EDC 18650?

[Fallingwater]

RCR123 lights are all well and good, but they tend to have miserable runtime when running on rechargeables. AA lights that can take 14500s are a bit better, but not too much.
I'm thinking what's really needed is a compact 18650 light. I realize "compact" and "18650" seem to be incompatible concepts, but let me explain.

So far, all 18650 lights I've seen are meant for general purpose use, not EDC, so they all have large heads, large switches and thick bodies.

What I really want to see is something like a NDI, with a longer, wider body that will accept a 18650, and all at a price that does not make my wallet jump ouf of my pocket and go hide under the bed.

It'd be bulkier, but still pocketable.

Is there any such thing? Is there even demand for it, or am I the only one who'd like something like that?

Edit: something like this...



...but with some metal around the cell.

 

[dulridge]

It isn't just you, I tend to use 17670s wherever I can and something just a little larger than the cell would be nice.

 

[Kraid]

Edit: something like this...



...but with some metal around the cell.

Sign me up for one!

I'm looking at the Wolf-Eyes Sniper myself, but thats a little bulkier, for general purpose, like you said.

 

[PhantomPhoton]

There isn't anything EDC designed yet that I know of.
The closest things I can think of are Deree CLH1, Lumapower M1,, Wolf Eyes Sniper, or SF Legos. And then of course there is the Leef/Milky Gotham :naughty:.
I'm not a big fan of cheaper DX lights but I know they offer a lot of 18650 lights.
I'm right there with ya waiting for a nice small 18650 light.

 

[da.gee]

The Dereelight CL1H is very near the size of 6P, just a very little bit longer (a couple mms). The CL1H is heavier however probably due mostly to the 18650 battery. It has an excellent clip. Depending on what you think is too large I believe it could be EDCed quite comfortably.

 

[qadsan]

...What I really want to see is something like a NDI, with a longer, wider body that will accept a 18650, and all at a price that does not make my wallet jump ouf of my pocket and go hide under the bed...

I don't know if this is out of your price range, but I thought I'd pass it along for you to check out. You could buy a Novatac 85P @ $99 or a 120P @ $169 from Lighthound. Then buy the HDS 17670 battery case that they're selling and you'll have a fully programmable wide body light that has some nice aftermarket parts available for customization such as many different bezel choices, different lenses, different tail cap, etc.

Here's the link to the HDS 17670 that works on the Novatac...

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3439&strVarSel=&strCompare=

And here's just a couple of several threads talking about this topic with pictures of the HDS 17670 tube being used with the Novatac 120P...

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=186866&page=2

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=187072&page=5

Just make sure you never use two CR123's or two RCR123's in this tube with the Novatac or you'll fry it, but the single 3.7 volt 17670 works fine. There used to be an 18650 tube available, but those are quite rare and the last one that sold on here went for $275. This 17650 tube could be bored for an 18650, but you'll need to anodize the bore again because there's a spring inside that fits around the battery and if it shorts out against the wall, then your light will not work properly. There are only a limited number of these tubes left and once they're gone they'll probably be gone for good. My guess is they'll be sold out this week unless Lighthound happens to have more of these. Oh yeah, Lighthound offers an additional 2% discount from using the coupon code "CPF" during check out.

 

[Alan]

The Dereelight CL1H is very near the size of 6P, just a very little bit longer (a couple mms).

CL1H could be shorter. Its extra length (compare with 6P) is due to its extra spring in its tube for no reason (at least to me). Its DBS V2 has no such problem and that's why it's shorter than its previous version (DBS V1). I hope that CL1H V4 would follow.

 

[chanamasala]

Check it:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=147263

Prototype pics on page 3. Not in production though.

I agree with the need for an 18650 compact EDC though. I was thinking something like a P3D but with a simple or single or hi-lo mode. Maybe a tactical switch.

Also it would be cool to have it boost in regulation for LifePo4s too. Maybe a low voltage warning at 2.7v also.

 

[MiniLux]

You could try this one:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7934
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.7935

It's a very handy and small light, and finish is good (I own the gray version).
Only drawback is that it only uses a CREE P4.

It features a drop-in module, might be P60, but as I don't own one of those modules, I can't say for sure.

Greetings
MiniLux

 

[RebelXTNC]

If the 18650 body tube was made in two pieces with a threaded joint in the middle, then existing smaller heads and tailcaps could be threaded onto the ends. The larger battery would be replaced by unscrewing the center body tube joint, leaving the head and tailcap as they were originally.
As long as the appropriate electrical contacts were also in place for the flat-top batteries, this would be a fairly simple addition to lights that are slightly too small in diameter for an 18650.

 

[Fallingwater]

Hmm. I've seen all the suggestions, and I still think a NDI with a longer, wider tube would be better.

If I had a lathe or mill I'd do something like this:

(Ph33r my 1337 Paint skillz!)
Edit: just noticed the tube would have to be rather shorter, but I'm too lazy to edit the image. you get the point anyway.

Anyone knows how much it costs to have someone chuck a metal rod in a mill and come up with something like that? The switch I'd worry about myself.

 

[KenAnderson]

How about something like this HDS/Novatac with a 17670 tube, tac switch, grip rings, stike bezel, trits and flat pocket clip. Carries well clipped to my right jean pocket.

Cheers,

Ken

 

[Fallingwater]

Seems nice, but I really want a 18650 instead of a 17670. The capacity loss is quite significant for such a small size difference.

 

[Marduke]

found your light

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2334752#post2334752

 

[RecycledElectron]

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3154

Xtar has a P4 in it, very bright, apparently exceeds 150 lumen for over 2 hours and that works for me. Is very small as 18650 lights go, not much metal so it gets hot for the first 30 minutes or so. Heatsinking with your hand is necessary. It does not have the flimsy rubber cover over the button of the older Luxon light.

Appears to use a standard P60 drop-in. I'm thinking of getting one of the newer Deerelight drop-in's for it. Or perhaps a Malkoff M60L for the longer runtime. HAIII anodizing and barely larger than the Olight T20 that I'm fond of are pluses.
Olightworld has discussed making a 18650 version of their T20, don't know if that will happen or not.

 

[TKO]

The Dereelight CL1H is very near the size of 6P, just a very little bit longer (a couple mms). The CL1H is heavier however probably due mostly to the 18650 battery. It has an excellent clip. Depending on what you think is too large I believe it could be EDCed quite comfortably.

+1:thumbsup:

 

[TKO]

Here you go http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2334752#post2334752

 

[JKL]

I'm thinking what's really needed is a compact 18650 light. ......

What I really want to see is something like a NDI, with a longer, wider body that will accept a 18650, and all at a price that does not make my wallet jump ouf of my pocket and go hide under the bed.

It'd be bulkier, but still pocketable.

Edit: something like this...



...but with some metal around the cell.

Hi Fallingwater,

I perfectly agree with you. :thumbsup:

 

[jeffosborne]

Here's a smallish 18650 light from Kaidomain:

https://www.kaidomain.com/WEBUI/ProductDetail.aspx?TranID=1254

I have modified mine, took the Cree star out and made a star for a -0100 Rebel - works great. This is the smallest 18650 light I have found (still, could be smaller).

I hate that it does not have a forward clickie, but appreciate that it does have a 2 level switch, 700ma and 350ma.

Cheers,
Jeff O.

 

[JKL]

Another example (SOLD)

Titanium 18650 seoul light.

It can accept Max. 4.2V, size to fit unprotected 18650 li-ion or small size protected li-ion.
( 5 modes: Primary -> Low -> Max -> Strobe Mode -> SOS Mode)