New here... Fenix PD30 or Quark 123^2 R5?

[Scandi-Grind]

Hello,

I'm new to CPF, I like what I see.

I am not a "flashaholic" but I like hi performance lights. A few years back I stumbled upon a Surefire Aviator. I loved the idea of a high output/low output combo. As life would have it, I couldent spend the $160 + for one. I bought a streamlight twin task and went on with life. It fit the bill for outdoor use, but had its limitations.

Fast forward to today and things have changed a bit. I am exited to see all the new options.

I am looking for a light that runs off of 2-123a's. multiple output, strobe, etc for less the $75. I havent bought a light in years and dont know which to choose. Been thinking:

- Fenix PD30 http://www.fenixgear.com/flashlight/Fenix_PD30_Black.html#catalog/img/3000-43000.jpg

-4sevens Quark 123-2 R5 Edition http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_305&products_id=1599


Any suggestions or input. I'm leaning toward the Quark


Thanks this is a great site

 

[DM51]

Welcome to CPF, Scandi-Grind.

I've changed your thread title to make it more specific to your requirement.

 

[orbspeed1]

Did you know there are 3 types of pd30 the q5, r2 and xp-g (difrent beam paterns)
I have a q5 with textured reflector and I'm very pleased with it it has good range and ok flood a good selection of brighness levels although the low could be a bit lower and it fits in my pocket ok.

 

[Wiggle]

One thing to consider as well is that the Quark comes available in a tactical model in addition to the normal one. You have 2 mode slots and each can be programmed to whatever setting you like. You control the mode by loosening for tightening the head. This interface is nice because it lets you setup 2 levels you use most with no worry of cycling through modes (especially if you shut the light off and then on again too quickly). You can still access your strobe modes too but it takes about 20-30 seconds to program the light to this. If you tend to use only high or low most of the time(like I do) I think you'd be very happy with the Quark 123^2 Tactical.

For the Fenix vs Quark comparison, they are pretty similar but the Quarks moonlight mode is helpful to alot of people. Fenix finally got XP-G (R4 not R5 but really not a big difference).

 

[Buckley]

Hello Scandi-Grind, :welcome:

I own the PD-30 (R2), but, in retrospect, wish I had purchased the Quark 123^2 instead, for two reasons: (1) I have discovered that the moonlight mode on my Quark AA is incredibly useful, and (2) the Quark will run fine on a single 17670 rechargeable lithium ion battery while the Fenix loses all of its lower modes on this power source.

In short, the PD30 is a fine torch, but the Quark is much more versatile.

Good hunting!

 

[Scandi-Grind]

Thanks for the replies,

I am leaning towards the standard 123/2 as opposed to the tactical. The light will be used for utility, camping, survival, etc. It seems rather convoluted to access the other modes in the tactical model, as it should be given its intended design. I just wish the standard model had the option of the turbo head for added throw.

For me, the lack of a moonlight mode turned me off to the pd 30.

This is a great forum, thanks :twothumbs

 

[bfksc]

Any suggestions or input. I'm leaning toward the Quark

I recently bought a Quark AAx2 Tactical with R5 emitter and I'm very happy with the purchase. I came to this forum when Googling info on flashlights after picking up a $30 Element 3xAAA light at Home Depot and then finding out it was junk. I read lots of posts, and checked reviews by Selfbuilt on these forums and realized the Quark was one of the best options. Along with the 8% discount code (CPF8) and a Canadian outlet, I found the model I wanted, ordered it online and received it the next day.
:thumbsup:
Having said that, have you read the round-up reviews by Selfbuilt? If you check out the beamshots and reviews, you'll get a good idea of how the various lights work.

 

[spellitout]

You can save yourself a few bucks and get a quark 123x2 R2 model. It will throw better than the R5 model and will not have a green tint. I also think 4Sevens is still throwing in a free prism kit with each R2 purchase with code QUARKPRISM.

I had R5 turbo and quark 123x2 R2 and to my eyes the R2 threw further.

 

[Warp]

They are all great lights. Can't go wrong either way.

Thanks for the replies,

I am leaning towards the standard 123/2 as opposed to the tactical. The light will be used for utility, camping, survival, etc. It seems rather convoluted to access the other modes in the tactical model, as it should be given its intended design. I just wish the standard model had the option of the turbo head for added throw.

For me, the lack of a moonlight mode turned me off to the pd 30.

This is a great forum, thanks :twothumbs

You don't want moon mode as an output option?

You can save yourself a few bucks and get a quark 123x2 R2 model. It will throw better than the R5 model and will not have a green tint. I also think 4Sevens is still throwing in a free prism kit with each R2 purchase with code QUARKPRISM.

