quark mini AA & CR123 users thread

suivant7 · Dec 24, 2009

lovecpf

reflecyion · Dec 24, 2009

hi guys - total newb here,

any reason why i should get the 123 instead of the AA ?

compasillo · Dec 24, 2009

@SUIVANT7

Nice pics ! :thumbsup:

Haz · Dec 24, 2009

reflecyion said:
hi guys - total newb here,

any reason why i should get the 123 instead of the AA ?

higher output
longer runtime
shorter length

recDNA · Dec 24, 2009

HarveyRich said:
On my MiNi 123, the light does come on when pressing the head to the side after twisting it off just past the turn on point. However, it only takes about 1/4 turn to get past that point. So, a 1/4 turn past the on point will prevent one from accidentally pushing it on. That's really not that far IMHO. In my "paranoia" about lit pants and hot lights, I always turn my twisties a bit to make sure they don't accidentally turn on in my pocket.

I carry mine on a keychain hanging from a belt clip. Only a matter of time before the head falls off and I lose it. :-(

fisk-king · Dec 24, 2009

I have to agree w/ DNA. I am sitting at work right now w/ my mini123 in my button shirt pocket next to my iphone. It worked pretty well yesterday being buried in my pocket but for keychain duty I have my reservations (tried it a few times & was scared the head might accidently screw off). As others stated before, I have also back the head enough so the light cannot be activated by mere pressing of the head. But everything has its own drawbacks considered, but I still enjoy this little gizmo & it helps that this light is a POCKET ROCKET!:grin2:.

Flying Turtle · Dec 24, 2009

Got my Qmini 123 yesterday and have thoroughly enjoyed its company. First reaction, like most folks, was "wow, this is tiny!". I think its volume and weight may be less than my LF2XT. Beam slightly warm with maybe a hint of green against a pure white freezer door. And it lights up my backyard better than anything else I have. The threads on mine seem normal, or maybe a bit too tight. I do have to crank it down tighter than I'd like to get it to come on without a flicker. Tried cleaning and deoxit to no avail. Not really a problem, but it makes one-handing tough.

That aside it's just a great little light. The low seems well chosen and gives about all I usually need. The medium covers the rest. And the high is perfect for grins. I didn't realize the beacon was 10 sec. Kind of like that too. Knurling and grip is just right.

Kudos, again, to 4Sevens for bringing us what we want. We'd be stumbling in the darkness without you. I hope you forsee many future generations of this gem.

Geoff

recDNA · Dec 24, 2009

It's too bad Quark didn't do the tight is "off" loose is "on" type head. That way there is less risk of losing it.

Zendude · Dec 24, 2009

reflecyion said:
hi guys - total newb here,

any reason why i should get the 123 instead of the AA ?

What Haz said is true. The only drawback is the battery price(try to buy them online).

Merry Xmas and :welcome:

ZRXBILL · Dec 24, 2009

I was checking my Fenix E01 and it takes 3 3/4 turns to come off and 2 turns before the head gets past the o-ring and gets loose. Once my E01 is a 1/2 turn out it wont come on by pressing the head.

I'm wondering how the mini quarks compare.

JeffN · Dec 24, 2009

Haz said:
higher output

longer runtime

shorter length

True for primaries. Running on Li-on rechargeables, I've found that only your third point applies. Offsetting that, I find the smaller diameter of the Mini AA fits my pocket better.

My Mini 123 runs on an AW 16340 and my Mini AA on an AW 14500, both 750 mAh. The 123 throws a little tighter, too. Both are crazy bright for the size. :twothumbs definitely applies.

henry1960 · Dec 24, 2009

JeffN said:
True for primaries. Running on Li-on rechargeables, I've found that only your third point applies. Offsetting that, I find the smaller diameter of the Mini AA fits my pocket better.

My Mini 123 runs on an AW 16340 and my Mini AA on an AW 14500, both 750 mAh. The 123 throws a little tighter, too. Both are crazy bright for the size. :twothumbs definitely applies.

