Please Help A Noobie Choose His First Single 18650 Cell Thrower + Little Flood For ~ $50

[MarioSS]

@photon1k

Those are very nice cells - I doubt that anyone will fault you for having chosen them.

Cradle chargers have limitations that make it hard to find one that is both safe and will charge a wide range of cells. You may want to look at a hobby charger if you really want one charger that does it all. This one is often recommended and is certainly inexpensive. If you like quality and think you will be using it for a while, I would recommend one of the icharger line.

Thansk for the input photon1k
regarding those big chargers (or what every they call them :P) i have zero knowledge on how to use one. Ill have to do some reading and watching some guides on how to use them.
I guess ill wait a bit till i see if i find it easy to function ill just get one

[BetweenRides]

@MarioSS

@photon1k

Those are very nice cells - I doubt that anyone will fault you for having chosen them.

Cradle chargers have limitations that make it hard to find one that is both safe and will charge a wide range of cells. You may want to look at a hobby charger if you really want one charger that does it all. This one is often recommended and is certainly inexpensive. If you like quality and think you will be using it for a while, I would recommend one of the icharger line.

Thansk for the input photon1k regarding those big chargers (or what every they call them :P) i have zero knowledge on how to use one. Ill have to do some reading and watching some guides on how to use them. I guess ill wait a bit till i see if i find it easy to function ill just get one

Mario, if you find the hobby charger a little intimidating as a new user, there are several really good choices in smart chargers available at reasonable prices. Amazon is a good source, but I'm not sure if they ship to where you are or if that is cost prohibitive, so here's a China source for you:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/nitecore-intellicharger-i4-liion-nicd-nimh-4channel-smart-battery-charger-us-plug-p-9638

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/xtar-wp2-ii-liion-battery-charger-for-1044014500146501634017670185001865018700-eu-plug-p-8351

Both of these are well respected and highly rated, commonly used by BLF members. If I had to give the nod to one, it would be the i4, just for it's versatility in handling all types of batteries, sizes and 4 at a time.

And your choice of batteries was excellent. Too many new users choose crap cells their first few time (me included). Here's hoping you've started a trend.

[MarioSS]

@BetweenRides

@MarioSS

@photon1k

Those are very nice cells - I doubt that anyone will fault you for having chosen them.

Cradle chargers have limitations that make it hard to find one that is both safe and will charge a wide range of cells. You may want to look at a hobby charger if you really want one charger that does it all. This one is often recommended and is certainly inexpensive. If you like quality and think you will be using it for a while, I would recommend one of the icharger line.

Thansk for the input photon1k regarding those big chargers (or what every they call them :P) i have zero knowledge on how to use one. Ill have to do some reading and watching some guides on how to use them. I guess ill wait a bit till i see if i find it easy to function ill just get one

Mario, if you find the hobby charger a little intimidating as a new user, there are several really good choices in smart chargers available at reasonable prices. Amazon is a good source, but I’m not sure if they ship to where you are or if that is cost prohibitive, so here’s a China source for you:

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/nitecore-intellicharger-i4-liion-nicd-nimh-4channel-smart-battery-charger-us-plug-p-9638

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/xtar-wp2-ii-liion-battery-charger-for-1044014500146501634017670185001865018700-eu-plug-p-8351

Both of these are well respected and highly rated, commonly used by BLF members. If I had to give the nod to one, it would be the i4, just for it’s versatility in handling all types of batteries, sizes and 4 at a time.

And your choice of batteries was excellent. Too many new users choose crap cells their first few time (me included). Here’s hoping you’ve started a trend.

Thank you bro!!
Well regarding shipping charges its not a problem at all
I have an account at a forwarding company that provides me with 3 addresses (China, UK, USA) Thats how i usually shop online
regarding the chargers you linked isnt the XSTAR SP2 the best among them? I saw some people saying that the XSTAR WP2 had some shorting issues.

[BetweenRides]

I have not heard of any issues with the Xtar WP2 II. Several reviews of the charger here on the forums:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/3631
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/4442

And reviews for the Intellicharger:

https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/8112
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/7763

If you don't have issues with shipping charges, here's a couple of good links for both to purchase:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-WP2-II-Charger-Newest-Model-18650-18700-Batt-W-Car-adapter-/150663919662?pt=US_Flashlights&hash=item231444f82e
http://www.sbflashlights.com/Batteries-Chargers/Xtar-WP2-II-Li-Ion-Charger-p136.html

http://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-I4-Intellicharger-Combination-Batteries/dp/B007P5T1S0
http://www.mallardspring.com/nitecore-i4-v2-charger.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SYSMAX-Nitecore-Intellicharge-i4-Li-Ion-Ni-Cd-Ni-MH-Charger-/180942898247?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item2a21098447

[MarioSS]

Now your spoiling me man!
I guess the star sp2 would be a better choice coz it can charge 26650 batteries while the WP2 can’t right?
And the intellicharger charges at a lower current than the sp2

[BetweenRides]

The WP2 can charge a single 26650 at a time at a max charge rate of 1mA, but I have to stick a dime in there to make contact when charging my King Kongs. With the i4, you can charge 2 26650s at a time, but you need to use bays 1 and 3 (or 2 and 4) to get max charge rate. Like I said, I'd give the i4 the nod due to versatility, but they're both first rate chargers. I use them both and a few others when I have a lot to charge.

[scaru]

@BetweenRides

max charge rate of 1mA,

You mean 1 amp?

