Question about Quark Tactical UI

[OCD]

I have a question about my Quark Tactical (2*AA Turbo to be exact) that I was unable to find the answer to yet. If I'm asking something that has already been asked and answered, please point me in the correct direction.

My question is, when the batteries get low enough and can no longer run the light on turbo (or any other mode for that matter), what will happen? Will the light pre-flash and go to the next lower level, go straight to the next lower level (no flash), not come on at all in that mode? I have the light programmed tightened=med, loosened=turbo.

I've had the light for about 2-1/2 months now and am currently still running the alkalines that came with it. :tsk: I do check the batteries regularly as my OCD compels me to. Other than white wall hunting (and aggravating the wife :devil, I just haven't run them dead yet.

I'm just trying to figure out what kind of indication the light will give me to let me know its time for some new batteries.

 

[PeaceOfMind]

Can't say 100% for sure, but it will probably be a gradual dimming toward the next level. Ex. if it can't run Turbo, it will likely just run as close to Turbo as it can. Thus, as the batteries die, the upper levels will stop being distinguishable from levels below them. I doubt there would be any kind of pre-flash and I don't think there's a deliberate or obvious step-down to the next lowest level.

 

[uplite]

^ Yup, that's it exactly. When the battery can't supply enough juice for the level you selected, the light just takes as much as it can get. There is no flash or mode change or anything like that. It just gets dimmer.

I use this as an informal battery test on my Quark 123. Usually running on high, but sometimes I switch to max for a bit more throw outdoors. If I can't see the difference between max and high, the battery is probably 3/4 depleted and due for replacement very soon.

-Jeff

 

[fiznat]

I can confirm the gradual dimming. ...Or at least that is the way it has been on my 123x2. When the batteries get low there is an abrupt change from very bright to noticeably dim, and then shortly after the light will become barely functional at all. It is my understanding that this is how the regulation is supposed to work -- working at baseline for a long time and then abruptly shutting down.

I don't think the dimming you see at the end of the battery life is actually switching modes -- more like just fading out of whatever mode you are in.

 

[OCD]

Thanks, uplite. :wave:

I guess that's one of the disadvantages to the tactical UI. Without going into the programming mode, I can't just click through the levels to check the outputs against one another.

 

[tsmccull]

Yesterday I ran my Quark 123*2 tactical on turbo using a 17670 battery for about 90 minutes. Eventually it started getting dimmer and it was obvious the battery was getting exhausted. Nothing beyond that happened, so I assume yours will operate similarly. The body got pretty warm during all this, but not so hot it was uncomfortable.

 

[uplite]

I guess that's one of the disadvantages to the tactical UI. Without going into the programming mode, I can't just click through the levels to check the outputs against one another.

If you're still running the alkalines after 2.5 months, it doesn't really matter. The benefits of the tactical UI far outweigh this minor drawback.

If you use Max mode with any frequency, you might consider upgrading to lithium AA cells (energizer) when your alkalines give up the ghost. The lithiums will last even longer and deliver even more power when you need it. :thumbsup:

-Jeff

 

[OCD]

If you use Max mode with any frequency, you might consider upgrading to lithium AA cells (energizer) when your alkalines give up the ghost. The lithiums will last even longer and deliver even more power when you need it. :thumbsup:

That is my intention. Since I am not using my light a whole lot and and I can't find any white-top Duraloops, I will get some AA lithiums so no alkalines puke in my light!:green: Some time down the road I will get some Eneloops.

 

[bfksc]

That is my intention. Since I am not using my light a whole lot and and I can't find any white-top Duraloops,

Look online, I'm sure you can find them for a decent price. I bought another set of white-top Duraloops from 4Sevens.ca website since they were the best price around. And they're the real deal, made in Japan.

I will get some AA lithiums so no alkalines puke in my light!:green: Some time down the road I will get some Eneloops.

I use only Duraloops in my Quark AAx2 Tactical which uses the same interface, and with the extra current output from the NiMH cells over Alkaline, the light quickly steps from Max to High then Med as the voltage sags when the cells are almost depleted. Once it drops to Med, it will run for a short while before dropping to Low and then probably go for an hour or more at that level before dying (never really tested how long or if it drops to Moonlight). I've found that once the cells drop to Low, they've bottomed out and have a surface voltage of about 0.9v each which is ideal for running them down and then recharging.
:thumbsup:
I tend to use my AAx2 on Med most of the time and Max the rest, so I usually notice it drop from Max and then know it only has a few minutes before it drops down to Low - so I know it's time to get out fresh Duraloops to pop them in. That's the good thing about NiMH cells, they produce more constant current for the emitter driver circuit and allow the light to produce the same brightness level for most of the output time, then drop down as the voltage sags. With Alkalines, the voltage stays high enough that the driver circuit still tries to draw current but the cells can't provide it, so the light gradually dims over time instead of stepping down the output level, much like the older incandescent lights.
:sick2:
I prefer the NiMH cells over Alkaline for that step-down instead of gradual dimming, as well as the much better constant current output, rechargeable factor, and longer runtime. Lithiums (L91) are good too, but they're way too expensive for my regular usage. Rechargeable is the only way to go for an EDC or general light use. As a backup or emergency only light, Lithiums are a good idea as they have a 10 year shelf life and good output.
:thumbsup:

 

[bstrickler]

With my Quark AA^2 Tactical, it just skips to the next lower mode, and at that point, I just swap out batteries if I have em handy, otherwise I switch to my 6P, and deal with the 250 lumens, with less flood.

~Brian