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Posted: 11/13/2020 10:06:22 PM EDT
Anyone know what is going on?
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18650 is a lithium ion battery, they are constantly improving over time.
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18650 used to be the gold standard, Panasonic 18650 cells.
18=diameter, as in 18mm 65=length, also in mm 0 means it's round 21700 that Elon has proposed and what replaced the 18650 cell in Tesla has become the new standard. I won't buy a flashlight that doesn't take the new 21mm cell. capacity increased from about 3500 mAh to 5000mAh |
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I had never heard of an 18650 battery until I had to make a new battery pack for the GF's shiatsu back massager thing, Then I had some left over so I bought a headlamp that uses 18650s. I'm impressed with it, it recharges with a Micro USB plug like my old cellphone chargers have.
My dad harvests them from old laptop batteries and makes them into "button tops" so he can use them in his headlamp. If one of the 18650s goes in a laptop battery the whole battery is pretty much shit and won't hold a charge long, but there's plenty of good ones in there that still hold a charge. |
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I have flashlights that use many different batteries
Aaa Aa Cr123 18650protecred 18650 unprotected 21700 And a few proprietary cells In my opinion the jump from 18650 to 21700 is an easy one to make for a handheld light On a rifle light it gets harder to justify as yes you do get extended run time, but you add weight were you least want it, near the muzzle. My favorite light is a noctigon kr1, yes it made in China and takes 2weeks to get to you, but damn if it isn't the best pocket thrower I've ever bought. 1500lumen and 99k candela In such a small form factor is amazing. It definitely isnt typical made In China junk. Machining wise it make surefire look like crap. And at $40 with a tritium vial on the button I just love it For me the 18650 size is ideal |
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Quoted: 18650 used to be the gold standard, Panasonic 18650 cells. 18=diameter, as in 18mm 65=length, also in mm 0 means it's round 21700 that Elon has proposed and what replaced the 18650 cell in Tesla has become the new standard. I won't buy a flashlight that doesn't take the new 21mm cell. capacity increased from about 3500 mAh to 5000mAh View Quote 18mm flashlights can easily be 3/4" or less, 21mm would be almost an inch. Depends on what you're trying to do, but would you pocket carry something the size of a bratwurst vs a hotdog? |
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3mm difference in length won't make a difference in most flashlights because of the spring, but the 5mm increase in width will mean many of them will not be compatible with the new batteries.
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Don't want FATTER flashlights.
This isn't the 80's with those big assed mag lights. |
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In my opinion the thickness difference between 18650 and 21700 is minimal.
Having lights that are pretty much identical but using the two separate cells Olight warrior x 18650 Olight warrior x pro 21700 They are the same thickness externally The added 5mm length is noticeable though as the light doesn't slip as fare down into the pocket. Now I'm sure I'm a minority as I like lights that have a larger head to throw light a good distance. I absolutely hate a flood light if its not some magnetic work light or a task light like a headlamp |
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Quoted: I had never heard of an 18650 battery until I had to make a new battery pack for the GF's shiatsu back massager thing, Then I had some left over so I bought a headlamp that uses 18650s. I'm impressed with it, it recharges with a Micro USB plug like my old cellphone chargers have. My dad harvests them from old laptop batteries and makes them into "button tops" so he can use them in his headlamp. If one of the 18650s goes in a laptop battery the whole battery is pretty much shit and won't hold a charge long, but there's plenty of good ones in there that still hold a charge. View Quote "back massager" |
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Quoted: Anyone know what is going on? View Quote 18650 is nothing but a form factor. 18mm diameter by 65mm long. |
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Quoted: I had never heard of an 18650 battery until I had to make a new battery pack for the GF's shiatsu back massager thing, Then I had some left over so I bought a headlamp that uses 18650s. I'm impressed with it, it recharges with a Micro USB plug like my old cellphone chargers have. My dad harvests them from old laptop batteries and makes them into "button tops" so he can use them in his headlamp. If one of the 18650s goes in a laptop battery the whole battery is pretty much shit and won't hold a charge long, but there's plenty of good ones in there that still hold a charge. View Quote Get her a “back massager” that runs on 120v. Never need to worry about the batteries going dead in the middle of a “massage”. Hitachi makes one called the Magic Wand that is popular. |
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Quoted: Get her a "back massager" that runs on 120v. Never need to worry about the batteries going dead in the middle of a "massage". Hitachi makes one called the Magic Wand that is popular. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I had never heard of an 18650 battery until I had to make a new battery pack for the GF's shiatsu back massager thing, Then I had some left over so I bought a headlamp that uses 18650s. I'm impressed with it, it recharges with a Micro USB plug like my old cellphone chargers have. My dad harvests them from old laptop batteries and makes them into "button tops" so he can use them in his headlamp. If one of the 18650s goes in a laptop battery the whole battery is pretty much shit and won't hold a charge long, but there's plenty of good ones in there that still hold a charge. Get her a "back massager" that runs on 120v. Never need to worry about the batteries going dead in the middle of a "massage". Hitachi makes one called the Magic Wand that is popular. i bought a magic wand to use on my old man back. it's amazing. i have no female to use it on, however. just my old man back. |
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I'm a big 21700 fan.
The fact that you can run your old 18650's and CR123's in most new 21700 size lights with an adapter just makes the transition too easy. My daily carry is a Fenix PD36R that, while bigger than my old Surefire E2D, offers so much more performance and run time the extra size is barely a consideration. I'm hoping Modlite will offer an OKW weaponlight with a 21700 battery someday soon. |
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Quoted: I looked at the Noctigon, and was utterly confused by the instructions. Who want such a complex flashlight? https://www.noctigon.com/image/catalog/KR4/anduril-ui.png View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I have flashlights that use many different batteries Aaa Aa Cr123 18650protecred 18650 unprotected 21700 And a few proprietary cells In my opinion the jump from 18650 to 21700 is an easy one to make for a handheld light On a rifle light it gets harder to justify as yes you do get extended run time, but you add weight were you least want it, near the muzzle. My favorite light is a noctigon kr1, yes it made in China and takes 2weeks to get to you, but damn if it isn't the best pocket thrower I've ever bought. 1500lumen and 99k candela In such a small form factor is amazing. It definitely isnt typical made In China junk. Machining wise it make surefire look like crap. And at $40 with a tritium vial on the button I just love it For me the 18650 size is ideal I looked at the Noctigon, and was utterly confused by the instructions. Who want such a complex flashlight? https://www.noctigon.com/image/catalog/KR4/anduril-ui.png |
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@batmancw -He'll know what's going on. You might want to ask this question in the Survival Forum.
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I have several 18650s but also like my little inexpensive 14500 lights. I have a bunch of them, all over the place. They're compact and very bright. These are very good bang for your buck IMO if you get some decent batteries and a charger that works:
https://www.amazon.com/UltraFire-Flashlights-Adjustable-Tactical-Flashlight/dp/B07BDGD8KR/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-nc-drs1_0?cv_ct_cx=flashlight&dchild=1&keywords=flashlight&pd_rd_i=B07BDGD8KR&pd_rd_r=9cfb2295-04b5-4735-a104-3bef74530f63&pd_rd_w=5vcbv&pd_rd_wg=DL7dw&pf_rd_p=84ce0865-d9ca-42e3-87ed-168be8f93162&pf_rd_r=XDKEPAAJ9ZKHH94M6WED&psc=1&qid=1605477335&sr=1-1-88388c6d-14b8-4f70-90f6-05ac39e80cc0 |
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What exactly is your question?
It’s like AA battery vs C cell |
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Quoted: More power is more better https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/428894/746CDDE3-1E9C-451E-83A4-37F2C6C231E3_jpe-1683522.JPG View Quote |
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18650's are going to be around for a while. I picked up a Wowtac A6, 18650, and a Thrunite T2, 21700, a while back. Same format, side button only, but the T2 is noticeably larger. I've temporarily displaced the A6 so no comparison photos. That one's a keeper for sure, if I can find it.
21700's have replaced 26500's though. I have a TC20 with no plans to get rid of it but I'll probably grab another 2 batteries. Worst thing about 21700 batteries for me is I needed a new longer charger. Anyone here good at modding lights? I like my old Fenix PD20 with a 16650 in it but it stopped working a few years ago. I'd love a 2 level driver for it- loose head maybe 15 lumens, tight head maybe 300. |
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Okay, I am sold on the new battery type and in most cases lights are backwards comparible.
The newer lights have a voltage checker and are plug in to iPhone charger compatible. |
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Quick, terrible comparison picture.
L-R: Olight S1 Baton (16340), missing Wowtac A6 18650, Thrunite T2 (21700), Thrunite TC20, Christmas Budweiser All these are almost identical in function and format. The 2 Thrunites have almost the same modes and their batteries have the same capacity. I wish I hadn't lost that A6. Attached File |
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Quoted: Okay, I am sold on the new battery type and in most cases lights are backwards comparible. The newer lights have a voltage checker and are plug in to iPhone charger compatible. View Quote If you mean your lightning cable, then no. Newer built in charging lights take USB C, which is different. Frankly, while I recognize the utility of it especially for a guy with only 1 or 2 lights, I'm not a fan of built in charging. I think most 21700 lights from the bigger names have it so far because those batteries are too long to fit into older chargers. |
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18650 all the things. Been using them for years for various applications. No complaints.
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Quoted: More power is more better https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/428894/746CDDE3-1E9C-451E-83A4-37F2C6C231E3_jpe-1683522.JPG View Quote |
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I have a 21700 flashlight that pushes 3k lumens like a boss.
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Quoted: What's your favorite inexpensive 18650 flashlightlight? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: 18650 all the things. Been using them for years for various applications. No complaints. What's your favorite inexpensive 18650 flashlightlight? My favorite for general use is the Fenix PD35 Tac. It's not inexpensive, though (at least not for my cheap ass). |
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I also really like the new 21700 format. My Fenix PD36R is smaller than my TK20R, and easily more capable.
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Quoted: If you mean your lightning cable, then no. Newer built in charging lights take USB C, which is different. Frankly, while I recognize the utility of it especially for a guy with only 1 or 2 lights, I'm not a fan of built in charging. I think most 21700 lights from the bigger names have it so far because those batteries are too long to fit into older chargers. View Quote IPhone chargers take any cable you have in the USB slot. |
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Gotcha, I wasn't sure what you meant.
Affordable lithium lights I like @htown156 TN12- $40 sometimes less, you'll need an 18650 battery and charger, 'classic' tactical format, tail cap turns on/off, side button changes modes, I leave mine on medium usually (about 200 lumens), Wowtac A6- $30, charging port, one button only, light turns on in memory in low, medium or high, moonlight is long press from off, turbo is double click from any mode (very easy to learn), stock battery is ok, I put a 3500mah in it. Several different brands offer similar lights. Pretty much anything under $200(?) is going to be Chinese made, unfortunately. Here's the picture I wanted to do! Shit, I forgot the 26650 this time! Meh, those are dead now anyways. Olight S1 with 16340 (not really recommended for an only light, 16340's have lousy capacity), Wowtac A6 with 18650, Thrunite T2 with 21700 Almost identical formats and a good comparison. Attached File AA, 16340, 18650, 21700 Attached File |
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Quoted: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/193868/20201008_195904_jpg-1689078.JPG 13000 lumens is fun. View Quote @torque556 how long does the battery last at max brightness? |
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