sprk1Yes but in MAH a single 18650 will win by a long shot. Longer runtimes at higher lumen levels. two 16340s have higher voltage but at a cost of much lower runtime.
MainStreamingYes you are correct. I plan to use this with 18650s as well. I just wanted to clear up that the two 16340s are needed to get the 1080 lumens as opposed to the 18650 which will give you 900 (if I'm not mistaken)
DeadWinterDaysFor flashlights Sony, AW, Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung... stay away from generics, and Chinese copies
For performance and quality Sony VTC5 are the cream of the crop if you're looking for high discharge batts IMO. Samsung 25R is also very good. AW has great offerings if you're looking for protected cells. VTC5's a bit hard to get.
EDIT: Practice safe battery usage. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ has some great posts on the topic as well as reviews.
astromooseNope. After the Fukushima disaster they had to close shop. Sony then opened a new factory in the Philippines to continue production. The FUD was probably perpetuated by vendors trying to make a premium on their VT C5 for high drain vaping.
astromoosehttps://www.fasttech.com/products/1420/10001980/1141104
genuine 3400MAH 18650 panasonic batteries. They are slightly larger than the 18650 spec since they are protected, but they will fit in this flashlight. The only main brands i've heard that don't work with it is convoy.
MainStreamingI guess everything that relates to reliability/reputation. I don't hear too much about Panasonic lipo batteries but judging by the amount of reviews I'm seeing off that site you linked says these are good. Screw it, i've already ordered the sonys but I'll give these a shot.
astromooseWatch out for the estimated shipping time, its based in hong kong. I recommend this site for faster shipping times http://www.gearbest.com/batteries/pp_189832.html Although doesnt come with a carrying case like the fasttech one does.
astromoosePanasonics are really good batteries. They're a great choice - unless you need high drain/amp limts of course. VTC5s are obviously the better battery, but you can't go wrong with those Panasonics @MainStreaming recommends unless you also plan to use them for high drain applications.
Also, get a case for them anyways. They're cheap and ever so useful.
MainStreamingVTC5's higher amp limit, lower internal resistance, safer chemistry, and overall build quality make them better than the NCR. The only benefit the NCRs have over higher quality cells is the mah, but it does so by sacrificing other very important variables.
Here for example I'd be wary of recommending batteries with such low amp limit if the flashlight will be used in turbo mode and used any kind of pulse current circuitry, you'd easily be at or near the amp limit on thr NCR - which is very bad for safety, longevity, and/or output.
Hell Samsung 25R or LG HE2 are also better batteries. I'm no batt snob. It's not like they HAVE to be VTC5s...
MainStreamingHi, one of the reviews of that charger says it's only for unprotected batteries but I don't see that in the specs (or possibly just don't understand how to read the specs) - does it work for you with those protected Panasonic batteries you recommended?
sprk1The NCRs are safe as well, in what application besides vaping are you going to be pulling in excess of 10 amps? Most overdriven DIY flashlights max out at 3 amps, even thats pushing it.
MainStreamingI reread my comments and I noticed I should have been more specific. Those NCR's have a 12 amp max limit and a 6 amp continuous discharge limit. That's why I mention that if a flashlight in a very high output mode using pulse modulation could reach around the amp limit.
Don't get me wrong this are really good batteries for the price and capacity, but someone has to play devils advocate as well ;)
MainStreamingCool, good to know - I'll probably snag a different charger that accepts protected batteries then. Read enough horror stories about unprotected batteries to be very cautious. Even if most of what I've read is from idiots (and I assume a good amount of it is), I have kids in the house so "better safe than sorry" is my default setting. Thanks!