I was carrying my Fenix PD30 around all day every day and was in love with the thing. Amazing output for the size and the features were perfect. Until one day I couldn't find it. I've looked everywhere and the only thing I can think of is that it fell out of my bag on a bike ride. I was very disappointed when I saw that I can't get one easily now as its discontinued.
So I'm in the market for a new light now. The Jetbeam Jet III is looking very nice. I love my M1X so I'd be interested in another Jetbeam unless there's something better. I've been out of the loop for a little while so I'm not up to snuff with the new technology. I'd like to have at least the 220 lumens that the PD30 had and also have a nice low for general work.
So is the Jet III my best option or is there something better out there (well I know there is, but within the same price range)?
I trust Fenix more than Jetbeam but I want to believe Jetbeam is just as realiable. My two PD30's are my favorite lights. I recommend a new PD30 R4 and an LD10 R4. Or the Quarks of similar configuration. I own the two Fenix lights so can recommend them.
My personal favorite in this form factor is now the Malkoff M61 in any host of your choice (MD2 is a particularly inexpensive and excellent option) or the Quark 123^2 Tactical.
If you loved your Fenix PD30 that much, just get the updated/latest version of it...the Fenix PD30+ R4. It's got everything you loved about your old PD30 AND it spits out more light!
The Cree R4 LED on the newer PD30+ R4 increases the max output to a whopping 265 Lumens :huh: compared to the old PD30's 220 Lumens.
Besides, the Jet-III M is bigger and thicker than the PD30...
Well I would choose the Quark Tactical over the PD30 but the P20C2 MKII over them both. bigchelis tested the MKII at 330 lumens and it has three modes lo/med/hi plus two blinky modes. I still like my PD30's for their size and quick access to multiple modes but I rarely carry them since the release of some of these new lights.
Here is what I found out as the owner of these two torch lamps:
Twenty-three good reasons to buy a Quark 123² R5 vs Fenix PD30 R4 ->
Proof that 4Sevens listened to you and redefined the flashlight!
01) United State no-hassle10-year performance garanteeinstead of two in China for the Fenix.
02) Much much better holster - very sturdy, very well designed, rigid, instead of Fenix holster which is soft, making it difficult to use, you need both hands to put back the flashlight in it.
03) More powerful with 230+ Lumens OTF (equivalent to maybe 300 Lumens OTE). 04) Strong, integrated awesome pocket clip - an exclusive Quark design which will no doubt be copied by others in the future. :goodjob:
05) Reversable/removable pocket clip - The clip can be removed or reversed and the flashlight used bezel up or down, which enables its use on a cap visor for hands-free lighting. To reverse the clip, you do nothing to the clip at all, you just unscrew the head and the tailcap and switch them. :wow:
06) Easier to use pocket clip, much better design, can easily be slipped on a belt or a cap visor unlike the PD30 clip which is very very difficult to slip on anything.
07) Very stable in candle position, unlike the Fenix flashlight which tends to topple over (shaky-standing tailpiece). :twothumbs
08) Shorter than the PD30 makes it the smallest and the brightest 2 x CR123A torch lamp ever made in the world.
09) Knurling on almost the entire surface of the flashlight.
10) XP-G R5 cool white emitter (neutral-white available as an option) , the latest in LED technology by CREE. No option available for PD30.
11) Total of 3 flash modes instead of 2 (SOS/Strobe/Beacon).
12) Total of 5 outpout levels instead of 4.
13) Low-low mode (moonlight mode -> 0.2 Lumens) good for 24 hours/day for 30 days. VERY useful at helping you find your way if you wake up in the middle of the night without destroying your low light vision.
14) Interchangeable head and body.
15) Elegant and luxurious packaging, you are feeling you just bought a $300 flashlight.
16) High quality 4Sevens brand batteries included (worth $6.00).
17) Handgrip accessory included (worth $6.00).
18) Very high quality lanyard included (worth $6.00).
