FourSevens Maelstrom Regen MMR-X

The FourSevens MMR-X is another light in the family of quality products available from FourSevens. This platform is one of their larger offerings (though still pretty small for its level of light output) and is unique in the fact that it is rechargeable through a micro-USB cable. This would be an excellent duty-gear, truck, or nightstand light for nearly any consumer.

The MMR-X offers the ability to program the light from a series of 5 different options, including varying combinations of moonlight, low, high, max, strobe, beacon, and SOS. I found configuration 2 to fit my everyday needs best, allowing me to cycle between max and low depending on what I needed it for.

The MMR-X is powered by a proprietary 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery; a non-FourSevens 18650 battery can be used, however certain features of the light are lost. At a replacement cost of $15 from FourSevens, there should be no need to use any other branded battery. For a multiuse rechargeable battery, I applaud FourSevens for not charging a ridiculous amount of money for a replacement. On max output the battery is listed to last 2 hours, although in testing I found it to last closer to 2.5 hours before seeing a significant reduction in brightness. From a full discharge, it took between 4-5 hours to recharge the flashlight to full capacity. A sealed micro-USB input is contained where the head meets the body and a small red or green light informs you of where your battery is at in the recharging process.

The light itself has a very nice fit and finish and has a nice aggressively scalloped bezel that can be used as an improvised striking tool if things got nasty; it would definitely leave a mark. For those who don’t want such an aggressive bezel, you are in luck because it also comes with a smooth bezel which easily screws on. In “burst” mode, the MMR-X powers out 800 lumens of light which is reduced to 400 lumens after 1 minute of continuous run time. In FourSevens fashion, the light comes with a few spare o-rings, a lanyard, and an alternate tail cap clicky and boot so the user can choose from a long click or a short click. Their 10 year no-hassle warranty also allows owners to rest assured they won’t need to spend any more of their hard-earned money on a replacement should anything go wrong.

The MMR-X is advertised to survive a 1 meter (3.2ft) drop which I feel is a little low. Under testing, the light survived a 3 meter (10ft.) fall on concrete. The light also survived an even larger fall at 6 meters (20ft.), but the battery did not. I can’t fault the battery for breaking at 20ft. because it is only advertised to 3ft., but I’d like to see more impact resistance in the future. It is certainly rugged enough for everyday use but having an extra 18650 battery around wouldn’t be a bad idea. The light performed well in water submersion tests, meaning that puddle and shallow lake drops won’t hurt this beast. It also operated properly after being subjected to freezing temperatures for 24 hours.

Overall this is an excellent light with various uses and the convenience of being rechargeable via any USB port. Replacement batteries, although proprietary (to use all functions of the light), are reasonably priced as well. In the future I’d like to see some ultra-impact survival lights from FourSevens, focused on the market of users who need a light to work no matter what they do to it. If FourSevens offered a fully potted model with some of their best features from their most popular flashlights, they would posture themselves to crush their competitors with functionality, reliability, and toughness.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: An extremely bright, user configurable, rechargeable light.

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys being able to see things in the dark.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Rechargeable 18650 lithium ion battery.
• 800 max lumens and 1 low lumen (moonlight).
• User programmable configuration of light options with the tail cap.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? You can get any color, as long as it is black.

What others are saying? “There is nothing more capable or flexible on the market.  It is also a superior value, both because of the price and because of the rechargeable battery that is included.” –Everydaycommentary.com

Price point:

• MSRP = $100
• Retail = $83 plus free shipping at etoolscity.com

I need it now! Availability: In-stock and available through the manufacturer and multiple online retailers.

Our Rating:

+ Extremely bright emitter with great throw. + Micro-USB recharging feature is excellent. + User programmable format allows for customization. + Reasonably priced replacement batteries. + 10 year no-hassle warranty.

- Keep the manual so you can remember how to program the light. - Pocket clip would be an excellent option, especially to clip onto/into a bag or backpack. - Assembled in China with components from USA, China, and Malaysia.

Score 8.0 (Great)

Steve’s links: Firearmsradio.tv

FourSevens Atom AL

The FourSevens Atom AL is an ultra-compact every day carry (EDC) LED light with useful features and great value.  FourSevens is known for their ingenuity and quality products and the Atom AL is no different.  This light fits in the palm of your hand and is great for pocket, truck, or desk carry.

