(This product provided by the manufacturer for review.)
What is new in this version is the LED, now sporting the latest Cree XP-G LED, which is a full 20% brighter than the first generation was, with no reduction in runtime. That's a pretty significant upgrade with no real drawbacks!
As per the usual, I'll start by listing the specifications as provided by the manufacturer.
SPECS
| DIMENSIONS | Length: 6.2 inches/Body diameter: 0.9 inches/Head diameter: 1.2 inches/Weight (without batteries): 3 oz |
| LED EMITTER | CREE XP-G2 |
| VOLTAGE RANGE | 0.9V-4.2V |
| SPOT BEAM | Angle: 9.5°/Diameter at 3mm: 580mm |
| FLOOD BEAM | Angle: 59.1�/Diameter at 3mm: 3.4M |
| BRIGHTNESS LEVELS | Moonlight: 0.2 lumens, 30 days, 1ma / Low: 4 lumens, 5 days, 10ma / Medium: 22 lumens, 24 hrs, 50ma / High: 85 lumens, 5 hrs, 250ma / Maximum: 205 lumens, 1.3 hrs, 700ma |
| SPECIAL MODES | Strobe: 205 lumens, 2.5 hrs / SOS / Beacon: 0-205 lumens pulse, 18 hrs |
| REFLECTOR | Smooth |
| BODY MATERIAL | Type-III hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum |
| BEZEL MATERIAL | Type-III hard-anodized aircraft-grade aluminum |
| LENS MATERIAL | Impact-resistant glass, sapphire coating, antireflective coating |
| INCLUDED ACCESSORIES | Batteries, lanyard, split ring for keychain attachment, spare o-ring, holster, hand-grip |
Quite the mouthful, I know. But nevertheless informative. This is definitely on the larger end of the Every Day Carry spectrum, with the overall length and the size of the head. Now, bear in mind that the maximum lumens listed in the specs are for the 1st Generation LED, not the 2nd Generation. So, if we add 20% to the previous maximum, we get a high setting of 246 lumens. Not too shabby off two AA batteries. Here's the video portion of the review:
Output
The reflector on the Quark Turbo is a thing of beauty. Very well machined with a smooth reflector, the beam is very, very nice. Well-defined hot-spot that smoothly transitions into a wide, artifact-free spillbeam. Excellent reach on the beam as well, thanks to the well-defined hot-spot.
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| The reflector appears very well-made. And yes, it does appear that there is some slight centering issues with the LED. It doesn't seem to impact beam quality though. |
The color is very white, only leaning slightly towards the bluish end of the spectrum. It's a beam fully on par with the highest quality lights on the market. While I don't have access to an integrating sphere, I have no qualms about saying that the lumens ratings seem accurate. The various levels that you have available are also very nicely spaced out. I tend to carry it on the maximum setting, with the secondary mode set for the Low setting.
The strobe is appropriately annoying and uncomfortable, and the two other special settings, SOS and beacon, work about as expected.
Build Quality & Design
The quality of machining put out by FourSevens is very, very good. Edges are crisp without being overly sharp, knurling is grippy but not overly abrasive. Anodizing is Type III, even and thick with no flaws that I saw. The lens is impact resistant glass, with a sapphire anti-scratch coating and an anti-reflective coating. The threads are all square-cut, but not anodized. I somewhat wish they would have anodized the threading, as not only does it contribute to smoothness and longevity, but it also allows for locking out the tail-cap during storage and travel. For some reason, the inside of the tail-cap DOES have anodized threads, but it doesn't seem to allow one to reliably lock out the tail-cap. All the lettering is crisp and clean-looking. There isn't much lettering to speak of, but I'm quite content with that. Some of the logo's and other crud can kind of get a little overwhelming on some flashlights.
The tail-cap switch is covered with rubber boot that has the FourSevens logo molded into it. Switch action is firm, smooth, and positive. I just can't complain about the switch. A lanyard attachment loop will let you use a camera-style lanyard, but is too small to allow for using paracord.
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| The excellent switch. As mentioned in the video portion, I would like to see a semi-guarded switch used on these. |
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| Lettering is very crisp and white. Also, it is minimal. Couldn't ask for better. |
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| Inside of the head with the contacts visible. Positive and durable, these will last for a long time. Also of note is the crisp machining of the threading. Only one O-ring present at each end, but it appears sufficient. The Quark Turbo appears waterproof to at least a couple of feet. |
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| Close-up of the threading. Despite not being anodized, they are very smooth. |
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| Inside of the tail-cap with the gold-coated spring. Note the grooved ring. That is what holds the clip in place. Unscrew that, remove the O-ring and the clip comes right off. |
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| Tension and design is outstanding on this clip. Also of note, FourSevens made certain the clip is placed over one of the smooth flats on the barrel. That is a nice bit of forethought. |
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| The ample heatsink fins. I found thermal management to be quite good on the Quark Turbo. |
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| Close-up of the knurling. It is just about perfect as far as grip goes. |
One of the things I have really taken a shine to with the design of the Quark Turbo is the machining of the battery tube. It has three flats cut into it with no knurling. That makes for a really nice hand-feel.
Accessories
The Quark Turbo comes with an almost full complement of accessories. Spare O-ring, holster, lanyard, split-ring for keychain attachment (odd choice on a light this big) and the FourSevens rubber hand-grip, a strap that slips on the light and gives you a VERY secure grip. It does not however come with a spare rubber switch boot, something that is almost par for the course with other manufacturers these days. The switch boot is a very common item to have fail, so it seems an odd oversight.
Conclusion
FourSevens has continually improved their product line and this light is no exception. It oozes quality from every pore with the machining especially appearing to have visibly improved, but - as I am fond of saying - all is not roses.
The more I use it, the less I find that I like loosening the head to change modes. Programming new modes are also a bit of a pain, involving lots of twisting back and forth. Expect to spend several minutes playing with the modes when you first get one of these.
As I also mentioned above and in the video, I really would like to see anodized threads. I can understand it on the front end where the barrel screws into the head. Those threads need to be bare to allow the mode switching to work. But at the tail-cap, there is really no reason for them not to be anodized.
The lanyard attachment on the tail-cap is also a step backwards in my opinion. The one used previously on the Quark Tactical was far more versatile. The button itself is even less guarded with the new tail-cap design, which is another drawback in my book.
Admittedly, I am being extremely pedantic and probably rather bloody-minded about it, but these are things to take into consideration when shopping for a new light.
However, as long as you take into consideration the above-mentioned caveats, the Quark Turbo is still a hell of a nice light. It also comes in at a favorable price, with an MSRP of only 75 dollars. That's very reasonable in a world of 150 dollar Surefire flashlights.
Recommended, with a few reservations.
You can purchase the Quark Turbo at this link: Quark Turbo QB2A
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