Nitecore TM16 (4xXM-L2, 4x18650) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS and more!

[selfbuilt]

Since they can deliver 10A and got a low internal resistance the output should be higher with them than with some Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh's, right?

I would expect any difference to be pretty minimal - certainly not visually detectable. It is only in the most heavily-driven lights that I can even measure a slight difference with high-current rated cells.

 

[Dubripper]

Is there any way I can request a proper review for a flashlight that no one person on the entire internet has yet to review?

 

[facepalm69]

I would expect any difference to be pretty minimal - certainly not visually detectable. It is only in the most heavily-driven lights that I can even measure a slight difference with high-current rated cells.

Oh too bad. So I basically wasted 55$ on 4 of them... NCR18650B's would have done it as well then.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Roger Ranger]

TM16 STANDBY DRAIN. I purchased my TM16, with 4 Nitecore NL189 3400mAh cells, in mid-September of 2015. After playing with the light for a while, I charged the batteries to 4.16v on a Nitecore D4 and put the light in my car's center console. I did not put the light in standby mode. Five months later, (today) I checked the batteries' voltage: Two cells were 3.96v and two were 4.02v.

 

[markr6]

TM16 STANDBY DRAIN. I purchased my TM16, with 4 Nitecore NL189 3400mAh cells, in mid-September of 2015. After playing with the light for a while, I charged the batteries to 4.16v on a Nitecore D4 and put the light in my car's center console. I did not put the light in standby mode. Five months later, (today) I checked the batteries' voltage: Two cells were 3.96v and two were 4.02v.

I could accept the drain, but definitely not the difference between the two pairs.

 

[NoNotAgain]

TM16 STANDBY DRAIN.I did not put the light in standby mode. Five months later, (today) I checked the batteries' voltage: Two cells were 3.96v and two were 4.02v.

In the scheme of things, .06 volts difference between cells after 5 months of inactivity for a light that wasn't even on stand-by is great power management.

One of my TM06's was left in the same condition, not locked out, but inadvertently left on stand-by. Two cells were 4.0 volts, two cells didn't register on my VOM. I was using non-protected cells, so the two with zero volts went into the recycle bin.

Label the cells, 1-4, recharge them and monitor for the next couple of charge cycles. I suspect that your batteries are fine.

 

[markr6]

In the scheme of things, .06 volts difference between cells after 5 months of inactivity for a light that wasn't even on stand-by is great power management.

Like I said, I could accept the drain, but definitely not the difference between the two pairs. In multicell lights, like my MX25L3C, I really like the cells to drain evenly...and they always do.

 

[Roger Ranger]

Like I said, I could accept the drain, but definitely not the difference between the two pairs. In multicell lights, like my MX25L3C, I really like the cells to drain evenly...and they always do.

I agree. Generally, if one in a set of four starts acting funny, it becomes a set of three and a single. These are the batteries that came with the light. I'm going to use the light for a while and monitor things.

 

[Timothybil]

I could accept the drain, but definitely not the difference between the two pairs.

We're talking about 0.06 volts difference here. That is well within the tolerance of both the cells and the meter. When the difference gets above 0.1v then I'll start worrying.

 

[stfc69]

I know we have to be careful with these batteries but I think you can be over cautious.
How do you know that the charger is displaying the exact voltage or is charging each cell to the exact same voltage?

 

[markr6]

We're talking about 0.06 volts difference here. That is well within the tolerance of both the cells and the meter. When the difference gets above 0.1v then I'll start worrying.

You're right, but at what point will they get to that difference. Seems like a gamble to me; something that is going to get worse, not better. Or maybe this was just dumb luck, but I doubt it.

 

[primopup]

i couldn't resist, i had to buy them both, the TM16GT as well.. Thank you for the review.

 

[selfbuilt]

i couldn't resist, i had to buy them both, the TM16GT as well.. Thank you for the review.

Glad you found it useful.

And :welcome: