The big plus (for me that is, ignorng Brinyte stating it should not be done) is the fact that I can charge them with 1000mA (a normal charger) AND 750mA (the build in charger) to have a total of 1750mA thus much faster charging.
Another really big plus is the fct that I do not need a charger in the car. I have a little car adapter for charging of phones and tablets and an inverter to charge notebooks and that too has a USB out.
These can be used with the USB cable already in the car, so as a matter of fact the Brinyte cells hav given me more spac in the glove compartment :+1:
Well people like higher numbers
So a flashlight labelled 18650/18700 capable and a cell labelled 18700 could seem better then that 18650 cell
I fear it would be more confusing for the general public but I think that the first who offers 18700 flashlights and cells could also sell more just because it had higher numbers on it.
But who would take the gamble?
I understand your comment and reasoning, but it assumes the buyer or consumer is not smart enough to comprehend the dynamics of the batteries being used.
If the amount of profit made by selling ‘protected batteries’ to an unsophisticated public is a guide, then who knows what other great ‘new’ batteries will be released.
The ‘lowest common denominator’ is not a principal I would like to see in innovative flashlight or battery design.
The numbering is intentionally ‘nominal’ to allow for slight variations from different manufacturers, but IMHO a 5mm or more difference isn’t nominal and should be noted through use of a different number. Had they started with different more true descriptions (which they should have done) it would work, but now it would just confuse the average person even more. At least we’re smart enough to check for the length before buying
This could be useful for a trip when you don’t want to carry additional chargers, just the light and one battery. However it uses a panasonic NCR-B which is not good for high powered flashlights.
I like the concept of having the micro USB built into the battery. It adds portable micro USB rechargeability to flashlights that don’t have a built in micro USB port.
My main concern is length - 70.7 mm is a bit long for some flashlights. It’ll either really crunch down on the springs, or won’t fit at all.
I don’t really “need” micro USB rechargeability for my use cases, but I might pick up 1 or 2 of these just to try out.