Mo money, less problems?

[tactic]

Hello

I've been reading for several hours non-stop everything I could find on this forum on the Foursevens Gen2 Qt2a - x 2xaa (including old models with different names, but am more interested on the 336 lumens version) and the Eagletac D25A2 Clicky Xm-L. I understand the foursevens has more lumens, my only issue is, the cheapes I could find since I live in Portugal, with shipping and promo codes comes to 74 euros for the foursevens, and 50 euros for the Eagletac. I like the foursevens more, but the 74 euros...are exactly the price I would pay for a different purpose flashlight I want the nitecore ea4.
My question is.... is the difference vs quality/power worth it?
I apologize if this has been asked before, but my mind is slightly melted from confusion after reading so many different threads and I've started to confuse names and specs, so I would appreciate any help.
Thank you so, so much.

 

[reppans]

I have a bunch Quarks and a few D25As... they are both great lights in the middle tier (my favorites), although I've noticed a few more quality control issues with my ETs... but all have been reliable for me. Every manufacturer has their share of duds so it's hard to predict which will be more reliable for you. The higher cost of the Quarks gets you a few things though, a US-style warranty, customer service and location (although less advantageous to you in Europe, ET's warranty is really 1yr), broad voltage support for Lego-ing different batt tubes, and running 3V+ CRAAs and 14500 (in single cell form). You should also read Selfbuilt's reviews... the 3V+ D25s seem to have a big mode spacing gap between lows and highs. I'm personally a Quark fanboy.

 

[tactic]

I have a bunch Quarks and a few D25As... they are both great lights in the middle tier (my favorites), although I've noticed a few more quality control issues with my ETs... but all have been reliable for me. Every manufacturer has their share of duds so it's hard to predict which will be more reliable for you. The higher cost of the Quarks gets you a few things though, a US-style warranty, customer service and location (although less advantageous to you in Europe, ET's warranty is really 1yr), broad voltage support for Lego-ing different batt tubes, and running 3V+ CRAAs and 14500 (in single cell form). You should also read Selfbuilt's reviews... the 3V+ D25s seem to have a big mode spacing gap between lows and highs. I'm personally a Quark fanboy.

Thank you for your reply. I read his reviews, but my conclusion was the same as yours, I believe the Quark to be better built, but other advantages like the warranty don't really count in my case. since lack of money is one of my biggest factors right now, I might go with the ET. Or just say the hell with it and buy the nitecore. I just really like aa torches. Most of my friends are amazed by my Fenix E05, so I'd be very happy to wow them with one of my choices above. thank u

 

[yoyoman]

Money can't buy you love. So what are the features that will make you love one light over the other? The Quarks can Lego and support different types of cells. The Eagletac is a little smaller, a little simpler and acts differently with li-ions. If you don't want to Lego and you only want to use 1 type of cell, then the extra money for Quark isn't going to buy you love. However, if you want to Lego and want to use different types of cells, then the extra money will buy you love.

 

[tactic]

Money can't buy you love. So what are the features that will make you love one light over the other? The Quarks can Lego and support different types of cells. The Eagletac is a little smaller, a little simpler and acts differently with li-ions. If you don't want to Lego and you only want to use 1 type of cell, then the extra money for Quark isn't going to buy you love. However, if you want to Lego and want to use different types of cells, then the extra money will buy you love.

Thank you for your reply. You're Prob right. Lego isn't a priority for me right now, i should save some money for now. just hope i don't regret it, the quality of ET is just something i fear.

 

[tactic]

Money can't buy you love. So what are the features that will make you love one light over the other? The Quarks can Lego and support different types of cells. The Eagletac is a little smaller, a little simpler and acts differently with li-ions. If you don't want to Lego and you only want to use 1 type of cell, then the extra money for Quark isn't going to buy you love. However, if you want to Lego and want to use different types of cells, then the extra money will buy you love.

Ps: is the brightness difference going to be very noticeable between the et and the 4sevens?

 

[Etsu]

I'm a fan of the various AA Quarks. They're very nice lights. I don't think you'll be disappointed spending the extra amount and getting what you really want.

