4Sevens MiNi Quark 123a XM-L Review
4sevens has made a dramatic impact on the flashlight market, bringing high quality aficionado level flashlights to the mainstream at incredibly reasonable prices. They were the first to release lights with super low lows (well, the first under $100), they were the first to release EDC lights in titanium bodies, and they were the first to regularly update their emitters as newer versions were released.
But the heart of 4sevens success is really nice, easy to use, AFFORDABLE lights. The MiNi Quark is no exception. This version is the equipped with the latest cutting edge emitter, the XM-L. It is just as tiny as it has always been, but this time it is screaming bright, hitting 210 lumens on high with a normal CR123a battery. I got my light in trade. It has a bit of anodizing removed from the tail portion near the attachment point for the split ring, but other than it was in excellent shape.
Here is the product page and a good street price. Here is a good review (non-XM-L version). Here is a good video review (non-XM-L version). Here are the Amazon reviews (non-XM-L). It received a 4.83 stars out of 5 with 6 reviews. Here is my 4sevens MiNi Quark 123A XM-L edition (thanks for the light box tips):
Design: 1
This light is pretty much the same size as the much beloved Aeon, but the head is a much larger percentage of the total length than on the Aeon. The end result is that this light is much harder to operate one handed. That is a big deal and to me it is a big drawback. These lights are both so small that often times you need both hands to operate it, but it is still a big deal that you can't readily operate this guy one handed. Why not change that one thing and make this light a ton better?
This light is pretty much the same size as the much beloved Aeon, but the head is a much larger percentage of the total length than on the Aeon. The end result is that this light is much harder to operate one handed. That is a big deal and to me it is a big drawback. These lights are both so small that often times you need both hands to operate it, but it is still a big deal that you can't readily operate this guy one handed. Why not change that one thing and make this light a ton better?
Fit and Finish: 2
The spring is not attached. The walls are thin. But there is nothing really wrong with the light. The threads are thin but smooth. I thought this would be a cheap feeling light, but it turns out I was wrong. The light does very, very well and holds up well in the pocket. The anodizing did wear off at the attachment point, but nothing of concern.
The spring is not attached. The walls are thin. But there is nothing really wrong with the light. The threads are thin but smooth. I thought this would be a cheap feeling light, but it turns out I was wrong. The light does very, very well and holds up well in the pocket. The anodizing did wear off at the attachment point, but nothing of concern.
Grip: 2
The body tube has two different diameters and good knurling. It makes this tiny light quite grippy. I was surprised. It was not, however, as grippy as the Aeon. Here is a good shot down the body tube of the light:
The body tube has two different diameters and good knurling. It makes this tiny light quite grippy. I was surprised. It was not, however, as grippy as the Aeon. Here is a good shot down the body tube of the light:
Carry: 2
The light is easily small enough to drop into a jeans coin pocket or into a subpocket in fancy pants. It is small enough that it doesn't NEED a clip (though it would be nice). Great carry as it just disappears.
The light is easily small enough to drop into a jeans coin pocket or into a subpocket in fancy pants. It is small enough that it doesn't NEED a clip (though it would be nice). Great carry as it just disappears.
Output: 2
The XM-L emitter not only pumps out a TON of lumens it does so for a very long time. Also, because this is a 4sevens light, it has a moonlight low, which is incredibly low and very, very useful. All lights should have this low of a low.
The XM-L emitter not only pumps out a TON of lumens it does so for a very long time. Also, because this is a 4sevens light, it has a moonlight low, which is incredibly low and very, very useful. All lights should have this low of a low.
Runtime: 2
See above. Runtime on high, is, of course, not a continuous time period as the light would be so hot it would probably melt. On moonlight mode you get like a couple of days of runtime.
Beam Type: 2
Okay, as much of a flood as the Incendio was, this light is TOTAL AND PURE flood. It just has NO throw at all. But the issue is that on a light this small, you can't really expect more. Plus in an EDC role throw is not all that big of a deal, so I am not going to ding the light for having a pure flood beam. Also the lack of throw seems to be a theme with XM-L emitters.
Beam Quality: 2
It seems like a pattern now that this my second 4sevens light. This light is a bit green in tint. Not as a purple as the Preon is, but it is noticeably green. Still the beam is nice and clean and round so I am not going to ding it a whole point. I am not a tint snob unless it is really, really bad. To me the artifacts, holes, and rings are more of a problem.
UI: 1
Over time I have become addicted to really good UIs. I like the McGizmo clicky and UI the best, but the Aeon's two stage twisty is pretty darn good too. Even my wife, when using this light to take out garbage noted the less than ideal UI. It is better than the UI on other lights, I like the ordering of the outputs and the hidden strobe modes, but still a three stage twisty would be awesome (did you hear that David Chow?).
Hands Free: 1
No pocket clip or flats on the sides means that this light rolls and rolls and rolls on a flat surface. It does tailstand very nicely, but still a little flat portion would be good for a logo and keep the light from rolling away, but it would probably add costs given the additional machining necessary.
Overall Score: 17 out of 20
I liked this light a lot. It is an amazing value for only $60. Still, it is not as nice as the Aeon nor as nice as the Incendio, which is the same price and adds a clip, clicky, and a higher high. As a first light, this is a great purchase and a testament to just how good 4sevens is at making flashlights. As a keychain or true pocket flashlight, this is a great light. It is an incredible value at $60, well deserving of its place on the Top Ten Values from the Recommendation Series (I will note, however, that while the Incendio's upgrade to the XM-L emitter was free, the Mini's requires an additional $10 cash, boo). But with a few updates though, like a three stage twisty and a pocket clip, this light could be an all star.
PS: What do you think of the light box shots?
I liked this light a lot. It is an amazing value for only $60. Still, it is not as nice as the Aeon nor as nice as the Incendio, which is the same price and adds a clip, clicky, and a higher high. As a first light, this is a great purchase and a testament to just how good 4sevens is at making flashlights. As a keychain or true pocket flashlight, this is a great light. It is an incredible value at $60, well deserving of its place on the Top Ten Values from the Recommendation Series (I will note, however, that while the Incendio's upgrade to the XM-L emitter was free, the Mini's requires an additional $10 cash, boo). But with a few updates though, like a three stage twisty and a pocket clip, this light could be an all star.
PS: What do you think of the light box shots?