4Sevens

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Now Foursevens, 4Sevens was an Atlanta-based flashlight dealer that had separate websites like www.fenix-store.com and www.eagletac-store.com before consolidating the websites under www.4sevens.com. They then added their own line of flashlights, which were sold at the same site, but their flashlights have been rebranded under the Foursevens name with a separate website. 4Sevens had sister stores in Poland and Canada.

Flashlights

Some of these lights were discontinued before the transition and some now have different names under the Foursevens brand, so all of these are really past lights.

Maelstrom

Tactical series of higher output lights. G series lights use a Cree XP-G LED; S series lights use a Luminus SST; and X series use a Cree XM-L.

G5 - 2xCR123A or 1x18650 4-mode thrower with Cree XP-G R5 and output levels of 0.2, 28, 200, and 350 lumens introduced in July 2010. Two different mode groups available: H-M-L-Moonlight or Turbo-Strobe-SOS-Beacon. Modes are selected by turning the head to 4 different positions. The XP-G S2 version was introduced in November 2010 with 365 lumens maximum and was discontinued in April 2011. Reviews: Selfbuilt, Light Reviews.

S12 - 1x26650 2-mode light with Luminus SST-90 LED and maximum output of 800 (Low is 120 lumens). The light memorizes the last mode used. Similar to SureFire lights, the tail clicky is for momentary On only when the tailcap is loosened a half turn. To keep the light on, the tailcap must be fully tightened. The 26650 is a special size lithium-ion battery. 4Sevens sells the battery and charger separately. At 3900mAh capacity, it has more capacity than a typical 2400mAh 18650 and is driven at up to 5 amps. First available in February 2011. There was also a limited edition copper version with a copper head for better heat sinking and gold plating to prevent tarnishing. Review: HKJ

S18 - 6xCR123A 5-mode light with a Luminus SST-90 LED and maximum output of 1200 lumens (Low is 80 lumens). Has the same switch as other Maelstroms and modes are selected by rotating the tail of the light. This light does not accept 17670 or 18650 batteries but can handle 16340's. Each set of 2 batteries in the holder is in parallel, so the operating voltage is 4.5-8.4V. Introduced in August 2011. Review: Selfbuilt

X7 - 2xCR123A or 1x18650 4-mode thrower with Cree XM-L and a maximum output of 480 lumens introduced in March 2011. Two different mode groups available: H-M-L-Moonlight or Turbo-Strobe-SOS-Beacon. Output levels are 0.3, 30, 270, and 480 lumens. Modes are selected by turning to 4 different positions. In November 2011 4Sevens released a version with a neutral XM-L. Review: Selfbuilt, Light Reviews

X10 - 1x26650 2-mode light with Cree XM-L and output levels of 100 and 640 lumens (the LED flux bin is not provided, but 4Sevens says both T6 and U2 bins are being used and output numbers are a minimum). This light is very similar to the earlier S12, including the lock-out tailcap, mode memory, and thermal regulation. The X10 uses a lower current type of 26650 battery than the one for the S12. So you can use the S12's battery in the X10, but shouldn't use the X10's battery in the S12. Introduced in July 2011. Reviews: Selfbuilt, erns

Preon

Preon 1 - 1xAAA 7-mode twisty with Cree XP-G S2 LED introduced in November 2010. Has a pocket clip and matte finish (no knurling) and is available in black, blue, red, yellow, and titanium. Regular operation cycles through 2, 13, and 70 ANSI lumens (40m throw), but if you cycle quickly through all the modes twice, you also get strobe, SOS, and high and low beacon modes. Parts are interchangeable with Preon 2, which allows use of a clicky tail. Original version introduced in November 2009 with 1.8, 8.5, and 70 OTF lumens. A high CRI version in black was released in November 2011.

Preon 2 - 2xAAA 7-mode clicky with XP-G S2 LED introduced in November 2010. Has a pocket clip and matte finish (no knurling) and is available in black, blue, red, yellow, titanium and titanium black (with titanium head and tail but black body). Regular operation cycles through 3, 26, and 120 ANSI lumens (59m throw), but if you cycle quickly through all the modes twice, you also get strobe, SOS, and high and low beacon modes. Parts are interchangeable with Preon 1, which allows use of a flat tail and using the light as a twisty. Original version, introduced in November 2009, used a XP-G R5 and had modes of 2.2, 22, and 160 OTF lumens. In May 2010, a limited edition with warm white XP-G Q5 LED was introduced. In June 2010, a limited edition with neutral white XP-G R4 was introduced. In October 2011, there was another run of neutral XP-G Preon 2's. A high CRI version in black was released in November 2011.

Preon ReVO - 1xAAA 7-mode twisty with XP-E R2 LED. Regular operation cycles through 1.8, 20, and 82 OTF lumens, but if you cycle quickly through all the modes twice, you also get strobe, SOS, and high and low beacon modes. Power is current regulated instead of PWM of the other Preons which should be more efficient. Available in black or stainless steel and has more traditional knurling instead of a smooth finish. Not to be used with a lithium-ion battery whereas the Preon 1 can be, but is not recommended. Introduced in August 2010. In December 2010, a stainless steel version with a Cree XP-G S2 LED was introduced. Discontinued (officially) in September 2011. Review by Selfbuilt.

Quark

Quark 123² Tactical

Quark lights were introduced in May 2009 with Cree XP-E R2 LEDs. Models are available in Regular or Tactical version. The power switch on the Tactical version is a forward clicky that protrudes from the back of the light and prevents tailstanding. The Regular version has a reverse clicky that does not protrude and can tailstand. The Regular version has max and strobe available with the bezel tightened while with a loosened bezel you use the reverse clicky to cycle through moonlight, low, medium, high, SOS, and beacon modes. The Tactical version has only two modes (tightened or loosened), but can have any of the 8 modes programmed in. The tactical models suffer from preflash where sometimes if the light is set to come on in low it will flash very bright when turned on. All of the Quarks have a mild preflash in Moonlight mode where the light flashes to Low before going to Moonlight. Parts are generally interchangeable but only the head of the 123² and 123² Turbo can handle the higher voltage of 2 CR123A or 2 lithium-ion batteries. All Quarks have orange peel reflectors. The clip is reversible in the sense that the body tube is reversible (the head and tail threads are identical), therefore the light can be assembled for a bezel-up clip or bezel-down. All of the main Quarks were updated to Cree XP-G R5 emitters in December 2009. In September 2011 Quark X versions of the AA² and 123² were introduced in both regular and tactical versions. For thermal protection on maximum brightness, the Quark X lights drop output to about 70% after 3 minutes. Limited Editions In November 2011, the regular interface versions of the Quark 123 and 123² were available with high CRI Cree XP-G LEDs (CRI value 85+). These lights have a warm white tint and less output (4Sevens did not release output measurements, but Cree literature indicates the highest bin of 85 CRI XP-G's is Q3) than the standard XP-G R5. In October 2011, neutral versions of the four Quark X lights as well as neutral XP-G versions of the 123² and AA² regular and tactical Quarks were introduced.

Side-by-side comparison of a number of 4Sevens and other flashlights showing tint differences. Click for full caption.

The entire line was available with Cree XP-G S2 emitters in November 2010. In May 2010, warm white (tint 7A3 or 7B4) XP-G Q5 LEDs were shipped after a pre-order period (Preon2, 123² Tactical, AA² Tactical, MiNi 123, MiNi AA, MiNi CR2, 123² Turbo, and AA² Turbo). In June 2010, neutral white (tint 4C0 or 4D0) XP-G R4 versions were introduced (Preon2, 123² Regular and Tactical, AA² Regular and Tactical, MiNi 123, MiNi AA, and MiNi CR2). Both of the 2010 limited editions featured "green packaging" (a ziplock bag) instead of coming in a box and were reduced in price by $2. When the standard LED was the XP-E R2, a limited edition neutral white (tint 5A) XP-E Q3 was available. A limited edition titanium version of all of the main lights came out in September 2009 featuring a Cree XP-G R4 emitter (the first 1000 were numbered).

Quark 123 - 1xCR123A Cree XP-G R5 light with output is 0.2, 4, 22, 85, and 205 OTF lumens.

Quark 123² - 2xCR123A Cree XP-G R5 light with output of 0.2, 4, 22, 85, and 230 OTF lumens in addition to flashing modes. The Quark X version, introduced in September 2011, with a Cree XM-L has output of 0.3, 3, 65, 160, and 360 lumens (review: selfbuilt). This body will not accept 18650 cells, but a separate body tube is offered that will. The head of the 123² lights can accept up to 9V. They will also run fine on a single lithium-ion battery (17670) but will not be regulated the entire time.

Quark 123² Turbo - Similar to the 123² but has a larger, deeper head for more throw and a Cree XP-G R5 emitter. Offered only with a tactical user interface, the output levels are 0.2, 4, 22, 85, and 230 OTF lumens in addition to flashing modes. In December 2010, a limited run of satin finish (bead blasted) titanium 123² Turbo's with XP-G S3 bin LEDs was introduced (also MiNI 123's).

Quark 123² Turbo X - Similar to the Turbo but with an even a larger head (39mm vs. 30mm). Has same tactical interface, but uses a new driver that does not exhibit preflash. Cree XM-L LED provides modes of 0.3, 8, 60, 260, and 450 lumens along with Strobe, SOS, and Beacon. Introduced in April 2011. In November 2011, 4Sevens released a version with a neutral XM-L.

Quark AA - 1xAA Cree XP-G R5 light with output of 0.2, 4, 22, 85, and 109 OTF lumens in addition to flashing modes.

