OT: 18650 flashlight

[bushmaster]

Heh. Just sharing my experiences. I went thru this during the 2 hurricanes that hit NJ. I only had 2 Surefires and it wasn't enough. I ended up buying LED drop-ins for my Surefires and a few more 18650 lights and the smaller single cell CR123 and AA lights. I got caught up in the lumens chase but realized they're not all that useful other than for bragging rights. Any time I need a flashlight, I find myself grabbing one of my single cells more often than not, even when I'm out and about. The S10 is my absolute favorite as far as functionality. Small, clips to almost anywhere and with the magnet, it's even more useful.

The light that KDM posted is an awesome deal and would fit 90% of what you want. I just flatout disagree with clipping something that size onto your cap . If you can swing it, I would recommend getting a 18650 AND the S10 with the LiFePo4 battery kit. That would cover you for just about everything you'd need.

Thanks for all the valuable information. I'll keep shopping...............................

 

[<KDM>]

Olight S20-L2 Baton XM-L2 550 lumens 2 X CR123A / 1 X 18650 - BlackFriday

Check this one out.

 

[Filthy-Beast]

The ThruNite TN12 can tail stand and has very good spread of modes from moon light through low med and high. you can also pick cool white or neutral bulb. I've got two of the $10 dollar jobs and then got the TN12 2014 and loved it enough that I bought a 2nd one for the wife. ThruNite TN12 2014 Edition 1050 Lumen Single CREE XM-L2 U2 LED EDC Flashlight, Neutral White - - Amazon.com

 

[bushmaster]

Olight S20-L2 Baton XM-L2 550 lumens 2 X CR123A / 1 X 18650 - BlackFriday

Check this one out.

Thank you!

It's a done deal--order is in the cart and waiting. Reads and looks exactly like what I wanted. Decent price and reasonable shipping.
I know you spent your own time looking around for this on my behalf. Very kind of you. Thanks a bunch.

 

[<KDM>]

Congratulations on your new purchase let us know how you like it.

 

[REDFISHIN]

This may have been answered before, but can you use the same batteries in these flashlights that we use in our Reo's? Such as the AW 18650 1600mah?

 

[Roccov]

This may have been answered before, but can you use the same batteries in these flashlights that we use in our Reo's? Such as the AW 18650 1600mah?

Most manufacturers recommend protected batteries but I use my AW's in there with no problems. Hope that helps and will be interested with others thoughts. Enjoy the day!

 

[Filthy-Beast]

I do use my 18650 in my 4 lights as well.

 

[Mowgli]

I use my Panasonic CGR18650CH hybrids.
I don't know if I should. Should I use these or not?

Thanks

 

[<KDM>]

Depending on your specific light would determine if its the correct battery. Certain lights have low voltage protection and will either start to step down the brightness levels, series of flashing, or simply turn off. Not all 18650 compatible flashlights have these features and even if they do its good practice to keep a check on battery voltage. If you find that your light doesn't have low voltage protection you can of course use protected cells or use the unprotected with caution.

 

[K31Scout]

Depending on your specific light would determine if its the correct battery. Certain lights have low voltage protection and will either start to step down the brightness levels, series of flashing, or simply turn off. Not all 18650 compatible flashlights have these features and even if they do its good practice to keep a check on battery voltage. If you find that your light doesn't have low voltage protection you can of course use protected cells or use the unprotected with caution.

What I'll add is that most of the protected cells are longer than unprotected and might not fit all flashlights. Check the battery manufacturers stated length against what your flashlight says it will hold. The problem with flashlights is your never sure how much voltage is left. With our Reo's we can judge by how much juice we've vaped to know when to put them on the charger. With a flashight that we might use intermittently over the course of a week or month (high/medium/low) we don't really know by experience when to charge. Protected cells add some insurance against over discharge for rookies especially with the cheaper budget lights.

Most batteries will give you 2 hours run time on high but maybe 300 hours on low. Quite a variable there. These lights get hot on high. With PV's we generally need a high amp (20-30) for low ohm vapeing. Most flashlights work very well with a lower amp rating. Either carry a mulitmeter with you or charge them often if you don't have voltage protection in your light. If you plan on heavy use, carry a couple of batteries with you and charge them after your night out.

 

[K31Scout]

double post

 

[bushmaster]

Waiting on flashlight mail is easily as aggravating as waiting on vapemail. Foot tapping...........

 

[<KDM>]

Waiting on flashlight mail is easily as aggravating as waiting on vapemail. Foot tapping...........

Did you receive your light?

