NiMHs...Opalec or Attitude?

ikendu

Flashlight Enthusiast
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I really love the idea of NiMHs for everyday use.

If I want an LED light running on NiMHs, which is better; Opalec or Attitude?

Opalec has the flat brightness on NiMH...highly attractive! Also has the Lithium option for cold weather emergencies.

Attitude is about half the cost (I don't own a minimag) and thoroughly waterproof. Although, since it is unregulated, safe to run on NiMHs?

Everyday I take a 20 minute walk (this time of year...in the dark!), so I'd plan to recharge either set of NiMHs about once a week. So...ultimate battery life isn't really an issue. Each week I'd use the batteries down to about 2 hrs. off their life.

At the two hour mark, Brock's chart shows the Opalec at 35 and the Attitude at 28 (on alkalines) for brightness.

Brock's runtime chart
 
Well I can't go tell you to look at my runtime chart since you already did that. I would choose the Opalec because it remains the same regulated brightness no matter what the charge is on the batteries; that is until they are just about dead. I actually use the Opalec most of the time now around the house and even at work a lot. And I use NiMH's exclusively in it since it is the same brightness. The Opalec is in my top 5 used lights for sure.
 
Counterpoint:

I wouldn't use NiMH in either light. With the Attitude, the significantly depressed voltage of 4 rechargables will reduce light output. While the Opalec may make good use of the NiMH's diminished voltage, it will also allow you to drain them to the point of damage. You can also over drain with the Attitude, you're just more likely to notice you're doing it.

Alkalines are cheap in bulk. Why risk damaging your more expensive rechargables?
 
RonM does make a good point, however if you charge the batteries after approx. 3 to 4 hours of use in the Opalec you wouldn't be draining them to a point that would ever hurt them. I charge mine once a week, but probably use the light about 3 hours total during the week. If I use it a lot, I charge it right away.

If you did run them until the red led comes on every time I would suspect you might only get about 50 charges out of a set, still FAR cheaper then any alkaline, even buying in bulk. But I wouldn't recommend doing this, maybe with an old set you don't care about anymore? I am using my oldest 1200 mA and they are working fine.
 
Red indicator comes on at about 1.9V, so there's no chance of running it to voltage reversal on either cell unless you ignore it and just continue using the Newbeam beyond that point-
Once one of the NiMH cells drops off, the red light should come on right away, so this actually is a good indicator for the full discharge cycle-
I don't think you need to worry about using your good rechargeables, if you're so inclined. They're best when you use them regularly and with abandon- if you're intending to use it just for infrequent backup use, then stick with the Alkys or even Li ones, which won't self discharge as quickly as the NiMH will.
Alkalines, NiCds, NiMH, it'll take 'em all with little problem. It's rechargeables for me, since I use the light just for the halibut, even when I don't need it
smile.gif
 
Well I don't have an Opalec but I've been running one of my Attitudes with 4 700 mah Rayovac Nimhs for a couple months now. When comparing both my Attitudes one with Nimh and one with Alkalines they both appear to be the same brightness. I don't believe the decreased voltage of Nimhs is a problems since the Attitude uses 4 cells instead of the usual 3. Rough estimate of 10-15 hours of bright burntime from the nimhs in my Attitude before it drops down to really dim output. I rarely use it anymore so I only recharge the nimhs about once a month.
 
Originally posted by RonM:
Counterpoint:Alkalines are cheap in bulk. Why risk damaging your more expensive rechargables?
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">If I buy 4 NiMHs for $10 ($2.50 each, I'm sure I could find them cheaper) and Alkalines for $.25 each (cheapest I ever see them locally), if I get 10 charges out of the NiMH then I'm breaking even.

I've been using NiMHs on hard duty in a digital camera for about 3 years charging them at least every other week or 75-100 times in that 3 years and they are still going strong. So...seems like they hold up pretty well to hard, rigourous duty.

I think there is a place for alkalines (where long shelf life is an issue or intermittant use where the self-discharge of NiMH over several weeks or so is a problem...like extended camping). Other than these sorts of special circumstances, I really hate to fill up our landfills with expended alkalines...even without the considerable cost savings.
 
You all make a lot of good points about the use of NiMHs. I may rethink the way I use them.

I tend only to use them in devices which have low voltage shutoff, such as digicams, GPS, FRS walkie talkies, etc.

If the Opalec red led realy does come on before the rechargables have been too voltage depressed, then that makes it a great candidate for NiMH. Thanks for the tips.
 
Originally posted by RonM:
...Opalec red led really does come on before the rechargables have been too voltage depressed, then that makes it a great candidate for NiMH.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">This post started out trying to get some feedback on the best LED light for NiMHs. I think the "red light" of the Opalec probably makes it ideal for NiMH ...although my "thrifty nature" makes we really think about the cost (vs. Attitude).
smile.gif


When I first read about the "red light" feature I thought it was just a clever bit of design that people would like (and, seems like people have). Now...seems like a truly valuable extra for those that like to use NiMH!

Maybe more lights will build in this feature!
 
The red light is the best for using rechargables. Within an hour after the red light goes on the light actually does become noticeable dimmer. So you don't really need it for alkalines, because you will notice the dimming effect. if you get to this point with the rechargables though it could damage them.

PS I've reversed a cell using NiMh in the attitude when doing a runtime test.
 
Originally posted by cave dave:
I've reversed a cell using NiMh in the Attitude when doing a runtime test.
<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">THAT's what I was wondering about!

Although...if I was recharging after 2-3 hours of total use, seems like it would be safe for the cells?
 
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