I’ve also built a BLF Q8 with BeCu springs.
The light output is about 5200 lumens at 30 seconds with Samsung 30Qs at 4,17V.
With just a crappy rubber boot (that can open up when you look at it wrong, certainly when pulling the light out of a pocket, etc., or just tear off completely), to me built-in charging can be a drawback more than an advantage.
Oh, it’s absolutely convenient (easier to just carry a cable vs charger), but unless it’s done like the Zanflare F1 with screw-ring and O-rings sealing the port completely, it’s a liability.
So… that depends on the light and what I’d be using it for. Some lights it’d be convenient, others a liability. No clear way to delineate which group is which.
A muggle light like the SC31, hey, it’s great, let gramma just “plug it in” like her big-keypad cellphone and wait for the charging light to go green or whatever. A light that you want to be waterproof (not just “water-resistant”, which is nigh useless), forget it.
Think it was Marcus and the Armytek who showed that you can actually replace the battery in the light underwater(!!), but Hell if I’d ever want to do that unless I were trapped in a capsized sinking boat or something and my light just went out that particular moment.
Point? One man’s “feature” is another man’s “liability”.
/\1
I think there is another way to do USB charging safely and that is to hide uUSB port in tube threads, like Jetbeam E10R. I don’t say it is the best solution ever, but it is cheap, connector is protected and no flapping rubber
Yea, the Nightwatch NA40/NA40SE (https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/54880/51) works the same way - port in the the thread. Even better that the charging circuitry is separate, built in to the battery tube assembly - pretty unique, though think it's been done before, like those tiny keychain lights sold under a ton of names.
+2…. Not a fan of USB charging in the least.
If a light must have it, there should be a substantial rubber plug that fits tightly in a recessed area, in the light; around the USB port.
Or…. cover it like the Zanflare Z1 or Nitecore HC50 & HC60.
- 1. But the best solution for USB Charging is to not have it…. in my humble opinion of course. .
- 2. Second best solution for USB Charging is a covered & sealed USB port in the threads, as mentioned above.
- 3. Third best solution for USB Charging…. Do not have USB Charging.
Let me correct that for you:
- Do not have USB charging
- Do not have USB charging
- Do not have USB charging
Wellp, just to play Devil’s Advocate…
…there is a place for it, like for muggles who don’t know that an 18650 has to go in pointy side first, or those who’d have a hard time using a broom without reading the owner’s manual, where unscrewing a light and sticking the dynamite-stick of a battery into a charger (also pointy-side up or whatever), and then reversing the process, is something only an Einstein would be able to accomplish.
For those, sticking in a cable-end that can only go in one way, and waiting for the blinky light to turn green or go steady or whatever, that’s the easiest or at least most painless solution.
Then again, some people are just best-suited for triple-AAAs.
Wow, that’s pretty harsh. I predict it is the future. Old schoolers can still take it out to charge if they want. All good.
Next month I am taking a trip. I will probably take a USB chargeable FL.
+1 on that.
I think, that for a few flashlights (e.g. which we would give to non-flashaholics) USB charging could be very useful. If a flashlight has it, it should be sealed against water and dust.
A charging port on a light can be a feature for muggles but I like most others here do not want it in MY lights.
However, I also hate that Thinkpads are not Thinkpads anymore but instead just overpriced black macbooks.
I’m a sucker for really cool, unique flashlight designs like these — provided they are matched in performance with different emitter options. I also find that I like the ability to choose flashlight colors, like Emisar, Fireflies and Haikelite SC26 did so well lately. And even though it’s “gimicky,” I’m loving the aux led colors and blends. Give me any single 18650, 21700, or 26650 that have those three elements from Sofirn and I would purchase immediately.
If I had a light with usb charging and I didn’t use it, I would just razor blade any high points off and make it flush. Then add a bit of silicone sealant to make sure it stays in place and is water tight. Problem solved.
I do like having the option of built in charging, though for muggles. For lights I give away, I only use ones that have usb charging.
So I don’t see a valid reason to delete usb charging. Maybe it lowers the cost 35 cents? No big deal.
I wish the SP33 and C8F had built in charging so I could give those models to muggles.
+1 for the LH351D’s
I would like Sofirn SF14 V2 +LH351D 4000K-5000K 90CRI.
I’ve found USB charging to be handy in lights gifted to muggles who don’t have any previous li-ion lights. That way I don’t have to give them a charger with their new light. 
mug·gle /ˈməɡəl/ noun
- 1.a person who is not conversant with a particular activity or skill:
Reading this thread a reoccurring theme seems to emerge in favor of USB Charging. That ‘theme’ seems to be so high powered Li Ion lights can be gifted to “muggles”.
Really?? You want a high power Li Ion light ‘dumbed down’ so you can give it to someone who may well not know the positive end of a battery from the negative.
To me… that seems on par with ‘Participation Trophys’ in kids sports. 
. 
Are you gonna give a Q8 or SP36 to someone who does not have enough knowledge to even take the batteries out & put them back in. How are they going to check the battery voltage every now & then to make sure everything is really OK inside that light?
Instead of dumbing things down why not teach them a new skill set instead? If they don’t care to learn at least the simplest basics concerning Li Ion saftey & use…… give them something that uses AA’s and call it a day.
Maybe even give them a couple of Eneloops or LADA’s & a Lii 100 or 202 charger if your feeling real adventurous. The Lii Chargers have reverse polarity protection… just make sure the light does to. 
BUT…. let’s not ‘dumb down’ our lights just so someone who has no interest in learning anything can use them.
Just a few random thoughts that passed thru my mind, ymmv.
And personally, I care nothing at all about having to silicon a rubber plug in a USB port that I did not want there in the first place.
And no, I am not saying no USB charging at all. Have a few lights with it, but certainly make it the exception rather than the rule.
Again…… Your opinion & mileage may vary. .
If that’s the case let’s put NIMH in their cell phones. Should we even have a charging port on a cell phone? What about replaceable batteries like the old days? With current chemistry and until polarity is not an issue charging ports are good for beginners. No puffs of smoke or melted springs
I could be wrong though. I find charging an added value but never (rarely) use it in reality…
Soooooo they can set themselves on fire?
Giving a hi-po light to a muggle is like giving a loaded gun to a drunken monkey.
Sure. Sometimes muggles need powerful lights.
I don’t see it like that at all and am confused why you would associate lights to trophies. No worries, though. Everyone has their opinions.
I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Ps, the Q8 and SP36 have multiple cells in parallel. A charger mechanism in those lights would need to charge each cell independently. It’s more complicated, but if a manufacturer can do it, I would not say no to it.
There’s that, too.