Battery Type, Pro's/Con's? Confused!

[Gobbie]

Hi,

I'm new on here but reading with interest!

I'm confused with the different battery types and the pro's/con's of them. Can someone help please?!

I ordered a AA/CR2 torch from Dealextreme (UltraFire WF-606A) which doesn't work.....great! I went for AA's because they are readily available and I already have rechargables/charger but I see a lot of 18650, 14500, CR123A's etc which are all new to me. 18650's seem to be very popular.
Then, there's protected and non-protected etc. Protected has got to be better, right?!
Next, chargers......anything I should be looking for?

If I order another torch, what do you recommend I should be looking at, with regards to batteries?

BTW, my main purpose is for night cycling....on-road and cycle paths. And, I want to have a cool torch!....without spending too much.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Hi,

I'm new on here but reading with interest!

I'm confused with the different battery types and the pro's/con's of them. Can someone help please?!

I ordered a AA/CR2 torch from Dealextreme (UltraFire WF-606A) which doesn't work.....great! I went for AA's because they are readily available and I already have rechargables/charger but I see a lot of 18650, 14500, CR123A's etc which are all new to me. 18650's seem to be very popular.
Then, there's protected and non-protected etc. Protected has got to be better, right?!
Next, chargers......anything I should be looking for?

If I order another torch, what do you recommend I should be looking at, with regards to batteries?

BTW, my main purpose is for night cycling....on-road and cycle paths. And, I want to have a cool torch!....without spending too much.

For rechargeables, the 18650-based lights are the best systems. For primaries, then CR123 takes the cake.

 

[DM51]

Moving this to the correct sub-forum...

 

[Hitthespot]

Hi,

I'm confused with the different battery types and the pro's/con's of them. Can someone help please?!


Next, chargers......anything I should be looking for?

If I order another torch, what do you recommend I should be looking at, with regards to batteries?

BTW, my main purpose is for night cycling....on-road and cycle paths. And, I want to have a cool torch!....without spending too much.

Gobbie, Welcome to CPF. As most do you have a lot of good questions which I don't think can be answered by one person in one reply. Just pick the topics your interested in and read, read, read.

You said you want a cool torch "without spending too much" Most around here would ask that you state all your uses for a torch, and then the maximum amount you wish to spend for this torch. This will help determine our answers.

Now having said the above, Fenix, Nitecore, and Olight are very popular torches, and most would agree all are of good quality, they come in CR123 and AA battery types, single and double battery versions. I believe all have models starting just under $50.00 dollars US, and between $50.00 and $90.00 you can purchase a really nice torch.

Good luck and have fun reading all the wonderful posts on CPF.

Bill

 

[Kestrel]

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=161536

and

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201375

The two bibles, thanks to mdocod.

Enjoy,

 

[degarb]

For rechargeables, the 18650-based lights are the best systems. For primaries, then CR123 takes the cake.

Yet to hear a good suggestion for holders for 18650. I like the capacity of 4 18650 in parallel or two D sized Lions. I can envision gluing velcro on them for 3 cells together in pack and soldering wires to a metal magnet for contact On cells, but not sure if this is possible. Still a good 4 celled pack with solder tabs and good clippy charger Looks like $100 for one good headlamp even buying online. There maybe more accessible, cheaper ways, though heavier ways. (thinking toolbelt)