Dito on that...I do not have the 123 but the AA with the 14500`s great pocket light and run time and like you say crazy bright for a small light!!! :tinfoil:

AFAustin · Dec 24, 2009

Flying Turtle said:
The threads on mine seem normal, or maybe a bit too tight. I do have to crank it down tighter than I'd like to get it to come on without a flicker. Tried cleaning and deoxit to no avail. Not really a problem, but it makes one-handing tough.

Geoff

Geoff,

Have you tried sanding the o-ring a bit? I prefer a fairly fast twisty action, and I end up doing that on most of my head twisty lights. It usually works like a charm, and even an unhandy guy like me can handle this simple mod.

Andrew

DanTSX · Dec 24, 2009

Just got mine 10 minutes ago!

Well, it is for my wife, but I had to "test" it first.

Absolutely amazing. Very impressed with light and overall package. Big thanks to 47's for getting this to many of us in time for Christmas. This is my first light from them and I am more than impressed so far. Wife will be blown away too I'm sure.

I think I'm getting a SF LX2 from her, so I had to get her something bright in return. Good trade-off as she needs something for keyring.

Elliot · Dec 24, 2009

Flying Turtle said:
I do have to crank it down tighter than I'd like to get it to come on without a flicker. ... but it makes one-handing tough.

What battery are you using? Mine is only like that with the extra long DX protected TrustFires. The threads in my Mini 123 are great with everything else I've tried, including the shorter DX protected TrustFires. They are both grey in color TrustFires.

passive101 · Dec 24, 2009

So this plumbers tape will just add more friction to the threads so I won't have to worry about the light coming apart in my pocket?

What stores sell it?

aarong50 · Dec 24, 2009

Anyone here have a video of the strobe in action?

Kinda wondering how fast/slow it is.

recDNA · Dec 24, 2009

passive101 said:
So this plumbers tape will just add more friction to the threads so I won't have to worry about the light coming apart in my pocket?

What stores sell it?

Loews does...but I havn't gotten a straight answer about whether the flashlight will work with non-conductive tape wrapped around the threads.

If you try it and it works please pm me or at least be sure to post it.

I think there is some kind of grease that tightens it up a little too but I forget what it's called. I don't want to use the wrong grease and make it even looser.

MS3 · Dec 24, 2009

I received my mini123 and ITP A1 Wed. via first class USPS after placing orders for both on Sunday - just in time for Christmas! Amazing order turn around by 4Sevens and Going Gear!

This is my first purchase with the "buy 'em" both approach since I couldn't decide which one to get. Some compairson highlights for me are:
1. my trustfire 16340's fit fine in the ITP A1, but are too long for the mini123 to operate.
2. The ITP A1 has a clip which I like, but it's actually little weak. These lights are so small, I may just throw one in my pocket and not use the clip.

3. The head on the ITP A1 fits better than the mini123. This can be remedied, but the ITP A1 is better out of the box.

4. The knurling on the mini123 provides a much more secure grip than the ITP A1, but both can be operated with one hand.

For me, neither one really beats the other. They are both keepers :)

combinatorix · Dec 24, 2009

recDNA said:
Loews does...but I havn't gotten a straight answer about whether the flashlight will work with non-conductive tape wrapped around the threads.

If you try it and it works please pm me or at least be sure to post it.

I think there is some kind of grease that tightens it up a little too but I forget what it's called. I don't want to use the wrong grease and make it even looser.

Most hardware stores should have it, just ask for teflon tape or plumber's tape.

If you look at Zeruel's photo here you can see that contact is made between upper lip of the tube and a gold-plated PCB surface. So if you're careful to only wrap the threads and not spill over the top it'll be fine.

Note on the teflon tape- in plumbing applications you're supposed to replace it every time you re-seal the fittings, I'm not sure how well it will stand up to repeated use in a twisty light. Since the threads aren't pipe threads, they won't crush the teflon to the same degree, but it might eventually get cut up with repeated re-threading. Also, remember to wrap the tape clockwise!

Zeruel said:

quark mini AA & CR123 users thread

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