Vox Clamatis in Deserto
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2006
- Messages
- 1,126
Earlier this week I received this latest version of the 4Sevens Mini Turbo from Prometheus Lights. I ordered it on a pre-sale special offer at a minor discount off the $65 advertised price.
A year ago I had one of the fire-sale ($18) Mini Turbo MkII's with me on a trip through Asia and I was really impressed with how handy it was for a tiny light with a wide dynamic range of output. I found that I used this light much more than the two SureFires that I also had on the trip.
Jason at Prometheus lists the changes in the MkIII version:
For me, the most noticeable differences are the 4500K neutral tint and the magnet in the tailcap.
I haven't really kept up with LED's that much and I was surprised to see that the XPL-HI appears to be de-domed (or, should I say, never domed?) but gives a very nice tight hotspot with the Mini Turbo reflector.
The beam is lovely and indeed looks warm compared to other recent lights like the SureFire EDCL-1T and E1B-MV.
As with many Chinese lights, there are modes and sub-modes and coded twists and LED blinks to help navigate the maze of the user interface. If I'm in Mode 4 and want to activate the strobe as a visual warning for my stalled car a year from now, will I remember how to do it? I somehow doubt it.
Of course, for simple folks like me, I can just put the light in one of the KISS modes and lock it down.
I'm wondering if having a strong magnet in my pocket is a good idea. On one hand, if I'm working next to a refrigerator or auto body (not a Corvette ) I can stick the light on to give me both hands free. On the other, if I put that hotel room key card with the magnetic stripe in my pocket, it's a long way back to the front desk to have my key programmed again. :shakehead
I let the light run down on the high mode and it gets warm unlike the original 4Sevens Mini (Mk I) which gets (dangerously in my opinion) hot. I carried the original Mini light for a few days but I was afraid to use it much on high because I feared that I would drop it somewhere inaccessible, like under the rudder pedals of a Boeing, while it was on high mode.
A year ago I had one of the fire-sale ($18) Mini Turbo MkII's with me on a trip through Asia and I was really impressed with how handy it was for a tiny light with a wide dynamic range of output. I found that I used this light much more than the two SureFires that I also had on the trip.
Jason at Prometheus lists the changes in the MkIII version:
What's new with the Mini Turbo MKIII
- User interface: similar to the previous UI but revamped for better usability and wider appeal to different owners. Details below.
[*]Pocket clip: The new clip is a thicker material and a standard "one way" pocket clip. We wanted the pocket clip to be awesome, but if there is demand, we may offer the old "two way" clip as an accessory.- Body Machining: Fuller grooves were added to the body for improved rotational grip.
- Tail: It also has an all new magnetic tailcap that makes it compatible with the 360 Headlamp (Coming Soon). In the future we plan to release a non-magnetic "dummy" insert and a keychain attachment that can both replace the magnet.
- Cree LED: The MKIII features the newest Cree XPL-HI LED with neutral tint and 4500K color temperature and 75+ CRI.
- Hybrid Memory: A blend of memory and no-memory, the hybrid configuration saves the last mode used, but reverts to the first mode in the sequence when shifting out of a saved mode.
- Solid Copper (Direct Thermal) MCPCB: The LED is mounted to a solid copper PCB to provide superior thermal performance and maximum output.
For me, the most noticeable differences are the 4500K neutral tint and the magnet in the tailcap.
I haven't really kept up with LED's that much and I was surprised to see that the XPL-HI appears to be de-domed (or, should I say, never domed?) but gives a very nice tight hotspot with the Mini Turbo reflector.
The beam is lovely and indeed looks warm compared to other recent lights like the SureFire EDCL-1T and E1B-MV.
As with many Chinese lights, there are modes and sub-modes and coded twists and LED blinks to help navigate the maze of the user interface. If I'm in Mode 4 and want to activate the strobe as a visual warning for my stalled car a year from now, will I remember how to do it? I somehow doubt it.
Of course, for simple folks like me, I can just put the light in one of the KISS modes and lock it down.
I'm wondering if having a strong magnet in my pocket is a good idea. On one hand, if I'm working next to a refrigerator or auto body (not a Corvette ) I can stick the light on to give me both hands free. On the other, if I put that hotel room key card with the magnetic stripe in my pocket, it's a long way back to the front desk to have my key programmed again. :shakehead
I let the light run down on the high mode and it gets warm unlike the original 4Sevens Mini (Mk I) which gets (dangerously in my opinion) hot. I carried the original Mini light for a few days but I was afraid to use it much on high because I feared that I would drop it somewhere inaccessible, like under the rudder pedals of a Boeing, while it was on high mode.
Over all, I'm really enjoying this new light. The throw on high, max or burst (as it seems to be called ) is good enough to spot deer, possums and coons in the back forty this time of year and the moonlight level is great for maintaining night vision at 3 am.
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