Hello,
I’ve never posted a topic here so I apologize if I put this in the wrong spot.
I have decided to buy myself a Thrunite Catapult V5 and them on Amazon. There is one that is for $99.95 and another for $159.95 and I don’t really understand the difference between the two. The only thing that I noticed was that the color changes on them. The cheaper one has the color stated as V5 UT CW and the more expensive one says “Neutral White.”
Can someone explain the difference between the two in terms that a novice in this area would understand? Why is one so much more expensive? Is it worth the additional $60 to get the Neutral White one?
I also noticed that the more expensive Neutral white one has a Max beam distance of 649 meters while the cheaper one has a Max beam distance of 837 meters. I would have thought that it would be the other way around.
Lastly, are those two prices on Amazon a reasonable deal or can I find them somewhere else for cheaper?
The Amazon link is below. You can select between the two different options on the same page.
Thank you very much in advance for any info/advice that any of you could provide.
I am guessing the cheaper one has a an xp-l HI. That means it has a special LED that makes it throw further.
The neutral white has a more pleasant color, but I wouldn’t say worth the extra $60.
Thank you for the great info! I think I’m going to just get the cheaper one.
I have another question about the batteries for you or anyone that reads this.
What’s the difference mean between let’s say a 2900mAh vs a 3500mAh battery?
Can I choose either one of those for my light? I’m assuming the 3500mAh is more powerful but can you use it in any light that requires the 18650 batteries. The difference in price is only like $2.00 so I would have no problem spending that much more on the 3500mAh if it’s going to get better performance out of the light.
Here are the two links that I am viewing the batteries on.
Both of these cells are good quality, high-output 18650s. In a single-cell, hard driven flashlight they will probably give better performance than cheaper varieties. They can both be run in any light that takes 18650s (unless of course there are issues with length).
However, because the Catapult runs at least 2 cells in series using a buck driver, there won’t be any difference in light output between one cell or the other in this flashlight. The 3500mAh will give you better runtime because of the increased overall capacity but there will be no difference in brightness.
I have a V3 Catapult. Very nice light but it seems many here are not fans of the “club” form factor. It certainly isn’t designed for EDC.
I think I will just go with the 3500 mAh batteries. Although I just realized that the links that I posted for those batteries are out of stock. I’ll have to try and find them somewhere else. Any suggested sellers or can you provide me with a link to the batteries that you would recommend?
Are the batteries that are “protected” highly recommended or does it not matter that much? Also, do I need button top or the flat ones?
Lastly, can someone get me a link for a decent, affordable charger for them?
I have one that came with the Lumitak flashlight that I saw on Facebook and got ripped off on but I can imagine that since the light is cheap and terrible quality that the charger is probably the same way.
EDIT:
What do you guys think about the package deal on that same Amazon page. It comes with a Thrunite charger and two Thrunite 3400 mAh batteries.
Does anyone know if the Thrunite brand batteries and charger are good quality? Or would I be better off buying a different brand of charger and batteries somewhere else?
Usually when you go with branded batteries…you just pay for the brand. The best thing to do would be to ask RMM, on the mtnelectronics thread, when they’ll be back in stock…he owns and runs the store.
You don’t think there is anything “wrong” with the Thrunite brand charger and batteries though, do you? You’re just saying that I could probably find a better deal on a different brand elsewhere?
I am very new to this world so I could be wrong but I think I read somewhere that the Thrunite 18650 Batteries are actually the same thing as a Panasonic 18650B.