Battery Preferences

[jekostas]

I voted for "Something Else" as my two primary flashlights use 18350 and 32650 batteries.

In order of most used to least used for me:

18350
32650
18650
14500
16340
AA
AAA

I have a feeling you might be in the minority with that lineup...

I'd go AA.  Easy to get, easy to use, available everywhere.  AAA would be my second choice.

[Gryffin]

Another vote for AA or AAA I tend to run my torches on disposable alkalines  :facepalm:I know I should get around to eneloops or something similar

Besides "going green," there's another good reason to go with Eneloops: better performance. Alkalines just can't deliver the current that modern, high-performance flashlights require. So if you're using good lights, you'll get more out of 'em on NiMH.

[Gryffin]

During a disaster situation everything changes as far as procurement goes. For those of us who live in an area/country with natural and man made disasters know that preparation is the key to thriving. I wouldn't count on anything being at any store during or immediately after a disaster.

That's the only reason I keep alkies around, for emergencies.

But that's also one of the advantages to AA/AAA: even if the stores run out, you always scavenge partially-used cells from remotes, radios, toys, clocks, gadgets... Good luck scrounging up some CR123As that way.

[Travis Autry]

Thank you all for helping with my research.  I have a better understanding of how others choose and use their lights.  I'm not surprised with the outcome of the poll.

In the coming weeks, I will be working to add some ZebraLight items to The Multitool.org Store, this poll will be useful in choosing pieces.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

During a disaster situation everything changes as far as procurement goes. For those of us who live in an area/country with natural and man made disasters know that preparation is the key to thriving. I wouldn't count on anything being at any store during or immediately after a disaster.

That's the only reason I keep alkies around, for emergencies.

But that's also one of the advantages to AA/AAA: even if the stores run out, you always scavenge partially-used cells from remotes, radios, toys, clocks, gadgets... Good luck scrounging up some CR123As that way.

I don't even stock alkies anymore... they're just too unreliable.  I've had brand new ones puke their guts out just sitting on a shelf waiting to be used.

I only keep L91's and L92's on hand as backups anymore, they have the full 10 year shelf life, and don't puke like alkies do.  They also are the only primary (other than 123s) that can hold high drain rates for things like LED torches, the same way eneloops can.  In fact, I've gotten my Quark 123^2 head (3 - 9 volts) to fire up and work flawlessly on 2xL91's in an AA^2 body. 

With the new primaries with the lithium chemistry, and a well designed modern torch with a good driver in it, there's no reason to use 123s anymore, unless you already have an investment in the form factor.

[Tabasco]

I still like CR123, but I'm very quietly joining the AA club . I am really enjoying a NiteCore D10 that I modded with a XPG emitter. So many battery options with this light .
Nimh, Ni-cad, lithium, alkaline, 14500, and the new 14505. The D10 will work with all of these. The 14505 really narrows the gap between CR123 and AA primary disposables.

[sergemaster]

Amici,
For my battery needs, I use all types Lithium, since their life span is nearly twice that of your standard alkaline battery.

Cheers,
Serge

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I still like CR123, but I'm very quietly joining the AA club . I am really enjoying a NiteCore D10 that I modded with a XPG emitter. So many battery options with this light .
Nimh, Ni-cad, lithium, alkaline, 14500, and the new 14505. The D10 will work with all of these. The 14505 really narrows the gap between CR123 and AA primary disposables.

The old D10's were (are) awesome lights...  I never got a chance to get one myself, let alone a modded one, but perhaps someday I'll be able to find one with an HCRI XML in it! 

A torch like that is hard to beat in terms of both versatility and durability; the old D10 is one of the best pocket EDC torches ever made IMHO.  I'm awfully fond of my HCRI Quark 123 head on an AA body... same sort of versatility as the old D10 but not quite as elegant.    Still does the job for me though. 

[Tabasco]

I still like CR123, but I'm very quietly joining the AA club . I am really enjoying a NiteCore D10 that I modded with a XPG emitter. So many battery options with this light .
Nimh, Ni-cad, lithium, alkaline, 14500, and the new 14505. The D10 will work with all of these. The 14505 really narrows the gap between CR123 and AA primary disposables.

The old D10's were (are) awesome lights...  I never got a chance to get one myself, let alone a modded one, but perhaps someday I'll be able to find one with an HCRI XML in it! 

A torch like that is hard to beat in terms of both versatility and durability; the old D10 is one of the best pocket EDC torches ever made IMHO.  I'm awfully fond of my HCRI Quark 123 head on an AA body... same sort of versatility as the old D10 but not quite as elegant.    Still does the job for me though. 

Heinz,

I got lucky and recently found a used one at a local knife show. It flickered ALOT.
After finding this youtube video on the D10 disassembly I discovered why.
Someone had lubed the lights threads and piston so heavily that oil ran between the brass contact ring and the driver. Cleaned everything with pcb wipes and isopropyl alcohol and the light ran 100%   It's really neat how easy it is to open and mod the light. As long as the emitter is on a 14mm star, upgrading and centering is really easy, even for old-eyed me. A bit of soldering  and thermal compound and it is done.

I wish NiteCore would release this light again with the original driver and XM-L and XP-G and XP-E emitter options. The original D10 is a very versatile light. I like it so much I'm looking for a spare!

[Sam Quint]

Thanks for that video Tabasco. That is the torch that lives through the ravages of my wife's purse. Going on 3 years now. We keep a L91 lithium in it.

Friends don't let friends use alkalines!

[sawman]

In addition to CR123, my second preference would be AAA due to my MAG XL 100 uses them.  I've been using that light quite a bit lately.