This is all in my own humble opinion and I do not suggest or infer I am knowledgable on these things- this is just based on my experience.
I've got Trustfires, Keygos and MNKEs. I have found the MNKEs the best performers. I have been disappointed
in the Keys as they get such a mention here.
Chargers- I used a WF-188 for quite some time until it recently broke. I've now got an i4 Nitecore charger. I found with the WF-188 I was always having to "top up" a battery after charging. They very rarely came out at 4.2amps. The i4 hits the money every time, plus does all my other batteries (except 32650s and D cells) ta-boot. I will be sticking with the i4 for a while. Probably rest my WF-139 for a while which also is a little unreliable at topping off at 4.2.
not till 18650 tech reaches 26650 in terms of equivalent capacities respective to size. thoough i may consider 26650 sleeved hosts till then.. and glad to see new poll ..
I must say; Foy has drank the 26650 Kool-Aid. What's not to like? They're everything an 18650 is with better run time. Spend some time with something like a JM07 and I guarantee you'll be singing these fat battery's praises.
Amen to that brother. These things are perfect for my use in cycling. I'll probably never buy another cycling-specific bar light again (that's probably a lie too). I can't wait for more options in 26650 lights to come out. BTW, it's been said before but I think the biggest changes coming in the next few years will be in battery technology, not more lumens. While it's fun having brighter lights, they really are bright enough now for the most part. challenges are improved run times, size and beam patterns.
Ordered a couple Keygos 26650s to use in my JM07, overall though at this point in time it seems the best batteries are only 4000mAh and many are in the 3500mAh range giving only 400mah more than the 3100mAh Panny 18650s, so at this point they still seem somewhat pointless to me.
Unless a single-26650 light comes along that is so much better than any 18650 light that I have, I don't want to mess with a new charger and new battery type.
probably not, 3.3V, 2.3 AH. Well, with multi-cell light they could be. That's probably what's inside the $100 sears c3 battery/charger I just ordered for pickup today
I have chargers all over the place and I like that I can charge the batteries I use (primarily 14500s and 18650s, with some 16340s and 18350s thrown in for good measure) whenever I need to or feel like it. I really don't want to buy a dozen new chargers when the 18650s and 14500s I have work just fine for what I'm using them for.
I don't rebuy the DVDs I own on Blu-Ray either.
If there was a really awesome 26650-only light, I might reconsider and get a couple of 26650s though.
You got it correct, cehoward. But that just adds to the versatility of the 26650 format. I carry a spare 18650 and reducer with me on bike rides so I can put it in any light if needed.
Between, I am a good grasshopper!! I am on my Centurion Ironman, with both the M10s up front with the Keygos cells. However, in my bag, I got spare Hi Max 18650s, and two adapters..Plus a charger too.