Quark Mini AA Neutral White--Some Observations

[se4g4e]

Just got my neutral white MiNi AA tonight and even though I was informed that it is going to be slightly dimmer than the cool white version, I was still slightly disappointed by it's output. Maybe I am asking for too much but having owned some other AA lights that output more lumens, I expect the MiNi AA to perform.

Remembering that David from 4sevens did mentioned that the MiNi AA to be capable of running AW's 14500, I tried it. It works and is much brighter but it got very hot after 2 minutes. The heat did stay consistent after about 5 to 6 minutes but the lens is all fogged up due to the intense heat on the bezel. The fogging only disappears after the light cools. I don't see this when running the AA alkaline except with a much lower output.

Now I am wondering what is going to happen to the Ti version of the MiNi AA that I just ordered if I were to run the AW 14500 in it. Since titanium has much poorer heat conductivity, I am thinking if the LED would be damaged by the intense heat generated using AW 14500.

Anyone owns the 123 version? Does it get very hot when used with primary batteries?

My 123 does not get hot. Warm, but not hot.

 

[MarkW]

The heat did stay consistent after about 5 to 6 minutes but the lens is all fogged up due to the intense heat on the bezel. The fogging only disappears after the light cools.

I am puzzled by the lens fogging while the temp is increasing, if the fogging is caused by moisture. Condensation generally occurs when temp is dropping, not rising; cooling air cannot hold as much water vapor. Could the fogging have occurred after the light was turned off?

Also, I would expect that with use, any excessive humidity in the head will be driven out by the heat, to the point that condensation at ambient or warmer temperatures does not occur--though this might take a while if the head is close to air-tight.

Anyone else with a fogging problem? Or an explanation?

 

[ElectronGuru]

Water intrusion issues aside, fog from heat is usually the vaporization of a compound found near the LED (think melt into a gas). Some vapors disapate, while others 'stick'.

Keep in mind, anything coating the lens is also coating the reflector.

 

[pjandyho]

Thanks for the headsup cave dave. I missed that part on the update from 4sevens. When the manual stated working voltage from 0.9 to 1.5v for AA and 0.9 to 3v for CR123, I thought 4sevens was trying to be conservative since I recall David having claimed he ran the AW in the MiNi AA. Anyway, I found that running the Energizer lithium to give me a brighter output without getting too hot. I will go with the Energizer lithium then since I wanted to make this light a mini pocket cannon.

 

[pjandyho]

My 123 does not get hot. Warm, but not hot.

Thanks! That's rather comforting to know.

 

[pjandyho]

MarkW,

I guess you are right about that. I did not take note if the fogging occurred when my light was set on high mode. I only noticed it when I changed it to the medium output. I guess I would never find out as I won't be running the AW 14500 in it if what electronGuru said is true. Hate to know some of the compounds in the light are vaporizing while running the MiNi hot.

 

[Light11]

Using a CR123 mine starts to warm up after 10 minutes on high m.

 

[pjandyho]

Warm is fine with me. All my lights get warm after about 10mins. I am not expecting a miracle but definitely not hot. Thanks Light11 for the reassurance as I am thinking of getting another regular MiNi 123 neutral white for the higher power. Maybe I would just keep the Ti version as a shelf queen and EDC the regular version.

 

[cave dave]

... Anyway, I found that running the Energizer lithium to give me a brighter output without getting too hot. I will go with the Energizer lithium then since I wanted to make this light a mini pocket cannon.

The mini AA warm was never designed to be a "mini pocket cannon". It was designed to be a small as possible EDC light that gave decent well balanced (runtimes vs brightness) performance on Nimh and Alkalines. I think the Mini AA is about the perfect EDC light for my requirements. I have been waiting for a light like this for years.

If you are going to use Li Primaries anyway you would be better off getting the Mini 123 in the cool white LED. The warm LED is about 2/3 the brightness of the cool white LED and CR123s are cheaper than Energizer AA Li when bought on line. ( I see that you are planning on getting one)

 

[Morelite]

I've been using 3v lithium primaries (from split apart CRV3s) in mine since I received it and have had no problems. I wanted the MiNi 123 proformance with the smaller diameter package of the AA.

 

[pjandyho]

The mini AA warm was never designed to be a "mini pocket cannon". It was designed to be a small as possible EDC light that gave decent well balanced (runtimes vs brightness) performance on Nimh and Alkalines. I think the Mini AA is about the perfect EDC light for my requirements. I have been waiting for a light like this for years.

If you are going to use Li Primaries anyway you would be better off getting the Mini 123 in the cool white LED. The warm LED is about 2/3 the brightness of the cool white LED and CR123s are cheaper than Energizer AA Li when bought on line. ( I see that you are planning on getting one)

I know what you meant. I had bought the AA because I had the impression I could run it with AW 14500 for more output. So I thought I preferred the slimmer body of the AA and I bought that instead of the 123. If only I knew that 4sevens had made some changes in their claims I would not have gotten the AA version. In fact, I am really itching for the MiNi 123 now since it is quite easy to find CR123 in Singapore, and since I can get them relatively cheap I have plenty of it at home right now. But I will just wait for my Ti MiNi 123 and Ti MiNi AA to come before deciding if I should get another regular black.

Overall, I would still say that the MiNi AA is a very good EDC light for general use. I am just being unrealistic for having want the smallest light with the biggest output. Guess I should go back to Physics lesson again and re-learn thermal dissipation.

 

[pjandyho]

I've been using 3v lithium primaries (from split apart CRV3s) in mine since I received it and have had no problems. I wanted the MiNi 123 proformance with the smaller diameter package of the AA.

I don't think I can find any of these batteries here in Singapore. I wanted batteries I could acquire easily and since I can find CR123 and Lithium AA rather easily here in Singapore, I guess I would stick with both platform.

But I would still keep a look out for these batteries. Thanks for the input.

 

[BlueMarble]

Great information. Thank you so much for your review. I was wondering about several of the things you mentioned, and I'm thinking I might get one of these for hiking and for camping. I have been using a Neutral Quark AA and I love it and I think the Mini AA in neutral would be a nice small option for handing to people that are with me if they need a flashlight.

I'd be curious to know how well the Fenix accessories fit on the end of one of these. I can't quite get the lantern-like diffuser on the end of my regular quark, but maybe I could get this to work since it is so thin.

 

[azzid]

is the mini aa regulated? just ordered a warm white version and i was thinking if i made a mistake bcoz the quark aa was not available with the warm white emitter