AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/22/2021 4:56:06 PM EDT
|
Hey guys, I’ve got the Surefire Scout M600DF (KE2 DF heads) and the Modlite PLHV2 heads. I’ve also got the standard (Z68) clicky tailcaps, the DS00 tailcap , and Modlite mod button lite switch. My question is, what are the best rechargeable 18650 batteries for what I’ve got? Surefire, Modlite, or some other brand?? Is there one that runs brighter, has longer runtime, holds a charge longer, doesn’t drain without use as fast, can take more recharges without losing runtime, etc etc? I do like how the Surefire batteries have a charging port built into the battery itself. Also, I may end up getting a couple of the 18350 Modlite bodies, so suggestions on those batteries as well are welcome, if different at all from the 18650 suggestions for some reason. Thanks in advance, as I’m still relatively new to this new generation of bada$$ weapon lights (I do understand lumen vs candela, so no need to school me on that). |
|
Most of the decent brands are all just the same 1 or 2 cells, rebranded. Determine if you need protected or not. Surefire doesn't publish low voltage cutoff as a feature of the M600DF, so I'd go protected. Then, pick your poison. Surefire, Fenix, Nitecore, Olight, Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic, Orbtronic, and many, many more offer good batteries. These days I typically buy Orbtronic. 3600mah is about the most you'll get in reality. Don't trust the BS claims on eBay or Amazon of 10,000mah 18650s. |
|
Having some experience with 18650s from vaping, I made sure to use my usual reputable vendors and decided to go with a protected cell for this application. I went with an XTAR 3500 mAh battery. It's a 10A battery, but I'm not convinced my Streamlight HLX draws that much continuous current. It's protected just in case. If you're concerned about it with the Modlite and Surefire, look for a 30A battery. Not sure if you can find one that's protected, though. May not be an issue, but most of my vape devices have over-current programming built in. Even with the mechanicals, though I'm only hitting the battery for a couple seconds at a time. So the unprotected 30A cells will heat up the mod in my hand before they start to get dangerous. With a light that may be on a while, and not in your hand transferring heat...that's your call. I know there is an 18650 thread in here somewhere. https://www.imrbatteries.com/xtar-3500mah-10a-battery-protected-button-top/ Edit: Oh, and I should also mention that the 18650 is just for when I go to the range. Once I get back home, the normal lithium cells go back in. LiOn batteries will slowly drain down even when not used. |
| Orbtronic and keeppower, 3500mah 18650’s, are the only ones I keep around lately. I prefer the orbtronic just because the button tops on the keepower are deforming too easily. I don’t think there’s a single battery that can do everything you described. It sounds like you want the best tasting chocolate cake and have zero calories. Greatest performance or greatest longevity? Pick one. They are inexpensive and will last for years. |
|
Ok sounds good. Thanks for the replies. If I am getting this correctly then, mah= how much juice the tank holds Higher amps = higher output of light, but shorter run time before needing to be recharged. Volts = charge level/battery life. Over time the max charge will decrease with time and use and # of charges. Is that correct-ish? |
| Iv heard surefire only recommends you use their brand rechargeable batteries in the DF scout. During the height of the issues with the original black battery, they had recalled, I heard they COULD recommend the orbtronic 18650 because customers didn’t want to use SF faulty batteries at the time. Modlite started out using and recommended keeppower 18650/18350 batteries now it looks like they have their own branding wrapped batteries. Though the wrapping is still pretty similar to the keeppower. So, I’m pretty sure it’s still a keeppower battery, just with modlite’s brand on it. While there was no specs associated with surefire brand 18650s the keeppower 3500mah batteries had a full 10amp discharge for full output, and modlite also says you should be using batteries with a 10a discharge. If you go higher than 10a I guess you could degrade the life of the LED, I don’t know. This is why surefire and streamlight, for years, have said not to use rechargeables in their none rechargeable lights. I still use rcr123’s in single cell lights and 16650’s in the double cell lights I just don’t think they want to keep answering emails about “is this battery ok or is this battery ok”. Iv heard people, even though surefire said not to, used flat top unprotected cells/button top unprotected cells, from vape devices. If you stay within the parameters of what the light is supposed to use there would be less clutter in the “my light doesn’t work” threads. If you want to use 15a 30a discharge batteries don’t blame the light if it fails. |
|
Rather than starting a new thread, thought I would ask here... I haven't really kept up with chargers for these type batteries, and still using a Pila IBC charger... Any recommendations on whats the best charger? Is the Pila still relevant compared to newer chargers? New features worth the upgrade or am I good with what I currently have? Thanks! |
|
Quoted: Rather than starting a new thread, thought I would ask here... I haven't really kept up with chargers for these type batteries, and still using a Pila IBC charger... Any recommendations on whats the best charger? Is the Pila still relevant compared to newer chargers? New features worth the upgrade or am I good with what I currently have? Thanks! I love the MiBoxer C4-12. It charges 4 batteries simultaneously, at up to 3A each (no down current nonsense when charging multiples). I really like it. |
|
I went ahead and got the charger listed below. From what I read on the website it seemed to be a pretty good choice. Can anyone comment as to whether or not this charger is good or bad for the Surefire rechargeable 18650, Modlite rechargeable 18650, Orbtronic 3500 MAH protected rechargeable 18650, Modlite rechargeable 18350, and the Orbtronic rechargeable 18350 15A 1200 MAH Rechargeable IMR High Drain Li-ion Flat Top batteries? Xtar VC2S USB Battery Charger Digital Li-ion VC2S+QC3.0 Also, the Modlite 18350 rechargeable batter that I received has a crooked/off center (-) end. Is this normal/ok to use?? |
|
Cloud recommends Sony VTC6 or Samsung 30Q batteries for 18650. 18350s seem to be more niche market, but I found a series of recommendations for Vapcell M11 INR 18350 1100mAh Two questions: 1. What are some reputable dealers? 2. Is there a charger that will charge 18650 and 18350, AND utilizes USB-C? |
|
Quoted: I went ahead and got the charger listed below. From what I read on the website it seemed to be a pretty good choice. Can anyone comment as to whether or not this charger is good or bad for the Surefire rechargeable 18650, Modlite rechargeable 18650, Orbtronic 3500 MAH protected rechargeable 18650, Modlite rechargeable 18350, and the Orbtronic rechargeable 18350 15A 1200 MAH Rechargeable IMR High Drain Li-ion Flat Top batteries? Xtar VC2S USB Battery Charger Digital Li-ion VC2S+QC3.0 Also, the Modlite 18350 rechargeable batter that I received has a crooked/off center (-) end. Is this normal/ok to use?? That charger is fine...it's just a little slow. The plus side of that is your cells will last longer. But they will take 3x longer to charge, and you can charge two at a time. |
|
Quoted: Cloud recommends Sony VTC6 or Samsung 30Q batteries for 18650. 18350s seem to be more niche market, but I found a series of recommendations for Vapcell M11 INR 18350 1100mAh Two questions: 1. What are some reputable dealers? 2. Is there a charger that will charge 18650 and 18350, AND utilizes USB-C? Xtar VC4L It’s not bad for the price. Lots of options as far as the amount of cells that are compatible. Nothing special it just does what you need it to. |
|
Quoted: All good 18350's are just the same Chinese YDL re-wraps. The best 18650's are Japanese or Korean, IMO. They are available here. Solid, even in "Winter ist lang Kamerad" type weather. |
AR Sponsor