Standardizing on one type of cell.

[Black Rose]

I started out with AA, then added AAA.

Then I went with CR123A primaries, 16340, 17670, and 18650 Li-Ion cells.

Now I am looking at going back to just AA, AAA, and single CR123A primary for my main lights.
Lithium primary AA and CR123A for the freezing weather we get here in the winter.

I already sold the 16340 cells and charger, and may sell the 17670 and 18650 lights and cells (since they don't get used much at all).

I am in the same mindset as Paul In Maryland in that with the increased brightness and efficiency of the newer LEDs (and circuits) that I don't need the big lights and Li-Ion cells anymore.

 

[red02]

My first light was the Q123x2T for which I got 2 protected AW17670s. When those failed I moved to AA and NiMH.

Since then I've gotten no light that do not use AAs. Don't plan on getting anything that can't use AAs either. I almost convinced myself that I need an HDS... almost.

In part the standardization was successful. I've had a P3D that I've given away and thought I would never buy a Li-powered light again. However since getting the Saint, I've been using primary CR123s for the LA module without the battery pack. Its really that nice without the battery pack.

EDIT: No way I'm giving up my Photon Freedom, no matter what freak cells it uses.

 

[Kestrel]

I've been able to standardize to one type of cell: cylindrical. Yep. That's about it.

 

[jacktheclipper]

All of the lights I've purchased since I came to this forum are AA
I like the form factor , availability , and AA batts are inexpensive .

And AA lights are only going to get better .

 

[Retinator]

I'm a major failure on standardizing myself :whistle:

After getting my X1, X5 and 6P i figured on the odd AA and mainly 123's.

Then came the MagLeds 2D, 3D, AAs, Photon (CR2016x2), AAA-Minimags, 9 Volt lights (Paklites, n0w in all colors except infra red) and Safelites/Pal lights (more 9V's).

Then came the Swiss army knives with lights.......

Midnite mini champ (red led) CR1025 (I think)
Signature Lite white led (CR1025)
Huntsman Lite (Different size x 2 cell)
Wenger Pocket Toolchest w/Microlight (2 cells different than the others)

Hmmmm think that's it for now.

The only thing I don't do is rechargables. Just buy brick of batts, and rotate light to light, when last light is empty grab another brick or two.
i don't use them enough for recharging. Also too much time waiting to use them in between.

Damn it's like going out with women of one hair color or shoe size......:ironic:

 

[leukos]

18650, 17670, and RCR123 pretty much covers everything I have.

 

[Monocrom]

Good responses. Seems it's not easy to standardize.

BTW . . . Photon Freedom takes 2 DL2016 lithium coin cells. (look for the Energizer name.)

 

[RobertM]

I've never tried to standardize, per say, but most of my lights are CR123. Honestly, if a really cool light was introduced and I just had to have it, I would be willing to entertain the idea of many difference cell options. Maybe not coin or button cells though...I really hate those.

With all that being said, CR123 primaries are my favorite power source. They are good for 10 years, relatively cheap when purchased online (I stock up :)), fairly energy dense for their size, can handle wide ambient temperature swings, are available locally in a pinch or emergency (everybody wipes out the AA, AAA, C, and D cells in an emergency; not CR123), and when I know I'm probably going to use the lights for an extended period of time, most can accept my various AW li-ion rechargeable cells for free lumens.

-Robert

 

[LEDninja]

I tried to stay with AA for a long time.

Then everything (portable radios, TV remotes, not just lights) came out with AAA. Anyway AAA torches fit my keychains better.

Then I bought an early P7. 18650 was the only choice.

Elektrolumens custom built me a cutdown minimag XRE DD 14500.

Elektrolumens custom built me a 3C P7 Mag. C.

I tried to stay with AA. Sigh.

 

[Xacto]

I try to stay away from button cells, otherwise it can be CR123, AA, D-Cells. No AAA in my current collection, but I could live with that.

Cheers
Thorsten

 

[yowzer]

I've tried to stick mostly with AA (And a few AAA) lights, running the same eneloops that power a bunch of my other electronics (Camera, wireless mice, pager, remotes, avalanche beacon, etc.), with a few 14500 cells for some extra power in single-cell lights. But a few recent Surefire purchases meant I needed some CR123s, and a Jetbeam RRT-0 turned out to be easier to carry in the pocket without the AA extender tube, so enter some RCR123s for it, and I'm probably going to get my first 18650 light soon... so, diversity, though most of my normal EDC lights are still AA and AAA.

 

[The Hawk]

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.

I almost made it too. I was carrying all AA lights until I discovered (thanks to CPF) the ITP A3 EOS in AAA flavor. My wife and I were out one night several months ago when the electric went out and I had my ITP A3 with me. She was amazed by how bright was. It became her EDC and I bought myself another one. I am running Eneloops in them all. Does that count as one type of battery? I kid, I kid.

 

[fyrstormer]

I use RCR123s, IMR123s, CR2 primaries, and AA and AAA primaries. It sounds like a lot of batteries to keep track of, but in daily use, that translates to my main light having one RCR123 cell in it, a spare CR123 primary sitting in my bag, and a Muyshondt Aeon CR2 in my pocket as my backup. The AA and AAA lights I only have a couple of, and I keep them around as a long-term backup in case for some reason I can't get fancy lithium cells for a long time.

 

[mbw_151]

I managed to standardize on Lithium Primary Cells, mostly 123s, but a few Energizer L91 and L92s. Most of my lights just lay around in convenient locations waiting to be used, I don't have an every day need for lights. My lights usually travel in groups; a headlamp, a small variable out put single cell light and a two cell spotter. All the lights in a group use the same cell so that swapping cells is possible in the event of hardware failure. However, I found that I couldn't resist the convenience of AAA for EDC and the availability of AA when travelling.

 

[Track Terror]

I think you might have seen more of a standardization if charging was more of an issue. Right now you can buy one charger that will charge a vast array of sizes so you don't need a different charger for different batteries.

 

[KiwiMark]

I have standardised to the point that every light I have uses cells of one of these types:
AAA
AA
D
10440
14500
16340
16340 LiFePO4
18650
IMR 18650
IMR 26500
32650

I could get lights that use other cell types - but then I would have to buy more cells and would have more cells of more types to keep track of. Keep is simple I say!!!! :whistle:

 

[emzimmerman]

hmmm... told myself I was trying to standardize, but in reflection, guess I'm really not trying to hard.

AA
AAA
CR2
Photon button lights
9V

Only thing I'm trying to avoid is the CR123.
But can't get myself to drop my E-Series Surefire.

Yet.