Surefire vs Quark vs Fenix

[Satasaurus]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to quality flashlights and I'm trying to decide which one to get. I can only get one for right now and I want to make a good choice. For the record I looked for similar threads and I didn't see any. Everyone has their preferences with size and battery type so I am specifically interested in the quality of the different brands as a whole. The Surefires seem to have a great reputation but I hate spending that kind of money if I can get something just as good for less. I am considering the Quarks at the moment, but I have heard of a few problems with them and some people seem to prefer the Fenixs. What do you guys prefer? I would really appreciate some help.

I am currently considering:

1. Quark Pro QP2A
2. Surefire G2X
3. Fenix PD32

 

[reppans]

IMHO, they are all good companies with different business philosophies - it depends which matches your priorities the best. SF and the other quality US manufactures are going to have the highest build quality, greatest reliability, and best warranty and customer service, but least features and relatively low outputs. On the other end of the scale, you have certain innovative Chinese manufactured lights that are super bright, and loaded with features, but they only offer 1yr warranties with customer service just as bad, and make any issues a borderline throw-away.... but are reasonably cheap, so maybe who cares? I think Fenix and Foursevens are in the middle ground of the two extremes with Fenix having a bit higher build quality and perhaps durability (pre electronic switch) and Foursevens with better warranty and customer service (esp if you're US based).

I'm personally a 1xAA/14500 EDC guy and prefer Foursevens Quarks for their extreme versatility: broad voltage/batt chem support, Legoable, moonlight lows, and beam selection (XML flood to Turbo throw).

 

[Yamabushi]

The three models are quite different.

The Quark Pro QP2A has an aluminum body, uses 2 AA batteries and has a reverse clicky switch without momentary on capability. It has 5 output levels from 0.2 lumens to 205 lumens plus strobe, SOS and beacon modes selected using head rotation and the tail switch.

The Surefire G2X has a plastic body, uses 2 CR123A, and has a forward clicky switch with momentary on capability. The Tactical version has a single 200 lumen output; the Pro has dual 15/320 lumen output selected using the tail switch.

The PD32 has an aluminum body, uses 2 CR123A, and has a forward clicky switch with momentary on capability. It has 4 output levels from 5 lumens to 340 lumens plus strobe and SOS modes selected using a side switch.

 

[dan05gt]

I recommend you really give some thought to your needs, such as which type of battery you want, what UI you want, and how many light levels you want. Forward clicky give you the ability to partially press the switch and have the light stay on as long as you keep the button partially pressed, whereas a reverse clicky does not provide a momentary on feature. Of course with both styles if you fully press the switch the light stays on. Each battery type has pros and cons - lots of threads already to discuss that. Don't underestimate the importance of the UI as if you end up not liking it, it really takes the enjoyment out of the light.

The UI is one of the reasons I like Surefire better than Fenix. Both are great lights, but for me I like things simple with my lights. Just decide what works best for you.

 

[yellow]

except for that this "choice" is totally useless - because of such different lights - you could see it as follows (in general):

Surefire: the most overbuilt, rugged(est?) lights.
Fenix: good mix of both
Quark: extremely light built

when You are the "I test my lights by running them over with a truck"-type, then the Quark is not for You
(but in use all of the lights will survive much more abuse, than the person holding it)
;)

 

[Labrador72]

They are all good lights and as other posters have said it really depends on your priorities. You should compare lights of the same category though.

Foursevens QP2A / QT2A
Fenix LD22
Surefire Outdoorsman AA?

