Quark AA^2 vs. Fenix TK20

[MrBenchmark]

Hi, I'm looking for a Christmas gift for my brother-in-law, and I'm considering giving him a flashlight. I gave him a Pelican M6 (incandescent) long ago, and he likes it, but he has a problem:
1. He won't pay retail for CR123a batteries
2. He won't order them over the internet.

So, uh, he borrows them from me, when he remembers.

Anyway, I'm thinking an AA powered LED light will be a LOT better fit for him. He's somewhat tech averse, so I'd prefer that the light not have a very complex UI.

So I was thinking either:
- Fenix TK20
- Quark AA^2 (Tactical)

The Quark seems like the better light, and while the Tactical version seems to violate my "no complex UI" criteria, I can just program the light to reasonable levels for him, and then it will just have a sensible high and low setting, right?

Any thoughts between these two lights? Are there others I should consider?

Thanks!

 

[NoFair]

Quark imo.

Smaller (more likely to be carried), brighter (slightly with a neutral white led) and has a clip.

Given away a couple of 2AA tactical Quarks and they have been very well received:twothumbs

Sverre

 

[duboost]

I have both and i really like both. It depends on what he'll be using the light for. The quark is slimmer and lighter so if he'll be carrying it around, the size and weight of the quark compared to the tk20 is an advantage. But if its just gonna be a general use light, i love the feel of the tk20 in my hand. That thing is built like a tank. The size and rubber grip gives it a good feel. The tk20 has a tighter hotspot and throws farther, but the multiple modes of the quarks and the low lows are a plus as well. If you program the tactical quark for him, then the UI's will be exactly the same on both lights. They each have good things about them and both are quality lights.

 

[MrBenchmark]

Thanks, good stuff to think about!

As to what he'll use the light for, mainly he'll use it in his carpet cleaning business. Periodically he needs to check under furniture, look for spots in rooms with bad lighting, etc. So being easier to carry is a big advantage I'd think. Every once in a while he'll use the light for hiking at night - but he's really not a night person. He really only does foolish things like night hikes when he hangs around with his brother-in-law. (That guy is a flashaholic and a BAD influence on decent, hard-working, non-nocturnal people! )

The grip and the throw on the Fenix seems very nice too. Hard choice.

He generally EDC's a multi-tool, so as long as the light isn't enormous, I don't much think it will be a problem for him to carry it.

I'd buy him a CR123A light, but he really doesn't like buying the batteries. He's just not an online shopper.