Yesterday I was installing a new piece of equipment for a customer. The job carried me well on into the night so I was using my Zebralights H600W headlamp and a couple of my lights. The customer asked about the lights and was impressed by the output and runtime. Today I returned to finish the job, my customer comes over to talk to me and he is covered with grease and oil and appears to be wore out. He had been working on some of his equipment today and was having a hard time being able to see what he needed to. He wanted to know where he could go buy one of those flashlights. Knowing he didn't own a computer and there isn't a local place to get one I said hang on a minute. Went to the truck a got my Eagletac D25C and said here you go you can have it, he reluctantly accepted it but was greatful. He is a 77 year old logger that was trying to set the timing on one of his skiders, I bet he can still hang with the best of them.

 

[KTMRider]

Did you receive your light?

Yesterday I was installing a new piece of equipment for a customer. The job carried me well on into the night so I was using my Zebralights H600W headlamp and a couple of my lights. The customer asked about the lights and was impressed by the output and runtime. Today I returned to finish the job, my customer comes over to talk to me and he is covered with grease and oil and appears to be wore out. He had been working on some of his equipment today and was having a hard time being able to see what he needed to. He wanted to know where he could go buy one of those flashlights. Knowing he didn't own a computer and there isn't a local place to get one I said hang on a minute. Went to the truck a got my Eagletac D25C and said here you go you can have it, he reluctantly accepted it but was greatful. He is a 77 year old logger that was trying to set the timing on one of his skiders, I bet he can still hang with the best of them.

That's very generous of you. I have a D25C clicky and it's a great little light.

 

[bushmaster]

Did you receive your light?

Yesterday I was installing a new piece of equipment for a customer. The job carried me well on into the night so I was using my Zebralights H600W headlamp and a couple of my lights. The customer asked about the lights and was impressed by the output and runtime. Today I returned to finish the job, my customer comes over to talk to me and he is covered with grease and oil and appears to be wore out. He had been working on some of his equipment today and was having a hard time being able to see what he needed to. He wanted to know where he could go buy one of those flashlights. Knowing he didn't own a computer and there isn't a local place to get one I said hang on a minute. Went to the truck a got my Eagletac D25C and said here you go you can have it, he reluctantly accepted it but was greatful. He is a 77 year old logger that was trying to set the timing on one of his skiders, I bet he can still hang with the best of them.

I received my light a few days ago--thanks for asking. At 4.2 inches and 1.8 ounces, it is about as compact as an 18650 flashlight can be. It's ideal for what I need. I planned on it being my new go-to-work light but it's so handsome and cool that I haven't had the nads to subject all the bumps and bruises that go along with that role on it yet.
By the way, that was a very thoughtful and kind act to give that old guy the light.

 

[K31Scout]

Did you receive your light?

Yesterday I was installing a new piece of equipment for a customer. The job carried me well on into the night so I was using my Zebralights H600W headlamp and a couple of my lights. The customer asked about the lights and was impressed by the output and runtime. Today I returned to finish the job, my customer comes over to talk to me and he is covered with grease and oil and appears to be wore out. He had been working on some of his equipment today and was having a hard time being able to see what he needed to. He wanted to know where he could go buy one of those flashlights. Knowing he didn't own a computer and there isn't a local place to get one I said hang on a minute. Went to the truck a got my Eagletac D25C and said here you go you can have it, he reluctantly accepted it but was greatful. He is a 77 year old logger that was trying to set the timing on one of his skiders, I bet he can still hang with the best of them.

You're a good man KDM. Thank goodness he didn't ask about your Reo!

I've been using my Zebralight H600Fw on the ATV snowplow after dark and it is just the greatest thing I've bought in a long time. Great flood with no hot spot.

 

[<KDM>]

You're a good man KDM. Thank goodness he didn't ask about your Reo!

I've been using my Zebralight H600Fw on the ATV snowplow after dark and it is just the greatest thing I've bought in a long time. Great flood with no hot spot.

Yes they are great headlamps the one I was using is the floody version also, forgot to put the f in my description.

I didn't mind parting with the light to help him out, not giving up my Reo though! I'm not that generous.

 

[<KDM>]

I received my light a few days ago--thanks for asking. At 4.2 inches and 1.8 ounces, it is about as compact as an 18650 flashlight can be. It's ideal for what I need. I planned on it being my new go-to-work light but it's so handsome and cool that I haven't had the nads to subject all the bumps and bruises that go along with that role on it yet.
By the way, that was a very thoughtful and kind act to give that old guy the light.

Great glad it made it and you like it. The first mark is painful, then the rest are just for character. Enjoy it, use it.

 

[Roccov]

Great glad it made it and you like it. The first mark is painful, then the rest are just for character. Enjoy it, use it.

Well said sir! Enjoy the day!