Are there any modern led flashlights that can be charged without removing batteries?

I have a Nitecore ea4 (four AA’s) that I love, but the light leaches way too much current while unattended. Often when I need it the most, the batteries are dead or dim.
Are there any comparable lights out there in this modern world that I can leave alone for long periods, like in a car, and know I can actually turn it on, sort of like I used to many years ago.

I do have a small Fenix E12 pocket size one that is like that, which I love, but I can’t find a more tactical, brighter one that I can not worry about the batteries dying on the shelf.

Appreciate any suggestions; I’m not an expert.

There are plenty, check out this website.

http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html

Under features, choose “USB Recharging” For battery, I’d suggest starting with 1x18650 and see what comes up. I think you’ll be surprised by the amount of options!

Good luck

Hey how are you doing man? And welcome to BLF! :partying_face:
One, your title mentions flashlights with built in charging. Two, you mention so called parasitic drain of flashlights and you ask whether there are lights out there where you don’t have to worry about it.
So what is it exactly you want? I have some questions for you. You want to stick with AA batteries, or are you OK with lithium ion? What’s your budget? How bright do you want it to be? Size preference?
Let us know and we’ll give you some advise! :sunglasses:

Lately many lights with micro USB charging port came on the market.
!! THEY’RE EVERYWHERE !!

Most manufacturers these days have a model with built-in USB charging for lithium ion battery. Better look for one that is not overpriced. Convoy, Astrolux, Sofirn, Jaxman, Eagle Eye, among many other sellers have upped the ante of low to mid price lights in terms of quality, it’s easy to get one for less money.

I have a Convoy BD01 (26650) that I realy like. I put a xpl-hi in it and it throws surprisingly well on stock 3A driver.

The Bd06 is basicaly the 18650 version and more common to find.

I have only seen the 01 version on Convoys ali store.

Yes.

Would I use one? No. I only trust a quality charger for my high drain cells.

I once thought I wanted a light with built in charger. But then I remember anytime I had something with rubber flaps on charge/data/memory card port they always go missing.

Sure enough, My first real light that I wanted to have self charging the rubber flap has gone missing.

Next light with self charging would be via magnetic chargeing port. Something like the new Skilhunt H03 RC lights.

Shhhhh!

I’m surrounded…

Getting hard to find them without the charging port (sort of)

Zanflare F1. Best damned usb-port-sealing I’ve seen.

Nice bright tubelight, tail-clicky for positive disconnect (ie, no parasitic drain), side-clicky for mode-changes, blinkies are wonderfully hidden away and don’t plain piss me off. :smiley:

Some people must be harder on their equipment than me. I have a 3-1/2 year old Samsung Galaxy S5 with the original port cover. Plus a 4 year old Samsung Convoy4 with the original port cover as well as a 15 year old Garmin GPS with original rubbers.

I have 2 headlamps which i use a lot, and i don’t have to take out the batteries to charge them.
They charge (when needed) when i sleep.
They have micro USB ports.

These lights have the modern dedicated charging chip they all use nowadays.
I doubt dedicated slot chargers are better or safer.
Maybe these internal chargers can be considered safer because they often cut off a little sooner.

That reminds me I have a rechargable (eneloops) powered headlamp too. Also reliable.

Wow, I’m a member of a lot of forums; you guys are most responsive. Thanks.

I like the Ea4 and at the time, I thought the AA ’s would be a nice, convenient feature but

I assumed I could put Eneloops in and keep them recharged with a wall wart or USB if necessary, but I was disappointed the first time I went to use it and was dead in a couple of weeks. I just didn’t anticipate the parasitic draw. I’m left to unscrewing the top just to disengage the battery.

I guess I just want something that is as reliable as a vintage flashlight, but much brighter. A wide zoom would be quite a nice feature for me.

I’m not fussy about the battery type and I know the technology changes constantly and it’s hard to keep up.

What I want is something that I can put in my pocket, around 1000 lumens (more is better as usual), a nice, wide zoomable field, but also have a bright spot as well. My step daughter just got a zoom from Costco and I loved the wide field, but the spot was not very bright for some reason. Price was good, but if I can find it all for around $100 would be ideal. Willing to spend more, though.

Frankly, the rechargeable feature would be less important if I could get one that didn’t have the parasitic losses. That really bummed me out with the EA4. I guess I could just keep unscrewing the cap, but that seems like a step backward in progress.

BTW, my stepdaughter’s light is pretty good, but requires three C’s and must be alkaline, I suppose because there is no other current limiting built in. Seems like a cheap and dirty design, but price was right for her.

Finally, I’m also looking for an upscale have-it-all unit as a nice gift for my outdoorsy SIL. Up to 2-300 USD if it’s worth it. Extravagant, but he’s worth a nice gift.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks a bunch.

Yeah the Zanflare F1 is an excellent light my only complaint is the slightly green tint it has. besides that it’s awesome!

If you keep an eye on some of the coupon threads here youll easily be able to find a good light for under $100. the Zanflare has been going for around $20 lately, add a battery to that and you could get out of it for less that $30.

only downside is the zanflare is not zoomable. I havent seen a rechargeable zoomie yet, but i could be wrong.

Edit : heres a link to the Zanflare F1 on gearbest
https://www.gearbest.com/led-flashlights/pp_466743.html

I had to laugh at that one. Same thing happened to my older cell phone once. Good point, especially if it has to be water resistant.

then you have magnetic charge, like the one in olight, but then i remember i hate “special” cable too

Thanks so much for the interest. I’m going to look into all of your suggestions. The field is getting kind of bewildering. I’m almost starting to miss my simple Ray-O-Vac Sportsman. Almost. Indestructible. I also liked the original 3 cell maglights that my wife now carries as a self-defense club LOL. They’re darn pretty, though. .