18650, Capacity and Value

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dragonhaertt

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Hello CPF,

Im new on these forums, just got into the flashlights. I used to have a Fenix LD20, But i lost it (probably stolen) so i finally got the time and funds to get a new flashlight. I have been doing some research and finally decided on the EagleTac D25LC2 with XP-G2 R5 Cool white LED. (or maybe the XM-L2 T6 Neutral, not sure yet, Idea's?)
So my question is about the batteries, i will be using 18650 batteries in this flashlight, probably the Eagletac ones. But is the higher capacity really worth it?
I can buy the 2500 mAh ones for €6,60 and the 3400 mAh for around 16 euro. For that price i think i would be better off with 3 * 2500mAh, as i don't have much issue's with replacing them. Or is the worktime that much different with a smaller capacity?
Any idea's on value/buck and/or alternatives?

And thanks for all the information on these forums, they have been a great help choosing my flashlight. :)

PS: I'm getting a Xtar WP2 II Charger, any feedback on this is also appreciated.
 
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The Xtar WP2 II is a nice charger. I also like the Eagletac batteries. You can probably get the 3100mah at a decent price. I have the 3400mah but we're only talking about 10% extra so don't pay a lot more for those if you can avoid it.
 
The MAIN advantage to the 3400 over say the 3100 mah version is not the mah itself, its that they use a bit different chemistry, and can sustain higher amp loads.

That means a light can sustain a higher brightness setting (If supported by amp loads) longer....a LOT more than the ~ 9% mah difference alone.

If you use low draw lights, and that amp load support is not an issue, then, as they are rechargeable, you could get several sets of lower mah 18650's for the cost of the 3400....AND potentially have more total run time per dollar.

The cheapest I've seen for Panasonic 3400's is from Fastech, where the two-packs are ~$17 (For two cells)...but, they area bit too fat to fit a lot of my lights.

I tend to get the Eagletac 3400's as they fit EVERY light I have tried them in, and work great...but ONE costs ~ what two of the Fastech's cost. :D

IE: Some 3400 mah 18650's are larger than the 2900/3100's...some are not.

If your lights have the tube room for a fat 18650, the Fastechs are hard to beat for 3400's...otherwise I might recommend the Eagletacs, or, just going with lower mah cells if you don't need/want the extra performance...or want the spare change more than either, etc.

:D


Oh, and that's a good charger. I added the WP6 II as it can do 6 cells at a time instead of just two at a time. (As you add lights/cells, the added charger bays really come in handy...especially when there's a black-out, etc...and you are using a lot of cells at a time/rotating through them with one set in the light, the other set charging, etc.)
 
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Thanks for the reactions,
as for the 3100, you might have noticed I used euro's as currency. It is almost impossible for me to get a hold of the 3100 version, and I stated the prices of the other two in my first post.
So how much would the approximate runtime difference be between a 2500 and a 3400?
 
Hi,

The difference would depend on the light you're using, i.e.:

- if your light can draw 1 amp, then the runtime difference would be approx. .9 hours, or ~54 minutes.
- if your light can draw 2 amps, then the runtime difference would be approx. .45 hours, or ~27 minutes.
- etc.

Jim
 
Difference between 2500 mAh and 3400 mAh run times are significant. I would go with 3400 mAh if this is your first set. You will probably use these batteries a couple years so the price difference is worth it over its lifespan I would think.
 
I'm getting ready to buy my first 18650 light, and batteries. Are the run time differences between the 3100 mAh and 3400 mAh significant enough for the price difference?
 
I would say if you do not have 18650's already, its worth going 3400 mAh from the start because you will be using these batteries for a long time. So the couple dollars you spend extra over the years would be worth it. You can get great protected 3400 mAh 18650's for around $17 a piece.

If you already have 3100 mAh then it wouldn't be worth it to upgrade to the 3400 mAh.

Also, over time and recharges, the capacity will slowly decrease so the more mAh the better I would think. Just my thoughts.
 
