That might make for an interesting Lego.
Are CPFers starting to lose interest in AA based lights?
- Thread starter Handlobraesing
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That might make for an interesting Lego.
you measure your flashaholism by the number of different "exotic" battery styles you use in your lights.
I prefer lithium and my latest 18650 light because of the higher watt-hour capacity. 1.2vx2200mah for a good nimh = 2.64w/hr 3.7vx2200mah = 8.140w/hr...
Still own a CR123 light too, much lower w/hr capacity but i liked the form factor and simplicity of 3.7v direct drive when i bought it.
technology for me has moved beyond AA cells, but I still have a mini-mag for low-light needs
Fird
I prefer lithium and my latest 18650 light because of the higher watt-hour capacity. 1.2vx2200mah for a good nimh = 2.64w/hr 3.7vx2200mah = 8.140w/hr...
Still own a CR123 light too, much lower w/hr capacity but i liked the form factor and simplicity of 3.7v direct drive when i bought it.
technology for me has moved beyond AA cells, but I still have a mini-mag for low-light needs
Fird
Not trying to be too picky, but there are a number of NiMH AA's rated at 2700+ mAh which would give you 3.24 w-h or more. And an 18650 sized light would more readily compare to a 2xAA light instead of a single AA, which puts you at 6480 w-h for two NiMH AA's, only 20% less than the 18650. Not nearly as vast a difference as the original example would imply.
RecycledElectron
Newly Enlightened
+1, What he said. :thumbsup:
Marduke
Flashaholic
What a cell can deliver under load is less than it's rated capacity. An 18650 can deliver under load better than AA's
RecycledElectron
Newly Enlightened
Well, to be nitpicky, Sanyo 2700 and Duracell 2650 have been tested by Silverfox to deliver 3.088 and 2.954 watt hours respectively at a 1 amp delivery. And some of the AA's tested delivered well and maintained voltage at up to 5 amps draw. Most Nimh AA's will last more recharge cycles than a 18650. And definitely more than a RCR. The only RCR123's I've had last well are AW's.
CR123's when tested at one amp don't deliver that much more watt hours than the top two Nimh. And at 2 amps, they're definitely in Nimh territory. Again, Silverfox's data.
And of course 18650's that are rated at 2200 mah, when tested often only deliver 1800 mah. That's anecdotal, I don't want to take the time to look up the supporting threads, on CPF, that's kinda common knowledge.
I think all cells deliver less than their manufacturer's rated capacity. But it's not fair to just pick on AA's. And I'm not sure that a 18650 can deliver better under load than 2AA's.
CR123's when tested at one amp don't deliver that much more watt hours than the top two Nimh. And at 2 amps, they're definitely in Nimh territory. Again, Silverfox's data.
And of course 18650's that are rated at 2200 mah, when tested often only deliver 1800 mah. That's anecdotal, I don't want to take the time to look up the supporting threads, on CPF, that's kinda common knowledge.
I think all cells deliver less than their manufacturer's rated capacity. But it's not fair to just pick on AA's. And I'm not sure that a 18650 can deliver better under load than 2AA's.
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Retinator
Enlightened
Well I've had a few days to think this one over.....
AA lights are probably still popular with the non-flashoholics. Why not us?
1) AA Vs 123A - You just can't match the power/performance of a 2 cell AA VS the 2 cell 123A. Reliability especially in cold is an issue.
2) Informed consumers - Most of us are aware of how to feed our habit/hobby/obsession CHEAPLY. We know where to get lithiums MUCH cheaper than blindly running into a drugstore at 2am
3) Specialty lights - Not too many of us will carry a 'common' light with the same pride ppl take with the 'obscure' brands we do (obscure to most 'normal' ppl) Most haven't heard of Fenix/Arc/Surefire/Inova etc...
Also by carrying around our odd looking lights/pocket rockets, normal ppl are often drawn inquisitively by our toys. So it's also an attention getter. We love to show off sometimes and we like ppl's reactions especially when they hear the price, watch them run/hand light back etc........
Anything in the 'C' or 'D' size is just too big for most of us.
Hmm can't think of anything else...will post again if I come up with anything .
AA lights are probably still popular with the non-flashoholics. Why not us?
1) AA Vs 123A - You just can't match the power/performance of a 2 cell AA VS the 2 cell 123A. Reliability especially in cold is an issue.
2) Informed consumers - Most of us are aware of how to feed our habit/hobby/obsession CHEAPLY. We know where to get lithiums MUCH cheaper than blindly running into a drugstore at 2am
3) Specialty lights - Not too many of us will carry a 'common' light with the same pride ppl take with the 'obscure' brands we do (obscure to most 'normal' ppl) Most haven't heard of Fenix/Arc/Surefire/Inova etc...
