BugLightGeek
Flashlight Enthusiast
I was fortunate enough to be selected to take a look at a pre-production Mini Mark II.
I posted some comments on my Facebook page but wanted to share it here as well...
FOURSEVENS Mini Mark II Review
Anyone that knows me knows I've had a "thing" for flashlights for quite a long time. It started back in Boy Scouts when on a campout, I noticed my $2 Ray-O-Vac 2D flashlight beam wasn't even visible on the opposite bank of a narrow river. All the other lights brought by the other Scouts were much brighter. I made sure that next year, I'd have a better and brighter flashlight. And so it began…
Throughout the years I have bought, traded, sold and acquired many, MANY flashlights. Then, a couple years ago, I sold most of them and now have a very lean number of useful (but still cool) lights.
This (pre-production) MINI mark II is one that I would be proud to count among those lights that still remain. It is an EDC-class light which means Every Day Carry. That is a light that is meant to be with you at all times. Maybe on a key chain. Maybe on a lanyard. Or maybe just in a pocket. Regardless of where you carry it, you'll be glad it's there.
The light is small, barely longer than a CR123 battery or roughly the diameter of a roll of Life Savers but not as long. The light fits easily in your pocket and can fit nicely in the small pocket on a pair of jeans.
However, the light's performance is ANYTHING BUT small.
It has 4 nicely spaced levels of output. The first is sufficient for navigating around the house for those middle-of-the-night runs to either check on the kids or get a drink of water without being too bright. Runtime? How does 7 DAYS at this level sound?
Changing levels is as easy as quickly turning the light off then back on. Didn't change? Try it again a bit faster. The next 2 levels are nicely spaced as far as increasing the output; roughly twice as bright as the last. The 4th and brightest mode tops out at a whopping 1020 lumens – the brightest output to date for single CR123 lights. Although, this level is only possible with a custom high-discharge RCR123 battery.
On a standard CR123 battery the brightest level is extremely bright at around 300 lumens while still maintaining a comfortable temperature while holding the light. It's impressive how much light blasts from such a small light.
The beam uses special optics to deliver a large, bright hot spot with a nice smooth beam.
Since this is an EDC light, the beam is tailored to be more wide and floody than more of a spot or narrow beam. Again, perfectly suited for use around the house or checking on the dogs in the backyard or navigating around a dark closet or whatever.
The light offers a nice keychain attachment or a 2-way pocket clip to secure the light in a variety of ways.
Myself, I prefer a small, sturdy lanyard which easily attaches to the pocket clip.
The light will be available from FOURSEVENS (http://www.foursevens.com/products/ML-IIC-AF) along with the custom high-discharge RCR123. I can't wait to see what other colors/finishes become available.
This is an amazing light and quite impressive. Truly, one worth fitting in to any collection or the perfect light to start your collection.
I posted some comments on my Facebook page but wanted to share it here as well...
FOURSEVENS Mini Mark II Review
Anyone that knows me knows I've had a "thing" for flashlights for quite a long time. It started back in Boy Scouts when on a campout, I noticed my $2 Ray-O-Vac 2D flashlight beam wasn't even visible on the opposite bank of a narrow river. All the other lights brought by the other Scouts were much brighter. I made sure that next year, I'd have a better and brighter flashlight. And so it began…
Throughout the years I have bought, traded, sold and acquired many, MANY flashlights. Then, a couple years ago, I sold most of them and now have a very lean number of useful (but still cool) lights.
This (pre-production) MINI mark II is one that I would be proud to count among those lights that still remain. It is an EDC-class light which means Every Day Carry. That is a light that is meant to be with you at all times. Maybe on a key chain. Maybe on a lanyard. Or maybe just in a pocket. Regardless of where you carry it, you'll be glad it's there.
The light is small, barely longer than a CR123 battery or roughly the diameter of a roll of Life Savers but not as long. The light fits easily in your pocket and can fit nicely in the small pocket on a pair of jeans.
However, the light's performance is ANYTHING BUT small.
It has 4 nicely spaced levels of output. The first is sufficient for navigating around the house for those middle-of-the-night runs to either check on the kids or get a drink of water without being too bright. Runtime? How does 7 DAYS at this level sound?
Changing levels is as easy as quickly turning the light off then back on. Didn't change? Try it again a bit faster. The next 2 levels are nicely spaced as far as increasing the output; roughly twice as bright as the last. The 4th and brightest mode tops out at a whopping 1020 lumens – the brightest output to date for single CR123 lights. Although, this level is only possible with a custom high-discharge RCR123 battery.
On a standard CR123 battery the brightest level is extremely bright at around 300 lumens while still maintaining a comfortable temperature while holding the light. It's impressive how much light blasts from such a small light.
The beam uses special optics to deliver a large, bright hot spot with a nice smooth beam.
Since this is an EDC light, the beam is tailored to be more wide and floody than more of a spot or narrow beam. Again, perfectly suited for use around the house or checking on the dogs in the backyard or navigating around a dark closet or whatever.
The light offers a nice keychain attachment or a 2-way pocket clip to secure the light in a variety of ways.
Myself, I prefer a small, sturdy lanyard which easily attaches to the pocket clip.
The light will be available from FOURSEVENS (http://www.foursevens.com/products/ML-IIC-AF) along with the custom high-discharge RCR123. I can't wait to see what other colors/finishes become available.
This is an amazing light and quite impressive. Truly, one worth fitting in to any collection or the perfect light to start your collection.