First 18650 light.

[yankees102110]

After years and years of being scared of 18650 technology I'm finally ready to jump in the game. I found a few lights I am interested in, I just wanted some opinions on here. On-board charging is definitely a must. I have it narrowed down to 2 lights. Klarus XT12GT or Nitecore MH25GT. I love throwy lights so I was pretty set on the Klarus but I'm reading they have quality issues with them. What would you guys choose?

 

[wicky998]

Well, welcome to the game , it changes a lot when you jump into the 18650 pool so have some fun with it.



If onboard charging could be passed, there are micro usb chargeable 18650s , that way you still dont need a dedicated charger.

If you could bypass the onboard , I'd go with a Malkoff md2, you could find some for a good price in the wts section , if not they're still not badly priced especially with a 20% off coupon.

If I were to choose out of the two options you listed , I would chose the nitecore. They're solid


Wicky

 

[yankees102110]

Thank you for the opinions but I'm pretty set on on-board charging. I've also added the nitecore MH25GTS to the list, I know it doesn't throw are far as the other 2 mentioned but it seems to get great reviews.

 

[lightfooted]

Thank you for the opinions but I'm pretty set on on-board charging. I've also added the nitecore MH25GTS to the list, I know it doesn't throw are far as the other 2 mentioned but it seems to get great reviews.

I'd go with the Klarus as my experience with Nitecore is that they don't use dual springs in the battery tube. Klarus does.

 

[Bullet Bob]

JUST BOUGHT 2 OF THE kLARUS 360X1 on sale. buying 2 got me free ship. have other Klarus lights no issue. purchased right off the Klarus website. Includes batteries.

 

[aginthelaw]

I had issues with klarus lights that were taken care of under warranty so buy from a reputable dealer. I have (or had) 6 mh20's so I recommend them highly

 

[boo5ted]

I'd go with the Klarus as my experience with Nitecore is that they don't use dual springs in the battery tube. Klarus does.

Maybe not all of them do but my MH12GTS has dual springs.

 

[alohasurftoad]

Eagtac T25L-R MKII, XH-P35 Hi domeless, 18650 3500mAH 10A battery incl. 40100cd

or G3L with XH-P35 Hi domeless, same battery incl. not sure of cd but probably similar or greater than T25L-R MKII

Nitecore P30, 95500cd with oversized head<-----oops disregard this as it's a 21700 battery.

 

[Glow808]

From owning both Nitecore models, both bought at the same time from the same store:
1. MH23 1800L
2. MH20GT 1000L

I wouldn't recommend the brand.

1. This developed a fault in less than 12 months. The switch would jump from off to Turbo when pressed and wouldn't stay on. I kept this as a back up to 2 as the excess heat given off during use is quite alarming.
I had to send it back to China to get it replaced as I had bought this when working in HK. Postal took more than a month to arrive before a replacement was mailed back, a 2.5 month turn around. The replacement I received was sold off as it wasn't used anyaway.

2. Fault developed in month 28. It was during use when I wanted to switch to a different mode pressing the button, it just cut out completely and now it won't even turn on. Used around the home and never taken out in the rain or extreme temp or dropped/knocked.
Same procedure and treatment as 1!

Yes you get their "5 year warranty" but the trouble of sending the item back to China and long turn around is not worth the trouble. Plus you shouldn't expect such an item to develop a fault within the first 5 years if they are really that reliable.

 

[mountaindewer]

Don't feel bad, I was and still am terrified of lithium lights. I decided on an olight s2r baton 2. It has onboard charging. I still am not too sure of lithium lights. Not sure I ever will. It didn't help matters any when I found out I got a 2019 model so I can assume it's been sitting for months

 

[thermal guy]

As long as you don't use lithium batteries as a hammer you really should not worry about them. They are perfectly safe. Go with protected cells and use a good charger. Ask yourself this. If they are prone to exploding or catching fire do you really think dozens and dozens of manufactures would make lights that take these cells that you strap to your head?😁 your head!