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Thanks for all the replies, I think ill be going for a single 18650 3400 for now, and keep the original 123's as backup.
I can always buy a extra 18650 later.
 
The least expensive 3400 mah 18650's are the ~$17 for TWO at Fastech (~ 1/2 the normal price range).

The only problem for me with them is they are too fat to fit ALL my lights, they fit in the ones with larger tubes...but not ones like the ZL SC600, etc.

The Eagletacs, so far, fit EVERYTHING I tried them in.
 
Be careful with sizes - not all 18650 3400 cells are the same size. HKJ does excellent reviews and the sizes are provided.

NKON is a good site in Europe and they carry a variety of brands. Also note that in addition to the USPS, the HK Post is also restricting shipments of Li-ion cells and a number of vendors are running out of stock. This changes the calculation of economic order quantity.
 
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The eagletac's are pretty much all i can get my hand on, except for some panasonic cells which im not sure of if they are protected.
The eagletac 3400 sells for 20 dollar here.
 
yoyoman said:
It is one of the "smaller" 18650 3400 cells.
Click to expand...

That is correct. And definitely worth the money since it's still a snug fit in my Zebralight H600w - possibly even more so in other lights. Better safe than sorry.
 
TEEJ said:
I tend to get the Eagletac 3400's as they fit EVERY light I have tried them in, and work great...
Click to expand...

The EagleTac 3400's button is a bit shorter then the 3100's. The 3400's DO NOT work in the Nitecore EC25 and the 3100's do.
Something to consider.
 
The light will be the Eagletac D25LC2, so I'll use Eagletac batteries since I know they'll fit. Looks like I'll go with the 3400 mAh.
 
If you're looking for a great value you need look no further than Fastech. They are currently selling Panasonic 18650B 3400mAh Unprotected batteries for the incredible price of $12.08 for two cells!!! I just ordered 2 more sets which is 4 batteries. These are the only cells that I have used in the last 3 years and this is the best price I've personally experienced. A 2 pack of the Protected 3.7V 18650B 3400mAh Panasonics are currently selling for $13.51. These prices for this battery is UNBELIEVABLE! Like I said, I have powered my ZL SC600 MkII L2 & ArmyTek Predator exclusively on these batteries for nearly 3 years! And the batteries take and keep a fantastic charge!

Also. I found a promo code and saved 5% on my order. Dig it --->
RMBBUST

​
 
sdr said:
If you're looking for a great value you need look no further than Fastech. They are currently selling Panasonic 18650B 3400mAh Unprotected batteries for the incredible price of $12.08 for two cells!!! I just ordered 2 more sets which is 4 batteries. These are the only cells that I have used in the last 3 years and this is the best price I've personally experienced. A 2 pack of the Protected 3.7V 18650B 3400mAh Panasonics are currently selling for $13.51. These prices for this battery is UNBELIEVABLE! Like I said, I have powered my ZL SC600 MkII L2 & ArmyTek Predator exclusively on these batteries for nearly 3 years! And the batteries take and keep a fantastic charge!

Also. I found a promo code and saved 5% on my order. Dig it --->
RMBBUST

​
Click to expand...

Good deal! NCR18650B have been my goto cell as well. Recently I've gotten into some higher drain lights, so I'm using NCR18650GA, but the "B" is a proven winner for "normal" lights drawing up to 3amps or so.
 
markr6 said:
Good deal! NCR18650B have been my goto cell as well. Recently I've gotten into some higher drain lights, so I'm using NCR18650GA, but the "B" is a proven winner for "normal" lights drawing up to 3amps or so.
Click to expand...

It truly is a great deal. In May of 2013 I paid $15.73 for those same cells at Fastech. On two other occasions I also paid more at Fastech. So this time to get 4 cells for a grand total of $22.96 - and that code also got me free shipping! That breaks down to $5.74 per cell. And that, my friend, for this battery, is a ridiculously great price! Plus, I have a new XP-L High Intensity Limited Edition ArmyTek Predator headed my way - So I am feeling especially illuminated this morning! HOOAH!
 
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