Flashlight guys; looking for a new 1-cell light.

[Spoonrobot]

For some odd reason my EDC light, a SolarForce T7, has been using up batteries in an extremely weird way. It's a two cell light and the batteries are consistently draining unevenly. I've tried 14 different cells from 4 different companies and each time the cells drain at an uneven rate.

The folks at CPF assure me this is a battery issue but my experience shows it isn't. Now; being that the theoretical reason that CR123 lights blow up is that the batteries drain unevenly I don't want to EDC or even really use this light anymore. Thus, I need a new light; I want a 1-cell light. Smaller size and generally cheaper to run.

I've not really been interested in 1-cell lights before so I don't have any industry knowledge. All I know about is the P2D CE Q5 and the D-Mini.

I don't want another D-Mini and was wondering how the P2D stacks up against more modern lights. The only qualification I have is that it be 1xCR123 and have a reverse clickie.

Recommend me something!

[prime77]

Spoon maybe you have already seen this but check it out. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201117
I have P2D it's a great EDC light. I have nothing negative to say about it.
Why do you want a reverse clickie? If you want a great runtime light with great throw and a good low level and don't mind a forward clickie check out the new two stage Surefire E1L. It seems to fly under the radar at CPF but, I swear it's output is as good as the L1.

[jzmtl]

Get the LiFePO4 cells with charger from AW, they should be safe and you can top up any time.

[NutSAK]

It is theoretically impossible for two batteries in series to drain unevenly.

With that said, you really can't go wrong with the P2D.

[Benner]

It is theoretically impossible for two batteries in series to drain unevenly.

I was thinking the same thing.    The load over the cells is the same no matter what order or place they are in, so therefore current draw is evenly divided by each battery. 

Sounds like you have an interesting find there.

[Teofilo]

Among my lights, the P2D is my best EDC. Try the L1D Cree Q5, Spoon, and use the Eneloop battery.You'll love it!

[NutSAK]

Spoon, are you interested in Li-Ion rechargeables?  If so, might I suggest that you look at lights that will optionally run a single 18650 battery.  They offer amazing runtime and many will allow you to use 2X CR123 if need be.

If you want to stick to a single CR123 or use a single RCR123 rechargeable, I highly recommend the Novatac EDC 120P.  They can be found for around $120 and are worth every penny, IMO.

The P2D is still a great choice though, if you want something very pocketable and inexpensive.

[tango44]

My EDC is a Surefire L1 Cree (65 Lumens high, 10 low mode) or a Surefire E1B Back up, (100 Lumens high or 5 lumens low) both lights run on a single CR123, the last time that I needed batteries this ones last for more than 2 months each one. I preffer the L1 Tail cap switch.
This are great EDC lights, the L1 is a better spotter than the E1B both light goes around $100 and my local Gun shop have the Surefire Batteries for $25 a dozen so is not that bad.

Good luck.

[Spoonrobot]

Spoon maybe you have already seen this but check it out. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201117

Hey, thanks for the link. I was looking for something like that but came up empty on the CPF search. I really like the Nitecore Extreme but as far as I can tell the stock forward clickie can't be replaced with a reverse clickie so it's a no go for me.

I'm trying to stick to a reverse clickie because that's the most effective way to carry and use the light for me. With a reverse clickie I have found that I do not need to lock-out the tailcap when EDCing the light and don't have to rotate it before I can turn on the light. It's a matter of convenience for me that I'd have a hard time giving up.

Spoon, are you interested in Li-Ion rechargeables?

Usually not but since I'm getting a new light anyway it seems like it makes sense to get some Li-Ion cells and a charger instead of just ordering more batteries.

Anyone know if there is any real advantage to the LiFePO4 cells vs. regular Li-Ion cells in a single cell application? Seems like the added safety factor would be a non-issue in single cell use.

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm thinking I'll just get a P2D since it's fairly inexpensive and has all the features I want.

[NutSAK]

Anyone know if there is any real advantage to the LiFePO4 cells vs. regular Li-Ion cells in a single cell application? Seems like the added safety factor would be a non-issue in single cell use.

I believe the only advantage is that the lower voltage of the LiFePO4 allows it to be used in flashlights where the voltage of the typical ~3.6v Li-Ion battery would be beyond specs.  This is the case with the Fenix P2D--you can use a 3.6v in it, but you'll lose the ability to use low or med modes until the voltage in the cell has dropped considerably.  The drawback of LiFePO4 is that the energy density is lower than a typical 3.6v Li-Ion cell.

[jzmtl]

Yup what nut said, LiFePO4 fully charged is 3.4v instead of 4.2v, quite similar to a brand new lithium primary which is 3.3v. Capacity however is 500mah tops, instead of 700mah.

[american lockpicker]

I would go with an ARC http://www.arcflashlight.com/arc-aaa.shtml

[Leatherman123]

IMO, ARC lights are waaay to expensive for what your getting.. Sure, they are very reliable.. But, I'd rather have a Fenix E01 anyways.. Plus, for the money your spending on the ARC you could buy a Fenix LOD Q4 that is WAY better!

Anyways, for a one cell light I would shoot for the NiteCore Defender Infinity... I am going to order one very soon!!! I really like the look of it!! 

[jzmtl]

Well you could say ARC is the one who started it all. When it was introduced there was simply no comparison, it was so good that Maglite decide to file a lawsuit against them, which did what they intended to do, bankrupted Arc.

[jzmtl]

It is theoretically impossible for two batteries in series to drain unevenly.

With that said, you really can't go wrong with the P2D.

As weird as it is, my 3D mag always drain the alkaline batteries unevenly. Everytime it dims, there will be one cell down to 0.2 v, while the other two are at 1.3~1.5 v. It just happened again today when I changed battery in it.