Quark AA² - 2xAA Cree XP-G R5 light with 0.2, 4, 22, 85, or 206 OTF lumens in addition to flashing modes. The Quark X version with Cree XM-L LED, introduced in September 2011, provides 0.3, 2.7, 24, 115, or 280 lumens (reviews: selfbuilt, HKJ).

Quark AA² Turbo - Comes with a larger, deeper head for more throw and Cree XP-G R5 emitter. Offered only with a tactical user interface, the output levels are 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 206 OTF lumens in addition to flashing modes.

Quark RGB - 2xCR123A MC-E Color head with 4 different color LED dies built in to give white, red, green, or blue output (emits from only one die at a time). Uses the regular Quark 123² body with modes controlled by twisting head loose and tight. Available in versions with regular or neutral white light in one of the dies. More of a novelty than anything, the light suffers from a very ugly beam due to the off-center LED dice. Announced in November 2009. Review: Lumens Review

Model Head Voltage Battery R2 Outputs R5 Outputs S2 Output* Quark "X"
Quark 123 0.9–4.2 1xCR123A 0.2, 3.5, 18, 70, 170 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 205 0.6, 4, 19, 83, 174
Quark 123² 3.0–9.0 2xCR123A 0.2, 3.5, 18, 70, 190 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 230 0.9, 4, 19, 83, 200 0.3, 3, 65, 160, 360
Quark 123² Turbo 3.0–9.0 2xCR123A N/A 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 230 0.9, 4, 19, 83, 200
Quark AA 0.9–4.2 1xAA, 1x14500 0.2, 3.5, 18, 70, 90 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 109 0.4, 4, 19, 83, 95
Quark AA² 0.9–4.2 2xAA 0.2, 3.5, 18, 70, 170 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 206 0.6, 4, 19, 83, 177 0.3, 2.7, 24, 115, 280
Quark AA² Turbo 0.9–4.2 2xAA N/A 0.2, 4, 22, 85, 206 0.6, 4, 19, 83, 190

*Nominal S2 output is lower because it is measured using the ANSI/NEMA FL-1 standard. Actual output is 7% higher than R5 output.

The following reviewers commented on these lights:

Quark MiNi

The MiNi was first introduced in November 2009 with Cree XP-G R5 LEDs and was updated to the XP-G S2 in November 2010. These lights are more compact due to the absence of a clicky switch. All are twisty. By default they are 3-mode lights, but if you cycle through the modes twice by twisting the head on and off quickly, it becomes a 7-mode light with the addition of strobe, SOS, and high and low beacon modes.

MiNi 123 - 1xCR123A XP-G R5 twisty with output levels of 3, 40, and 189 OTF. A limited edition neutral white version with a Q3 5A emitter was released in December 2009. A titanium version started shipping in January 2010 (cool or neutral). A limited edition XP-G S2 version, introduced in November 2010, had output levels of lumens 8, 43, and 135 ANSI lumens. In December 2010, a very limited edition (100 units) titanium version with XP-G S3 was introduced (there was no S2 version in titanium) which should have output of 144 ANSI lumens (though it was not tested). Also in December 2010, S3's were put in limited edition satin finish (bead blasted) titanium 123's (also Quark Turbo 123²'s). A version with a Cree XM-L LED (called a MiNi X 123) with 210 OTF lumens of output was announced in December 2010 (their first light to use this LED). In February 2011, a satin finish titanium version with XP-G S2 was introduced. In October 2011 neutral versions of the MiNi 123 and Mini X 123 were introduced. A high CRI version of the MiNi 123 was released in November 2011. Review: Lumens Review, Light Reviews, Light Reviews (titanium)

MiNi AA - 1xAA XP-G S2 version has output levels of 4, 21, and 66 ANSI lumens (51m throw). The original XP-G R5 version had output levels of 2.7, 25, and 90 OTF lumens. A limited edition neutral white version with a Q3 5A emitter was released in December 2009. A titanium version started shipping in January 2010 (cool or neutral). A limited edition XP-G S2 edition was introduced in November 2010 with maximum output of 70 ANSI lumens and 51m throw. A high CRI version was released in November 2011. Reviews: Lumens Review, Light Reviews, Light Reviews (titanium)

MiNi AA² - 2xAA XP-G S2 version introduced in January 2011 with output of 3, 36, and 190 OTF lumens. Unlike other MiNis, the AA2 includes a clip. The XP-G R5 version was introduced after the others in September 2010 with output levels of 3, 36, and 180 OTF lumens. In October 2011 a neutral version with XP-G LED was introduced.

MiNi CR2 - 1xCR2 XP-G S2 version has output levels of 3, 43, and 193 OTF lumens. Originally introduced in March 2010 with a XP-G R5 in titanium only followed by an aluminum version in April 2010. Output of the original versions was 3, 40, and 180 OTF lumens. Price of the titanium version includes a Batteries4Life subscription where 4Sevens sends the owner a new CR2 battery every 6 months for 10 years (3 years only outside the USA). A high CRI version was released in November 2011. Review: Selfbuilt