As per title is there an advantage of one vs the other … they both tend to be around 700 / 800 mah and both are 3.7v so apart from possibly making a torch shorter / more compact for your pocket are there any other differences as I’m guessing run time would be pretty much the same with a similar level of power???
Take a look here.
http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonSmallcomparator.php
The performance really depends on the specific cell.
So many 1 x 14500 formatted flashlights will usually also work with AA alkaline, NIMH, LIFE, and lithium primaries if they have the proper driver. Most do. So to me, 14500 is advantageous in that regard.
That said, most all of my 16340, rcr123, and even cr123 (3volts) see very little action as compared to AA/14500 formatted lights.
If overall length of torch matters, I’d opt for the higher capacity 18350 format vs the aforementioned. You can still use the other “shortys” in the 18350 torch to boot.
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Dare to say that quite a lot of 18350 lights can also take 16340 cells, without the need for any plastic sleeve adapter
I agree, but most (if not all) 18350 lights are just shorter versions of 18650 ones and are still quite long. BLF A6/Astrolux S1 or Convoy S2+ with 18350 short tube is as long as DQG Tiny 18650 light…
Anybody know of any 18350 light with side click similar to Olight S1 other than Nitecore EC11? I wish there was S1 variant that accepts 18350…
EC11 is shortest 18350 I know of (75mm). Anything out there, maybe with twist switch, that is shorter?
^ I forgot to include my Olight S1 in the photo, but my shortest 18350 is the S41, which seems to be a few mm taller than the EC11
The latest MecArmy PT16 v3, which can also take 18350 cell is listed to be 67mm in length.
You might want to look into it.
There’s a review of the light done by kj75 at CPF showing the size comparison with EC11
I have the Blackwater SR71 in brass that has the same driver and function as the PT16 still in the mail from Banggood, and once I received them, I can compare them wih my other 18350 lights and the Olight S1
Photo showing the length comparison with Astrolux A01 and BLF Kronos X5, which uses 14500 battery, is taken from a Taiwanese forum.
As a rule most 14500’s will generally slightly out perform 16340’s. But the difference is so small.
My biggest issue with this size cell is the low mAh. So they are somewhat useless on anything high powered. As runtimes are tiny. Also due to how batteries work, smaller batteries will generally output less amps and suffer more voltage sag. This means if you push these hard, they will sag very very quickly. Reducing runtimes even further. Maybe 16 mins for some lights. Or even lower.
If you can find something that makes about 200-250 lumens on High, with other lower modes, then they are quite useful. Trouble is, everyone is always lumen chasing. So this rarely ever happens. There are a few 18350 lights, slightly fatter than a 16340 with more capacity. But run times still very short. All 18350 lights will run on a 16340. Even rarer is 16500 lights. But would probably be a nice alternative to most 14500 lights.
I admit the advantage of many 14500 lights to run on AA could be handy in an emergency, although performance is usually very lack luster. But if I’m honest, I really can’t see this being an issue. I have loads of torches and batteries, so chances of using them all and then needing to use an AA light with an alkaline battery are pretty small. That said I do own some of both, but I find the runtimes on all of them to be too low. Arguably the most useful is the 14500 SK68’s. Their output is usefully enough, the zoomy beam makes them versatile and as they don’t run high amps or silly lumen levels, they actually have moderately ok runtimes.
If you are talking small torches, these two are my smallest 16340 and AA (I think it will run a 14500, but I don’t).
For pocket or keychain carry, the shorter 16340 light makes it much nicer to carry IMO.
Well, I can carry a compact 14500 light (the Olight S1A) in my watch pocket. I can carry a 16340 flashlight either in the watch pocket or on my key ring. So, for EDC, either one will do. Some 14500 size lights can use both 1.5V AA and 3.7V 14500 cells. But, most of them either work with one or the other, not both. Most 16340 size lights are actually made for CR123A Lithium Primaries, which are 3V rated. Those lights usually have the same lumens output with either cell. That isn’t true with AA/14500 lights. For instance, the S1A can reach 600 lumens on a 14500, but only 220 lumens with AA Primaries. So, the “Primary Cells” advantage of 14500 lights is over-rated just a bit. The only advantage I see in that respect is that Alkaline AA cells are so cheap and abundant. That doesn’t count much for me when I have dozens of Li-Ion Rechargeable cells lying around.
I think you got a bit lost mate
Oups, sorry, indeed this was meant for another thread that was discussing a 14500 flashlight.