Standardizing on one type of cell.

Monocrom

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I recall a few months back seeing posts from quite a few CPFers who were trying to standardize their EDC lights based on one type of cell only. Was just wondering how well that worked out for them.

Let us know if you were successful in standardizing, or if you decided to diversify instead.
 
While it's a good idea in principle, it does cut down on your options a bit.

I'm so impressed with the Quark MiNi CR2, for example, that I don't mind keeping a stock of cells just for that light.
 
Having been in a few storm power outtage situations where the stores got rushed, I'd never want to be limited to just one choice. I have decent flashlights in all flavors.

Any light in these conditions is a good thing.

My favorite lights can take more than one or two combinations with simple mods such as PVC tubes and bulb changes. Long live the M*glight.
 
My initial plan was to stay with AA (used with NiMh LSD cells) and 123 used with primaries only.

By now I have laying around the following cells for my lights :

LR44, CR2016, Energizer L92, Energizer L91, AAA NiMh LSD, AA NiMh LSD, CR2, CR123A, 10180, 14500, RCR123, 17670, 18650, 16340 IMR, 18490 IMR & 18650 IMR (14250 to come)

I guess my initial plan failes somewhere on the way... :shakehead
 
I tried as well. I was hoping to stick to 18650s but then gravitated toward E and P series lights... Now I'm hoping to mainly use 16340s/17500s/17670s with a few AAs and 18650s.
 
The majority of my lights are 123 lights. I have 2 lights that use AA's. I tried to go to AA lights, but keep coming back to 123's.
 
I almost did it... Most of my lights are AA powered. I think the only one that doesn't use them is the E01, that uses AAA.

Maybe Ill add one more if 4sevens make the rumored E01 killer.
 
Yeah, I tried sticking to lithium/eneloop AAA/AAs and CR123s/RCR123s, and now I have lights using ICR10440/LithiumAAA/EneloopAAA/EneloopAA/ICR14500/CR123/IMR16340/ICR16340/IMR18490/ICR17670/ICR18650/IMR26500

It's just kinda hopeless, isn't it? I'm sure there are many people out there who use more battery formats than I do..
 
I only use RCR123 and 18650 cells..... and the misses only uses AA cells for her lights/cellphone backup/notebook mouse/massaging pillow and such, she doesn't want to know anything about li cells and also doesn't care for them really. She just calls her AA's 'batteries' and all my cells are 'ugly fat little bombs' that don't fit in anything useful.... :fail:
 
There was a time early on in my CPF experience when I planned to only buy AA and AAA lights, with the exception of an Arc LSL. Then a generous member laid a bunch of slightly used CR123's on me, and I changed my tune. Enter a P2D, L1, and QMini 123. If I ever use up those batteries I might go back to the original plan, but probably not.

Geoff
 
I recall a few months back seeing posts from quite a few CPFers who were trying to standardize their EDC lights based on one type of cell only. Was just wondering how well that worked out for them.
Way back in the day I was carrying a Rebel Mini-MagLED (with 2D Rebel MagLED module) in my jacket pocket with a QMiNi AA in my pants pocket. Later, I was carrying a G2 with aftermarket two-level LED in my jacket pocket and a QMiNi 123 in my pants pocket. That was a pretty good combo because the MiNi went with me everywhere and the G2 was in the office or close by and both lights are a lot brighter than their AA battery equivalents. The G2 would offer the long run times at the same lumens output as the MiNi 123 but the MiNi would be good for use while I was doing my work. The G2 can be run on low for even longer run times and it would still be brighter than the MiNi 123 on low.

These days I've traded the QMiNi for an ITP A3 EOS Upgrade Edition as it is much smaller and I can find AAA batteries at work if I need them. The G2 is still in my jacket pocket, though. With a QMiNi AA2 in transit, that may change. I can get AA batteries at work much easier than AAAs. I'm also about to send a 6P off to get bored for 18650s and that one may replace the G2 but I cannot get CR123s or 18650s at work so I will definitely have to carry spares for those. I'll have to see how things pan out in the near future.
 
[...] now I have lights using ICR10440/LithiumAAA/EneloopAAA/EneloopAA/ICR14500/CR123/IMR16340/ICR16340/IMR18490/ICR17670/ICR18650/IMR26500
It's just kinda hopeless, isn't it? I'm sure there are many people out there who use more battery formats than I do..
Yeah, I'm with you. There are just too many interesting lights / configurations out there to have any real success in limiting my cell variety.
 
I tried to standardize on RCR123s and 18650s.

Then along came the Fenix LD01 which I just had to get, so 10440s got thrown in (and AAs too).

Then one fine day I saw the Olight M30 (turned out to be a disappointing light in the end due to crap IPX8 claims). 3 CR123s or 2 18650s with extender. It looked terrible with the extender, but swell with 3 CR123s. A real pocket rocket. But the cost of CR123s was ridiculous, so, in came 18500s.

