#4 FOURSEVENS Quark Smart QSL !

[Woods Walker]

Over a month ago I lost my 1XCR123 Quark tactical. It somehow vanished under the couch. It didn't even have a battery. Went away for that month to do Irma cleanup. During that time the house had a black out for days. So family must have sniffed out my lights and somehow, some way emptied then lost the quark. Maybe they used it on Turbo then dumped the battery moving on the the next light. Found a few others in strange draws etc etc etc.

So took the battery out of the Smart Quark to test the old Quark. Even empty for a month unless I am mistaken it was on the same settings. Untwisted medium and highest twisted. Put the battery back in the Smart. It didn't brick so wondering if there isn't a specific time window to create that event. It did reset and strobe me again.... LOL! The technology in the old school standard Quark is seamless. I don't notice it is there. Ok occasionally I get a preflash but never really cared about that. It just did what it was supposed to do. Saved my user preferences. The Smart can't often do that. So I have to fight the technology. Ok the App is easier to change and set the modes. It offers more options by a wide margin. But it takes more time as must redo stuff over and over again.

Yes the dumb Quark is a less picky eater as nbp stated. I think that has to do with the tail cap's very narrow tolerances. I do like the fact it is a tail standing tactical tail cap. But wondering why the need to reinvent the wheel? The other tail cap is proven. I am sure there must be a reason as there are parts of the old quark lineage in the Smart.

 

[ronniepudding]

After a day and a half of keeping the RF signal off on my QSL (10 quick clicks on the side switch to toggle that setting), I've had no instances of the light 'forgetting' my preferences. I'm going to continue the test, and will report back after a few more days. Anecdotal evidence I know, but it seems promising thus far.

 

[ronniepudding]

PS - if anyone else wants to join my experiment, it would be good to have a sample size greater than 1

PPS - I'm using a 16340, and the tailcap is tightened down all the way (following the mod I documented earlier in this thread). I mention these things because 1) in my experience, using the light with the tailcap loose *will* produce the problem I'm testing against - namely the light unexpectedly resetting itself to factory defaults. And 2) I'm not sure if battery voltage is a relevant factor - meaning problems could manifest more readily when using primaries than when using li-ion. Or vice versa.

 

[Woods Walker]

Mine also did good today running on primaries. Sometimes it will reconnect on it's own other times I need to turn the light on. If I don't use the connectivity based features or mess with the tail cap.... battery changing etc etc it has not reset. I want to play more with the infinite UI. The ramping kinda reminds me of my EX10. If I hold the tail cap it will ramp. Once set the light becomes a one mode flashlight which is also to my liking at times. Just playing with the this mode was worth the price of admission IMHO. Lets see if it holds this percentage and UI for a few days.

 

[Beamhead]

Received my second QSL and no reset/bricking out of the box, fits primary and secondary cells with zero tail cap switch issues, the only thing is the side switch is a tad stiffer but not an issue. 3 cell changes with no issues. Connected right up and responds to my app.
I guess I am lucky? Will report any high strangeness that may arise.

 

[ronniepudding]

Beamhead, glad to hear your second sample is working well!

Mine also did good today running on primaries. Sometimes it will reconnect on it's own other times I need to turn the light on. If I don't use the connectivity based features or mess with the tail cap.... battery changing etc etc it has not reset.

Likewise, Woods Walker, good to know yours QSL is also behaving.

Mine has continued to work reliably as well. I only connect once or twice per day, and then I shut off the RF on the light... and so far no unexpected resets or other issues.

One interesting thing I learned - when I connect the light to my phone, the Foursevens app needs to be open *before* I turn on the phone's RF signal. If I follow this order of operation...

1) turn on Bluetooth on my phone (I keep it off when I'm not playing with the light)
2) open Foursevens app
3) 10 clicks on QSL side switch

... I find the light connects instantly, and reliably. If however, I do those things out of order, I need to turn RF off and back on again in order to get it to pair back up smoothly.

Not knowing this previously, I would take the tailcap off briefly to reset the light... now I know that's not necessary.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

The QS2L-X arrived today, albeit a little disheveled. It must have taken quite a hit for it to blow through its packaging. :sigh:

No worries, it seems to be functioning just fine. :twothumbs

Right off the bat, I discovered one of the biggest differences between the QSL and and the QS2L-X is the amount of recovery time one needs after an accidental strobing.:mecry:

The 2L-X's are now OUT OF STOCK So I decided to purchase a QS2A-X while I had the chance.

~ Cg

 

[Beamhead]

My first QSL's package looked like that.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

My first QSL's package looked like that.

They were probably both handled by the same gorilla at the Atlanta USPS shipping hub. :thumbsdow

~ Cg :laughing:

 

[Woods Walker]

It's held the 12% from the last post I did 24 hours ago. Looking good.

 

[hiuintahs]

Now that Foursevens has put their lights on sale for a pretty low price my interest has perked regarding the Quark QSL. I see they have them discounted down to $19.50. I see also the QSL-X on ebay with a similar named seller...........though it is slightly more...........probably to account for the Ebay fees. Is there any difference between a QSL and a QSL-X or is it just the same light? Both seem to have the same specs.

 

[ronniepudding]

TMK there is only an XML version, meaning there is only one model each per battery configuration, and QSL is just shorthand for QSL-X. For $20, it's a decent light... at least I'm enjoying mine now that I've disabled the Bluetooth features. Keeping the light connected all the time seems to lead to the light 'crashing' and reverting back to the factory defaults intermittently. If you can live with it as a stand-alone light (once you've configured it via the app), reliability appears to be greatly improved.

 

[hiuintahs]

Thanks Ronnie, very helpful. I kind of thought that and was hoping so because I have already ordered one. I actually do not own a cell phone (LOL), but my wife has one but its Android. I do know lots of people with I-phones, but I understand you can accomplish everything without connecting up to Bluetooth. I have the Quark QTL and QTLC (without pocket clip) and I like those lights. I'm not really a fan of side mode controlled electronic tactile switches but having that separate mechanical momentary only tail cap switch kind of lifted my enthusiasm along with the various operating modes to set it up as. Looking forward to getting it.

 

[Woods Walker]

TMK there is only an XML version, meaning there is only one model each per battery configuration, and QSL is just shorthand for QSL-X. For $20, it's a decent light... at least I'm enjoying mine now that I've disabled the Bluetooth features. Keeping the light connected all the time seems to lead to the light 'crashing' and reverting back to the factory defaults intermittently. If you can live with it as a stand-alone light (once you've configured it via the app), reliability appears to be greatly improved.

That's exactly how I feel. Set it on the infinite mode and disconnected. Adjust the brightness via tail cap and have a one mode fast to manually program light. One click on, one click off to the mode I created. No chance of Saturday night fever disco. Makes a great night house light as adjusted the output to my exact need for house creeping. I only use the app to set stuff like a new interface option then disconnect. It is well worth buying on sale IMHO. I know this project must have been hard work for David and don't want to appear disparaging as innovation is never a direct line up. I feel if this light had a more forgiving tail cap (in terms of battery fitment) and was setup as an updated Quark with most of these features minus the bluetooth baggage it would have been truly fantastic. IMHO that couldn't be but still can think about it. I will give on bit of advice if life's path should ever go down this road again in terms of light design. Never again select strobe as a default...... LOL!

 

[Firespec35]

So I just picked up one of these as a gift. I didn't realize the Android app wasnt out. I guess with current events it's not coming eh?

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

So I just picked up one of these as a gift. I didn't realize the Android app wasnt out. I guess with current events it's not coming eh?

Hi Firespec35. :welcome:

Perhaps new ownership will pick up the ball and run with it. .............. Even without the app, it's still a great light.

