Sorry StoneDog, jtr is known for being the OT master on another forum, so to get the gist would require intensive reading, and 6 degrees of separation....snoooze /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif Li_Ion = Foghat's "Slow Ride" song innuedo analogy, via 6 degrees of separation...Ah, never mind, too obscure a reference /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
More importantly than Sony's Li-Ion 18650's of 2550 vs 2400ma, which is not that much of a percentage increase; for the near future, the driving force of the cell phone battery tech industry; should bring improvements in Li-poly or other chemistries to trickle down applications that will work for flashlights.
But exactly, I agree with your succinct analysis (and BTW, I made no mention of Pam Anderson, or 4'8" women, that was all jtr's /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/twakfl.gif doing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif, see my avatar, see the 'JA Special' reference). It's all about voltage when you are looking at higher output incandescent lights. Either you use one or a few Li-Ion (not sure what js is referring to as being safer now, other than JSB's protected Li-Ion R123 cells, which do not work so well with incandescent lights, or maybe Pila?); or many, many NiMH cells.
To get a smaller light using LED or incandescent, you need either higher voltage Li-Ion technology, or pitifully low capacity, excessively small, multiple micro-sized NiMH cells. For the much larger multi-cell applications that js deals with(no Ginseng's 1/2subC NiMH powered ultimate high-output EDC of shorter duration will not compare to truly thin small Li-Ion powered lights), NiMH has a slight current capability advantage (hehe, except if you know which Li-Ion 1200ma 18650's can do 10a comfortably with less true useable capacity losses than NiMH, again at 3.7v vs. 1.2v for NiMH).
KAN 1300aa AA NIMH, or for that matter the better CPB 1650ma AA NiMH, do 10a; umm for Andrew's light or any other 1 or 2 cell light those NiMH would be a flash in the pan, wham bam thank you mam type of not particularly useful lighting, using only one or 2 NiMH 1.2v cells, don't you think? 1300a NiMH rated capacity is for what current draw? Many of these smaller NiMH, like the KAN AA 1300a will do 1.1v, at lower current draws, like an 5w LED would require and meet the rated 1300ma capacity. But at 10a, the runtime would be a few minutes, and true useful capacity would drop to less than 1300ma under such a load. I would rather rely on one or 2 Li_Ion cells working, than 3-4 times as many in a multi-cell NiMH batterypack. NiMH might make sense in a 'gas-guzzling' SUV sized Surefire M6-R, short duration 500lumen light (there you go StoneDog, another analogy both you and jtr might agree upon /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ); but this is a rather narrow application. Li_Ion of smaller than 18650 size as in keychain sized lights powered by next years higher efficiency LED's , or even the 18560 size; fit far more practical, longer runtime applications than which js is used to employing NiMH's in. Some of us like thin/slim/sexy small lights with some 'legs' (endurance-amongst other things); others are happy with big, bulky, 'quickie' runtime thrills, flame throwing lights /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif StoneDog, both jtr and js are well aware of our particular favorites; it's a never ending debate /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
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StoneDog said:
What the heck are you guys talking about?! What do 4'8" women and Pamela Anderson have to do with Sony's higher-cap 18650's!? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Seems like this topic can be boiled down to a few simple points:
1) Volumeteric energy density is about the same but NiMH trade voltage for capacity and Li-Ion are just the opposite.
2) In general, Li-Ion batteries will allow for a much brighter and smaller flashlight.
Is there anything the size of a Strion (or smaller) that uses NiCad or NiMH technology and runs as long or as bright?
Jon
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