Spec me an LED Torch

[Aod]

its a Q5 as well.

Not heard of a R5 before,

Aaaarghlblargh!

Q5, R5 and so on all refer to the luminosity bin-code that Cree use for their LEDs and does not denote the type of LED in any way!

Most lights labelled as "Q5" usually use the XR-E LED, which was Cree's breakout-product, and is now very antiquated.

Most lights labelled as "R5" use the XP-G LED, which has a larger die than the XR-E and XP-E and is therefor capable of handling more current at higher efficiency, so it goes higher up in Crees binning chart. There are also XM-L, XP-G2, XM-L2 and a whole host of other LEDs which are inappropriatly described by their binning code.

These Wiki articles provide a nice summary of all of Crees current interesting emitters;
http://flashlightwiki.com/Cree
http://flashlightwiki.com/Brightness_Bins

 

[Robertnpmk]

Not heard of a R5 before, looks like you could fight off a bear with that thing

How hardcore is this trekking, no car or laptop ? My charger is powered by usb and it can be just packed away and used as a powersource in of itself for doing iphones, etc.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Powe...qid=1390161707&sr=8-58&keywords=18650+charger

No laptop, No Car. I am doing the Annapurna circuit in nepal!

 

[jellybeard999]

I'm after some AAA and AA Eneloops (or equivalent); where is a good trustworthy source and are there any other batteries worth considering?

You can get 4 of each from the rainforest for £6odd it seems.

 

[mrk]

I bought the new versions from http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004D82R4C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[silversurfer]

That is useful info, I was confused on the codes thanks Aod

No laptop, No Car. I am doing the Annapurna circuit in nepal!

wow, I guess simple is best then. There's an AAA adapter that swaps in for a 18650 but Ive heard some say it doesnt always fit - its a bit thicker. Try that maybe

 

[Aod]

The CPF crowd insist that the Duracell "Staycharged" batteries with the white tops are made by Panasanyo in Japan and are identical to Eneloops, but given that there are about eight thousand different models of battery sold by Duracell here, I'm inclined to go directly for Eneloops for the peace of mind.

I get mine on Amazon, make sure you get the HR-3UTGB (AA) and HR-4UTGB (AAA) so that you're getting the newest* cells with the 1800 cycle life and the longest charge retention time

*In Japan there is a newer generation, but they aren't available anywhere else yet.

I bought the new versions from http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004D82R4C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those are a generation out of date Mrk

That is useful info, I was confused on the codes thanks Aod

Very welcome buddy! I hear people referring to the LEDs by their binning codes all the time and it drives me dally as the one code "R2" could refer to about eight different types of LED ^_^

 

[Tomsk]

I bought the new versions from http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004D82R4C/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

When buying, check which version you're getting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eneloop

 

[Robertnpmk]

Awesome response from solarforce after I had canceled my order and got a refund:

Dear friend,

No thanks, its my job to do the best for you

Welcomce purchase again!

regards

JO

 

[Aod]

Awesome response from solarforce after I had canceled my order and got a refund:

Dear friend,

No thanks, its my job to do the best for you

Welcomce purchase again!

regards

JO

Jo is really great, she sorted my order out for me at 5am local-time the day after Chinese new year!

 

[ethan]

How long does it take to charge one of these 18650's?
I just received one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UltraFire...1901&clkid=4279942126517833628&_qi=RTM1572015

and noticed the recharging pin/slot is slightly off centre and so when I charge, the re-charging cable is bent to one side.

 

[Aod]

From flat the cells that come with it should take about four hours or so.

 

[silversurfer]

1, 2 hours would be normal I guess, I dont run mine down too much now. With unprotected batteries, this point below is important. I managed to burn out about 6 of those I had. Seems a good price for all in one

1. Please never over-charge or over-discharge the 18650 batteries, which means when the brightness of the flashlight is going down clearly but not totally dark, it is the time to charge it, or the battery will be over-discharged and it will be broken or shortcircuit when you charge it next time.

 

[ethan]

The led on the plug is now showing green and they have been on charge two hours now so I really don't want to over-do them.

 

[silversurfer]

Shouldnt it stop itself when its goes green, bit of a liability otherwise

 

[ethan]

I don't have a clue. First time use. The battery is charged from within the torch.

 

[panyan]

Shouldnt it stop itself when its goes green, bit of a liability otherwise

It *should* but ive heard some of the cheaper chargers just dont know when to stop charging

Always safest to just use a digital multimeter to check the voltages of the batteries

Taken from CFP:

LiIon Battery Charge Status

4.2V – 100%
4.1V – 87%
4.0V – 75%
3.9V – 55%
3.8V – 30%
3.5V – 0%

 

[ethan]

until I can pick a multi meter up I will stick to a couple of hours charging or use an English charger and three triple A's

 

[Phil2008]

Are theses led torches anygood on ebay, as they are over 1000 lumens, as Im thinking to buy my first led torch?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Lume...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item2c74d17e75

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3000-LM-H...ing_LightsLanternsTorches&hash=item51b6b41b39

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UltraFire...1901&clkid=4279942126517833628&_qi=RTM1572015

If these are rubbish, which one should I choose as I would like it to be eye blinding bright and a 3+ hr batt life. Like atm I have just a bog standard 2 D cell batt xeon bulb torch that I use about 3-5 mins a day, and its useless as Im constantly recharging it up.

 

[Robertnpmk]

Just from my small bit of research I wouldn't touch Ulitrafire 18650s with a barge pole. Or any of them from china for that matter. Have a habit of blowing up apparently.

 

[jesus2nd]

Got one of these amazon/ebay cheap LED torches and I'm aware that I'd be getting the best out of it if I were to use decent rechargable batteries, Can any one link me (or send us a trust message) with a link to a decent charger and battery pack.

Found one for a tenner and that comes with a torch...I don't need another torch

Cheers,
Sam