I realized that it is time to get a good flashlight. I've decided on the Tiablo A9, to be used as a car light and for general household/daily needs. I figured that I would use rechargeable batteries most of the time, and keep CR123's for a reliable back up/"I forgot to charge my batteries".
Can anyone suggest a battery and charger set up for the A9? I have been searching on here for a day or so and it seems like RCR123's are the way to go over the 18650, is that right? So I'm looking for a specific battery set up. I'm looking for a decent setup, but I don't want to spend $50 on batteries for my $70 light.
Another question: How long with rechargeable batteries hold their charge while sitting unused?
Thanks for the replies
MadMan
Considering your primary intent of using the 18650 rechargeable first and then the CR123's just for backup, I'd recommend you get the A8 rather than the A9 light.
They are virtually identical lights, but the A9's driver is best optimized for the 6 volts of the 2xCR123 while the A8 is best optimized for the 3.7 volt 18650 battery
even though both lights will work with either battery set.
I have the A9 which I intentionally bought for use as a backup flashlight on CR123's during times when the power goes out and I can't recharge.
I have several other 18650 lights that I use for the purpose of using "free" rechargeables in them.
Wattnot is not totally wrong when he says that the A9 (or A8) has a bright hot spot, but that's what makes them such throwers. The Tiablo's are among the best throwers available.
However, I would recommend that you buy it with the OP reflector rather than the SM because it's still a great thrower with the OP, but you get a softer hotspot and a little better spill.
For batteries, I have half a dozen of the 2600 Tenergy protected 18650 that I bought from Battery Junction, and they've been doing great. I have no complaints with them at all. But the AW batteries seem to have a good following here on CPF as well.
For a charger, don't even consider a charger other than the Pila IBC. It's not that expensive, and it's one of the best, trouble free and accurate chargers I've owned. It's also very simple; just plug it in and insert the batteries and forget about it until the light turns color.
I know you don't want to spend much on batteries or charger, but look at it as a one-time expense. If you don't run the batteries to "0" dead and keep them out of high heat, they'll last for years.
Also realize that skimping on this stuff is like anything else; if you buy cheap stuff that doesn't last, you'll have to buy it again and end up paying much more than if you had just spent what you should have in the first place.
Lastly, I don't really know how long the LithIon batteries last unused in storage, but I can promise you that it's more months than I've ever needed.
My routine is to keep my 18650's fully charged and in a plastic container while I use the ones I need in my lights. After what is typically 2 or 3 months, I just go ahead and change out the charged/stored batteries for the ones in the lights and then charge them.
I have yet, in only a couple of months or more, to find one of my 18650 lights go dim. In fact, when I check those "used" batteries on my ZTS meter before charging, they typically still show to be at 80% charge, and none have been found to be below 60%.
Keep in mind that it does no harm at all to recharge LithIon batteries that are only slightly used, while allowing them to be driven down to "dead-dead" will most definitely shorten their life span.
