Mini Mark II review

BugLightGeek

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I was fortunate enough to be selected to take a look at a pre-production Mini Mark II.
I posted some comments on my Facebook page but wanted to share it here as well...

FOURSEVENS Mini Mark II Review
Anyone that knows me knows I've had a "thing" for flashlights for quite a long time. It started back in Boy Scouts when on a campout, I noticed my $2 Ray-O-Vac 2D flashlight beam wasn't even visible on the opposite bank of a narrow river. All the other lights brought by the other Scouts were much brighter. I made sure that next year, I'd have a better and brighter flashlight. And so it began…

Throughout the years I have bought, traded, sold and acquired many, MANY flashlights. Then, a couple years ago, I sold most of them and now have a very lean number of useful (but still cool) lights.

This (pre-production) MINI mark II is one that I would be proud to count among those lights that still remain. It is an EDC-class light which means Every Day Carry. That is a light that is meant to be with you at all times. Maybe on a key chain. Maybe on a lanyard. Or maybe just in a pocket. Regardless of where you carry it, you'll be glad it's there.

The light is small, barely longer than a CR123 battery or roughly the diameter of a roll of Life Savers but not as long. The light fits easily in your pocket and can fit nicely in the small pocket on a pair of jeans.

However, the light's performance is ANYTHING BUT small.
It has 4 nicely spaced levels of output. The first is sufficient for navigating around the house for those middle-of-the-night runs to either check on the kids or get a drink of water without being too bright. Runtime? How does 7 DAYS at this level sound?
Changing levels is as easy as quickly turning the light off then back on. Didn't change? Try it again a bit faster. The next 2 levels are nicely spaced as far as increasing the output; roughly twice as bright as the last. The 4th and brightest mode tops out at a whopping 1020 lumens – the brightest output to date for single CR123 lights. Although, this level is only possible with a custom high-discharge RCR123 battery.
On a standard CR123 battery the brightest level is extremely bright at around 300 lumens while still maintaining a comfortable temperature while holding the light. It's impressive how much light blasts from such a small light.

The beam uses special optics to deliver a large, bright hot spot with a nice smooth beam.
Since this is an EDC light, the beam is tailored to be more wide and floody than more of a spot or narrow beam. Again, perfectly suited for use around the house or checking on the dogs in the backyard or navigating around a dark closet or whatever.

The light offers a nice keychain attachment or a 2-way pocket clip to secure the light in a variety of ways.
Myself, I prefer a small, sturdy lanyard which easily attaches to the pocket clip.

The light will be available from FOURSEVENS (http://www.foursevens.com/products/ML-IIC-AF) along with the custom high-discharge RCR123. I can't wait to see what other colors/finishes become available.

This is an amazing light and quite impressive. Truly, one worth fitting in to any collection or the perfect light to start your collection.
 
Joined
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Hi BugLightGeek,

Congratulations on being chosen for a pre-production sample. Very cool! :cool: Also, thank you for sharing your review with CPF.

~ Chance

ML-IIC-PRF

UmPgfAH.jpg
 
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Hi wimmer21, Great choice! I think it's the prettiest of all the Mini MK's. OG said that's how you decide all your light purchases; by how pretty they are. :p Hopefully you'll post some pretty-pictures of it later. :poke:

Merry Christmas!

~ Chance :laughing:
 

NutSAK

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I hope everyone's Mini MkII works better than mine. It is a major mode-skipper. I contacted Foursevens support about the issue two weeks ago and haven't received a response.
 
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Sorry to read you're unhappy with your new Mini Marks. I don't blame you; I'd be unhappy with a major mode-skipper also. I've had my eye on the two titanium models, but haven't been willing to spend the money for two more chargers. :shakehead Nope. Not gunna do it.
FourSevens FanBoy - Yes.
FourSevens Charger FanBoy - Not so much. I don't want three of them.

It's probably for the best. I'm broke. :broke:

~ Chance
 

wimmer21

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Never mind it comes with something called a Flex Charger. I don't know anything about that so... everyone might want to stand back.
 
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Wait... what? You mean I have to buy a new charger for the Mini Mk. II that I ordered?

:) You can purchase the aluminum Mini Mark II sans the charger; but all the pretty ones come with a charger. :) This isn't a problem if/when you only want one. However, if you were an early adopter and purchased the aluminum Mark II and now you'd like one or two more, you have to purchase a charger with each one. The chargers are cool, but I don't want two or three of them.

~ Chance
28mlbiq.jpg
 

moshow9

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El Paso
I hope everyone's Mini MkII works better than mine. It is a major mode-skipper. I contacted Foursevens support about the issue two weeks ago and haven't received a response.

I posted about this on Facebook when this light was first released and a couple of others also posted about this (Flashlight Fanatics group). I find that I have to be very deliberate in the twists when loosening and then tightening to get proper mode advancement. Doesn't give me as much trouble as it did when I first purchased it. Mine is the HA aluminum version.
 

NutSAK

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Jun 20, 2006
Messages
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3rd stone from the Sun
I posted about this on Facebook when this light was first released and a couple of others also posted about this (Flashlight Fanatics group). I find that I have to be very deliberate in the twists when loosening and then tightening to get proper mode advancement. Doesn't give me as much trouble as it did when I first purchased it. Mine is the HA aluminum version.

I concur. VERY deliberate. I've owned 5-6 MkIs, and all of them could be used one-handed with no mode skipping, and only needed to be turned 1/8 turn or less to eliminate accidental activation. The MkII's requirement of "deliberate twists" as you point out, and the fact that the head must be loosened 1/2 a turn to eliminate accidental activation is a major step back in generational product development, IMO. Two hands and concentration to not skip modes are a requirement for operation of the MkII.

These are the loosest threads I've encountered in a twisty flashlight in years, and I wonder if it might be worse on my solid copper unit vs. a coated one.
 
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