Nitecore MT2C - Brighter with 18650?

The Nitecore MT2C is rated at 360 lumens, but I'm not seeing if the lumens are increased or to how far if an 18650 battery is used instead of 2x123A batteries.

Why would the lumens have to increase by using a 18650? If anything, 2xCR123 give a higher voltage so those are the cells that might give you a higher output - assuming you get one.

Other lights run brighter on lithium 4.2v generally. At least my new SRT5 does.

To clarify I'm trying to find out if the 18650 is brighter then 2 primary lithium 123A batteries.

Why would an 18650 be brighter than 2 primaries? That doesn't make sense. 2 primaries are 6v. The 18650 is at most 4.2v. A lithium would be brighter than a single primary at 3v, but not 2. At best an 18650 will be the same brightness. Not more.

I double checked Nitecore website and you're right the lumens are the same for both lights. The 18650 just lasts longer then 2x123A I guess. For some reason I was thinking 18650s were brighter.

I see where I was confused now. CR123 is less voltage then a RCR123. I was thinking both lithiums had the same voltage, but running 2x CR123 would be double the volts! Doh

Yep, that's one of the "Doh!" moments. An 18650 might run as long as 2 primaries. It will be very close. The only disadvatage is that the RCR's will cut off all at once and the primaries will taper. I guess it depends on your purposes. For edc it's hard to beat guilt free lumens.

The light's regulation makes a difference, but some now warn you as they draw down the cells, say with a few blink pattern, etc. That means the RCR's won't just go dark w/o warning anymore on a lot of lights.

I've also found that the amps can make the lights brighter, the way that the volt increases do.

For example, a light that can run on 2 RCR123's or one 18650 can be a LOT brighter on two IMR 18350...as the amps AND the volts are boosted.

If they are bucked of course, that doesn't work.




If I use one 3400 mah 18650, I get more run time than if I use two 1500 mah CR123's, and can typically support a higher amp draw, longer.