Then one fine day I tried RCR123s 3.0v in my Surefire G2s. Wasted 3 bulbs before I realised the problem GAH.

So for now: 18650, 18500, 16340 (RCR123) and 10400.

I foresee 17670 coming in the future due to the RA Clicky 170T and the use of a P90 bulb+17670 in my SureFire.
 
I have pretty much standardized on one cell chemistry, in two cell sizes. AA and AAA NiMH (mostly LSD) rechargables. I've got over 100 Duraloop/Eneloop 2000/800 AA/AAA and Imedion 2400/800 AA/AAA's. Currently that's enough to have spares on hand for all our actively used devices and cells for lights and spares for our emerg kits. Replacement cost if bought judiciously on sale these days would be ~ 300 bucks.

The only diversification I have beyond those formats is the inclusion of additional lithium and alkaline AA/AAAs (and some alky C's and D's and 9 volt) in the emerg kits and spares for the smoke detectors.

I'll admit that once in a blue moon I am tempted to get some rechargable 18650's and lights that use them only for biking use but to this point I've always stopped short of pulling the trigger as I don't perceive the benefits to be significant enough to paper over the additional cost of acquiring lights, different cells and charger plus the additional effort of tracking and maintaining another fleet of cells.

It seems to me that even 1xAA format lights are getting progressively better each and every year with output and runtime increases that would have been hard to imagine 10 years ago so I think my needs will continue to be met and improved upon by sticking with these.
 
My plan initial plan was to use lights that use either CR123 or AA and those are the cell that most of my lights use. I do have a couple C and D lights kicking around. I can now see myself moving towards rechargeables, especially a 17500 for my Jetbeam.

Of course the fact that I have kids in the house means i need a supply of all the standard battery types anyway.
 
My initial plan was to stay with AA (used with NiMh LSD cells) and 123 used with primaries only.

By now I have laying around the following cells for my lights :

LR44, CR2016, Energizer L92, Energizer L91, AAA NiMh LSD, AA NiMh LSD, CR2, CR123A, 10180, 14500, RCR123, 17670, 18650, 16340 IMR, 18490 IMR & 18650 IMR (14250 to come)

I guess my initial plan failes somewhere on the way... :shakehead
Ya think? :huh: Good god, man! Your record may never be broken.
 
One reason I said goodbye to lithium-ion chemistry was that I found it difficult to avoid--or resist--the mixing and matching of different diameters and lengths. Glad I got out before lithium polymer came along.

As I see it, with emitters becoming brighter every year, the case for exotic or dangerous chemistries becomes weaker.

Between lithium primary cells and nickel-zinc, I've standardized on 1.6V AA cells. I even find that a 1xAA on my keyring is easier to grip than a 1xAAA. I've resisted the lingering urge to try 14500 cells because most of my AA bodies would get too warm from hard-driven lithium-ions.
 
AA, CR123A and 18650.

Take a lite like Surefire 9P with a low powered module like Malkoff M60LL or Malkoff M61LL. The lite takes 3x123. Well, 3x123 just happen to be the same length as 2xAA. So you can use either one.
You can also use 18650 with spacer, so this lite eats any kind of cell I have.

I also have C and D cells but mainly to give away.
 
My original plan of standardizing was foiled by this simple line of reasoning:

"If I buy only AA-powered lights, I'll miss out on too many cool items!"

:duh2:

Uh, I mean that multiple battery options means assured compatibility with WHATEVER is left on store shelves in an emergency........AFTER my rechargeables have all been drained, AND after my substantial stores of primary cells have been exhausted, of course.

:naughty:
 
I generally limit myself to single cell lights that take AA/14500.

Exceptions so far:

LF2XT: bought for my wife. Doesn't count.

ITP AAA: purchased one to see if it would be good for gifting. Kept it (and gave away 7 more last xmas). I keep it on my key chain as a loaner. Never use it myself except to give to the boy when he needs a distraction. Have no plans to purchase any more AAA lights. Won't replace if I lose or break it.

Photon Freedom Micro with red LED and covert nose: no idea what cell it uses. Will absolutely replace it if I lose or break it.

High-CRI Ra Clicky: this light just sounded too good to not try, even though it was a CR123 light. Bought 2 AW RCR123s for it and a $.36 nut to use as a spacer in the Pila. Extremely impressed with this light, but have no intention on purchasing any other CR123 lights.

MG L-mini II (one neutral, one with 7C MC-E emitter): had a dozen 18650s from laptop packs and the Pila IBC charger already, thought I'd get a light that can safely use unprotected cells. I love this light, it's the ultimate beater light (cheap, long running, simple to use). I never plan on actually buying 18650 cells, but I might buy more 18650 lights out of curiosity. They're generally too big for comfortable EDC, but I'm not resistant to them as toys or beaters around the house.

--flatline
 
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