Jetbeam M1X on the way, which batteries should I order?

[bigbas101]

Hey guys!

We'll I finally ordered the Jetbeam M1X and I am really exited to use it! I tried searching and did not find a clear answer, and maybe that's because there is no clear answer, but I'll try. I am wondering which batteries I should order. I have looked at the runtime graphs and it seems that the protected 18650's get the best runtime while still producing the the same output as the other battery options. Can anyone recommend a good set of RECHARGEABLE batteries (I'll probably get 2 sets) and a charger for my M1X, there are so many options and I want to make sure I go with a good brand. The only other light I have is a Olight M20 and I run primary 123's on it but I think this would get pricey if I did it for both lights. I hope my post is clear and easy to understand. Thanks for helping out a Newbie , it is much appreciated! :thumbsup:

Thanks you

Best regards,

Chris

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

2x AW18500 from Lighthound.

 

[TriChrome]

You can only use 2x 18650's if you got the extension tube. 2x 18500's which Outdoors Fanatic mentioned will fit without having the extension tube.

I personally like 18650's for my light, but that will also vary depending on which future purchases you plan on making and which cells they could use.

There's an UltraFire charger on Lighthound which he recommends as well, think it's around $17. It will charge the 18650's for sure, and I think it will charge the shorter 18500's as well since I have to pull back the charging prongs quite a bit to fit my 18650's in there.

 

[bigbas101]

Oh wow ok, see this is why I love this forum! So will the above mentioned 18500's have the same runtime/output as the 18650's? I would love to leave the light shorter (without extension tube) but wouldn't mind extending if it meant better performance. And forgive my ignorance but I would get the protected cells, correct? hope I'm not

Thanks!

Best regards

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Oh wow ok, see this is why I love this forum! So will the above mentioned 18500's have the same runtime/output as the 18650's? I would love to leave the light shorter (without extension tube) but wouldn't mind extending if it meant better performance. And forgive my ignorance but I would get the protected cells, correct? hope I'm not

Thanks!

Best regards

Peformance is the same, it doesn't matter if you use 2x18500, 2x18650 or 3x16340. Only runtime differs, with 2x18560 you gain 15 minutes, hardly an argument in favor of the longer form factor in my opinion. With 2x18500 you still get over an hour on full power.

 

[bigbas101]

Looks Like I'm gonna order the Protected AW 18500 cells, seems like the ideal batteries to keep the size down while still getting a good runtime. Thanks for all the help!!!!:twothumbs

 

[TriChrome]

18500's are 1500mah. 18650's are 2600mah.

I'm not expert on runtimes, but I would expect a lot more than 15 extra minutes of runtime on the 18650's (the 18650's are rated for 3 hours on high power).

 

[bigbas101]

18500's are 1500mah. 18650's are 2600mah.

I'm not expert on runtimes, but I would expect a lot more than 15 extra minutes of runtime on the 18650's (the 18650's are rated for 3 hours on high power).

On selfbuilts review he did runtime tests, 2x18650 ran for 1hr 34mins to 50% power, 2x18500 ran for 1hr 8mins to 50% power, there is a 26min difference. I'm wondering if I should run it with the extension tube for this extra 26 mins, I don't think it's worth it.

here is a link to the review
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=230019

I'm on the lighthound checkout page with with the AW 18500's and the Ultrafire wf-139 charger....should I sumbit?

 

[skyfire]

the m1x is not exactly a pocket light, to me, that extra 1 inch or so wouldnt matter.

i would get the extension and 2x18650 protected cells. just because alot of makers seem to be supporting the 18650 cells, and many lights such as the olight m20 support it as well.

that way you can have more options in your future purchases of lights.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

18500's are 1500mah. 18650's are 2600mah.

I'm not expert on runtimes, but I would expect a lot more than 15 extra minutes of runtime on the 18650's (the 18650's are rated for 3 hours on high power).

Ok, maybe not 15 minutes. You'll get a "whopping" 26 extra minutes.

 

[skyfire]

the ultrafire is a good charger, i think you would have to buy spacers if you want to charge cr123a though

if your willing, the pila IBC is very nice for $50 from
illuminationgear(s).com sorry dont know exact spelling.
you can also get 8% discount for being a CPF member.

ive purchased from them before and service is great. theres also free shipping but you have to buy a certain amount.

 

[bigbas101]

I went ahead and ordered the 18500's. I would rather spend the money on 2 extra batteries than on the extender and higher price of the 18650's, that way I can always have 2 charged and ready to go! That's just my opinion, I know others will think differently but I like the smaller form factor for walks and such.

 

[grunscga]

Ok, maybe not 15 minutes. You'll get a "whopping" 26 extra minutes.

...which is almost a 40% increase in runtime. Or 140% of the original runtime, if you really want to slant the "feel" of the statement in favor of 18650s.

I'd probably go with the 18500s, too, but don't ignore the quite real advantage of the larger batteries.

 

[TriChrome]

Can anybody answer why the reviews runtimes are about half of what the manufacturer states? ...just curious about that (and I'm still learning all this flashlight stuff)

 

[bigbas101]

Can anybody answer why the reviews runtimes are about half of what the manufacturer states? ...just curious about that (and I'm still learning all this flashlight stuff)

The runtimes in the review I quoted above is to 50% power, so there is still alot of juice left but the beam will not be at 100% brightness. I believe factory runtimes are from 100% all the way down to 0% when the batteries no longer power the flashlight at all. I may be wrong, and please let me know if I am

 

[DimeRazorback]

I switch between 18650's or 18500's all the time.

I like both configurations as the combat grip compensates for the extra length when using 18650's :thumbsup:

 

[LED-Wingnut]

This is a great thread as I just ordered a M1X too. Was looking for different battery opinions. Thanks!

 

[Dioni]

I would use 18500 if I had a M1X
Any issue report of the M1X running on flat-top cells?

Cheers,
Dioni

 

[tonkem]

I would use 18500 if I had a M1X
Any issue report of the M1X running on flat-top cells?

Cheers,
Dioni

I got a M1X and ordered Aw 18500 and aw18650 cells, with the extender, and just tried the 18650 cells tonight and they will not power on the light, as they are the new "flat top" cells. I will be sending them back and getting a set of the 2200 mAh cells without the flat top.

Hope this helps.

Tony:wave:

 

[Light11]

I would use 18500 if I had a M1X
Any issue report of the M1X running on flat-top cells?

Cheers,
Dioni

They will not work without spacers(magnets)