Spark SK3 and Nitecore TM15

[-Falk-]

Hi there, kind of new to flashlights and was wondering about two flashlights and batteries, chargers. I would like to buy the Spark SK3, what kind of 16340 battery of high quality would be recommended for this light (currently available on eBay preferable) would SOSHINE 16340 RCR123 3.7V 700mAh be good batteries for this light? I have a Nitecore Intellicharge i2 charger, is that good enough for charging 16340 batteries?

Also would like the Nitecore TM15, for batteries would Keeppower 18650 3400mAh batteries and a XTAR SP2 charger be recommended?
[h=1][/h]

 

[Grizzlyb]

Don't know about the first question.

I have the TM15 equiped with the 4 x 18650 3400mAh. I have both the Xtar SP2 and SP6 for my other lights, but don't use them for the TM15.
That has a charger of its own, and that works excelent.

 

[derfyled]

The xtar charger is a good choice. For the batteries, the only lithium-ion I trust (and I know I'm not the only one here..) is AW. You can get them from Ebay or buy them directly from the man itself on the marketplace.

 

[-Falk-]

Don't know about the first question.

I have the TM15 equiped with the 4 x 18650 3400mAh. I have both the Xtar SP2 and SP6 for my other lights, but don't use them for the TM15.
That has a charger of its own, and that works excelent.

Hmmm interesting, so the build in charger that comes in the light with the TM15 is a good and recommended charging option for 18650 batteries that you would use in the light?

 

[Bwolcott]

Hi there, kind of new to flashlights and was wondering about two flashlights and batteries, chargers. I would like to buy the Spark SK3, what kind of 16340 battery of high quality would be recommended for this light (currently available on eBay preferable) would SOSHINE 16340 RCR123 3.7V 700mAh be good batteries for this light? I have a Nitecore Intellicharge i2 charger, is that good enough for charging 16340 batteries?

Also would like the Nitecore TM15, for batteries would Keeppower 18650 3400mAh batteries and a XTAR SP2 charger be recommended?

the keeppowers are fine for the tm15, so is your charger, as for the 16340s I use xtar and eagletac with no issues at all and I wouldnt hesitate to use nitecores either, I would stay away from soshine I havent heard any good things from that brand

 

[-Falk-]

The xtar charger is a good choice. For the batteries, the only lithium-ion I trust (and I know I'm not the only one here..) is AW. You can get them from Ebay or buy them directly from the man itself on the marketplace.

I have one other 18650 battery light that I have been using for some time, and that is a Zebralight h600 (angelhead/headlight flashlight) and I really love that one. Been using AW batteries in it and they seems great indeed, but the cost, at least here in Norway is quit high (25-30 dollar a piece) and I had planned to buy eight batteries for the TM15, so that would be costly. But I am pretty picky when it comes to quality, so quality usually wins before price. But the reason I wonder about the Keeppower batteries, is that they seems to getting good score on the quality factor and the price for them are around half the price of an AW 3100 mah battery.

 

[-Falk-]

the keeppowers are fine for the tm15, so is your charger, as for the 16340s I use xtar and eagletac with no issues at all and I wouldnt hesitate to use nitecores either, I would stay away from soshine I havent heard any good things from that brand

Thanks for the tip Bwolcott 🙂 I will check those 16340 batteries.

 

[derfyled]

Been using AW batteries in it and they seems great indeed, but the cost, at least here in Norway is quit high (25-30 dollar a piece) and I had planned to buy eight batteries for the TM15, so that would be costly.

If you buy them from Andrew Wan (AW), the shipping price is the same wherever you live. As soon as a light uses multi-cell configuration, safety should be a priority. I'm not saying Keeppower are junk but AW cells have been proven ultra-reliable and ultra-safe. Sometimes, a little $ more is better than a burnt hand resulting of a . (😉 some good reading over here...)

 

[Grizzlyb]

Hmmm interesting, so the build in charger that comes in the light with the TM15 is a good and recommended charging option for 18650 batteries that you would use in the light?

Yes, without a doubt.

 

[-Falk-]

If you buy them from Andrew Wan (AW), the shipping price is the same wherever you live. As soon as a light uses multi-cell configuration, safety should be a priority. I'm not saying Keeppower are junk but AW cells have been proven ultra-reliable and ultra-safe. Sometimes, a little $ more is better than a burnt hand resulting of a . (😉 some good reading over here...)

I really agree to this. Have read in the past about multicell flashlights exploding and that is not a pretty thing at all. The feeling of having your trusted flashlight suddenly becoming a terrorist just waiting for you to push the button so it can explode in your hand is not a good feeling. But as I have seen, it has always been cheap batteries and usually combined with serious neglect (in not using a multimeter, letting a battery charge overnight without taking it out when its finish charging etc) Thanks btw in letting me know about Andrew Wan, did not know that he could ship worldwide for the same price. Could I ask you a question, do you consider AW the only real safe batteries in the world when it comes to 18650? And what about panasonic cells, are there any out there that could compete with AW in quality/safety? (like Enerpower, Ampmax etc)

 

[derfyled]

Could I ask you a question, do you consider AW the only real safe batteries in the world when it comes to 18650? And what about panasonic cells, are there any out there that could compete with AW in quality/safety? (like Enerpower, Ampmax etc)

The newest 3100 mAh and 2900 mAh 18650 from AW are built with Panasonic cells. You can see details in this thread.

There might be other good batteries out there but again, I just refer to reputation of stability, security and reliability of AW batteries. Each companies uses their own PCB protection and AW's one, are as far as I know, among the safest ones if not THE safest one.

 

[levelflight]

It would be worthwhile checking into Kit-Tronics (Quebec, Canada) as they make a super reliable cell. Sells mostly to Thai and other Asian military customers. I've owned and field tested his batteries for a number of years and they have my confidence in every instance: http://kit-tronics.com/xcart/home.php?cat=364