Need help finding good 18650 batteries!!!

[brigadeer]

I recently purchased a Jetbeam M1X flashlight with the optional battery extender allowing for 2x18650's instead of the stock 3XCR123's.

I know absolutely NOTHING about 18650 rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries. From what I can tell, there does not seem to be a recognizable brand out there. For example, Eneloops seem to be the preferred AA rechargeable, and Surefire CR123's are a very recognizable name in that category.

That said, I can't seem to find what looks to be a recognizable and trusted brand for the life of me. I also see stuff about protected vs. non-protected which I know nothing about. For a flashlight, which would be the preferred and why?

As noted above, I am looking for 4 18650 batteries for my new Jetbeam M1X, two for the light, two backups. Any direction and help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[Marduke]

AW's
http://www.google.com/search?q=best+18650&sitesearch=candlepowerforums.com

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

+1 for the AW's

Wolf-Eyes batteries work pretty well too.

 

[Mjolnir]

If you want cheaper cells, the Black 2400 Mah and blue 2500 Mah Trustfire cells from DX and KD are good; they seem to have only slightly less capacity than the new AW 2600 Mah cells and probably perform similarly under load, but cost about a quarter of the price.

 

[Greg G]

I'm liking how my EagleTac protected 2400's are doing. Very good value.

 

[Monocrom]

That said, I can't seem to find what looks to be a recognizable and trusted brand for the life of me.

+2 for AW brand.

Bulletproof reliable. You can get them from the CPF MarketPlace or from Lighthound.com

The handful I own have never let me down.

 

[lrp]

You can't go wrong with AW's cells!!

 

[tabetha]

I was using some unbranded cheapo batteries, in 18650 size, in various torches, and then bought some ultrafire 3000mah, these were better a bit, but then received my AW 18650, along with the new AW I put this and a ultrafire in nthe charger all day(wf-139), when I tried them out that night there was a very noticeable improvement with the AW, the other 18650 are only around 2 months old, all are protected.
So AW gets my vote, also got these in RCR123 and found exactly the same result.
tabetha

 

[Kestrel]

+5 for AW (protected). Great customer service / support as well.

 

[325addict]

When you know "absolutely nothing" about Li-ion batteries, then you SHOULD learn some basics BEFORE using them, as they can be dangerous!!

FIRST: for a flashlight, and as a novice with these batteries, ONLY use protected cells. This protection means, that it cannot be ran down too far, and when recharging, overcharging cannot occur from too high a voltage applied to the batteries. That's VERY important, as Li-ion batteries can "vent with flames" and set everything surrounding them on fire instantly!!

Make sure, you carry spares (but you seemed to plan that) because the protection switches off the battery when empty as if you would switch off the light.
in extreme situations, where a sudden darkness can be dangerous, carry a spare flashlight! Or better: change batteries BEFORE they switch off! Then you are in control instead of the batteries...

Then, buy a GOOD charger. There are only a few good ones out there, avoid the Trustfire TR-001 and the Ultrafire WF-139. I know, these are widespread, but they have their limitations. A good one is the Pila IBC charger.

And, of course, buy good quality cells. The protected AW 2600s are the best you can buy at the moment. The blue 2500mAh Trustfires (Deal Extreme SKU 5790) are good also, and cost about 1/3. ($10,- for a two-pack).

The next thing to know, is that you shouldn't run these batteries down until the protection kicks in. The protection must be seen as the last saving for the battery. Li-ion doesn't like to be ran down fully. You did better not use more than 2/3 of the capacity, and then recharge them.
Remember, Li-ion batteries have absolutely NO memory effect, there's NO NEED to run them down before recharging them! You can top them up from ANY state of charge.

IMPORTANT: NEVER charge your batteries unattended! You should ALWAYS keep an eye on them even when using good quality cells and chargers!

Note: you don't have to use 18650s in this flashlight... you said, it was designed for the use with 3 pieces CR123A? Then, TWO pieces 18500s will also fit, without the need for any extender, making the flashlight longer ;)
I have a Surefire C3 Centurion, which has been designed for 3X CE123As also. Here, I use 2X 17500 cells, as a Surefire doesn't accept the 18mm thickness of the 18500s...


Timmo.

 

[brigadeer]

Note: you don't have to use 18650s in this flashlight... you said, it was designed for the use with 3 pieces CR123A? Then, TWO pieces 18500s will also fit, without the need for any extender, making the flashlight longer ;)
I have a Surefire C3 Centurion, which has been designed for 3X CE123As also. Here, I use 2X 17500 cells, as a Surefire doesn't accept the 18mm thickness of the 18500s...


Timmo.

I just got around to getting back to this thread. As noted before, I was originally (and still am) looking for good 18650 recommendations for my Jetbeam M1X.

Timmo pointed out that I could use two 18500 cells in place of the normal 3XCR123's in this model, is that correct? My next logical question would be in general, which would give you better overall battery performance, 3XCR123 or 2X18500?

If that is the case, does AW sell protected 18500 batteries along with the 18650 batteries he already sells?

Any help here would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mjolnir]

The advantage of 2 18500s would be that they are reusable, where CR123s are not (unless you use RCR123s). 2 18500s should have more runtime than 3 RCR123s, but it all depends on the cell capacity.