new edc flashlight advice

[Jmora]

Long time since I've been back here,

I was looking at getting a new flashlight, a little more powerful than the ones I already have (preon2), the one that caught my eye so far was the Zebralight sc600 mkii, however, being relatively inexperienced with flashlights, there must be some other good brands that I don't know about. It needs no special settings, just a few different intensity levels, not too big, around 100euros, durable.

It seems that most lights require a lot of thought into the sort of battery it might use, and the fancier flashlights use rechargeable batteries. I have heard that they can explode in the wrong circumstances, and I will be using it in some poor regions in Africa, where the electricity is unreliable. Even mediated by a special powerboad, when your laptop is plugged in to the electricity, you can feel little electric shocks through your hands when you touch the computer. Is this the wrong place to be using rechargeable batteries?

[Millhouse]

If you like the look of Zebralight, how about their SC52. Runs on standard AA and can use all variations of AA cells (alkaline, NiMh, lithium primary and LiOn).

http://www.zebralight.com/SC52-L2-AA-Flashlight-Cool-White_p_136.html

The SC600 can only use rechargeable 18650 batteries. I've never had a problem using these cells, but I only use high quality protected cells and a high quality charger. If you haven't already got a charger and batteries, you will have to factor in the cost of these as well.

In my opinion, I think the SC52 would be better for you as its battery options are more flexible. I would use this light with Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables, with alkaline as a fallback option if you are unable to recharge.

Also, welcome back 

[NutSAK]

I agree with Millhouse, the SC52/SC52w would be a fine choice.  If you're concerned with a light that runs well on safe-chemistry cells, look no further.  You won't find a light that runs better (brighter/more efficiently) on a single AA.

With that said, you will never find me putting an alkaline cell in any of my lights--there is WAY too much risk of leakage.  My advice is to stay with NiMH, Lithium (primary), or even Li-Ion.  Single-cell lights are not prone to issues if cells are cared for properly.

The regulation circuitry of the SC52 is designed to work best with NiMH.  Eneloops are the way to go, IMO.

[gorbag]

A bonus with AA cells is that you can find USB compatible chargers for them.  So with a portable solar panel setup, you could could get a fresh charge in about 4 hours or so.  If there's no monsoon, that is.

The world belongs to the funkiest.

[NutSAK]

A bonus with AA cells is that you can find USB compatible chargers for them.  So with a portable solar panel setup, you could could get a fresh charge in about 4 hours or so.  If there's no monsoon, that is.

The world belongs to the funkiest.

You can find USB compatible chargers for any size Li-Ion also, with solar panel compatibility...

[Random Dan]

Long time since I've been back here,

I was looking at getting a new flashlight, a little more powerful than the ones I already have (preon2), the one that caught my eye so far was the Zebralight sc600 mkii, however, being relatively inexperienced with flashlights, there must be some other good brands that I don't know about. It needs no special settings, just a few different intensity levels, not too big, around 100euros, durable.

It seems that most lights require a lot of thought into the sort of battery it might use, and the fancier flashlights use rechargeable batteries. I have heard that they can explode in the wrong circumstances, and I will be using it in some poor regions in Africa, where the electricity is unreliable. Even mediated by a special powerboad, when your laptop is plugged in to the electricity, you can feel little electric shocks through your hands when you touch the computer. Is this the wrong place to be using rechargeable batteries?

FWIW the battery in your laptop is Lithium-Ion, probably made of a couple 18650 cells.

[Jmora]

Long time since I've been back here,

I was looking at getting a new flashlight, a little more powerful than the ones I already have (preon2), the one that caught my eye so far was the Zebralight sc600 mkii, however, being relatively inexperienced with flashlights, there must be some other good brands that I don't know about. It needs no special settings, just a few different intensity levels, not too big, around 100euros, durable.

It seems that most lights require a lot of thought into the sort of battery it might use, and the fancier flashlights use rechargeable batteries. I have heard that they can explode in the wrong circumstances, and I will be using it in some poor regions in Africa, where the electricity is unreliable. Even mediated by a special powerboad, when your laptop is plugged in to the electricity, you can feel little electric shocks through your hands when you touch the computer. Is this the wrong place to be using rechargeable batteries?

FWIW the battery in your laptop is Lithium-Ion, probably made of a couple 18650 cells.

thanks for the advice people 

this last bit gives me my answer, my friend has been living there for a year, with the same laptop as mine, my battery lasts around 4-5 hours without power - his 1/2 an hour, that is the effect of a year of dodgy electricity on a Li-Ion cell. 

[gregozedobe]

I'd suggest using Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries (std 2,000mAh capacity, not the higher capacity ones). 

I strongly suggest you take at least one back-up flashlight that runs on the same batteries as your main flashlight (preferably a simple twisty as no switch = one less component to fail).  I'd be happy with a Zebralight SC52 (or maybe a H52 headlamp), with two ITP A2 lights as back-ups.

[Jmora]

thanks gregozedobe, 
that is a good thought to have a backup with the same batteries. Anyway if something stops working, I'm not completely smurfed, as I'll be based in a town, and going out to the country in the day, they have supermarkets where expats can get a hold of familiar brands, I don't know if they have brand batteries but what I do know is that I'd be paying through the nose for them.

I found an uncharacteristically good deal (for Germany) on the sc600, so I went for that after all, with two batteries I'll be okay for the time I'm there, I'll have backup.