Need battery recommendation for M20

[ALowe]

Hello all,

First post and all so HI! Been on the boards looking for a new light. Decided on the M20 Premium R2. It fits well for what I do. Here is my question. I am not sure if I should go and spend the money on CR123 primaries or go the recharge route as well as primaries, or no primaries at all. What would be a good rechargable solution, RCR123 or 18650?

The light will be used in short durations, less then 5 minutes at a time for about 20 minutes a day. What would be a good recomendation for this practice?

I am looking to buy everything off batteryjunction, so if I can get it all as a package, that would be fantastic.

Respect,

A

 

[1dash1]

ALowe:

If you're using the light everyday, you'll save a lot of money by using rechargeables. You can get a little over an hour of well-regulated high output using RCR 123's or almost 3 hours of reasonably high output using 18650's.

My recommendation to you:

- If you already have some RCR 123's on hand, use them.

- If you're picking up new batteries for the M20, I'd recommend using AW 18650 cells. And, because you're cycling batteries every day, I'd strongly recommend that you pick up a Pila charger (which will provide you much better termination performance than, say, a WF-139 charger).

- And you should stash a cache of primaries for emergencies. (If you're using the flashlight for work, you should always have a backup flashlight. If you choose a backup that has a 2x123 form or an 18650-form, it can act as your spare battery reserve.)

If you're interested in picking up a used M20, you can PM me after you complete your probationary period. Otherwise, if you're buying new, you've picked a well-respected vendor in Matt & TheBatteryJunction. :thumbsup:

FYI: Link to Olight M20 Review
.

 

[ALowe]

Thank you very much for the response. I have read up on AW and am not sure where these can be bought?

 

[ALowe]

Thank you for the response, I appreciate it. I have read up on the AW batteries and am still not sure where these can be purchased?

 

[Niconical]

Thank you for the response, I appreciate it. I have read up on the AW batteries and am still not sure where these can be purchased?

Click here :)

Note: You will need to complete a separate registration for the MarketPlace forum.

 

[corrections operator]

Try lighthound for AW 18650's - http://www.lighthound.com/Batteries-carriers-testers_c_20.html. (if you don't go the paypal route)

flashlightz.com for the Pila IBC charger among others.

Hope this helps!:welcome:

 

[ALowe]

Thanks much. Too bad I need to purchase at 3 different spots though. :duh2:

 

[Niconical]

AW batteries can also be bought from www.lighthound.com

 

[corrections operator]

Thanks much. Too bad I need to purchase at 3 different spots though. :duh2:

Yeah, I know...I've spent countless hours trying to find a place that sells both the AW batteries and the Pila charger and no success!:thinking:

Maybe we can convince 4sevens, battery junction or one of the other vendors to carry the Pila charger/AW battery combo!

Hey maybe an Olight M20/AW 18650/Pila Charger combo for <$125 for CPFers. Hint,hint,nudge,nudge...

$135-140 would still be a good deal...hint,hint.

 

[ALowe]

Can anyone recommend a good all around charger for AA, 18650, and 123? My AA charger is at its end of days...

 

[ALowe]

Yeah, I know...I've spent countless hours trying to find a place that sells both the AW batteries and the Pila charger and no success!:thinking:

Maybe we can convince 4sevens, battery junction or one of the other vendors to carry the Pila charger/AW battery combo!

Hey maybe an Olight M20/AW 18650/Pila Charger combo for <$125 for CPFers. Hint,hint,nudge,nudge...

That would make a nice deal. I would buy it right away.

 

[corrections operator]

Open mouth insert foot... :banghead: :hairpull::stupid:...BugOutGearUSA sells both the AW 18650 and the Pila IBC charger, but you can get them both cheaper if you go the piecemeal route. Don't sell Olight though! LOL

 

[chewy78]

Thank you very much for the response. I have read up on AW and am not sure where these can be bought?

www.lighthound.com

 

[ALowe]

Open mouth insert foot... :banghead: :hairpull::stupid:...BugOutGearUSA sells both the AW 18650 and the Pila IBC charger, but you can get them both cheaper if you go the piecemeal route. Don't sell Olight though! LOL

Looks like the multiple purchase route is the best way. Now all I need to do is update my old 2XAA.

Respect,

A

 

[Kalvix]

I am glad I found this post. Ever since I decided on getting an M20 I have been torn between an 18650 or RCR123s.

From what I have seen from runtime charts it seems that the RCRs have a better output and throw. Is this true? and if so how much better than an 18650?

As for a charger I was going to go with the WF-139 until i saw the Pila charger suggested in this post. What makes the Pila charger superior?

Sorry I have been trying to learn as much as I can about flashlights and batteries since I started looking for my "ideal" flashlight a few months back, but I am still a noob.

Thanks
SE