Hello there,
I know that the ‘quad’ is still in R&D, but I’ve been thinking about possible cell configurations from a standpoint of a ‘user’ (such as, say, me, for example :naughty
🙂, and I think that the ‘quad’ would be perfect if it was dedicated for 2x LiIon instead of 1x LiIon like the ‘triple’. Here’s my thinking:
‘Quad’ configured for 1x LiIon:
- Must be in 18mm 6P/C2, not very practical for 9P/C3 (requiring a spacer)
- Must use 1x18650 or 1xIMR – either way, runtime on ‘high’ is relatively short
- Essentially incompatible with 2x CR123
‘Quad’ configured for 2x LiIon:
- Perfect for an 18mm 9P/C3 – running at 7.4v, the lower drain rate would also be kinder on the cells
- Can still be used in 6P/C2 with 2x IMR123 if desired (although runtimes would be very short in this configuration)
- Might still be used in 18mm 6P/C2 w/ 1x18650 for somewhat-reduced output & direct drive :shrug:
- Could even be used in an unbored 17mm host (2x17670 or even 2x17500 w/ reduced performance??) :shrug:
- Can be used in 2x18650 bodies for greatly-increased runtime :twothumbs
- Fantastic utility on 3x CR123 for backup – many here like the ability to use primaries. Perfect voltage matchup, also the drain rate at the higher voltage would be within safe limits for the Li primaries. :thumbsup:
The SF C3’s are very popular on CPF – this lets folks have a choice: Two-cell SF, use a 'triple'. Three-cell SF (or even the 4-cell Leef/FM's), use a 'quad'. Otherwise, many hosts are "left out in the cold", and folks will have to choose between the two units for their 6P/C2’s. In my particular situation, if the quad was available for 7.4v, I would buy a 'quad' for my C3
and perhaps a 'triple' for my 6P. Otherwise, I’d probably just buy a 'quad' for my 6P and keep the Malkoff M60 in my C3 as a backup – I do love 1x LiIon configurations, but also find 2x LiIon very handy as well.
Looking at it another way: if folks already have the triple (w/ 1xLiIon), they may or may not purchase a quad when it’s available – it’s just an upgrade for their current host. However, if the quad comes out for 2x LiIon, then folks may want to have both – especially since it would add the ability to run 3x CR123 as backup in their longer 3-cell light (if they have one).
In fairness, I must mention the one negative aspect of this strategy, 1x18650 is becoming the most popular configuration around here, and a 7.4v 'quad' would not be optimum on 1x18650. However, running on direct-drive from 1x18650, it may still outperform the ‘triple’ with this configuration. :shrug: At any rate, even an XP-G 'triple' will still outperform just about anything else that can fit into a SF 6P/C2.
Anyway, just an idea – naturally I do not know about the nuts & bolts of the engineering considerations for this module, and I'm sure you folks are doing a great job on that. However, I at least wanted to throw my thoughts out here for public view,
K