Surefire G2X
Fenix PD32
Foursevens QP2C / QT2C

I don't know much about the G2X but Surefire have the reputation they have for a reason. Fenix and Quark are also very good. If you know what you want, the choice is quite easy as these lights have their strengths and weaknesses depending on your needs. For example, if you want moonlight mode for camping, then there is no contest as the Quark would win. You have a strong preference 18650 compatibility for longer runtimes and saving money on CR123, then the PD32 would be your choice. the Quark and Surefire probably take 17650 so you can so you can save on CR123 even with those lights but you'd get shorter runtimes than with a 18650. I have nearly 20 Fenix lights and

I can say they are very good lights. I don't like the UI on the LD22/PD32 but that's my own personal preference. Fenix offer a 24 months warranty + 6 additional months if you register it online: after that you have a limited warranty where workmanship is free but you have to pay for parts. I had a problem with one of my Fenix lights within the full warranty period and got really good service from the local distributor and Fenix China also sent me the battery cap for one of their headlamps I had lost while hiking - free of charge even though I don't think the warranty covered for lost parts.

I have been tempted to buy Surefire many times but here in Europe they are crazy expensive and rarely go on sale but you pay that price for a reason. The G2X is not that expensive to be honest: the older 200 lumen model can be found at the same price as a PD32.

By all accounts Quark also make good ligths and a 10-year warranty is always a plus. I also think the customizable UI on the Quark Tactical series is probably one of the most versitile UIs on the flashlight market.

I would decide first which kind of battery you'd like to use, then check out the UI and brightness levels that you think you fit your needs best. Last but not the least keep in mind warranty type and duration, especially when comparing prices. If you know what features are most important for you, it's going to be an easy choice.

 

[BillSWPA]

I was a Surefire fanboy for about 15 years, and EDC'd one every day until November of last year. they build a very good light. However, I increasingly question whether their lights are as much better than the competition as they are more expensive than the competition. If cost is a concern, Surefire is not the way to go. Their CR123 cells are a very different story, being high quality and reasonably priced, and in my opinion is your best choice in a primary cell power choice.

I have lately had very good results with FourSevens lights, and currently own four Quark Tacticals as well as some Minis and Preons. My most common EDC is a QT2L. They have been quite reliable so far. They are made in China, but designed and supported in the US, and come with a 10 year warranty. If you look in the general flashlight discussion forum, you will find a best/worst purchases thread showing a lot of people who are happy with their FourSevens purchases. Regarding durability, I have one acquaintance who dropped a Quark from a height of 5 feet twice with no issues, and another who put his through the laundry - washer and dryer - with no ill effects. The MLR2 on my keychain has been dropped repeatedly from a height of about 3 feet with no issues.

I have no personal experience with Fenix yet, but they also have an excellent reputation. Looking at the best/worst purchases thread, there are a lot of happy Fenix customers.

 

[FlashKat]

How do you figure Quark is extremely light built?
I have 2 Quarks, and they are built very well if not equal to Surefire.
Surefire has the reputation mostly from being the first manufacturer that built rugged lights, but times have caught up. I use to own Surefire for years, but found their quality is not worth the price.

except for that this "choice" is totally useless - because of such different lights - you could see it as follows (in general):

Surefire: the most overbuilt, rugged(est?) lights.
Fenix: good mix of both
Quark: extremely light built

when You are the "I test my lights by running them over with a truck"-type, then the Quark is not for You
(but in use all of the lights will survive much more abuse, than the person holding it)
;)

 

[dan05gt]

It has definitely gotten a lot more complicated when comparing flashlights than it use to be. Not all flashlights even from the same manufacturer seem to be designed to the same level of durability, not all have the same tints, beams, UI, features, some use constant current while others use PWM, etc. It really comes down to ensuring that you do your homework to ensure you are getting exactly what you want, or at least as close as possible.

There are obviously some brands that seem more durable or reliable than others, but given the volume of lights produced, the amount of abuse some users put them through, QC, as well as battery types used, etc. "mileage may vary." In short there is probably always someone who has had any given brand fail, while others have never had a light of that same brand fail. Bottom line is if you read enough reviews you can find the ones that are historically more reliable.

