Battery Recommendation for New Flashlight

[gatetraveller]

Hello,

I recently decided to take the plunge and purchase a new tactical flashlight. After reading some of the reviews online, I decided to go with a Solarforce L2 5 Level R2 Cree. Here is the seller's description of the flashlight.


Brand: Solarforce
Model: L2 (Sand)
Emitter Brand/Type: Cree Led
Emitter BIN: R2 Cree 5 level output w/ Memory IC
Total Emitters: 1
Battery Configurations: 2 x CR123A battery or 1 x 18650 (not included)
Voltage Input: 7.4V
Switch Type: Clicky
Switch Location: Tailcap (Tail-cap)
Modes: 5
Mode Memory function: Yes (Memorize output when light off for 2 seconds)
Mode Arrangement: High ->Medium->Low->Stobe->SOS
Brightness: 300 lumens
Runtime: 180 mins (high)
240 mins (Medium)
300 mins (Low)
180 mins (SOS)
180 mins (Strobe)
(The Runtime above is for 18650, if you use CR123A runtime will be 1/3 of 18650.
Weight: 104 grams (without battery)
Lens: Coated Glass Lens
Bezel: Stainless Steel Tactial Bezel
Reflector: Aluminum orange peel textured reflector
Material: Aluminum alloy construction
Length x diameter in (mm): 146 x 32 x 25

This is my first serious flashlight. It looks like a 18650 battery gets the best performance on this model light.

Can anyone tell me what the best model battery and recharger is for this light?

Is there anything else that I should know or consider with this light?

Thank you all for any help!

 

[CaseyS]

The most often recommended Li-Ion batteries are AW. You can buy them from AW in the Marketplace, from 4sevens, from Lighthound or from others. I use an Ultrafire WF-139 charger I bought from 4sevens that seems to do a good job. The batteries come off the charger at about 4.15 volts. Somebody yesterday recommended the Yoho-122 charger as being better. Many people say the Pila IBC charger is even better, albeit much more expensive. You also need a multimeter to check the voltage to make sure you're not overdischarging them, that they're healthy, and to make sure your charger isn't over-charging them.

 

[tabetha]

I have to agree on the AW recommendation, I just use a WF139 charger, with protected AW cells, saves the worry then.
tabetha