You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:
https://web.archive.org/web/20221220093741/https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/72925
There’s been some discussion in other threads about built in charging on certain flashlights.
What are people’s preferences here?
Does it depend on the type (EDC/soda can/tactical)?
USB-C Vs proprietary magnetic?
Charging built into cells?
I voted no for three very significant reasons.
1-The charging port is a significant entry point for liquids. BAD
2-You cant use the light while you are charging it. BAD
3-You cant beat using a quality charger for speed and accuracy. The built in chargers all seem to be plagued with problems. BAD
If you are going to carry a USB cable around to charge the light, just carry a spare battery.
I’m not entirely against it. I have 1-2 lights that I’m happy to have the feature. For example when the kids go on school camps I send them with an in-charge light and wall wart.
**school camps aren’t really camping, it’s staying in a dormitory.
Generally speaking though I tend not to want or use the feature.
Charging circuits are so small today, that there is no excuse not implementing it.
USB is the most available standard there is, there is always a USB cord around where there’s power. Makes it possible to top up the light easily in the office, in the car or at a friend’s place.
It’s just a matter of implementing it right… you don’t have to make an open usb port. You already have a vastly built up network of usb chargers for your phone/ family phones/ iPads etc. There’s no need carrying around more chargers and cables.
I do not need it but I can see advantages too. As I typed this I just put two 21700’s in the charger from lights that both have on board charging: I guess that using the charger standing ready is less of a bother than finding two USB cables and connect the both of them? Maybe it’s just because I’m used to but I know I haven’t even given it a single thought.
On some I’d rather not have it: I like my small lights being as small as possible and I like my outdoor lights as waterproof as possible. Then again, I can see it handy on a travel-light to just bring the cable and a wall-socket or a power-bank but in the end I’d rather buy without than with thou I wouldn’t totally dismiss a light just because it has USB.
As for the the magnetic systems: I’ve bought my mother an Olight S15R some years ago, she loves this system with the magnetic base and it’s one of the few systems she can handle at 93, we’ve made a system that can also charge her phone and automatic corkscrew and some more stuff and that works for her, I don’t need it myself thou.
Yes, and i dont buy average size flashlights anymore that dont have usb charging built in. But on small lights its ok if they dont have usb charging built in like the ones you can use with AA or AAA Batterys
I voted no… for the following reasons.
1) Makes a light harder to keep moisture out of. The only kind I find tolerable are the ones that you must unscrew the head to get to the port, but it must have top and bottom o-rings to fail to have a chance of being done right.
2) Built in charging circuits have more issues with charge termination that external chargers. Cells are expensive and somewhat dangerous and should be well cared for.
3) Modification of #2, multi-cell lights increase the danger of in light charging. Worst case is in-series cells in lights with lithium ions, but I will not even charge a 3 or 4 parallel light that way… lot of energy if something goes wrong!
4) Makes mods to a light much more difficult, either when the charging board is stacked or the circuit is built in.
5) Stupid little flap that will not stay in place and breaks for falls of sooner or later.
6) O-Light specific, cells that are not standard OTC required for in light charging.
Useful, but not mandatory for me. I don’t really care about it.
I like idea of built in chargers. But I newer saw good realization.
I don’t like flashlight with bad built-in charger.
For me good charger has following features:
- Type-C. No proprietary cable.
- Port under thread.
- PB feature with modern QC etc.
- Maximum charging current 2-3A.
- Informative indication of process.
I do have some lights with on-board chargers, but generally dislike the idea for all of the reasons mentioned above. I am vehemently opposed to proprietary batteries like those pushed by Olight.
Most EDC lights are so small and lightweight nowadays that I prefer to simply carry two of them instead of a spare battery or a charging cable.
Yes, and I especially like the magnetic charging on Skilhunt flashlights. Great feature!
You can still charge your battery on a charger. No one said you have to use the built in exclusively. You can use another light while you are charging or put in a spare battery. Again, all built in charging does is give you another option. Early built in chargers may have had problems, I never had that experience with mine. Totally submerged lights would be vulnerable to water but rain or an occasional drop into a puddle would not be a problem as long as you are careful to close the flap. I am seriously considering selling all my none built in charger lights since I like the feature so much. Built in charging in conjunction with an inline USB tester allows you to monitor the current the same as a dedicated charger. Most dedicated chargers do not measure internal resistance accurately so this really is not a perk. Capacity can still be measured on the dedicated charger when you so desire.
If I like the basic platform of the light, OBC has no impact on my purchase decision. It’s convenient for traveling without the added bulk of separate charger, but carrying pre-charged spare cells is not that burdensome either. I’m usually not out in the elements enough with my lights to be concerned about moisture ingress. Although I have a few 14500 cells with integrated charging (USB-B), I don’t particularly trust them, and it’s known they have some parasitic drain from the monitoring circuitry…I rarely use them.
Yes
There are clearly some advantages of built in charging but the dozen or so negatives outweigh thew one or two positives.
4. Non-replaceable driver in most cases. Very BAD
The only point I’d agree with is #1. A built-in charger doesn’t prevent you from charging separately, it’s a convenience in case you need it.
And even on the issue of liquid entry, it’s total submersion that’s a problem for those charging ports, not being in the rain or dropping into a puddle. For myself, if I had to weigh chance of needing to recharge a light when I’m not at home vs. needing the light to be totally water proof…there’s more instances when I’m out camping or whatever and don’t bother to bring a 18650 charger with me. Much more likely for that to happen than dropping a flashlight into deep bodies of water.
It’s so nice to just charge up your flashlight and not have to bring yet another gadget when camping for a few days.
I have voted no.
While charging you can’t use the flashlight
Best external charger and boxes / cases to carry spare batteries.
I don’t like it for my own lights and almost never use it when lights have it, but I do like it for giving/loaning lights to other people.