Good starting points???

[RoBeacon]

I'm pretty new to CPF and high end lights, and was curious where a good starting point is. From some of my research I've become rather partial to Fenix lights especially those running on standard AA's. I'm considering starting with an LD20 and a TK40 and a nice eneloop starter pack. Am I on the right track ? Is there better bang for buck? Also I'm very interested in custom modding and have a pretty descent background in electrical. Wheres a couple places to purchase descent parts and tools?

 

[bladerunner]

Welcome to CPF...Fenix lights are good as are several others. There is a thread about aa lights but I don't know how to link you to it. Type aa round up in the search box at the top of this page and it comes up.

 

[hyperloop]

I'm pretty new to CPF and high end lights, and was curious where a good starting point is. From some of my research I've become rather partial to Fenix lights especially those running on standard AA's. I'm considering starting with an LD20 and a TK40 and a nice eneloop starter pack. Am I on the right track ? Is there better bang for buck? Also I'm very interested in custom modding and have a pretty descent background in electrical. Wheres a couple places to purchase descent parts and tools?

good starting point indeed especially if you are into AAs for an alternate 2xAA light, you might want to take a look at Quark. My fallback 2xAA light is my Fenix TK20.

 

[RoBeacon]

Okay I will deff. Look into Quark. I almost pulled the trigger on an eagletac yesterday because I read their light put out like 220 lumens and had 80 hours runtime on 2 AA. Only to discover it had multiple modes of operation and that 80 hours is at like 9 lums. I knew it sounded too good to be true.

 

[hyperloop]

Okay I will deff. Look into Quark. I almost pulled the trigger on an eagletac yesterday because I read their light put out like 220 lumens and had 80 hours runtime on 2 AA. Only to discover it had multiple modes of operation and that 80 hours is at like 9 lums. I knew it sounded too good to be true.

i'd advise that you do loads of searches here and online for any prospective light, there are issues that manufacturers will not mention. e.g my Fenix TK20 emits a whine on high mode, something i didnt know as i didnt SEARCH

 

[RoBeacon]

I looked into the quark tactical I didn't really like how only 2 modes were readily available. I did however like the idea of being able to program to quick selects. I just wish it had a cycle through option or a ramping option.

 

[bfksc]

I looked into the quark tactical I didn't really like how only 2 modes were readily available. I did however like the idea of being able to program to quick selects. I just wish it had a cycle through option or a ramping option.

I just bought a Quark AAx2 Tactical after reading about various brands here on CPF. I like the bigger spot and spillbeam which is better at lighting up an area rather than a tight spot with faint spill. This little light is my new everything light and will replace a MiniMag LED and MagLED 3D.

Being able to program two settings on the Tactical is great as it remembers the settings and I can reprogram them at any time in just a few flicks of the head if I want one of the other settings. If you want to manually select levels all the time, look at the Quark AA regular lights which step through the light modes from Moonlight, Low, Med, High by tapping the clicky switch at the back.

If you haven't found it yet, this round up review is helpful:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=214890

The Quarks are really nice lights, well made with honest runtime and output specs. At 206 lumens from a pair of AA's, this thing is blindingly bright at Max and floods a backyard area nicely (if you want more throw look at the EagleTac with it's tighter spot). And as a bonus when you order from 4Sevens you can get an 8% discount using the CPF8 discount code!
:thumbsup:

 

[RoBeacon]

Ohh so it's just the tactical that have the programming. It is a cool feature but maybe not for me yet. Where do i get a CPF promo code? Looking into standard Quarks right now. I looked over that thread a few days ago at work but didn't have too much time to compare.

 

[pepekraft]

Where do i get a CPF promo code?

Here's a link to the "CPF Specials" thread.. you can find discount codes there for members.
http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=181841

 

[bfksc]

Ohh so it's just the tactical that have the programming. It is a cool feature but maybe not for me yet.

I was looking at the regular Quarks when I discovered the Tactical remembers two settings which I like because I don't want to tap through several settings to get what I want. If you need various light levels often, then the regular is a good choice. If you're like me and tend to use just a couple of levels, the Tactical makes it easy to set them and then forget about levels.
The regular Quark also has a flat clicky which means you can tail-stand the light, if that matters to you.

Where do i get a CPF promo code? Looking into standard Quarks right now. I looked over that thread a few days ago at work but didn't have too much time to compare.

The code is simply CPF8 for 8% off $20 or more. As for that thread, it does have a lot of info to assimilate and I had to refer back to it several times to get all the info straight. Good luck.
:twothumbs

 

[Warp]

I prefer the tactical UI. I daily carried a Fenix P3D for 2.5 years. It operates almost exactly like the regular Quarks. The Tactical advantages are that you know exactly what mode/output you will get and it is nearly impossible to accidentally switch to another. You also get momentary activation and an easier to actuate switch. If you ever wear gloves, especially heavier gloves in cold weather, this is noticeable.

The regular advantages are that you can reach any of the modes/outputs in a few seconds and accidentally turning the light on is even more difficult. Oh, and it will tail stand. Tail standing is when you turn the light on and set it on a flat surface, say a counter top or table, with the bezel (emitter/bulb) up in order to light up the area. It is most useful during a power outage if you don't have, or don't want to use, a lantern or similar.

 

[hyperloop]

you could look at the Fenix TA series which uses a control ring, so you can set the mode you want, then use the clicky switch. to change modes just use the ring.

the Jetbeam RRTs are the same interface i.e. control ring.

 

[RoBeacon]

So I was on 4 sevens ready to pull the trigger on a Quark AA2 R5 and its freaking on back order!!!! How long does it usually take for them to get stocked back up? Should I shoot a blank and wait for it to come in?

 

[bfksc]

So I was on 4 sevens ready to pull the trigger on a Quark AA2 R5 and its freaking on back order!!!! How long does it usually take for them to get stocked back up? Should I shoot a blank and wait for it to come in?

Not long I guess as they are showing as available again today on the US website.
:twothumbs