My new torch

[Jordan210]

I never thought looking for a new torch would be so complex.

let alone looking for a battery to go in it...

I was just going to get a couple of Samsung 30Q 18650 3000mAh, but should I be looking at protected batteries.

[tenohfive]

Protected cells prevent overcharging (which can lead to explosions) and overdischarging (which kills the battery.) The latter is less of an issue if you're going to charge it fairly regularly and not run it flat often.

The former is an issue for 'dumb' chargers, and that includes most built in microUSB charging circuits. But not for the one you're looking at, that's a 'smart' charger - it recognises when the battery is full and stops charging. So I'd say you'll be fine with an unprotected cell. Most of my torches have unprotected li-ion's in them; the only one I'm religious about putting a protected cell in is my bike light Nitenumen NE01 - because it's got a microUSB charging circuit in.

If you're not sure though just grab a Panasonic NCR18650B or two, there's no harm in having a protected cell.

[Jordan210]

tenohfive said:

Protected cells prevent overcharging (which can lead to explosions) and overdischarging (which kills the battery.) The latter is less of an issue if you're going to charge it fairly regularly and not run it flat often.

The former is an issue for 'dumb' chargers, and that includes most built in microUSB charging circuits. But not for the one you're looking at, that's a 'smart' charger - it recognises when the battery is full and stops charging. So I'd say you'll be fine with an unprotected cell. Most of my torches have unprotected li-ion's in them; the only one I'm religious about putting a protected cell in is my bike light Nitenumen NE01 - because it's got a microUSB charging circuit in.

If you're not sure though just grab a Panasonic NCR18650B or two, there's no harm in having a protected cell.

Thanks for all your help.

Will probably just get the Samsungs then from the ebay store recommended.

Why am I already looking at Convoy S2+ or 3 for my next purchase !

[FiF]

It's a slippery slope.

When we started with night dog walks I bought a LedLenser P7.2. Wow we thought. 320 lumens.

Then a couple of Thru Nite TH10 headlamps 870 lumens as the cheapo Biltema ones were ok but eating disposable batteries plus positively dim. (Biltema = Swedish Halfords equivalent plus boat / camping / outdoor stuff)

Anyway now being setup with Li-ion 18650 cells and charger, well it would rude not to...

Thus a Fenix TK51, 1800lm, a Lidl cheapo 600 lumens, came along, kept humming and hawing over Convoy L6, 3800 lumens, the off putting thing being that daughter still stuck to the Lenser P7.2 as it was small and lightweight, plus easy to use.

Anyway we stuck with that until a few weeks back when we misjudged an evening dog walk route and sunset. This meant we were out in the forest in pitch black. We only had the TK51 and the P7.2 and for some reason daughter got spooked, strange noises of things thrashing about in the trees, Deer? Doggers? Drug dealers? People smugglers? Axe murderers? Vivid imagination she has.

Anyway she suddenly announced that the P7.2 was crap, all previous wow thoughts banished, and now she delights in using the new Nitecore Tiny Monster to set the trees on fire.

I fully expect to see one of those lunatic Imalent DX80s to arrive any day.

You'll be attending Torches Anonymous meetings by this time next year.

[tenohfive]

Rough chronology, and there are no doubt others I've forgotten about - highlights in bold:

Lenser T7 for work.
WF501B's for glove box duty (and an introduction to li-ion as a power source.)
Aurora WF600 followed by a Jacobs A60 for throwier requirements at work.
Lenser H7.2 for running/hiking
Joined BLF **mistake**
Nitecore EA11 for a more lightweight, slimmed down and yet more powerful work torch (900 lumens.)
BLF A6 because it was a special edition, and 1400 real lumens for that price...why not.
Nitecore HC30 for running (1000 lumens) after falling out of love with the Lenser and wanting a lot more output.
Manker T01 for running (pocket rocket, 200m throw from a li-ion AA)
Nitecore MT10C for round the house duties (900 odd lumens.)
Convoy S2+ to see what the fuss was about (about 1000 lumens.)
Three more Convoy S2+'s because I got what all the fuss was about (bulletproof, versatile, dirt cheap, great value output.)
Convoy C8 XPL-HI because, well, Convoy & throw=win.
Nitecore TIP x 2 - keyring duties (but rubbish due to parasitic drain.)
Klarus Mi7 (700 lumens) for keyring duty - a tad too long, but an amazing everyday light.
Jetbeam Jet II Pro - 500 lumen throwy keyring light (perfect.)
Skilhunt H03R headtorch - modded for running (lighter than anything else out there, and chucking out north of 1000 lumens.)
Nitecore NU20 headtorch - 360 lumens for 47g...racing minimum kit list use.
Convoy L6 (3800 lumens) because I'm too weak willed to resist that much output and it's so well engineered for about £40.
BLF-348 x 8 to see what the fuss was about high CRI/Nichia lights, and for easy presents. And because I can't resist a BLF Special Edition light.
BLF Q8 because 5000 lumens of flood for so little money....and to try out the SRK style lights.

And there are others I still want. I'd really like a megathrower that'll do 800-1000m. I've wanted one for aged but refuse to pay £100 plus, so I'll wait and see what happens as BLF have something in the works that looks promising.

Half the trouble is seeing something that'll do a certain job better than what I currently have, then seeing it's on a deal for a fraction of what you'd pay from a UK retailer for it...and like that, my wallet is a little emptier.

[Jordan210]

Ok im going to order a S2+....

Whats the best configuration to have more of a flood of light.


Also what do drivers do on a torch as the options range from 2-8 so is it always best to have 8 ?

[tenohfive]

Jordan210 said:

Ok im going to order a S2+....

Whats the best configuration to have more of a flood of light.


Also what do drivers do on a torch as the options range from 2-8 so is it always best to have 8 ?

The XML2 is the emitter I'd go for on the S2+ for flood.
Although (having 3 XML2's already in the household) I'm tempted by the new XPL-HI version...but no. Don't need.

And in terms of the driver then yes, the higher the number the greater the output, hotter the light and shorter the runtime. (All relative - an 18650 gives it plenty of runtime.)

[Jordan210]

Now iv spent £20+ on 2 torches and still need batteries my £15 budget has well and truly gone.

Found a website that has tons of discounts on torches tempted with a L6 for $50

Thanks everyone for the help so far. now the long wait for shipment

Edited by Jordan210 on Thursday 12th October 21:50

[dionbee93]

Have been reading this thread for a few weeks and have confused myself even more with it!

I'm looking at a convoy L6 at the 50 pound mark. Is there any truth in the lumen output and should i be changing anything (batteries and/or LED) to get it brighter?

Thanks.

[dmsims]

CoolHands said:

4 x Batteries 3400mAH for £19: https://www.banggood.com/4PCS-NCR18650B-3_7V-3400m...

Are those batteries reasonable priced? They seem so & have good reviews, but I don't know anything about these type of batteries so just want to see if anyone here has an opinion

I ordered these and they are way too long, so long they (x3) will not even fit in the torch

No problem with Sennybor's or Torchy's

[55palfers]

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-10w-led-4d-securit...

Seems very cheap at £16.99 (and heavy) Anyone got one of these? Any good?

[ShampooEfficient]

55palfers said:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-10w-led-4d-securit...

Seems very cheap at £16.99 (and heavy) Anyone got one of these? Any good?

The vague description suggests it was designed firstly as an offensive weapon, then they tacked a lamp on to make it more... legal... but I'm interested, as I need a new torch and I work near an Aldi.

[Zad]

I went in to Aldi to have a look at that. No idea how good it is, but its a huge 4 D cell thing, and the 3D Maglite was more than heavy enough. They seem to be going with the "home protector- nudge nudge" aspect. i.e. a legal way to own a cosh. Probably very good regarding light output, but I'm not sure how practical it is as a torch, and I didn't see any mention of it working on rechargeables.

[R7]

What are the best AA and AAA cell torches going at the moment? Is LED Lenser still the trusty favourite?

I've had a few work work, Klarus, Fenix etc, however I'm fed up of buying my own batteries as work only provide AA and AAA (as per what is issued).

What are good contenders at the moment for distance throw and brightness?

[CoolHands]

dmsims said:

I ordered these and they are way too long, so long they (x3) will not even fit in the torch

No problem with Sennybor's or Torchy's

Well they still haven’t turned up after a month so I assume they’re lost or stolen! So bearing in mind what you say about being too long, I might look at other makes.

[stemll]

CoolHands said:

dmsims said:

I ordered these and they are way too long, so long they (x3) will not even fit in the torch

No problem with Sennybor's or Torchy's

Well they still haven’t turned up after a month so I assume they’re lost or stolen! So bearing in mind what you say about being too long, I might look at other makes.

As mentioned a couple of times in the thread, eBay seller big_f_d_d comes recommended. 18650s from £8 a pair if you're not fussed about lower capacity or protection circuits with the most expensive being £15 a pair for Panasonic 3400mAh protected cells. Had a number of orders from him, they are great cells and you'll have them in a day or two.

[FiF]

CoolHands said:

dmsims said:

I ordered these and they are way too long, so long they (x3) will not even fit in the torch

No problem with Sennybor's or Torchy's

Well they still haven’t turned up after a month so I assume they’re lost or stolen! So bearing in mind what you say about being too long, I might look at other makes.

Just to add, the cells I ordered from Banggood, seem to be similar to that green one at the bottom of the photo.

Are they longer than the Thru Nite cells I've been using, yes, marginally so, however they do fit without issue in any 18650 torch I have. On the matter of performance, so far these cells from Banggood are :cough: banging good, really excellent. The time for delivery is annoying, agreed, and in future I'll probably end the experiment and buy from e.g. Torchy as linked above.

[anonymous-user]

I've been using 18650's for some years, I got 3 or 4 torches and 8 Nitecor 18650 batteries with a Nitecor i4 Intellicharger maybe 4 or 5 years ago.

This year I've gone to charge 4 of the batteries and they either won't take a charge or they've got quite a limited capacity.

So based on recommendations here I purchased 4 Panasonic 3200mAh protected 18650's from Ecoluxshop on Ebay.

After 24 hours in my charger I went to remove one today and a rather large flame shot out of the side of one of the batteries, it made me jump I can tell you!

Ecolux said no problem, we'll send out a replacement which is what I would expect, but I suppose my point being is don't charge these things without making sure you are in the vicinity as I have no doubt if I hadn't seen it the flame was big enough to set the battery next to it alight and from there the other two and anything else in close proximity.

[bingybongy]

ShampooEfficient said:

55palfers said:

https://www.aldi.co.uk/workzone-10w-led-4d-securit...

Seems very cheap at £16.99 (and heavy) Anyone got one of these? Any good?

The vague description suggests it was designed firstly as an offensive weapon, then they tacked a lamp on to make it more... legal... but I'm interested, as I need a new torch and I work near an Aldi.

Bought one this morning, obviously not had chance to use it in the dark but it's bright in the daylight.
Feels nice and has a decent heft to it but it fking rattles when you shake it. I suppose I could just not shake it but well you know.
Comes with batteries installed and is now at the side of my bed for any power cuts along with my massive old maglite.
Speaking of which are the maglite conversions to LED worth bothering with?

[Gojira]

bingybongy said:

Bought one this morning, obviously not had chance to use it in the dark but it's bright in the daylight.
Feels nice and has a decent heft to it but it fking rattles when you shake it. I suppose I could just not shake it but well you know.
Comes with batteries installed and is now at the side of my bed for any power cuts along with my massive old maglite.
Speaking of which are the maglite conversions to LED worth bothering with?

The Maglite conversions I have (a 2AA Mini, and a 3D dimension compensator ) both work much better than the non-LED versions, but they are definitely overpriced for the lumens you get...

The 2 AA claims 140 lumens, and the 3D claims 220, which isn't many for about 25 beer tokens in total, even a year or so ago.

480 or so lumens for that Aldi jobbie is much more cost-effective, but possibly not as solidly built.

They do what I need, but I'd probably not upgrade them if I was starting now.