Has Quark Usurped the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

[bullfrog]

Wow a lot of good stuff in this thread! I need to grab a coffee and get reading.

I changed "Stolen" in the title to "Usurped" as I think this conveys more what I meant - stolen also has a negative connotation which I certainly dont want to imply.

 

[bullfrog]

Re: Has Quark Stolen the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

However......

I ordered the Quark MiNi neutral version CR123A, then immediately ordered 3 more.

You really should try one while they're still in stock. 🙂

Well, order placed for my first quark - for $37 shipped and a neutral tint, it was too hard to resist 😀

I am hesitant to pick up a Quark mini AA as I have the Maratac AA on order and I've been really happy with their lights... plus that low low is sweet.

Maybe if there is another run of the neutral AAs....

I'm looking forward to comparing the Quark to what I remember of my old P1D...

 

[the.Mtn.Man]

Re: Has Quark Stolen the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

My answer to the OP is yes. IMO Quark / 4sevens has taken market share (thunder) from Fenix (here at CPF at least). Strange as I would guess that Fenix probably make them for 4Sevens, judging by the circuits and construction - they are very similar.

If they don't make them, there is some form of co-operation.

I've read on these forums that the Quark internals at least are made at the same factory as Fenix lights, but I don't know if there is any cooperation between 4Sevens and Fenix.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I've always kind of assumed that Quarks were something of a joint venture between Fenix and 4Sevens. More power to him if he's just contracting their services.

Geoff

 

[MrGman]

It really would be funny if the Quark's are actually built by Fenix to 4 seven's specs and they are laughing their butts off at all the sales. If not then my answer is a most definite: Yes.

So I got to play with the mini 123 and AA and actually thought they were quite handy as pocket EDC lights. I even published some lumen output numbers on them in my thread.

 

[Niconical]

Re: Has Quark Stolen the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

I'm looking forward to comparing the Quark to what I remember of my old P1D...

I just compared them, P1D Q5 on Turbo, Quark mini 123 neutral on high.

Don't pay too much attention to my "results" (if you can call them that), partly because it's not scientific, just me in a small room doing a ceiling bounce, and partly because I don't really have much of an eye for it.

The P1D appeared to have a higher output, but that could just be the whiteness of the light making it seem brighter. The main difference was the tint of the Quark though. A P1D in candle mode (say on medium) just means you can see stuff in the room. The tint on the Quark gives a much softer "glow" to the room, and would definitely be more pleasant for extended use as room lighting.

One thing that is for sure though, the P1D seems big and fat compared to the mini, and "big and fat" are not words I ever expected to use to describe a P1D !

 

[LeifUK]

I've always kind of assumed that Quarks were something of a joint venture between Fenix and 4Sevens. More power to him if he's just contracting their services.

Geoff

It has been stated on several occasions here that 4Sevens showed a prototype/design for the Preon to Fenix, and several months later Fenix introduced their equivalent. Read into that whatever you wish. But why would they show a competitor a new light/design unless they were looking to outsource the manufacture?

 

[carrot]

I can clear one thing up. Fenix is not manufacturing lights for 4sevens...

 

[jhc37013]

I can clear one thing up. Fenix is not manufacturing lights for 4sevens...

I think iTP is.

 

[Flying Turtle]

I can clear one thing up. Fenix is not manufacturing lights for 4sevens...

Thanks. This is good to know.

Geoff

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I can clear one thing up. Fenix is not manufacturing lights for 4sevens...

Fenix is a brand, not a manufacturer. There are 2 or maybe 3 OEM manufacturers in China making flashlights for all these famous brands around here. They all come from the very same places...

 

[abladeafficionado]

Re: Has Quark Stolen the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

sounds like you'd be better off with the tactical UI.

I ordered the 2AA regular UI but got the 2AA tactical UI (blessing in disguise, I was angry about it at first but I'm glad they gave me the tactical), the thing is PERFECT. My first ever quality light, forward clicky is fantastic and the no frills UI is great.
I either set mine to moon/max for EDC or med/max for the garage/outside and it's all the modes I need.
Tactical UI is a no frills "keep it simple stupid" UI but it's beauty is in its simplicity.

At one point I deliberated between an Fenix LD20 and a Nitecore D20, both seemed cool but didn't have the "WOW!!!" factor I was looking for. The Quark is the "WOW!!!" light for me. IMO, it seems that 4Sevens has taken input from CPF and developed a winning line. They have a lifelong customer in me.

 

[Ragiska]

Fenix is a brand, not a manufacturer. There are 2 or maybe 3 OEM manufacturers in China making flashlights for all these famous brands around here. They all come from the very same places...

both parts of that statement are 100% incorrect.

 

[jhc37013]

I thought Fenix manufactured its lights and iTP made Quarks, is this right?

 

[bullfrog]

I was always under the impression that fenix manufactured lights for themselves and for other companies to rebrand - such as xevision ....

I guess itd be easy enough to find out with a call.

 

[carrot]

I thought Fenix manufactured its lights and iTP made Quarks, is this right?

No.

Fenix did make the Serac for Leatherman.

 

[nanotech17]

Re: Has Quark Stolen the Fenix LD/PD Thunder?

i sold all my fenix except the e01 & l2p with nekomane tube which i swap the emitter to K2 TVOD.
i love the quarks line.especially the turbo head which can throw like crazy even with normal cells which is 2xaa.

 

[swrdply400mrelay]

My Quark AA is way better than the LD10 and L2D I used to own. It has lego-ability, a more efficient and brighter emitter. The low low is very nice for night vision too.


On top of that, the Quark is compatible with rechargeable li-ions!

 

[Warp]

I know, slightly old thread. That happens sometimes when searching around.



Quark usurped my business. I have beein EDC'ing the same Fenix P3D for 2.5 years, since August of 2007. I decided it has been long enough and the technology has advanced sufficiently that it is time to upgrade. (the P1D-Q5 will remain on my keychain)

And it didn't take me long AT ALL to determine that a quark 123^2 Tactical R5 would get the nod.

It is, of course, brighter/more efficient, has a programmable UI, available tactical tailcap for momentary on, LOW low and more. What's not to like?

The 0.2 lumens moonlight mode, for example, will be perfect for traveling, staying with relatives vacation, etc, where my sleeping quarters have less light than I am used to and I generally don't know where things are. Leave it on moonline mode next to my glasses, gun and cell phone....awsome.

And with the clip attached it won't roll all over the often flat/hard surface that it will need to be left on. Hell, I might use it as my new nightstand light as well as EDC. Right now I have two nightstand lights, one really cheap and dim brinkman I've been using for like 4 years and one bright "oh crap what was that!" bump in the night investigation light...currently an Olight M20 R2. But with the Quark I think I could have both in one with nothing but a twist of the head separating which option I want.



So, uh, why would I get the Fenix?

 

[Wiggle]

On top of that, the Quark is compatible with rechargeable li-ions!

Yeah that's a big deal for me. I love being able to top-off Li-Ions everyday guilt free because on a typical day I might only use the light 10 minutes and it's hard to justify topping of NiMH that often and I'd feel like a sucker getting rid of primaries everyday just because I like the feeling of knowing I have a 100% cell at the beginning of the day. The Fenix's couldn't keep their low modes reliably with the Li-Ions but the Quarks still keep all the full regulation in low modes.