So, do we stock up on 18650's or sell off our 18650 flashlights as quick as we can, while they are still worth something? 
Ohhh - maybe the new BLF Q8 can be tweaked to support 4 20700's? 
Yes Tom let’s go for a thick walled tube 
But with the demand from cars , build by car manufacturer I think it will be a while before 20700 get available for us
Cool they spec 700 maybe the longer 18650 and 26659 cells will be labeled 18700 and 26700 soon!
The 18650 battery will be around for a long time.
Only Tesla is committing to a new size, so unless everyone else is going out of business we are safe.
I could be wrong, but I believe the “breakthrough” Musk was talking about is the new cooling system that will be utilized, more so than the individual battery itself. I think it’s the problem Honda is having right now with their new hybrids. The cooling system is poorly designed, the cells heat up and lose capacity, thus less than expected fuel mileage. Note in the BBC article Musk says, “in cool weather, a driver could travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles - a nearly 400 mile drive - without recharging”
Tesla and Panasonic are committing, that is... We just don't know how committed Panasonic is, and if others will follow.
Maybe they are hollow like the Apple cells recently discussed (with the hollow space for cooling.)
Can't wait to see how it develops. Some of the 18650's are already close to 20700 dimensions ;) I believe most torch walls could be bored out by a milimeter without a problem to fit the new cell if necessary and worth the effort in terms of gained capacity.
First link is about “graphene batteries” and is surprisingly un informative. I have searched and not found any info about what this battery actually is. They do have very impressive claims. I would not believe them, however. Battery “breakthroughs” generally do not happen. There is incremental development and improvement. If this particular graphene battery technology was really promising, lots of labs and institutions would be developing it.
Second link is old, and about the development of a type of Li ion battery, LiFePO4, that A123 pioneered.
The cells that will be made at the gigafactory will very likely be traditional Li ion chemistry.
I think it will be some time before the 20700s make their way outside of Tesla’s supply chain.
I found these in a provided link a week ago and it was new information to me.
From my meek understanding battery technology and developments are not made public, and in fact much of the new Tesla manufacturing information is being kept secret and proprietary.
I may have confused the claims in that video with some other graphene battery claims I read somewhere else. The “G-king” battery in that first video is apparently an 18650 format cell with ~1200mAh capacity and 3.2V nominal voltage. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a LiFePO4 type Li ion chemistry with a bit of graphene in the one of the electrodes.
If you can’t tell, I’m a bit skeptical when companies use graphene’s “amazing properties” to market a product. Graphene has some interesting fundamental properties, but in my opinion mostly of academic rather than practical interest.
This site says “In stock”.
http://www.illumn.com/20700-sanyo-nc…-flat-top.html
20700 Sanyo NCR20700B High Discharge Flat Top
SKU:Sanyo NCR20700B
Availability: In Stock
$9.99
PRODUCT DETAILS
SANYO NCR20700B 4250 mAh High Discharge Flat Top
Specifications:
Nominal Capacity: 4000 mAh
Typical Capacity: 4250mAh
Nominal Voltage: 3.7V
Standard Charging Current: 2A
Discharge End Voltage: 2.5V
Max Continuous Discharging Current: 12A
Weight (max): 63.0g
Dimensions:
70.3mm (L) x 20.35 mm (D)
The 18650 will remain so no worries there.
However, if we want to stick to the 18650, we won’t be able to take advantage of the new more powerful versions of flashlights that will use the 20700/21700.
In other words, we can look at our 18650 lights as ‘second-class’ and somewhat ‘older tech’ things.
No big deal, right?
So the question is: Can we flashlight enthusiasts live with that thought?
Possibly.
But for how long before we cave?
As for me, I’m definitely putting on-hold any purchases of lights (especially 26650 lights!) for now.
It is a Keeppower cell. Image is clickable for more info.
26650 is the perfect bridge light if 21700 is going to achieve global domination, adapters will be cheap and can be rather easily DIYed.
It’s hereeeeeee:-) Not for us just yet. Less than 6 months from my 1 year prediction for the first 21700 battery to roll off the Tesla line. Yesterdays news (1/4/17) https://www.yahoo.com/tech/tesla-gigafactory-just-achieved-extremely-crucial-milestone-201213791.html
From 5 months ago:
For me personally, bigger isn’t always better. I currently EDC an 18650 light, but there’s no way I’d ever EDC a 26650. In fact, I’m even re-thinking whether or not I want to keep EDCing the 18650. More and more, I find myself looking instead at carrying one of many AA/14500 lights because of the size/weight benefits and availability of cells in an emergency. Then again, I’m the type that is still using a 3 yr old smart phone because it still suits my needs.
I guess only time will tell. 20700 is only marginally bigger so it probably won’t be much more of a burden and I suspect that when new lights come out, eventually they could support both 18650 and 20700. Still, for me the benefit would have to be quite substantial. For what i do, my 18650 (and AA/14500 for that matter) lights can sustain me for many days between recharges, so I wouldn’t be highly motivated to switch. That being said, I do own a few 26650 lights. I’m just stupid that way. :zipper_mouth_face: