Do you like charging built in to a flashlight?

I strongly prefer no built in charging, unless it’s a headlamp. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but if I’m choosing between two lights and one has charging and on doesn’t, I’ll buy the light without.

For EDC carry, it’s a necessity. For large 3 batt lights, fine, might be complicated. But an EDC you can plug in to any phone charger, battery pack/ solar cell in the world? Priceless.

Voted other, it’s a good option to have on larger lights, not on small EDC ones where integrated charging adds bulk.

I voted yes. I used to dislike integrated charging because of water ingress concerns, but most of the lights I’ve tried recently have had excellent port cover solutions. I don’t mind not having it on single-cell lights, but it’s almost a necessity for me on multi-cell lights. I don’t want to have to 4 18650 cells out of a light and take up 4 slots on my charger when I could just plug in a USB cable.

Yes please. An open standard on magnetic USB recharging would be incredible. The organization in charge of USB standards needs to get on that.

It’s not a necessity… but it’s nice to have if the following conditions are met:

  • The cost of flashlight is only marginally higher with the built-in charging
  • The built-in charging doesn’t add appreciably to the flashlight size
  • The port is well done to help prevent water ingress
  • The firmware governing the feature does not overcharge the battery

I take an 18650 flashlight with built-in charging in my bugout & weekender bag, instead of a separate charger, which I use to recharge the 18650 cells of other flashlights I take with me. It’s super convenient and I like how it’s a sealed affair—no exposed contact points as typically found on a dedicated charger.

As for rubber stopper covers on ports, they can be done well that they’ll keep rain water out. Yeah, it’s an issue if you’re going to risk submerging. But if I’m going to expect very wet conditions, I take along a nicely sealed up light with no charging port.

Magnetic is amazing. I like Skilhunt’s solution… which is very close to Olight’s. In fact, you can actually charge a Skilhunt on an Olight charger (but not the other way around).

Btw, on a related note… small chargers. I have a Nitecore UM2 that I really like. It does a fine job of charging batteries at a normal, safe rate, while also supplying useful information. But I just don’t like the fragility. It’s just so exposed and those spring loaded contact pads are a touch sketchy. I realize that these chargers aren’t sealed up so that it allows for heat dissipation in case of cells getting very warm in the process. But is there a good charger design design that’s a little more rugged & protected for 2 cells, that’s also reasonably priced?

Completely agree! I voted no. However, built in charging is useful to give to someone that doesn’t have a good charger. I wouldn’t mind built in charging provided it didn’t make for a light that is not water proof. Love the charging that is universal USB powered. Under the seals or magnetic are the only way to go and magnetic should be an open standard!

Like QI? :smiley:

no, because if you use 2 batteries and an external charger, you can swap instantly instead of waiting

plus it makes the light bigger, smallness is what i want most

it may also reduce waterproofness

I do think internal charging has its place.

  • It makes sense for some bigger lights. The size penalty may be negligible or virtually non-existent, and there is more room to incorporate some of the better methods of waterproofing the charging port cover.
  • It makes less sense in small pocket EDCs though. In ultra-compact lights the penalties start to overcome the advantages. And it’s quicker to change to the battery in small light than it is in a big one with multiple cells.
  • It’s also useful to have in lights given to non-flashaholics who do not already own external chargers as gifts.

I have tiny lights with built in charging so I don’t think it adds much size to a light.

1. Completely ignoring diving flashlights by Wurkkos.
2. Yes, switch out a battery. Think outside of the box.
3. There’s incorrect. If so there would be threads and threads about them. Sofirn and Wurkkos would be complete out of the picture by 2021.

I like it. I get that when poorly implemented on-board charging causes more issues than it solves, but when done right it’s a great and very useful feature. If you don’t have a li-ion charger, you don’t need to buy one to enjoy your light (good for newcomers to the hobby).

Most are using USB type-c now at 1 or more amps, which is as good or better than mainstream li-ion chargers out there. Charge termination in 99.8% of the lights I’ve tested has been at between 4.16 to 4.198v on the nut. Very acceptable for cell longevity.

Some lights do work when connected to the charger.

XTAR PB2S is a solution with its own pros and cons. Also a powerbank.

That ability is useless.

Flashlights aren’t plug-in room lights. The whole point of a flashlight is to have portable illumination you can use when you don’t have access to room lights. Using a flashlight when it’s tethered to the wall via a 1 meter long cord negates the “portability” of a flashlight.

Maybe a bit superfluous, but it’s better to have and not need, than need and not have.

I like it but want it done well.

1A charging
USB-C
Indication of what the current voltage level is
Ability to use the light on low (above moonlight) while charging

For me any cons of built-in charging are far outweighed by the sheer convenience (USB-C especially). Especially soda can or bigger lights.

There are more than a few widely disparate variables with this issue, so I have not yet made up my mind. Therefore, I go for the variety effect. Some of my lights have it, and some don't. I like reading other peoples' opinions on this issue, because my opinions are not very valuable.