Which multi-cell shape do you prefer?... long pole or soda can?

LED Flashlights – General Info
1

I am torn in two and don't know which way to go on this one. I have been wanting to get more into multi-cell lights and can't decide which type to get and start out with. Should I go for a long pole shape with cells in a line? OR would the stubby soda can style with cells arranged next to each other be a better option? I'll probably endup getting both at some point, but for starters What do you feel are the pros and cons of each shape? Do you feel strongly in favor of one shape over the other?... if so what are the reasons?

thanks in advance!!

Feel free to recommend specific lights too!! Just a little background on me... My main cell preferences are eneloop AA and 18650/26650. I am a general light user... indoor/outdoor. I don't really have a preference towards flood or throw, and I dont have a preference for user interface, switch type or switch location (I can get used to just about anything).

2

rectangular side-by-side 2batt configs. 3 inline is too long ... 3 side-by-side too thick.

3

I have both types though I only have one soda-can light. Which is also my most recent light. I also have a couple of 6D mags which is carrying the pole analogy too far. I think I prefer the fatter, shorter light even though I have quite small hands.

Easier balance - well, anything is easier balanced than a 6D Mag with NiMH D's in it.

4

Side by Side. I don't like anything longer than the length of a 1D or 1 26650 type light. Anything else feels unbalanced and awkward to me.

I prefer 3AA lights, modified of course... Side switch as well. I carry lights by my side, not on my shoulder. Hand carry for me is low by the side. Short fat lights balance better for me and side switches feel more natural.

5

Not that I have any of either type (other than a (2) 18650 dive light) but my preference would be side-by-side and with a side switch.
It would be more than a preference actually. I wouldn’t buy any long, two cell lights.

6

I very much like form of my Jetbeam PA40 - thin enough to fit in pocket, short enough to fit in pocket, yet fits 4 AA's.

From 18650's, all multi-cells are too big to fit in my pockets, but for comfortable holding in hand - TK35-like side-by-side is best I guess.

7

I don't have any issues with my TrustFire TR-1200 in a 3x 18650 configuration. The addition of the third cell actually helps balance the light better. The only stubby light I have is a Saik SA-305 and I don't like the thick configuration on this light. A side-by-side like the King with a side switch might be better, but I don't have one to comment.

8

I've never been known for either....

Seriously though, I always though the Streamlight 4AA Propoly series fit the hand pretty well. The oval shaped handle was nice....until battery leakage ruined it.

9

If you loved 4AA Propoly, you’ll sure as heck would love a Jetbeam PA40 or Fenix LD40.

Just saying :P

10

I have a DRY (3x 18650 side-by-side) and a WF-500 (2x 18650 end-to-end). The 500 isn't awkward to carry in the hand, but it is not pocketable for most pockets. The Dry is pocketable if you have loose pockets (no tight jeans). The Dry is comfy to carry in the hand (I have average-sized hands). The 500 can be flipped back and forth from underhand to overhand grip quite easily, and that's what I do when I need to click the tailcap switch with my thumb. The Dry is more difficult to switch between grips, so I had to figure out a way to click the switch with my 4th or 5th finger. This is not ideal--I would much prefer a rotating selector ring near the head.

I think the 500 looks okay, but I think a 3x 18650 end-to-end light looks weird (just my opinion). Since I'm interested in high-output lights now, I need 3x or 4x 18650, so that means stubby fat lights.

Member 2100 once mentioned that the TK70 can be awkward to use, because it cannot be swung around quickly. There's a term for that but I forget what it is. "moment"? Imagine holding a broomstick. It would be hard to swing it around quickly, compared to a stubby light.

If you get a stubby light, some connect the cells in parallel, and some connect the cells in series. With a long skinny light, they're of course always in series.

If you want a single-LED light, a long skinny body would be fine. But if you want a 5-or-more-LED light, the head might be so large that it looks like a toilet plunger on a long skinny body. If you want a multi-LED light with large reflectors (for better throw), the head will be even bigger. Look at a picture of the XTAR S1. If it used 3x 18650 end-to-end, that would be a weird looking light.

I think a side-by-side arrangement requires less mass in the body tube than an end-to-end arrangement, but I've never done the calculation. The way I think of it, adding another battery in an end-to-end arrangement means adding a whole section of body tube. But adding another battery in a side-by-side arrangement means just adding a "strip" to widen the diameter of the body tube.

I think for a 3x or 4x side-by-side body, a selector ring or side switch is mandatory. I can use the tailcap clicky on the Dry, but it's awkward.

The stubby light will tailstand much more stably than a long skinny light.

The long skinny light is much more effective as a club.

11

I don't mind either..2 end to end is long enough though and 3 would be too long..so side by side would be the only way to go for me if 3 cells..

12

Ask her...

13

I have DRY and 5D Mag. DRY is relatively new, 5D is years and years old.

Any light that has long pole format with more than 2x18650 does not interest me in the least. I must say even 2x18650 must me exquisite for me to look at it twice.

After having plenty of time with the huge 5D, I prefer the soda can design. I have big hands, and DRY fits my palm quite nicely.

Let me take on another approach, if you want to put a DRY in a coat/jacket pocket, you can. I'd like to see someone put a 2 or 3x18650, let a lone a 5D in any normal pocket.

And now off topic rambling...

Come to think of it, it might be time for me to put away that DRY holster, it seems to me I've been neglecting my DRY because it's safely tucked away in the holster. If the holster was "put away" by my cats/dog, I think DRY will actually see much more action. :)

Viktor

14

I am not interested that much on these big lights, but If I had to choose, I would prefer an intermediate option, which would be a body like the TK35 but longer to use 2+2 18650, and if possible being done with an extension tube, so we can have a nice pocket-able size, or a good runtime.

15

Soda can (side-by-side) of course! I have never owned the "long pole" design and I never will. It feels too awkward to me. I'm all about the 3AA/26650 format (or 32650 I suppose).

16

It doesnt at all! My Trustfire T8 is really fine in the hand. I'll upload a picture later to show.

17

As promised here is a few pics of me with my beloved T8

First off is the cigar grip. I use this quite frequently for this light.

Next up is underhand hold. A favorite for dog walking on dark roads. Of course it may not be the dogs favorite if it looks over its shoulder he heh!

And here is how I turn it on. I dont really see the awkvardness. Unless you are afraid of dropping it which I am not. I use LED lights because they can take it. Or else I would be HIDsmoke!

This last grip is achieved by a quick flip of the wrist.

Another thing about these lights. The T8 is the biggest baddest motherf****** bezel diameter I could find that actually works well with the XML. And look how small the head is compared to my wrist. And have small wrists. What I am trying to say is that all these lights are really small. Regardless of how they look on our screens.

18

A Maglite 2D is just about right. Someone please make a 3-5 XML 2x32650.

19

Kramer5150, maybe I'll put a few extensions onto the Masterpiece Pro 1 head and let you see how unwieldy it is. I think a soda can setup is far less unwieldy.

20

Don't have a soda can but the JM07 is more like a can of Red Bull. Very comfortable fit in my hands. I do like my two 2x 18650 lights, though. The SF M8 feels relatively light and I don't think it's unwieldy at all. My Uniquefire 3900 is quite a bit heavier, but again it feels natural in my hands. I guess growing up with 2D Maglites makes these lights feel more at home in my hands.