Info needed re 18650 rechargeable batteries

[Titan]

I'm a huge fan of quality tactical flashlights, but have only used CR123As to this point.

I'm looking into some rechargeables, specifically the 18650 and notice huge price swings.

For example a 2600mah model 18650 with the Fenix brand goes for about $14.00 each!

OTOH, on ebay you can pick up 10 of the same model battery with 5000mah for an average price of about $2.25 each. That's not much more than the price of a single disposable Cr123A.

Both branded and no-name batteries claim to be internally protected from short circuiting, overcharge, and undercharge. I'm skeptical.

Can anyone shed some light on whether or not there is any value in the no-name stuff, OR is it wise (As I suspect) to stick with brand name stuff from reliable vendors?

My instinct is to go brand name, but I don't want to get taken if the no-names are safe, and reliable.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I'm a huge fan of quality tactical flashlights, but have only used CR123As to this point.

I'm looking into some rechargeables, specifically the 18650 and notice huge price swings.

For example a 2600mah model 18650 with the Fenix brand goes for about $14.00 each!

OTOH, on ebay you can pick up 10 of the same model battery with 5000mah for an average price of about $2.25 each. That's not much more than the price of a single disposable Cr123A.

Both branded and no-name batteries claim to be internally protected from short circuiting, overcharge, and undercharge. I'm skeptical.

Can anyone shed some light on whether or not there is any value in the no-name stuff, OR is it wise (As I suspect) to stick with brand name stuff from reliable vendors?

My instinct is to go brand name, but I don't want to get taken if the no-names are safe, and reliable.

I have rechargeable batteries for things around the house. But when it comes to something as important as one of my carry flashlights, I don't skimp and I don't worry about them failing when I need them. I buy quality batteries with a 10 year shelf life. And I buy them by the box. My carry flashlights do not get a lot of use so batteries last me quite a while.

Other flashlights I have aren't quite as important and are not the same quality as my carry flashlights so the batteries I use in them isn't quite as important.

 

[sipowicz]

I buy quality batteries with a 10 year shelf life. And I buy them by the box. My carry flashlights do not get a lot of use so batteries last me quite a while.

.

Same here...you can find them for around $1.25 each on the web....

 

[Titan]

I have rechargeable batteries for things around the house. But when it comes to something as important as one of my carry flashlights, I don't skimp and I don't worry about them failing when I need them. I buy quality batteries with a 10 year shelf life. And I buy them by the box. My carry flashlights do not get a lot of use so batteries last me quite a while.

Other flashlights I have aren't quite as important and are not the same quality as my carry flashlights so the batteries I use in them isn't quite as important.

I agree, and use only quality batteries in my carry lights.

My question is about exploring rechargeables for less critical lights, or backup purposes.

Any knowledge or experience regarding the 18650s (replaces two CR123As)?

 

[cougar14]

Counterfeit..

Many rechargables on the Internet are cheap counterfeits or they are factory rejects that have been gathered up, labeled, and put up for sale. This also goes with computer components like memory, etc.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I agree, and use only quality batteries in my carry lights.

My question is about exploring rechargeables for less critical lights, or backup purposes.

Any knowledge or experience regarding the 18650s (replaces two CR123As)?

Sorry sir, the only experience I have with rechargeable batteries is with Energizer AA and AAA.

 

[Farmer17]

I have two 18650 lights that run the XM-L LED light bulb. I bought two batteries and a charger from Deals Extreme for about 12 bucks and they work great, hold a charge well, and last a long time. I see no need to spend more money.

 

[Broker50]

I have a couple of the better brand 18650's, & I have a dozen or so of the cheaper "off brands". I have found the cheaper ones to be perfectly serviceable. The biggest downside of them, they tend to be very "optimistic" as far as capacity. If it's listed as 3200 MAH, expect about 70% of that in reality. I find them to be very cost effective, especially as spares to carry for when your carry light runs down. Of course, the Li-ion battery chemistry doesn't develop a memory, so they can be topped off at any time, so you can keep a charged battery very easily. Bottom line, I recommend them. I buy them from eBay sellers with Positive feedback, & recommend that for you as well. Good luck to you, & I believe you will like rechargeables!

 

[chazc]

I buy em from Amazon. All been good. Be sure and read the reviews on each one. I find people like to slam **** when they've been gyped. They also praise good stuff. IMO anyway.

 

[SCWOODY]

I have six (different) name brands but all have the cree xl-6 led bulb. They all use the 18650 rechargable batteries. My lights vary from 1000 lumens to 2000 lumens, are zoomable and have 5 modes. I bought all on ebay, the most expensive with batteries and charger around $25 bucks. They work great, and the batteries last a good while. The light will start to dim when the battery(s) are low and I recharge about an hour to 2 hours. The charger has a light to indicate fully charged. I will not go back to the standard flashlights using d-cell or other batteries. The only drawback is they come from China and takes about 3 weeks to come in. I would buy American, but for the money, they are a bargain. Most local flashlight only have about 400+ lumens. Why go small. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Titan]

Thanks so much, to all who have replied with postive experiences (no negatives yet)!

I have to tell you, I'm absolutely bitten by these tactical lights and am building quite a collection.

Having satisfied most of my critical weapon light, and household needs, I'm now on a bit of a quest simply for the maximum lumens possible.

As for the batteries, so far there seems to be reason to take a flier on some of the lower cost rechargeables, for at least non-critical applications. My biggest concern of course would be to avoid anything that could damage one of the lights.

I'm encouraged by responses so far.

 

[THnCS]

I used to smoke and switched to E-cigs a couple years ago. My Ecig is a bigger variable volt model that uses 18650's. I did a bunch of checking before I bought my batteries. I currently use two brands. IMR protected 2000mah batteries, Panasonic protected 2250 mah battery. These are both High drain models and LI-Ion. They usually run around $8-10 each, possibly cheaper if you buy more that a couple at a time.

I would think these should work well in a flashlight, not sure of what the drain and load are on your model. Hope that helps some.