I had R5 turbo and quark 123x2 R2 and to my eyes the R2 threw further.

I don't see any green in my R5 quark. The R2 is less expensive but the R5 is more efficient and puts out more light.

 

[skyfire]

i prefer my quark 123-2 tac R5 over my fenix pd30.
have you considered the jetbeam lll pro st? it has a similar form factor, abit wider since it can also use a single 18650. and has optional warm tint. and you can set its brightness level.

+1 for quark = awesome light + great price.
enter CPF8 for 8% discount at 4sevens.

 

[recDNA]

I'd take any comparable Fenix over Quark personally. I own several of both and I like the Fenix better. None have the green tint of Quark which I hate.

 

[Scandi-Grind]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Quark 123-2 regular. I am excited to give it a wirl.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Quension]

You can save yourself a few bucks and get a quark 123x2 R2 model. It will throw better than the R5 model and will not have a green tint. I also think 4Sevens is still throwing in a free prism kit with each R2 purchase with code QUARKPRISM.

All of the R2s automatically come with prism kits now, no code needed.

I had R5 turbo and quark 123x2 R2 and to my eyes the R2 threw further.

Because of the LED difference, 4sevens says the Turbo (XP-G, currently R5) only throws about 5% more than the older XP-E (R2) regular models.

 

[Wiggle]

I'd take any comparable Fenix over Quark personally. I own several of both and I like the Fenix better. None have the green tint of Quark which I hate.

My Fenix L2D has a similar tint to my Quark R5. Both are slightly green at low and quite white at high.

 

[rpottol]

A someone who owns the predecessor to the PD30, a P3D Premium Q5, my light's dimmest mode is 12 lumens, which is rather bright for even partially adapted night vision, and is rather bright for reading by too. The Quarks go down to 4 and 0.3 lumens, which is quite tempting.

So I'd go with the Quark.

Personally, I'm leaning towards picking up a MiNi 123.

 

[polkiuj]

Thanks for the replies,

I am leaning towards the standard 123/2 as opposed to the tactical. The light will be used for utility, camping, survival, etc. It seems rather convoluted to access the other modes in the tactical model, as it should be given its intended design. I just wish the standard model had the option of the turbo head for added throw.

For me, the lack of a moonlight mode turned me off to the pd 30.

This is a great forum, thanks :twothumbs

You can get the Quark Turbo or just the Turbo head for more throw. But this will be in "tactical" UI.

You won't regret a Turbo cos the build is really that much better than a Quark. You will be happy when you hold a Turbo. It's solid and made of THICK aluminum without being heavy!

 

[Knowledge Seeker]

What is the difference between the Quark Turbo and the regular Quark?

 

[carrot]

The UI on the Turbo is the same as that of the tactical Quark.

The Turbo v. Regular:
- 2 programmable modes
- momentary/forward/tactical clicky
- more robust body design
- better throw due to larger reflector

 

[jblackwood]

I'd take any comparable Fenix over Quark personally. I own several of both and I like the Fenix better. None have the green tint of Quark which I hate.

This statement isn't accurate (sorry, recDNA). No company can guarantee what tint you get, neither 4sevens, nor Fenix, nor Cree (the company that makes LEDs). Well, I guess they CAN by hand-picking what they send out/make into flashlights. I guess I should say they WON'T. For example, I'm the LAST person to say that XP-G's aren't green at ALL, but I will say that it's a lottery no matter WHAT company you buy from, so if that's your deciding factor, you're really taking a chance. I bought exactly two Ti Quarks from 4sevens during the pre-order phase. One came with a sickly green hue that's worse than my Nitecore D10 Q5, the other came with the most pure, non green, blue, violet, brown light I've ever seen. The only exceptions were Dereelights. I've gotten a total of 7 emitters from them, including one XP-G, and so far the only one with a HINT, and I mean just a hint, of green was the XP-G. But I'm not about to tell people "you won't get green if you buy from Dereelight." Unless someone else knows better, tint is a chance you take, unless you buy neutral or warm options, which you can't do with the Quarks unless you shop from this page. And it looks like they're all sold out.

Try to find someone who will sell you a Q35A or 5B light if you want warm. That's your only option unless someone is willing to specify tint for you. That or try an RA light (which is a whole other can of worms).

 

[carrot]

I'd take any Quark over any comparable Fenix. Why? Because Quark is designed by Americans and made for an American company. They are better at making stuff we actually want. Who wants the same old crap that can't regulate properly on Li-ion? Not me.