gunga
Flashaholic
4Sevens Atom AL & 360° Headlamp Kit Quickshot Review
Okay, due to family constraints, for the time being, my reviews will have to be quick impressions and observations.
First off is the Atom AL, a compact stainless steel light, powered by CR123 (or rechargeable RCR123s/16340).
Here are the specs, ported from 4Sevens.
Battery Type: CR123 (or 16340)
Low Mode: 6 lumens, 40 hours
High Mode: 110 lumens, 3.5 hours
LED: XPG2 (Cool white)
Body Material: Stainless steel, bead blasted
Lens Material: Plastic optic lens
Features: Lanyard loop, magnet tail
Size: 1.84 x 0.77", 1.03 oz
Retail Price: $40
Impressions & Observations
My overall impressions are very positive. This is a lightweight but nicely made light. The light does not feel substantial, but the thin steel walls are quite strong. I see no durability concerns here. Light operation was initially stiff, too stiff. I even broke an o-ring on the first day. The thin steel walls require a very thin (and hence fragile) o-ring. After lubricating the spare, I found operation to be much smoother and so far have not had any other issues.
As you can see, this is a tiny light, barely larger than the battery it houses. The following picture shows it with the equally tiny 4Sevens Preon P0 (This light has been heavily used so I brushed the finish off), as well as a 16340 battery and AA battery as a size reference.
The light it self is a reflector-less pure flood (or "mule") configuration, so it is best used for close range tasks where a wide, even, floody beam is desired. Any notion of throw should be discarded, this is a task light, not a spotting or tactical light. That said, I found the beam to be very useful for it's intended purposes: close range tasks, reading, working in tight spaces etc.
Instead of a reflector, there is a disk of glow material that provides a nice after-glow when the light has just been used. This may add some green tint to the edge of the beam, but it was not an issue in use.
I also find the magnet on the tail to be very useful. It is strong enough to hold the light in any position and adds an extra degree of utility for this light, making is perhaps a very useful light for automotive work.
The light is a progressive twisty, that is, twist a little for low, twist more for high. This is an ideal user interface for this light and is far superior to the multi-twists required for many other similar lights. Internally, it seems that the two levels are controlled but a springy metal disk in the head. Initial battery contact turns on the low beam, and more pressure compresses the disk, closing the circuit and initiating the high beam. This seems like a more durable alternative to similar circuits I have seen in the past that rely on springs or springy metal tabs. Only time will tell, but the design seems durable. I find the concept similar to metal membrane buttons one can find in some remote controls.
The brightness levels seem well spaced and I didn't notice any PWM (pulsing/flicker) in the beam. The low level is a useful and the high is quiet impressive however I do find that I would appreciate a different set of levels. I likely would prefer a lower low mode, for use with dark-adapted eyes, and also a lower high mode, since I found the current high level to be excessive for extended use. In fact, I would have greatly preferred three levels, however, I believe that would be difficult to achieve based on the current switching configuration.
Overall, I do find this to be a nice, useful short-range task light, however, it's usage is greatly enhanced by the 360° headlamp kit.
The Kit That Completes the Light
While I do like the Atom AL, I find it is wonderfully useful when combined with the 360° Headlamp kit. The floody beam is a perfect match for this well-priced kit (retail price is a very reasonable $15).
Here is the description as per 4Sevens:
"The 360° Headlamp Kit features two-way articulation to point light in any direction with single-hand on/off operation. The headlamp can be worn on the forehead or to the side above the ears and works with FOURSEVENS Atom and Mini flashlights. Atoms lock into position and are held in place securely with the integrated neodymium magnet. Mini flashlights are held by using the 2 included o-rings for each Mini. All lights are sold separately and are not included in this kit.
Compatible flashlights include: Mini ML, Mini MA, Mini MLR2, and all Atom flashlights as well as the Preon P0. This product is not compatible with the Mini M2A.
The 360° Headlamp Kit includes the head strap, headlamp cradle, 3 fitted adapters for the different Atom models, and 2 o-rings for each of the Mini models."
Well, thus far, I have used the headlamp kit with both Atom AL and Preon P0 models (I don't own any other compatible flashlights). I find it to be extremely user friendly and useful. The smooth, wide floody beams and the very adjustable mount make this kit ideal for providing light from most any angle. The included adapters mate well with the lights, providing one-handed operation as well as easy removal based on the magnet attachment. I believe that use with the Mini series of lights may be a touch more fiddly since they require o-rings to properly attach to the kit. I have heard positive results with all compatible lights though, so your mileage may vary.
I have shown the Atom AL in the 360° next to a common Zebralight H51. As you can see, the headband is quite substantial and comfortable. I'm happy to report that the headband fits around my rather large head. While the wide headband is comfortable, I did find it was more "noticable" compared to a slimmer band. I tend to overheat easily so would prefer a thinner, narrower band, but some may feel differently. The headlamp kit tends to make one look like a "unicorn". While this is not a benefit, I find that the extended lamp eliminated the glare that is often found while wearing a headlamp with eye-glasses (a very real benefit). Ah, thus is the price of fashion.
The headlamp mount itself seems quite durable, with very solid (and loud) detents to hold it in place, I wonder if 4Sevens would sell the mount separately. This would allow one to mount two different kind of lights to the headband (perhaps one for flood, one for throw).
The Atom AL and the 360° headlamp kit are a perfect match and provide a very useful dual-purpose combo at a very reasonable price (retail $55 for the combination). I would recommend this for most and especially for those unsure they want to commit to a single purpose headlamp. Great Job 4Sevens.
