popular light, however this is a very common and well documented about the Fenix LD* circuits. Besides the LD20's beam is much more useful since its more concentrated and floody.

How is the proverb incorrect? Do you know many neuro-surgeons that moonlight as rocket scientists? Or any adjustable beam headlamps that can throw 200m and have a flawless flood?

Where did I quote Fenix ratings? Lumens reviews does their own measurements.

Is visual proof that the LD20 R4 is dimmer than the QAA2 R5 too much to ask?

 

[samgab]

I believe it's "A Jack of all TRADES..."

 

[samgab]

I'd say brightness is probably much of a muchness.
I realise rated lumens doesn't exactly correlate to brightness, and that it's a complex matter, with lots of factors coming into play; also that the chips have +/- tolerances... perhaps as much as +/- 7% within a single bin...
But one is rated at 205 lumens and the other at 206 lumens: you'd have to be a machine to look at the light from one on its own and determine which light it came from.

Incidentally, my LD20R4 came with a completely smooth reflector, no discernible orange-peel texture at all. I think a textured reflector is an option still though? The beam pattern still looks pretty good to me, with no obvious black spots or dark rings. But I'm certainly no expert.

 

[ama230]

"A jack of all traits is master of none" This is an Asian saying that is very well known by 1 billion plus people, very popular.

Id go with the quark turbo 2aa xpg r5 as this needs to throw as brightness only does so much for such a small beam anyways.

Also the moonlight mode is awesome feature and the 2 setting deal where you can set it to these specific two modes.

My opinionado...

 

[skyfire]

my vote goes to Quark.
cool, neutral or warm tint options. XP-E or XP-G options. 2 different UI modes. better knurling, better clip, better holster, better warranty. moon mode, shorter, and the ability to lego parts.

only thing about the LD20 i like more is the way it looks, but thats personal preference.