19) After-sales service provided by 4Sevens, a company well known to online flashaholics around the world and one of the most recommended companies where to buy a LED torch lamp. After-sales service with my Fenix PD30 R4 after a short-circuit in the head : waiting from mid May to August 2 - 2010 including several e-mails.
20) Only $69USD all included - less expensive than the Fenix PD30 at $72USD with 2 gaskets included...
21) When power of primary batteries are getting low :
Fenix PD30 : When the flashlight is in "turbo mode" it begins to flicker. When using the "high" mode which is lower than the "turbo mode" to correct the problem, it still flickers AND IS THEREFORE USELESS (in both modes).
Quark 123² :The flashlight in "turbo mode" can still be used as it emits a gradual lower light.
22) The Quark's beam [XP-G R5] is all flood with a huge hotspot which smoothly blends in with the spill. But the Fenix [XP-G R4 with the original Orange Peel Reflector no more available] has a narrower hot spot with a brown tint in it...
23) The 4Sevens Quark 123² XP-G R5 still come with a textured reflector (Orange Peel)... No more for the PD30 R4... that means a nice brown donut in the middle of the throw and bye bye! the nice spill that you should expect with a Cree XP-G R4 with an OP reflector.
24) I forgot something! Add it!
Oh yes! I find a con : All the Fenix's options except the AD401 Diffuser Lens and the Fenix headband won't fit the Quark 123² because the diameter is a little bit larger. The AD401 is difficult to fit on and might scratch the knurling. I switched from Fenix AD401 Diffuser Lens to the Quark's Prism Diffuser Lens (small and fantastic product that gives you much more uses than a normal diffuser because of the 90° angle and is much easier to fit on the flashlight being in rubber instead of hard plastic like the Fenix AD401).
No, I don't work for 4Sevens... but I am very impressed by their line of products like the Q123 MiNi and the Prism Kit that I bought from them.
Maybe these informations might help you make a good decision.
My flashlight experience (40 years) is limited with these LED torch lamps: Fenix PD30 Q5, R2, R4 and Quark 123² R5 because my need is for the smallest 2 x CR123A LED torch lamp as an EDC (always in a holster with me all the time) and also for bush camping in remote northern areas.
Good question, I have no bloody idea where I got that number from. Hard to remember all the specs of things. :shrug: I think my friend suggested to me that the Quark appeared to be hitting about 300 lumens (as compared to the Malkoff) so maybe that's why I "remembered" it as 290.
Tomorrow I will test it against the Malkoff and see if I'm talking out my butt again.
Although specs aside, CampingMaster has detailed all the fine details of the Quark that make it one of my favorite lights. Tu as raison.
Is tailcap lockout possible on the Quark?...i.e. are the tail screw threads anodized for tailcap lockout? I don't have a Quark so I'm just wondering...:thinking:
Is tailcap lockout possible on the Quark?...i.e. are the tail screw threads anodized for tailcap lockout? I don't have a Quark so I'm just wondering...:thinking:
Well I would choose the Quark Tactical over the PD30 but the P20C2 MKII over them both. bigchelis tested the MKII at 330 lumens and it has three modes lo/med/hi plus two blinky modes.
I recently bought a bunch of EDC lights (pic below). Of all those lights, the PD30 was my LEAST favorite and I also believe the PD30 had the lowest lumens (to my naked eye).
IMHO, the two top choices for EDC lights (from my pic) are the Quark 123*2 Tactical XPG R5 and the EagleTac P20C2 XPG R5 (with OP reflector).
I really like the P20C2, but the light that stays in my pocket all the time, every single day is the Quark Tactical 123*2. Additionally, I have purchased (and then given away as gifts) about six of the Quarks and people never fail to be amazed at the amount of light from such a small package. If you're looking for a great father's day present or birthday present for someone, then look no further than a Quark Tactical 123*2!!!!!! :thumbsup:
