Quark AA2 or Fenix LD20+?

[chewbacca]

In an effort to do as the mods requested, I posted this in gadgets & gear...and only received 3 responses, none of which were from anyone with both lights. So I am posting here...mods feel free to relocate...but I am just looking for some responses from those who use these lights.

I am looking to move beyond my Mini Maglite LED, but I am not ready to spend the money on a SureFire. I have narrowed it down to these two lights, primarily after reading the Quark passaround thread.

Which one do you think I should go with?

 

[Moses_3]

I was in your exact boat, it was time to move past the mini-mag yet I wanted to retain the ability to use AA batteries and didn't want to buy a Surefire (not because of $$$, but due to low lumen output). I went with an LD20 and have been extremely impressed! This little light is PHENOMENAL!!! And quickly became an essential part of my EDC, I am not very familiar with the Quark, but I can say without reservation that I would buy, and re-buy the LD20.
Alex

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

I have both and I like the Quark better. They are very similar in features and maximum brightness, but the Quark has the Moonlight Mode of .2 lumens vs the Fenix's 9 lumen. Moonlight Mode does not fry your night vision if your looking for something in your tent or night stand. Here is a review I did of the Quark.

[youtube]W0vgQKw_rpw[/youtube]

 

[chewbacca]

BBT,

Thanks for the link to your video review. It is really helpful to see the light in hand.

 

[wildmanh]

Check out the iTP C7 flashlights. Got mine from Goinggear.com about 5 weeks ago and really like it. Check out your thread in Gadgets & Gear for more information in it.

Heber

 

[HikingMano]

Wow....I've been eyeing the LD20 myself, but that Quark looks really good. :thumbup: Good review BBT, aimed towards outdoor use.

 

[dd61999]

neither. Durabilty, water resistance, small, and lightweight are more important to me. I go with an ARC AAA-P


P.S. Made in the USA as well

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

neither. Durabilty, water resistance, small, and lightweight are more important to me. I go with an ARC AAA-P


P.S. Made in the USA as well

I guess you didn't see the video. I dropped the light in a glass of water with no issues (IPX 8 standards). This is the light that was part of a BF pass around and was accidently dropped on concrete. Because it was already dropped, I gave permission to do drop tests on it and it was dropped several more times from 3-4' on concrete with no damage to the light (except minor cosmetic). If you want smaller you can get a single AA version.


Your ARC is not even in the same league as the Quark. The ARC web site says the minimum lumen is 10.5 and minimum runtime is 5 hours (no maximums are given, but it is a one mode light http://www.arcflashlight.com/arc-aaa.shtml), and the light cost $49.95.


Below are the specs for the Quark and it costs $59.00.

Moonlight: 0.2 lumens for 30 days (1ma)
Low: 3.5 lumens for 5 days (10ma)
Medium: 18 lumens for 24 hours (50ma)
High: 70 lumens for 5 hours (250ma)
Max: 170 lumens for 1.3 hours (700ma)

 

[dd61999]

I guess you didn't see the video. I dropped the light in a glass of water with no issues (IPX 8 standards). This is the light that was part of a BF pass around and was accidently dropped on concrete. Because it was already dropped, I gave permission to do drop tests on it and it was dropped several more times from 3-4' on concrete with no damage to the light (except minor cosmetic). If you want smaller you can get a single AA version.


Your ARC is not even in the same league as the Quark. The ARC web site says the minimum lumen is 10.5 and minimum runtime is 5 hours (no maximums are given, but it is a one mode light http://www.arcflashlight.com/arc-aaa.shtml), and the light cost $49.95.


Below are the specs for the Quark and it costs $59.00.

Moonlight: 0.2 lumens for 30 days (1ma)
Low: 3.5 lumens for 5 days (10ma)
Medium: 18 lumens for 24 hours (50ma)
High: 70 lumens for 5 hours (250ma)
Max: 170 lumens for 1.3 hours (700ma)

Bushcraftbrainquest

I understand the ARC is not in the same class of flashlight as the Quark. I was merely stating my preference in a flashlight to be small, light , durable, with a PROVEN track record over time in real circumstances(since it is the only flashlight I bring with me), with decent brightness and runtime for outdoor use. If I wanted one in the same class, I probably spend a little more money and get a RA twisty like this one that has been dropped over twenty times over 20 feet onto rocks then thrown repeatedly at concrete after that.

As far as dipping a light in a glass of water, that is a poor test for water resistance even the IPX rating is meaningless (look up the test procedures there is no clear definition and rarely if ever puts lights under pressure). You can take a maglite solitaire and do the same thing in a glass of water or even the bottom of a pool. Take the solitaire white water rafting or in the ocean and it will flood. I am not saying that the Quark would flood, but I have not seen testing (besides static water conditions) that says otherwise. Here is an arc that has been in a stream for 5 years before the owner found it again

As for drop test 3-4 feet, many lights do this including the cheap ones from the grocery store. I have thrown my Arc as high as I can in the air and let it fall on concrete with little to no damage.Here is arc that fell off a mountain while mountain climbing.

The ARC is not the brightest light out there, far from it. However, it has been my experience you tend to use the high mode all the time because its there, requiring battery replacements. I prefer packing light so a single mode helps me conserve battery life and no needs to carry spares. Arc also is conservative in its lumens and runtime. They state 5 hours to 50% but there are several hours of light after that. Once again if I wanted more brightness I would probably go with the Ra.

I also like the ARC because it never failed me.I have played around with the latest and greatest flashlights from many manufactures in the past like fenix, nitecore,etc. Some of them great lights, others not so great. I like to pack lightweight with all my gear and minimize where I can. I only bring one flashlight and I know the ARC will have the lowest failure rate out of all of them. It doesnt have nifty features and will not light up a disco. But the reputation it carries with others and its track record with my outdoors travel is the reason I choose this light.

Enjoy your light

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

neither. Durabilty, water resistance, small, and lightweight are more important to me. I go with an ARC AAA-P


P.S. Made in the USA as well

dd61999, when you say "neither. Durabilty, water resistance, small, and lightweight are more important to me.", it implies the Quark and Fenix are not. In my experience the Quark AA2 is all of the above, and if size is really important they make a single AA version. BTW, the original question was basically asking which light, the Quark AA2 or LD20, should he go with.

I don't know if the "Bushcraftbrainquest" was was an attempt at an insult, but it actually captures the intent of my forum name. My goal has always been to learn as much as possible from the countless hours of outdoor experience of fellow forum members, and contribute back as my knowledge and experience allows.

 

[dd61999]

dd61999, when you say "neither. Durabilty, water resistance, small, and lightweight are more important to me.", it implies the Quark and Fenix are not. In my experience the Quark AA2 is all of the above, and if size is really important they make a single AA version. BTW, the original question was basically asking which light, the Quark AA2 or LD20, should he go with.

I don't know if the "Bushcraftbrainquest" was was an attempt at an insult, but it actually captures the intent of my forum name. My goal has always been to learn as much as possible from the countless hours of outdoor experience of fellow forum members, and contribute back as my knowledge and experience allows.

Sorry Bush

Just a typo, I never meant to insult you

I know what the original question is, I was just merely suggesting an alternative


The Quark could very well be a durable light, I just prefer a proven track record before going out with only one light. I do not think the quark has been out long enough to build up history yet. My experience with a Fenix E01 is that they have poor water resistance, I think this due to the poor quality o-rings used or o-ring gland design.

As far as an AA light, it will still be noticeable in your pocket especially wearing jeans. I find AAA lights dissappear in your pocket. Just my opinion

 

[BushcraftBrainTrust]

Sorry Bush

Just a typo, I never meant to insult you

I know what the original question is, I was just merely suggesting an alternative


The Quark could very well be a durable light, I just prefer a proven track record before going out with only one light. I do not think the quark has been out long enough to build up history yet.

As far as an AA light, it will still be noticeable in your pocket especially wearing jeans. I find AAA lights dissappear in your pocket. Just my opinion

Thank you for clarification, no insult taken. I appreciate your opinion. You can definitely tell you use your gear.:thumbup: Great photos, there are no better tests than real world tests.:thumbup:

 

[caine]

I only have the LD20. Been using it hear in Iraq a couple of times a day everyday. I really like it alot and its like new still. I have dropped it and go it dirty and it keeps going. I have two Surefires with me but they burn up batt. to fast for my liking. Plus I was sick of getting CR123 batteries. Plus the AA are cheaper. Just my thoughts.

 

[mcjhrobinson]

i like the lines of the blade....at first i wasnt sure if there might be too much belly for me (i dont process much), but i think theres just enough...i guess im up between the terrasaur the bushcrafter (which i think is superb) and the SKOG which is a NICE knife....to me it comes to handle size since i have ape hands...the skog scales are beefy and so are the tonys bushy......maybe id like the terra blade on a tony bushy handle...im broke so i wont be buying any...

...but great job joe and brian....just when i had things figured out you 2 go and throw in a monkey wrench!!!

 

[caine]

i like the lines of the blade....at first i wasnt sure if there might be too much belly for me (i dont process much), but i think theres just enough...i guess im up between the terrasaur the bushcrafter (which i think is superb) and the SKOG which is a NICE knife....to me it comes to handle size since i have ape hands...the skog scales are beefy and so are the tonys bushy......maybe id like the terra blade on a tony bushy handle...im broke so i wont be buying any...

...but great job joe and brian....just when i had things figured out you 2 go and throw in a monkey wrench!!!

Sounds to me like someone had to many windows open and posted in the wrong topic lol lol lol

 

[tholiver]

Almost bought an LD20 recently.
Now the Quark intrigues me as well.
Does anybody have a link for the Quark pass-around thread?

 

[HikingMano]

Does anybody have a link for the Quark pass-around thread?

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651226 :thumbup:

 

[tholiver]

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651226 :thumbup:

Thanks!

 

[desmobob]

When I decided on a AA light, I chose a Nitecore Smart PD D10 (single AA). I was so impressed with it, I immediately bought a D20 (two AA) version. I'd check it out before you decide on one of the other two.... I have AAA and AA Fenix lights, but prefer the Nitecore models.


Stay sharp,
desmobob

 

[HikingMano]

You're welcome, tholiver .

Nitecore is another good on to check out, (and iTP) if you want to look at others besides Fenix and Quark, Chewbacca. I don't have either yet, but a Nitecore was next on my list...followed by the LD20 (I have an L2DQ5 and love it) and a Quark....