What is your favorite form factor (cells)?

[Lou Minescence]

My favorite battery cell is 18650 protected cell. I don't like unprotected cells because I don't want to worry about over discharging them in lights with no low voltage cut off or multi cell configuration.

My favorite form factor is 18650 / 2 CR123

 

[me_no_thing]

1xaa with 14500 compatible
1x18650
1xaaa

 

[WarRaven]

And are they REALLY 700mAH? 16340s are notoriously overrated.

That is a good question.

Didn't think it was possible due to the size of can being cut down for the protection circuit to be added.
This is what lead AW to label old ones as 750, to keep appearances with those(Other sellers) that had no chance of delivering that even though from what I've read, AW are great cells.

It was a sham to label higher then 650 by anyone Iirc.

 

[Treeguy]

2xAA.

I just like it.

 

[reppans]

700mah from a 16340 is feasible, HKJ tested the ET ICR to [email protected] -HERE... course the 14500 version does 800

I'm also a big 0.9-4.2V, AA-14500 enthusiast - the availability, compatability diversity, and versatility of this battery platform is unmatched. It's fun being able tune flashlight performance based on grade of fuel.

Never liked the CR123 platform, primarily because it represents an island among all the AA/Eneloop gadgets I've consolidated around in interests of commonality. Same with 18650 lights since they invariably rely on CR123s as back-up. That said, I finally broke down and bought my first dedicated CR123/16340 light, an HDS 325. What a fabulous light, I'm glad it bought it, but due to its 3V min, it gets left at home when I'm really concerned about illumination, and I'm not sure I'll repeat purchase.

Flashlights are critical emergency tools for me and 0.9-4.2v support, with the right flashlight, means I can MacGyver ANY battery for illumination - from a 9V, AAA, or D cell, to a CR123, 18650 or 26650. I like Lego lights, and my favorite rig is a 0.9-4.2v, AA/14500 head running a KP 2500 16650 cell - I can easily make tinfoil spacers to run it on common AA/AAA/CR123s.

It saddens me that the top quality US manufacturers have such limited broad-voltage, or even 1.5V, support, but I suppose it's one of those features-vs-reliability compromises. However, in my experience, battery failure/depletion is far more likely (a certainty) than flashlight failure, so IMHO it's worth it. Sure you can lug more batteries, but so too more flashlights - I prefer to keep either to a minimum.

 

[WarRaven]

Good reply Reppans.


The battery that broke away from D cell lights, cr123.. (Thank you SF)Yeah, hate it, love it, not many love it but it has a place for small pocket rockets and back up lights. Hardly a main edc worthy cell by itself but yeah, two is one right.

Have a great one.

 

[RobertM]

1xCR123/RCR123 or 1x18650 (that can accept 2xCR123 in a pinch)

I absolutely loathe alkaleaks! :sick2:

 

[StorminMatt]

700mah from a 16340 is feasible, HKJ tested the ET ICR to [email protected] -HERE... course the 14500 version does 800

As I said before, it would be VERY feasible to get 700mAH or more from a 16340. Sanyo makes a 2500mAH 16650. This is a 4.35V cell, but it should give about 2200mAH at 4.2V. If you could slice a 16340 out of that cell, you would have a REAL 1000-1100mAH right there. It's just a matter of whether anyone would actually be willing to make such a cell.

 

[techwg]

I used to like 2 CR123. But now I like to make sure my main lights can take CR123's but I prefer using an 18650 for the extra runtime and mess messing about in the dark, potentially, since you only need to deal with a single cell.

 

[reppans]

As I said before, it would be VERY feasible to get 700mAH or more from a 16340. Sanyo makes a 2500mAH 16650. This is a 4.35V cell, but it should give about 2200mAH at 4.2V. If you could slice a 16340 out of that cell, you would have a REAL 1000-1100mAH right there. It's just a matter of whether anyone would actually be willing to make such a cell.

FWIW, HKJ found only an 80mah difference between 4.35 and 4.2v on the 2000 mah version, and until he tests the 2500 mah version, who knows if the claimed capacity is just marketing hot air. Also I suspect there'd be a lot of wasted space/active material when you cut his cell in half with the need for additional packaging, protection circuit, button top, etc.

 

[uofaengr]

I want to like CR123s but I just can't wrap my head around primaries in general. I use the light a bit, forget how much after a few weeks, then go out to use it. Do I replace the cell with a fresh one, leaving a bunch of half-used cells sitting around? Do I take a spare and possibly not even need it? Do I test it every time? UUUGH. Backup SHTF only for me. Never got into 16340s, but I may eventually.

This exactly. I burned through so many of my Surefire primaries on a job last summer, and those lights have sat at home now since I've gotten my new EDCs but I hate not knowing how much juice is in them. Fortunately I have a DMM to give me an idea but still. I'm hoping the 16650s I have coming renews my love for actually using and enjoying my Surefires. My first 18650 light is coming too, and after then I can form an opinion on my favorite form factor though I'm really liking 1xAA/14500 currently due to eneloops, output relative to size, and pocketability.

 

[LedTed]

Good reply Reppans.

+1

 

[UnderPar]

I have always loved 1x18650 lights and my vote goes to it mainly due to its capacity and runtime. Very close second is the 1xAA form factor...

 

[Treeguy]

+1

+2

That was a good post.

 

[LessDark]

It all depends on what I'm using it for.
For EDC I use Eneloop AAA, jogging I prefer a weightless headlamp with 14500, backpacking I use 18650's in a headlamp and flashlight/powerbank, for shorter walks/cycling I use a 26650.

 

[archimedes]

....
I'm also a big 0.9-4.2V, AA-14500 enthusiast - the availability, compatability diversity, and versatility of this battery platform is unmatched. It's fun being able tune flashlight performance based on grade of fuel.
....

Flashlights are critical emergency tools for me and 0.9-4.2v support, with the right flashlight, means I can MacGyver ANY battery for illumination - from a 9V, AAA, or D cell, to a CR123, 18650 or 26650. I like Lego lights, and my favorite rig is a 0.9-4.2v, AA/14500 head running a KP 2500 16650 cell - I can easily make tinfoil spacers to run it on common AA/AAA/CR123s.
....

Good reply Reppans....

+1

+2

That was a good post.

Yep, @reppans always has a lot of good info and advice in his posts, especially about batteries, sublumen output, and runtime efficiency ... :goodjob:

 

[reppans]

Wow guys, thank you very much - I really appreciate it!

 

[Badbeams3]

I like 18650...and 14500/aa. But I'm always willing to try a different size depending on the light and performance.

 

[DAN92]

I voted:

-1xAAA
-1xCR123
- Multiple CR123

 

[StorminMatt]

FWIW, HKJ found only an 80mah difference between 4.35 and 4.2v on the 2000 mah version, and until he tests the 2500 mah version, who knows if the claimed capacity is just marketing hot air. Also I suspect there'd be a lot of wasted space/active material when you cut his cell in half with the need for additional packaging, protection circuit, button top, etc.

Well, I kind of cut the figure down somewhat already to account for additional packaging amd such. I didn't think of protection. But that's probably because I don't use protected cells. AAs far as the capacity, you never know for sure whether the 2500mAH is correct. But given the fact that it is a Sanyo cell (and not an Ultrafire), I think the chances are it's probably fairly true to its capacity.