Okay, due to family constraints, for the time being, my reviews will have to be quick impressions and observations.
First off is the Atom AL, a compact stainless steel light, powered by CR123 (or rechargeable RCR123s/16340).
Here are the specs, ported from 4Sevens.
Battery Type: CR123 (or 16340)
Low Mode: 6 lumens, 40 hours
High Mode: 110 lumens, 3.5 hours
LED: XPG2 (Cool white)
Body Material: Stainless steel, bead blasted
Lens Material: Plastic optic lens
Features: Lanyard loop, magnet tail
Size: 1.84 x 0.77", 1.03 oz
Retail Price: $40
Impressions & Observations
My overall impressions are very positive. This is a lightweight but nicely made light. The light does not feel substantial, but the thin steel walls are quite strong. I see no durability concerns here. Light operation was initially stiff, too stiff. I even broke an o-ring on the first day. The thin steel walls require a very thin (and hence fragile) o-ring. After lubricating the spare, I found operation to be much smoother and so far have not had any other issues.
As you can see, this is a tiny light, barely larger than the battery it houses. The following picture shows it with the equally tiny 4Sevens Preon P0 (This light has been heavily used so I brushed the finish off), as well as a 16340 battery and AA battery as a size reference.
The light it self is a reflector-less pure flood (or "mule") configuration, so it is best used for close range tasks where a wide, even, floody beam is desired. Any notion of throw should be discarded, this is a task light, not a spotting or tactical light. That said, I found the beam to be very useful for it's intended purposes: close range tasks, reading, working in tight spaces etc.
Instead of a reflector, there is a disk of glow material that provides a nice after-glow when the light has just been used. This may add some green tint to the edge of the beam, but it was not an issue in use.
I also find the magnet on the tail to be very useful. It is strong enough to hold the light in any position and adds an extra degree of utility for this light, making is perhaps a very useful light for automotive work.
The light is a progressive twisty, that is, twist a little for low, twist more for high. This is an ideal user interface for this light and is far superior to the multi-twists required for many other similar lights. Internally, it seems that the two levels are controlled but a springy metal disk in the head. Initial battery contact turns on the low beam, and more pressure compresses the disk, closing the circuit and initiating the high beam. This seems like a more durable alternative to similar circuits I have seen in the past that rely on springs or springy metal tabs. Only time will tell, but the design seems durable. I find the concept similar to metal membrane buttons one can find in some remote controls.
The brightness levels seem well spaced and I didn't notice any PWM (pulsing/flicker) in the beam. The low level is a useful and the high is quiet impressive however I do find that I would appreciate a different set of levels. I likely would prefer a lower low mode, for use with dark-adapted eyes, and also a lower high mode, since I found the current high level to be excessive for extended use. In fact, I would have greatly preferred three levels, however, I believe that would be difficult to achieve based on the current switching configuration.
Overall, I do find this to be a nice, useful short-range task light, however, it's usage is greatly enhanced by the 360° headlamp kit.
The Kit That Completes the Light
While I do like the Atom AL, I find it is wonderfully useful when combined with the 360° Headlamp kit. The floody beam is a perfect match for this well-priced kit (retail price is a very reasonable $15).
Here is the description as per 4Sevens:
"The 360° Headlamp Kit features two-way articulation to point light in any direction with single-hand on/off operation. The headlamp can be worn on the forehead or to the side above the ears and works with FOURSEVENS Atom and Mini flashlights. Atoms lock into position and are held in place securely with the integrated neodymium magnet. Mini flashlights are held by using the 2 included o-rings for each Mini. All lights are sold separately and are not included in this kit.
Compatible flashlights include: Mini ML, Mini MA, Mini MLR2, and all Atom flashlights as well as the Preon P0. This product is not compatible with the Mini M2A.
The 360° Headlamp Kit includes the head strap, headlamp cradle, 3 fitted adapters for the different Atom models, and 2 o-rings for each of the Mini models."
Well, thus far, I have used the headlamp kit with both Atom AL and Preon P0 models (I don't own any other compatible flashlights). I find it to be extremely user friendly and useful. The smooth, wide floody beams and the very adjustable mount make this kit ideal for providing light from most any angle. The included adapters mate well with the lights, providing one-handed operation as well as easy removal based on the magnet attachment. I believe that use with the Mini series of lights may be a touch more fiddly since they require o-rings to properly attach to the kit. I have heard positive results with all compatible lights though, so your mileage may vary.
I have shown the Atom AL in the 360° next to a common Zebralight H51. As you can see, the headband is quite substantial and comfortable. I'm happy to report that the headband fits around my rather large head. While the wide headband is comfortable, I did find it was more "noticable" compared to a slimmer band. I tend to overheat easily so would prefer a thinner, narrower band, but some may feel differently. The headlamp kit tends to make one look like a "unicorn". While this is not a benefit, I find that the extended lamp eliminated the glare that is often found while wearing a headlamp with eye-glasses (a very real benefit). Ah, thus is the price of fashion.
The headlamp mount itself seems quite durable, with very solid (and loud) detents to hold it in place, I wonder if 4Sevens would sell the mount separately. This would allow one to mount two different kind of lights to the headband (perhaps one for flood, one for throw).
The Atom AL and the 360° headlamp kit are a perfect match and provide a very useful dual-purpose combo at a very reasonable price (retail $55 for the combination). I would recommend this for most and especially for those unsure they want to commit to a single purpose headlamp. Great Job 4Sevens.
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