~ Cg

 

[Woods Walker]

So I just picked up one of these as a gift. I didn't realize the Android app wasnt out. I guess with current events it's not coming eh?

Overall you are probably better off with the light not connected. In fact it's better that way IMHO. I think fuller instructions were put someplace on this thread to activate certain things without a phone if I remember.

 

[dc38]

The app seems to forget the light if bluetooth drops. Also, it will only eat unprotected cells. Protected cells are too long. Also, calling the tailcap a switch is misleading, as the real switch is an electronic clicky in the base of the head. The tailcap is just a floating short.

 

[Beamhead]

Overall you are probably better off with the light not connected. In fact it's better that way IMHO. I think fuller instructions were put someplace on this thread to activate certain things without a phone if I remember.

Side Switch Operation:
There are two basic ways to interact with the side switch:
• Tap - A very quick press and release of the side switch
• Hold - An extended press of the side switch. Do not release immediately
Side Switch Shortcuts, when the light is currently off:
• 1 Tap = The Quark Smart will activate in Moonlight mode
• 1 Hold = The Quark Smart will activate in Moonlight mode and continue to ramp up in brightness until you release the side switch
• 1 Tap then 1 Hold = The Quark Smart will activate in Maximum output mode. You can release the side switch once the light activates. If you continue to hold the side switch, the light will ramp down in brightness until you release the side switch
• 2 Taps = The Quark Smart will activate in Strobe mode
Setting the Tailcap Mode (Tactical Interface Only):
When the light is set to the Tactical Interface, you can choose which output mode you want to activate when you press the tailcap switch. To do so, simply toggle to your desired mode so that it is currently selected and the light is on. Then, triple click the side switch and turn the light off via the tailcap switch. Whenever you activate the light with the tailcap switch it will come on in the mode you selected.

Pay attention only to the light in the video, not the app. It shows the side switch operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJi2Y974H-A

The app seems to forget the light if bluetooth drops. Also, it will only eat unprotected cells. Protected cells are too long. Also, calling the tailcap a switch is misleading, as the real switch is an electronic clicky in the base of the head. The tailcap is just a floating short.

I just use the app to set the parameters I want then close it. I have no need for knowing via BT/GPS/Location services where the light is, in fact IMHO that part of the app seemed gimmicky to me and from what I have read seems to be the buggiest.

 

[ronniepudding]

I just use the app to set the parameters I want then close it. I have no need for knowing via BT/GPS/Location services where the light is, in fact IMHO that part of the app seemed gimmicky to me and from what I have read seems to be the buggiest.

+1

The only thing I really need the app for is to disable the annoying disco modes, and once I've done that I disconnect fully by turning off the QSL's RF signal using 10 quick clicks on the side switch. Since I started doing that more than a week ago, I've had no problems at all with the light.

To add to the hints above, post 525 in this thread has valuable directions about configuring the light without the app, quoted here:

There is a very small amount of customization available through a special 'programming' mode in the latest firmware.

Entering programming mode:
- From off, five-click side switch (red led should blink 5 times)

While in programming mode:
- Switching mode tables. Each single-click of the tail switch will go to the next mode table. The number of red blinks after each single-click signifies what table is currently selected. The choices are below.

1: High
2: High, Low
3: High, Strobe
4: Low, Medium, High, Strobe
5: (default) Moon, Low, Medium, High, SOS, Strobe, Beacon high, Beacon Low​

- Switching user interfaces. Each double-click of the tail switch will go to the next UI. The number of red blinks after each double-click signifies what UI is currently selected, as follows.

1: Pro
2: Tactical
3: Infinite​

Exiting programming mode and saving:
- Single-click side switch (red led will blink once)

--Ferdi

So you can switch UIs without the app, and I think that's pretty useful. I played with the mode table thing, but wasn't much interested in mode tables #1-4 (I like having Medium and Moonlight).