which battery do you prefere for pocket flashlights?

scout24

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Day to day pocket light use, 14500 or 18350. A few 16340's. Bump-in-the-night or dog walking, 18650's. Zombie lights? 123 or AA lithium primaries. Rcr's are energy dense, easily topped off, and easy to find. Lithium primaries don't normally leak, and store for years. 👍
 

Monocrom

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2xCR123 lithium primaries. Though a tie for 2nd place would be 21700s, and 14500s (in single format use).
 

Jean-Luc Descarte

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18650 all the way. Plenty of charge for day-to-day use even on IMRs with lower capacity (especially for me, as I rarely use a mode past Medium [10-15% of max]), so if I get stranded in any kind of situation where I need light for an extended period, battery life is not a concern. And nowadays they're pretty easy to find and buy.
 

NutSAK

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I pocket carry a 14500 light and a AAA light daily. When I carry a third light in a jacket or in my back pocket, it's a choice between 18650 or 2x18500 depending on the output required.

I prefer the form factor of 14500 as my primary light in the 80-100 lumens range, and a low power AAA at 15-20 lumens is perfect for a mouth-hold for shorter-term tasks or clipped to a hat brim for longer-term tasks. The 14500 is long enough to fit well in the hand but short and slim enough for comfortable pocket carry.

The third light option is for "tactical" or dog-walking duties.
 

ChrisGarrett

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16340s almost exclusively.

For the past year, I've gone back to my 2014 ET D25C Ti. clicky.

It's more than adequate for my daily needs.

Chris
 

Hooked on Fenix

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16650 lithium ion. Goes good in my old Fenix PD30 R4. Long runtime, rechargeable, no larger than 2 123A. Other than that, 1 AAA and built in lithium ion like a Nitecore Tip 2.
 

Monocrom

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While I agree you shouldn't be buying protected rechargeable. There's just no need with a little bit of caution. Like having an idea of the current state of charge
In fairness, that's something that is easy to forget. Especially if someone uses multiple lights.
 

Monocrom

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Not an option if one is in the middle of their night shift. With primaries, you can instantly get back in business. Though with rechargeables, I always carry a spare set in my work-bag or sling-bag that are fully charged and ready to go.
 

Monocrom

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Have to say, I'd rather not have to properly dispose of lithium rechargeables due to screwing up and using them longer than safely acceptable.
 

thermal guy

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Primary 123's i can use them in all my edc/work lights that I have on me. If one dies I can Steal from Peter to give to Paul
 
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