Also by carrying around our odd looking lights/pocket rockets, normal ppl are often drawn inquisitively by our toys. So it's also an attention getter. We love to show off sometimes and we like ppl's reactions especially when they hear the price, watch them run/hand light back etc........
Anything in the 'C' or 'D' size is just too big for most of us.
Hmm can't think of anything else...will post again if I come up with anything .
Kraid
Enlightened
They'd be great to have around in an end of the world scenario.
This isn't the factor it once was now that we have Lithium AA's. They have the same power density, shelf life, and cold performance as Lithium 123's. The only advantage 123's have is their higher voltage which, for the same power output, allows the current draw to be less, thus realizing a bit more capacity under higher current loads.
jerry i h
Enlightened
:shakehead
Is anyone from Fenix listening???
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4sevens
Flashlight Enthusiast
Of course we're listening. A buck/boost circuit is not the end all be all. There are some serious efficiency penalties with buck/boost circuits. You are effectively supporting two
sets of circuits that "kick-in" as needed. I can tell you that there is one in the
works
About li-ions and buck circuits - it's really a hit or miss depending on the Vf of
the led. I have found some that have low enough Vf to run most of the li-ion's
capacity
Bror Jace
Enlightened
Nope ... I still love AAs. :thumbsup: I like the 1AA and even 2AA form factors. AA cells are cheap and ever-present which make AA lights make the perfect gift for women (co-workers, friends and family).
Most non-CPFers are still amazed by even 'lowly' LED lights ... let alone the Cree, Seoul and Rebel lights currently available.
Yes, I prefer my 2xRCR123 and 18650 cell lights for front-line work but AA lights make terrific back-ups and gifts ... so I have quite a few of them. :twothumbs
Most non-CPFers are still amazed by even 'lowly' LED lights ... let alone the Cree, Seoul and Rebel lights currently available.
Yes, I prefer my 2xRCR123 and 18650 cell lights for front-line work but AA lights make terrific back-ups and gifts ... so I have quite a few of them. :twothumbs
No, be picky, that's what CPF is for.. one person to make a comment, 14 to comment on the comment, 22 to commment on those comments :-D
I actually wasn't aware of 2700mah rated Nimh's. Of course you can use the 2AA form factor and get much better capacity (and at a more workable voltage too!). I agree completely that AA's still have a place, I just like carrying a light with an 'exotic' battery i guess.. not to mention that I ~could~ argue that one can always get a 2x18650 body, and thereby double one's watt/hour capacity again, cell for cell the lithiums still win! ::grin:: but i won't argue that because I'd consider an LED flashlight with a body that big sort of unwieldy, not to mention it's about the size of a 3AA light. I can pocket a LOT of stuff, my CL1H is EDC sized to me, but a 2x18650?? probably not going to go in a pocket to say the least. Until I can get about 500 lumens out of a torch that size (yeah i know it's already possible.. but i can't afford more toys just now) i'll probably not go that route.
Fird
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PlayboyJoeShmoe
Flashaholic
NO WAY have I lost interest! Best thing I've gotten lately is the 4 in 1 pack from Fenix-Store.com.
I usually carry it as a LI as I find it easier to get out of the holster I use as one. I then usually have the L2 body capped with a 123 in it as back up.
But I also have a good supply of LSD Nimh for running my GPS so battery power isn't really an issue.
The vast majority of what I've gotten from DX lately is 1AA stuff.
I almost never pick up any light bigger than a 2C M*g.
I usually carry it as a LI as I find it easier to get out of the holster I use as one. I then usually have the L2 body capped with a 123 in it as back up.
But I also have a good supply of LSD Nimh for running my GPS so battery power isn't really an issue.
The vast majority of what I've gotten from DX lately is 1AA stuff.
I almost never pick up any light bigger than a 2C M*g.
Pistolero
Enlightened
HAHA, That flashlight was my sole EDC for a long time. Even after I got my Rexlight, I carried that light and it was the first one I grabbed, only because it was so easy to carry, retrieve and employ. What sucked were the few times that I went for it and it was dead.
I've recently switched to carrying a Gerber infinity instead of the RR 1xAA. The longer runtime and durability appealed to me a bit more. And of course, THE CLIP. My Rex is still in my pocket... somewhere beneath my lighter, pen, cellphone, keys, etc.
ernsanada
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2004
- Messages
- 2,962
I am losing interest in AA lights?
I don't think so.
My 1AA Lights
2AA Lights
Some of my newer lights.
I don't think so.
My 1AA Lights
2AA Lights
Some of my newer lights.
Turbo DV8
Flashlight Enthusiast
I am losing interest in AA lights?
I don't think so.
My 1AA Lights
2AA Lights
Some of my newer lights.
I think I see one light that has a taller light to the right of it.:devil:
You mean like this one?
Yes.... Yes I do. :twothumbs
