I'd love to hear more on AA (NiMh) runtime. Wouldn't mind hearing about AA alkaline use (since that became a topic of conversation a little while ago and I don't expect much to come from alkaline use). I think this light could be a good option for my co-workers to carry on them underground. (I want to keep them away from Li-Ion cells.) It's this, or make the jump to something like a Jetbeam PA40.
Also, can we get one of your famous beamshots across your pool? I'm looking for a beamshot which shows it's "flood" or "spill" in comparison to its throw.
Thanks!
-Garry
P.S. I'll probably have to pick this one up for myself anyway, so I'll be cursing your name too! Just think, maybe in the near future manufacturers might add "Foy Approved" to their advertising/packaging!
I updated the review but I'll add it here too . . .
With an unprotected King Kong 26650 (INR) charged to 4.22 volts, my Cyclone ran on high for 1 hour and 30 minutes, with the battery discharged to 3.40 volts.
With 3 fully charged Eneloop AAs, it ran on high for 1 hour and 10 minutes before dropping into low voltage warning mode. (blinking light)
Thanks Foy for the runtime data! So the 2500mAh Eneloops don't offer much more runtime at all compared to the 2000mAh's? Seems a little odd to me. Why is this? Why spend so much on the 2500mAh's then?
Also, Foy, is your King Kong INR Raised-top or flat top? I'd like to know if the raised top INR will fit? Here's my measurement on my raised-top INR (minus 0.50 for the plastic disk = 68.05mm).
EDIT: They don't fit according to rikr! See here. Dang!
Does anyone have any ideas about how to mod this light so protected 18650's will fit? I recently purchased a couple of protected Panasonic NCR18650A cells as pictured here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280769021348?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
They are good for 5A sustained even with the protection circuity, so they are otherwise very suitable and I'd love to be able to use them. The ones I have are exactly 68.8mm long.
Also, since 18650's are thin, how does one adapt them for use in this light? (I'm interested in this even if there's no way to mod the light to make protected 18650's fit, since I also have some unprotected cells as well).
I would waste more than $1.88 in time trying to make my own. Of course I have to wait weeks to get one from China.
As for the length of unprotected 18650s, I'm hoping - since I also prefer the protected cells) that adding an o-ring to the body of the flashlight body will suffice. Seems like I recall seeing a post about someone doing that.
Thanks for the reply, and the information. I'll definitely remember to add one of those 18650 to 26650 adaptors to my cart if I decide to go ahead with a C88 purchase. The problem is that I really want to phase out my unprotected lithium battery use, rather than add a device to the mix that needs them. It's not so much about the (albeit minor) safety concerns as it is about the convenience of not having to micromanage charge and discharge scenarios (being able to lend my flashlights out, at full performance, without worrying so much, is one such scenario). It's one of the reasons I spent $15.00 per cell on the best protected 18650's I could find.
Thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking around here for a couple of weeks and learning a lot about flashlights in the process. This forum is a great resource with some great people it seems :)
Ummmm I seem to be missing something here. The gap between the 18650 and the casing is much bigger than the width of the o-rings. Clearly I’m missing the obvious but any chance of a photo showing how you do it?
There are also larger O-rings than those for flashlights, from plumbing for example.. some plastic pipe or even wood would also work. Or a cardboard roll from toilet paper. Or... there are a lot of possibilites. :)