The best general-purpose light is the Quark QP2A-X or QT2A-X. If your main use is indoors, the Pro (QP2A-X) is probably a better choice. It can tail-stand, and access to all the modes is easy. But if you're using it mainly outside, the Tactical (QT2A-X) probably makes more sense. Reprogramming the Tactical is easy and fast, but not something you want to do all the time.

I have a pro version I use indoors, and a tactical I use outdoors. I usually program it to medium and max, and find very little need to reprogram it.

 

[tactic]

Thank you very much for all your replies. It's true I wont' use some of the advantages on the quark, like the warranty, and i'm still considering it. The quality on the Et is just something i'm afraid of. Money is a very large factor for me, and I just don't know if will notice a difference in brightness between the two.

 

[reppans]

Comparing the same emitters, you won't notice the max output difference... these two companies are about the most conservative I've seen, ET even slightly more conservative than 47s. ET has a tint option advantage - I'd go for a N219, I have one in the D25A :). My only issue with the D25A2s is the low/med mode spacing.

 

[Etsu]

ET has a tint option advantage - I'd go for a N219, I have one in the D25A

As much as I like the Nichia 219 emitter, I wouldn't recommend one if this is the only quality light the OP is purchasing. The 219 is only a little more than half as efficient at high brightness levels than a cool-white XM-L2 is. So, he's not going to get anywhere near 336 lumens if he chooses a 219.

The 219 makes a great LED in a second light, though! At moderate brightness levels (100 lumens or so), it's efficient enough to last a couple of hours with 2 AA's. And usually, 100 lumens is bright enough.

 

[yoyoman]

Don't rush - you want to get full satisfaction from your purchase. The 3 lights (Quark Pro, Quark Tactical and ET) have very different UIs. Read up on the UIs, ask questions and add this to your pro/con analysis. I have a single AA Quark Pro and I like the UI. Click to turn on and twist the head to toggle between H and L. On L, click to change modes and on H click to get to blinkies. I like this UI - very similar to the Malkoff with hi/lo ring installed.

Tint is another factor and some of us are tint snobs. The 219A has a wonderful tint and hi cri, but, as noted, is not as efficient as an XP-G2. The 219B is more efficient, but lower hi CRI and because it is relatively new is only available on a few lights. The tint on my CW XP-G2s is pretty good - not as creamy white as an XP-G2 N, but not angry blue or funky green. Unless you are a tint snob, I think you'll be pretty happy with the standard CW XP-G2.

 

[Jash]

Quarks are great. I like both UI's and have a preference for the tactical UI, although the Pro (formerly Regular) has it's place.

I nearly always have the single CR123 Tactical in my pocket when at home. I have the QT2A-X in my EDC bag and an older NW Quark Regular next to my bed (it comes on in moonlight mode first time every time).

The QT2L is my good pants light. It's been de-anodised and is just raw aluminium. Looks slick with the black clip.

Of all my Quarks, the QT2A-X is the winner for outright brightness and beam profile. According to Selfbuilt, it does 400otf lumens at turn on, dropping after a few minutes to a still respectable 300 otf lumens. And that's with a first gen XM-L. The current batch is XM-L2, so it should be brighter still.

 

[tactic]

thank you very much again. The tint is something that had crossed my mind but that i didn't pay too much attention to. I had considered a brighter and less natural tint as better for my purposes, but am still not sure. I've thought a lot about it, and read more reviews on Et in general, and all in all I think i'll go for the quark. the 24 euros extra, I hope will pay off in the long run. I'll update you when I make the purchase. =) the nitecore ea4 will follow soon I hope. Thank you again, even though i'm new at this you really helped and made me feel welcome. as soon as I get some more knowledge and experience i'll start to participate more.

 

[reppans]

Good choice... like the others above, the Quark 2AA-X is my favorite too - consider picking up an optional 1xAA tube for pocket carry though.

... the nitecore ea4 will follow soon I hope....

Let's see if we can squeeze a few more Euro from you for a SWM D40A :)