Why no 4 x 21700 flashlights?

LED Flashlights – General Info 21700 Flashlights
1

I’ve been waiting for more than one year for a good 4x21700 searchlight. The only one I know is the Thrunite TN50 and it’s too floody

Most of these lights use XHP70.2, SBT90.2 and other big leds that would benefit from having bigger cells

Acebeam K65GT, X65GT, Manker MK35 II, etc, those light would be much better with 21700 cells

I don’t think that the size would be a problem, because if we look at the Thrunite TN50 (4x21700), the body diameter is 58mm, whereas a 4x18650 is around 50mm, those 10mm won’t make any diference in handling when the head is 80mm or more

The cost of good 21700 cells isn’t much expensive than 18650, and a 4x21700 setup can be equivalent to 6x18650

2

I assume that this would be a matter of time, not technical feasibility. Maybe the manufacturers are waiting for a more adequate general availability of 21700 cells or better market penetration.

Again, this is an assumption.

Also, I don’t know how large the market would be for heavy, tough, super-duty 4x21700 searchlights which cost xxx $ US.

Maybe first responders/LEOs, border patrol, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts etc

3

Those 10mm would make a difference. My Q8 runs on 4*18650 and has no battery carrier. My thumb can just touch my middle finger. I think the q8 is a magnificent light, but I have had some thoughts about buying a 3*18650 light, for reasons of better handling. A 4*21700 light would be way too big to handle proper. I own a GT, but I think it is a bit clumsy light.

4

I think they are selling more single 21700 lights than multiple ones. As 2A said, the market would be small for them as the only ones buying those would be enthusiasts or professionals needing something like that. Really the only thing an 18650 gives up is runtime and current handling (fewer cells needed) at the cost of size, weight, and expense.

5

:+1:

My 3x18650 SP36 Anduril gives me nagging thought that someday I may get rid of my Q8.

6

Add to the fact there aren’t too many lights that could benefit from the added size and weight. The multi emitter and high output lights like the GT or something like MS12 or 18 from Imalent or MS06. Anything needing over 120 watts output would benefit from 2 or more 21700. Although there are more and more lights coming around with that need (sbt90.2 throwers or multi emitter 70.2 lights) it’s still a small market portion. I also consider a single 26650 that has similar (or more) capacity and current handling as a 21700 in a shorter form factor. If 18650 cells get better with current and capacity, then doing a 21700 over a 18650 might be a harder sell?

7

Google Trustfire TR-S700, it’s a triple 26650 light that works in its format. Quad 21700 lights are going to light up the night.

8

there should be a blf q8 but with 21700…

9

Why no 18 x 21700? And make that 18 x SBT90.2 with k1 sized reflectors. 100k lumens at 7.5mcd. We can call it the MSF018S90. Aux handle of course. Unless you have lunchbox sized hands. And heck with the driver, one giant FET with the gate wired to the switch. Turbo is all I use anyway.

Sorry, I got carried away a little bit.

10

The difference (diameter) between 4×18650 and 3×21700 is negligible. So… same body, just bore it out differently.

Going to 4×21700 would be so much bigger that only people with huge hands would want to buy it.

11

This is the only 4x21700 flashlight I know about. I hope, someone will make a budget 4x21700, with Anduril, 20.000lm, 4000k and USB-C. I would gladly pay 110-130 USD for it.
Fenix LR50R
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003173225786.html

12
13

I don’t have small hands but 4x18650 (or 3x21700) are the maximum I’m willing to hold for longer than a couple of minutes. If I had a need for even more power I’d rather prefer two sets of 3x18650 (or 4x18650, if necessary) in a row in a longer tube. With a heavy head this would also mean a better center point of the mass.

14

Thrunite TN42V2, 4x21700, 2000 meters throw, sbt90.2 led.

15

16

I guess the question is if this were to be a sort of EDC light like a Q8, or a specialty light like for s&r.

Dunno many people who’d want to carry around a metal traffic-cone.

Compromise (hate that word) might be a huge light but with a handle, like a SD01.

17

A quad 21700 would be perfect. It adds just a little more length (though also girth) to the battery compartment that might keep your fingers from touching the ultra hot heat sinks. More light manufacturers need to find a way to give us just a little more length on those tubes so I can set my Anduril max setting to 75C. :)