 

[FlashKat]

There are so many more brands and lights out there that I would really consider before you make your decision. How far do you need it to throw, How bright do you need it, what size, etc. Also there are newer lights using the 21700 battery now.

After years and years of being scared of 18650 technology I'm finally ready to jump in the game. I found a few lights I am interested in, I just wanted some opinions on here. On-board charging is definitely a must. I have it narrowed down to 2 lights. Klarus XT12GT or Nitecore MH25GT. I love throwy lights so I was pretty set on the Klarus but I'm reading they have quality issues with them. What would you guys choose?

 

[wicky998]

As long as you don't use lithium batteries as a hammer you really should not worry about them. They are perfectly safe. Go with protected cells and use a good charger. Ask yourself this. If they are prone to exploding or catching fire do you really think dozens and dozens of manufactures would make lights that take these cells that you strap to your head?[emoji16] your head!

+1

With the right charger and a protected cell, an 18650 can be safer than a alkaline

 

[yankees102110]

I've talked myself out of it again. Seems like everytime I'm ready to pull the trigger I become way over worried and don't do it. Oh well, maybe one day LOL.

 

[bigburly912]

I've talked myself out of it again. Seems like everytime I'm ready to pull the trigger I become way over worried and don't do it. Oh well, maybe one day LOL.

I stayed out of this thread but can I ask why? What have you seen or read that makes you scared of a battery that's been used in cordless tools for ages? I'm not criticizing I'm just curious.

 

[thermal guy]

Better to wait if you believe your not ready. In the meantime just do some research into it.Nothing wrong with getting more information on it.

 

[yankees102110]

Just watching videos on YouTube. Starting to see more and more though that those batteries are unprotected cheap fakes. I've always worried a bit too much, while I write this from a phone that is powered by lithium ion LOL

 

[yankees102110]

I'm definitely going to do some more research but I'm pretty sold on on-board charging. I have a nice nitecore D4 for my eneloops that I can charge an 18650 in if need be. I really love the look of that Klarus xt12gt, it checks off all my boxes but they don't seem to be as popular as nitecore
I was also looking at the Nitecore P30. 95% of my lights are throwy.

 

[FlashKat]

If you don't need a super throwy lights, then look at Acebeam L16, Fenix PD36R, and I just ordered the Fenix PD40R V2. Acebeam & Fenix have been reliable lights for me.

I'm definitely going to do some more research but I'm pretty sold on on-board charging. I have a nice nitecore D4 for my eneloops that I can charge an 18650 in if need be. I really love the look of that Klarus xt12gt, it checks off all my boxes but they don't seem to be as popular as nitecore
I was also looking at the Nitecore P30. 95% of my lights are throwy.

 

[mountaindewer]

I stayed out of this thread but can I ask why? What have you seen or read that makes you scared of a battery that's been used in cordless tools for ages? I'm not criticizing I'm just curious.

I know you're asking the OP, but I'll chime in with mine. I don't like the hazard of them. What's the worst can happen to an alkaline? It leaks. It's annoying, but it's not gonna set your house on fire or blow up a sealed light like a pipe bomb. They go dead, you simply throw them in the trash. Don't have to worry about them catching on fire and causing the garbage men to have a bad day. But something that can set your house on fire, blow up in your face (vape) force airplanes to be grounded. True, if they were that sensitive you'd see every house on fire from here to China. They have gotten better in quality control and everything, so I finally broke down and bought an S2r baton 2. I'm not 100% comfortable with it, and i still stress out from having it. I treat it like my cellphone. I only charge when I'm awake. I've got a smoke detector above where they sit overnight when I'm sleeping. Except for when cutting grass, whenever I leave the house, they go with me. This olight and my cellphone are the only two lithium devices I have in the house. When I got my last PlayStation, I gave the wireless controller to a friend and bought a wired controller.