[MarioSS]

@ BetweenRides That sums it up bro thank you!
Guess I’ll jus go with the intelicharger then

@ Scaru yes thats correct

[BetweenRides]

@scaru

@BetweenRides

max charge rate of 1mA,

You mean 1 amp?

1 amp, one miliamp, whatever it takes...

Thanks for keeping me honest, scaru.

[Lumatic]

It passed the BLF smell test. And it can be safely used in explosive environments. Plus it’s on sale.

http://www.focalprice.com/LFI49S/UranusFire_5W_White_Light_Water_Resistant_Stainless_Steel_LED_Flashlight_Silver.html

[BetweenRides]

@Lumatic

It passed the BLF smell test. And it can be safely used in explosive environments. Plus it’s on sale. http://www.focalprice.com/LFI49S/UranusFire_5W_White_Light_Water_Resistant_Stainless_Steel_LED_Flashlight_Silver.html

Um, technically that would be a ****plug. Finally an appropriately named flashlight.

[scaru]

@BetweenRides

@scaru

@BetweenRides

max charge rate of 1mA,

You mean 1 amp?

1 amp, one miliamp, whatever it takes...

Thanks for keeping me honest, scaru.

I'm doubtful a 1 ma charge rate would ever finish charging... After all 1 ma into a 3400 mah battery that is 3400 hours or 141.6 days. The self discharge would probably come into play at that point.

[MarioSS]

@ Lumatic @BetwweRides LMAO one smelly flashlight that is hahah

@scaru yeah man I wouldn’t like to experience such a charger

[scaru]

@BetweenRides

@Lumatic

It passed the BLF smell test. And it can be safely used in explosive environments. Plus it’s on sale. http://www.focalprice.com/LFI49S/UranusFire_5W_White_Light_Water_Resistant_Stainless_Steel_LED_Flashlight_Silver.html

Um, technically that would be a ****plug. Finally an appropriately named flashlight.

Ugh... Lumatic drags the conversation into the gutter once again. :P

[Rockspider]

@Lumatic

It passed the BLF smell test. And it can be safely used in explosive environments. Plus it’s on sale. http://www.focalprice.com/LFI49S/UranusFire_5W_White_Light_Water_Resistant_Stainless_Steel_LED_Flashlight_Silver.html

****plug shape apart, where did you get the red info above?

To my knowledge, only certified flashlights can be used in dangerous explosive atmosphere. Simply because a flashlight is waterproof is not enough to be inherently safe for dangerous environments.

When it comes to real inherently safe flashlights, to avoid spark most of them are made of non-metallic polymers.

A flashlight that heats up with use is a no-no also, so forget high power emitters and amperages. Usually they have small emitters with low lumens output, often less than 200lm.

[Lumatic]

which that statement was of course, I completely agree with your assessment of explosive-use restricted flashlights. I would not condone inserting this particular light or any other light for that matter into any environment where explosive gases are present unless such light is officially certified by an appropriate agency’s higher authority. Which is pretty much anyone else but me.

Those explosive-certified lights as you likely know are quite expensive btw. It’s prolly not a bad idea to remind ourselves once in a while that if we ever find ourselves for instance urgently situated in a natural gas, propane gas, etc., filled house, or just any enclosure period, our LED torches are certainly not something we’d want to switch on - (especially I would think our more hi-powered ones), much less any other torch including incandescents.

[judy]

@MarioSS

@agenthex

They’re about same size reflector and same emitter so should be quite similar. Neutral white just makes colors more pleasant and less glare off reflective surfaces (incl. rain/haze). For pure throw a cooler white might be better for contrast but I always pick up NW for general use.

thanks for the explanation that sums it up. do you know any other light that might outperforms the ones i mentioned?

yeah & what the cost

[agenthex]

@Ubehebe

The HD-2010 is a great light, but I’m surprised no one has mentioned the venerable Keygos Ke-5, what I think is the perfect thrower with some flood, and perhaps one of the best all-around budget lights out there.

(Be aware that some batteries have issues with the ke-5, particulalry some TFFs. But then so doesn’t my HD2010 with 18650s. In fact, it seems that 18650s that won’t work in the HD2010 also won’t work in the ke-5. I use mostly unprotecteds and those work fine with both lights. The protected keepowers seem to work fine, as do no-name protected Samsungs on ebay. Protected Xtars and others also seem to work okay, it’s mostly the Chinese protected cells that have issues.)

Can anyone with the Keygos Ke-5 and the XinTD compare the beam profiles? Which is more throwy, corona, etc? Thanks.

[MarioSS]

@agenthex

@Ubehebe

The HD-2010 is a great light, but I’m surprised no one has mentioned the venerable Keygos Ke-5, what I think is the perfect thrower with some flood, and perhaps one of the best all-around budget lights out there.

(Be aware that some batteries have issues with the ke-5, particulalry some TFFs. But then so doesn’t my HD2010 with 18650s. In fact, it seems that 18650s that won’t work in the HD2010 also won’t work in the ke-5. I use mostly unprotecteds and those work fine with both lights. The protected keepowers seem to work fine, as do no-name protected Samsungs on ebay. Protected Xtars and others also seem to work okay, it’s mostly the Chinese protected cells that have issues.)

Can anyone with the Keygos Ke-5 and the XinTD compare the beam profiles? Which is more throwy, corona, etc? Thanks.

would be interesting to see the result

[MarioSS]

Hey guys I need your help ASAP if you please

My forwarding company at china refused to ship my intel-outdoor Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh batteries. So I have 2 choices either send them back to intel-ourdoor and ask for a refund or send them back to intl-outdoor and ask hank to ship them to the UK.
My question is will the cells enter the UK is it allowed?