Will manufacturers start making significantly more 26650 sized lights?

HighlanderNorth

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The standard D cell battery is supposedly 33mm in diameter and 61mm long. A 26650 is slightly longer, but very slightly thinner. D flashlights are usually designed to hold 2-4 D cell batteries, which means that they are always going to be significantly longer than a single 26650 light would be. Even if a company released a 2 - 26650 battery light, it still wouldn't be much longer than the 2 D lights.

But with the additional capacity of a 26650, most lights would be of the single 26650 size, with much improved run times on all settings as compared with the popular single 18650 lights. So you'd think that more of those lights would start hitting the market.

Will that happen, or is there a reason why it won't happen? If so, how many people here would buy them?
 

ven

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Trouble is manufacturer aim for the masses and masses (normal flashlight users) want AA or D cell lights. 26650 have many benefits for us with twice the mah, but to think Joe smith goes into a Walmart and buys a 2x 26650 series light with no knowledge ,could easily end up in a disaster . For the general masses most are happy with 100lm or even 500lm. Standard easy to get fuel can provide this for them, they can get fresh cells at pretty much any shop they go!

I actually prefer the form factor of 26650 in hand, the body size just sits perfect! They are still in the minority but manufacturers are starting to make a few more lights with the 26650 fed cells. Still today I find 18650 more convenient and more readily available (more variety) which is due to 26650 not being that popular in comparison . Also my vape cells are the same size. So for convenience 18650 still are winning it for me . Where size /power matters, again 18650 have the advantage other than run time....

Depending on uses and output levels, most 18850 lights have more than enough capacity for my uses. Even my work light that are used for hours each day, rarely get bellow 4v the next day when topped up! Think lowest is around 3.8v off the top of my head and plenty left in the tank still!

If I need run time and real high output, I simply use a multi cell light for those advantages.

The only 26650 light in action I have is a cooly host and CQvn quad xp-g2 5000k drop in. I will admit some of the newer 26650 lights are tempting , but my needs are catered for still in 18650 format for now.
 

Dave D

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Well if Malkoff produced a body for 2 x 26650 batteries, it would be the same length as an MD4 but about 1/4" bigger in diameter and would have 10400mah.

That would run a Hound Dog V3 XM-L2 on high for over three hours!!

That would be one hell of a USP for Law Enforcement/Security sales.
 
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BLUE LED

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I like single 26650 lights and hope they will make more. The Manker U21 isn't too shabby.
 

sidecross

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All my service lights are now 26650 lights with the exception of ZebraLight SC600 Mklll and H600Fd Mklll.
 

bykfixer

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Intriguing question.

The big names aimed at the masses will probably not due to reasons cited above.

But for the hobbyist/specialist brands it could be what gives them an edge for a period in the lumens race. At least until those other guys do the same. In the race it may only be weeks until the other guys do the same.
You know the brands...the ones that already make lights suited for 18mm cells.

Yet slowly the 18mm cell is becoming the standard so unless advancements and price drops occur with the 26mm size they may be continuing to be over looked. That is unfortunate as a D sized light can have so much potential.

I like the imedion C size rechargeables with 4000+ mah, yet at $15 each, it'll take a while for them to pay for themselves.
 

eraursls1984

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Meh, 26650s have stagnated...18650s keep advancing. I know which I'm sticking with.
5055 mAh is roughly what a 3500 mAh 18650 would be if scaled up to 26650. There are 5000 mAh 26650s available, and they are high drain. Sure we don't have the selection like with 18650s, but what are we missing exactly?
 

SubLGT

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Meh, 26650s have stagnated...18650s keep advancing. I know which I'm sticking with.

Both are obsolete. ;)

The future is 20700. Panasonic will manufacture billions of them for Tesla. LG and Samsung will then probably join the party.
 

sidecross

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26650 lights are for people who like using the best tool available in terms of size and performance. Single cell lights work for me. :thumbsup:
 

nfetterly

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Both are obsolete. ;)

The future is 20700. Panasonic will manufacture billions of them for Tesla. LG and Samsung will then probably join the party.


Something will be obsolete - 26650 or 18650? Or both?

My 2 year old laptop has a Li-ion polymer battery, so fewer 18650s there.

What does Vaping use? 18350s or 18650s?

I agree with comment above that the 26xxx series is comfortable in the hand, similar to a C M@g.
 

ktsl

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Both are obsolete. ;)

The future is 20700. Panasonic will manufacture billions of them for Tesla. LG and Samsung will then probably join the party.

Actually, this is intriguing! Assuming doomsday come after electric cars take over. All you need then is an Tesla and you will have endless supply of flashlight batteries!!!:eek:
 

ven

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Actually, this is intriguing! Assuming doomsday come after electric cars take over. All you need then is an Tesla and you will have endless supply of flashlight batteries!!!:eek:


Or a huge fire to keep you warm on your last days :laughing:
 

texas cop

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5055 mAh is roughly what a 3500 mAh 18650 would be if scaled up to 26650. There are 5000 mAh 26650s available, and they are high drain. Sure we don't have the selection like with 18650s, but what are we missing exactly?

I think you did 26/18x3500 to get 5055 its 26 squared divided by 18 squared then do the 3500 and you get 7300 mah if 18650 and 26650 energy density was the same. So right now we've got 26650 batteries at the same energy density as the Chinese put into their 18650's. If Panasonic, Sanyo or LG were to use their technology then 20 amp drain 7300 mah could be possible. But that hasn't happened. I prefer single cell lights and am about half and half on 18650's to 26650's. Panasonic if you make a 7300 mah 26650 we'd buy it even if you charged $40.00. Oh we'd whine and scream about the extreme price but we'd still buy them.

You might even get a third option Tesla 1 or 2 years ago wanted 22650 cells for their cars.
 
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Crazyeddiethefirst

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I remember when the only 26650's available were Four Seven's Maelstroms, of which I own three different varieties including one Vinh modded for me. I love the size, but agree that the masses will flow to the more widely available and less expensive(relatively) 18650. When I read about the Tesla factory, I was wondering how long until we see lights with that format, but how those cells will be priced remains to be seen(just because Elon Musk says they will be 30% cheaper to manufacture, we have no idea how much they will sell for)...I believe 18650's & 20700 will both be around for a long time...I hope 26650's as well.
 

BriteLite2

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yeah I would say no

too specialized not a battery available to most

most don't want to deal with Li-Ion in a flashlight. which is why Maglight AA C and D is still a strong seller to the masses

and I don't think Tesla will be demanding BILLIONS of 20700!!!! I don't think battery cars will ever go BIG. It will go the way of the CFL lightbulb I guarantee it. there is better tech out there
 

roger-roger

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yeah I would say no

too specialized not a battery available to most

most don't want to deal with Li-Ion in a flashlight. which is why Maglight AA C and D is still a strong seller to the masses

and I don't think Tesla will be demanding BILLIONS of 20700!!!! I don't think battery cars will ever go BIG. It will go the way of the CFL lightbulb I guarantee it. there is better tech out there


Using the term "masses" is something of a misnomer, for the description of consumers taking part in a healthy enthusiast-oriented flashlight industry. The real masses only buy batteries available in a supermarket, which as far as I can tell doesn't include the 18650.
 
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