Quark AA: jack of all trades

[flatline]

The first quality light I purchased was the Quark AA with Q3 5A emitter. Now that I've purchased several more lights, I'm starting to see the QAAw in a new light. 4sevens obviously put a lot of thought into their Quark series of lights to have designed a light that manages to be close to optimal for just about every use.

My Quark has become my backup light. I have other lights that I prefer to use in specific situations, but the Quark is the only light that I have that can fill in for every specialist light I've got. If I go for a trip and can only take one light with me, the Quark is the only one I own that I know will perform well for any use I'm likely to have for it.

The only suggestion I have to improve this great light is to add either a low voltage warning for lithiums or to have a way for it to report the cell voltage (like the LF5XT). That would be sweet!

--flatline

 

[Nickyan]

:thumbsup: you have the tactical or normal version? I'm waiting for mine and am happy to apparently have made a good decision

What other lights do you have to compare to?

 

[madmook]

I've also just ordered my first Quark, a neutral-white AA tactical. It'll probably also be my main backup, as the medium mode (18 lumens) runtime is supposed to be over 12 hours, based on selfbuilt's review.

 

[flatline]

I have the regular version. The programmable tactical UI didn't appeal to me because I don't like messing with the bezel to change modes. With the regular UI, I can get to any mode I'm likely to want with one hand. I only tighten the bezel for max and strobe when people want a demonstration of what the light can do.

--flatline

 

[AnAppleSnail]

:thumbsup: you have the tactical or normal version? I'm waiting for mine and am happy to apparently have made a good decision

What other lights do you have to compare to?

You will like the tactical, assuming that you got it - along with the lovely neutral white. Just for grins I've been using mine on the set of alkalines it came with. I have no idea how much time I've used it, but I have enjoyed every minute of having it clipped to a pocket or belt.

This was my first tactical light, and I did two things to protect my investment:

1) Unbox, disassemble it, check the threads for burrs, clean it all. Lube the threads and under the O rings (Radio shack Superlube, the precision applicator, works well). While the light is new, disassemble and clean the O rings and threads until you stop getting black grit in the threads - now they're broken in and won't need attention but yearlyish and before big trips.

2) Be careful not to push the light directly upwards while it's clipped on a belt - I nearly lost mine while roofing that way.

Enjoy it! I like my Quark, and I'm unlikely to get another light for a while - just lego battery tubes for now

 

[Nickyan]

Thanks for the advice! I'm getting the tac in NW.

I'll clean and lube as you said, I do that with most lights anyway. Some come lubed, the DX ones don't. I use some diving-grade silicone.

I'll probably be getting the 18650 tube next, maybe the AA^2 as backup at some point. Probably also the non protruding tail cap. Love the Lego

 

[Bort]

I love my Quark AA running on a 14500. Extremely bright + good runtime, also.

 

[Nickyan]

That was exactly what I was planning on doing as EDC. I only have cheap 14500 so they won't have great runtime.

Here is another informative thread with even more informative links in it. Pretty much the thread that made up my mind

:tired: getting late here

 

[Linger]

+4 or what-ever we're at in this thread.
Quark AA neutral is great I'll concur. If you haven't tried it with a 3.7v cell, you're not seeing the whole story, but it remains very impressive (the 2xAA extension tube will also provide max output).
Yup I edc my Q AA T W, and the versatility is magnificent. Moonlight, low, medium, high, turbo...fantastic.
I usually use moonlight, high, and turbo, but I reprogram it often enough to feel I get my use out of it.
Now I do find the Jetbeam IBS the 'perfect' UI, with three programable modes. But the quark tactical can be given to another person to use easily enough: press the button for on; in advanced situations a second output can be set with instructions - turn here for the 2nd mode.

 

[Sgt. LED]

My Turbo AA came programmed at strobe and strobe!

I think they were forcing me to sit down and program it. Actually it took longer to read how to do it than to just do it!

I can't make up my mind which UI I like better, regular or tactical. Crazy enough I'm leaning toward regular. What happened to me?

 

[batmanacw]

I was really disappointed in the UI of the tactical. Only being able to quickly access two brightness levels sucked. I had no idea going in since the website was not totally clear on the differences.

I gave my tactical 123 to my friend in Califonia.

When I finally do buy another quark, (not if, but when) I am going to buy the regular UI. It still has access to tactical brightness levels, but has easy access to variable levels.

Not sure where the Quark would fit into my light purchasing priority since I have the Nitecores with a much better UI.

The Quark is a great quality light. Not my favorite, but very good.

 

[Vox Clamatis in Deserto]

Gotta love the QAAW with a 14500. I travel to some fairly remote areas on occasion, the ability to power it with an AA is comforting.

I'm trying to take the QAAW out of my pocket so I can EDC a QAA Ti. But they are both terrific.

Look for Surefire to have XP-G lights in next year's catalog, and for sale at three times the price in a couple of years. Just kidding, of course.