 

[yellow]

How do you figure Quark is extremely light built?.

its the Quark AA mini warm white I edc,
the 18650 body I bought for an 2*CR123 Quark (which I both do not use because I simply dont like how they "feel") and
the two 1*CR123 Quarks I bought for friends.
... possibly there are models now with thicker sidewalls, I do not know, but I havent gotten them yet
(AND - as I typed - am totally certain they are perfectly ok for any use, except unnecessary crazy and nothing-proofing "tests")


The sidewall/body thickness on all of them is not like the 6Ps I am used to ... or the Jetbeams, Fenix, Nightcores, ...

... and for the 6Ps I feel the same as BillSWPA, as - since the "invention" of the hex bezel - I no longer like SFs anymore.
That way too thin lip is just a joke and FAR from "rugged". Without a bezel ring from oveready the hex bezel lights are plain useless imho (or one does not mind having the lip bent - for no reason at all, at least no real impacts). They are expensive enough that there should be a better bezel ring supplied in original state ...
to quote Bill: "if cost is a concern, SF is not the way to go". That sums it up perfectly.

Don't You think that Quark=light, Fenix=med, SF="heaviest" is "correct" ?
(and/or small --> med --> "biggest")
How would You rate them?

 

[skyfire]

i would have to agree with most here. ive owned and taken apart lights from all 3 makers.
i would say in terms of build construction, and build design... the biggest difference is surefire's build designs. surefire isnt trying to make their lights as compact as possible and can have a more "overbuilt" design. this becomes more apparent when you start taking them apart and looking at the way its constructed from its internals.
1. surefire
2. fenix
3. 4sevens

i think fenix and 4sevens have very similar build designs. but fenix does machine their parts for more thickness.
and if it makes any difference, fenix does their manufacturing in-house, while 4sevens is contracted. from my experiences with 4sevens their quality is not as good as it used to be. my first couple of quarks from when they first started worked great, but lights produced later on gave me minor problems. i havent bought anymore quarks since before their re-branding so i cant really say how their quality is now.

 

[FlashKat]

I have to admit I don't own any of the smaller 4 Seven lights, so I stand corrected.

its the Quark AA mini warm white I edc,
the 18650 body I bought for an 2*CR123 Quark (which I both do not use because I simply dont like how they "feel") and
the two 1*CR123 Quarks I bought for friends.
... possibly there are models now with thicker sidewalls, I do not know, but I havent gotten them yet
(AND - as I typed - am totally certain they are perfectly ok for any use, except unnecessary crazy and nothing-proofing "tests")


The sidewall/body thickness on all of them is not like the 6Ps I am used to ... or the Jetbeams, Fenix, Nightcores, ...

... and for the 6Ps I feel the same as BillSWPA, as - since the "invention" of the hex bezel - I no longer like SFs anymore.
That way too thin lip is just a joke and FAR from "rugged". Without a bezel ring from oveready the hex bezel lights are plain useless imho (or one does not mind having the lip bent - for no reason at all, at least no real impacts). They are expensive enough that there should be a better bezel ring supplied in original state ...
to quote Bill: "if cost is a concern, SF is not the way to go". That sums it up perfectly.

Don't You think that Quark=light, Fenix=med, SF="heaviest" is "correct" ?
(and/or small --> med --> "biggest")
How would You rate them?

 

[yellow]

I have to admit I don't own any of the smaller 4 Seven lights, so I stand corrected.

and I have none of the bigger ones,
so we both stand corrected
;)

 

[dss_777]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to quality flashlights and I'm trying to decide which one to get. I can only get one for right now and I want to make a good choice. For the record I looked for similar threads and I didn't see any. Everyone has their preferences with size and battery type so I am specifically interested in the quality of the different brands as a whole. The Surefires seem to have a great reputation but I hate spending that kind of money if I can get something just as good for less. I am considering the Quarks at the moment, but I have heard of a few problems with them and some people seem to prefer the Fenixs. What do you guys prefer? I would really appreciate some help.

I am currently considering:

1. Quark Pro QP2A
2. Surefire G2X
3. Fenix PD32

It depends.

You really need to describe your intended use.