The Atom AL is advertised to run on CR123A batteries with 110 max lumens and 6 low lumens.  On low setting it can run for 40 hours and also runs for 3.5 hours on max.  It is also submersible down to 3 meters and can withstand an impact resistance of 1 meter for you clumsy types.  During a submersion test, the Atom AL continued to run with no issues when placed in a vat of water to simulate puddle or shallow lake water drops.  The light continued to run during the entire 30 minutes it was submersed for, and even heated the water for those of you who like to sip on warm water.  The light passed the 1 meter concrete drop test with no issues, and as a test of its limits it continued to work after a 6 meter (20ft) concrete drop test as well.  Its compact size and stout construction makes it like a bulldog of ultra-compact lights.  The manufacturer specifications don’t mention anything about operating temperatures, but 24 hours in a freezer didn’t stop this bulldog from shining like it would in normal temperatures.

The light is considered a “mule” meaning it has no mirrored reflector, resulting in a flood-like shallow and wide throw of light.  The area around the LED normally reserved for a reflector is coated with a glow in the dark substance, which is a unique feature allowing for quick locating if dropped or lost in the dark shortly after a recent use.  The beam has no “hot spot” and is useful in short and medium range distances.  The light has a low setting (6 lumens) and a high setting (110 lumens) accessible by twisting the light in one of two stages.  This simple user interface makes it easy to access either setting; this is a welcome change to some of FourSevens’ other more complex and sometimes confusing user interfaces.

The exterior is slightly “grippy” which allows for sweaty or cold hands to firmly grasp the light when twisting it on.  As a side note, out of the box the light was a little hard to twist with one-handed operation.  After cleaning the threads between the upper and lower portions of the light, it became much easier to operate.  The base of the light also contains a magnet allowing it to be affixed to any ferrous surface.  This magnet really comes into play during pocket carry because your car keys will stick to it, so just make sure you carry them in opposite pockets to avoid the hassle.  The magnet becomes the biggest benefit when the light is used in conjunction with the optional 360 degree headlamp kit available from FourSevens for only $15.  I tested this feature out as well and it makes for an excellent combination.  While wearing the headlamp and light combo kit might qualify you for the household geek of the year award, the convenience of the units together make the headlamp kit a must-have option.

The light comes from the factory with spare O-rings and a handy lanyard, which I think are nice touches.  Some people don’t like lights requiring more expensive CR123A batteries; these people are in luck because FourSevens also makes versions of this same light which handle AA, AAA, and CR2 batteries.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: An ultra-compact rugged everyday carry LED light that is barely bigger than the battery it contains.

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys being able to see things in the dark.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• CR123A battery.
• 110 max lumens and 6 low lumens.
• Simple two stage user interface.
• Optional inexpensive headlamp kit available.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Matte Stainless Steel.

What others are saying?:   “The Atom AL is a remarkably tiny CR123A light.” – User “selfbuilt” on candlepowerforums.com provides a highly detailed technical review of the Atom AL.

Price point:

• MSRP = $40
• Retail = $35 at Amazon.com

I need it now! Availability: In-stock and available through the manufacturer and multiple online retailers.

Our Rating:

+ Extremely compact and rugged design. + Works well with optional inexpensive headlamp kit. + Simple user interface to access both low and high settings. + Extra O-rings and lanyard were a nice touch.

- Magnet in base has a tendency to stick to keys while utilizing pocket carry. - Lack of a reflector can make the light a little too “floody” for some users. - Assembled in China with components from USA, China, and Malaysia.

Score: 8.5

Steve’s links: Firearmsradio.tv

FourSevens Quark X AA2 Tactical Review

The FourSevens Quark X AA² Tactical (what a mouthful!) is a great light. I chose this light for its relative compactness, its output, and the common battery it uses. Using the AA battery allows it to be much thinner than many other “EDC” lights. Most 123 battery lights are 1 inch in diameter. The Quark AA² is only .86 inch in diameter. It is relatively close in dimensions to the classic Mini-Mag light, but with so many more features. This allows you to carry it clipped to the inside of a pocket with much less noticeable bulk. Plus, I use my light so much, that I am thankful for the use of common, relatively inexpensive batteries. The lengthy name can be decoded for easy identification of the lights function. “Quark” is the actual model name. The “X” denotes that is the brighter version of that particular model. The “AA” is the battery used and the “2” is the number of that battery. The “Tactical” lets you know what the user interface is like. There are two interfaces, “Pro” and “Tactical”.  The Pro cycles through each of the modes by simply soft-pressing the tail cap switch. The Tactical is programmable. It only has two readily available modes, but those two modes can set to whatever you want. The way to switch between them is by either loosening or tightening the bezel. As an example, you can set it up as Loose = Max and Tight = Strobe. For such a compact light running off of AA batteries, it has an amazing output. FourSevens advertises 280 lumens on this X model. The standard(non-X) is advertised at 205 lumens. With my normal use, this light seems to have a pretty good runtime. I usually keep it on High, which is 115 lumens, and I seem to rarely change the batteries. The Tactical has a momentary/constant switch. To use the momentary, you soft press the switch. To make it constant on, you just press the switch all the way in. You can also swap the head and tail cap, which lets you choose if you want the clip to carry it head-up or head-down. I had to send my light back to the factory for repair, because I accidentally got water inside of the tube and the head malfunctioned. This was entirely my fault, and not a faulty seal, but FourSevens fixed it free of charge. My only ding against them would be that I didn’t get any sort of ETA when I returned it. Six weeks doesn’t seem like a terribly long time to wait, but when you have no clue how long it will be, that seems like an eternity.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Bright and compact

Target Market: Concealed carriers that want a relatively compact, tactical light.

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

Key Features

• 280 Lumens
• Compact
• Many modes to choose from
• Uses 2 AA batteries

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

The Quark only comes in black.

What others are saying?

“Quality of fit and finish is excellent throughout the Quark AA2 Tactical and I anticipate all the Quark lights, including this one, to be lifetime lights.” - nutnfancy

Price point

• MSRP = $78.00
• Retail = $65.00

I need it now! Availability:

Readily available from many retailers, including Amazon.

 Our Rating

+ Compact + Bright + Uses common batteries + Can use rechargeable batteries + Momentary and Constant on - Repair customer service was relatively slow and kept me in the dark

Score 9.5

FourSevens Preon 2 Review

The FourSevens Preon 2 is a great everyday carry light. Powered by 2 AAA batteries, it is very slim and easy to carry in the pocket. It is about the size of a standard size Sharpie marker.

The advertised output is 160 Lumens. It has a very shallow reflector, so it does not project the beam very far, but the light is still usable for seeing movement out to about 50+ yards. The light has 3 output levels and 4 Special modes. The modes are Low(2.2 lumens), Medium(22 lumens), High (160 lumens), Strobe, SOS, Beacon Hi and Beacon Lo. The light turns on in low mode and to access other modes, you can either “soft” tap the tailcap switch, or turn it off and back on within a second. Once you cycle through Low-Med-High twice in quick succession, you will start to cycle through the special modes. The light has a beautiful anodizing that feels almost like velvet to the touch. It holds up very well, except around the hard edges, like the bezel. The tailcap activation switch is very positive and easy to actuate, but it’s almost TOO easy. If you carry this light in your pocket, rather than clipped inside of your pocket, you are sure to activate. One way around this is to purchase a flat tailcap from FourSevens. It is the tailcap that comes standard on their single battery version. With the flat tailcap installed, you must twist the bezel to activate the light. Another way is just to unscrew the bezel. It will work just like having the flat tailcap, except you will have to make sure the clicky switch is on at the same time. The lights are a little pricey, for their size, but very much worth it, in my opinion.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Ultracompact and incredibly bright!

Target Market: Anyone who needs to carry a flashlight with them, which, in my opinion is EVERYONE!

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

Key Features

• Slim, sleek design
• Simple interface
• Bright

Key Benefits

• “Always there” compactness
• Runs on AAA batteries

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are many colored anodizing options available including black, red, blue, gold and satin titanium/black 2-tone.

What others are saying?

“For its excellent ergonomics, longer burn times, and attention getting brightness level, I prefer the Preon 2.”  - nutnfancy

Price point

• MSRP = $50.00
• Retail = $40.83

I need it now! Availability

Readily available from many retailers, including Amazon.

Our Rating

+ Compact + Bright + Simple interface + Many finish colors

- Possible inadvertent activation - Pricey to some (worth it to me!)

Score: 9