What kind of flashlight is in your 3rd Gen ?

The Fenix PD35 ranks high in every review that I have ever seen.

https://faveable.com/articles/87/best-flashlights-to-combat-the-dark
http://www.brightguy.com/category/Best-Flashlights
http://thetacticalguru.com/best-tactical-flashlight/
http://gearpatrol.com/2015/07/31/10-excellent-everyday-carry-flashlights/
http://www.infinitepowersolutions.com/tactical-flashlights/

 

Good read. What I like most about the pd series and nitecore offerings in the same style is the lack of a large head/bezel. It the make it or break it for not looking like a dork with a ? in your pocket. I've checked and the beam pattern isn't compromised when you choose a high end light like the fenix.

 

I agree, the PD35 makes for a great carry, I have the Fenix FD40 as well, which is a great light with the zooming lense but I use it mostly around the house as it does have a larger diameter lense on it.

 

I keep one of these in all my vehicles, inexpensive, clean light and handy.
https://www.amazon.com/6311-Transpo...UTF8&qid=1475991203&sr=8-1&keywords=nebo+6311

 

I have a Nebo, it`s the Slyde model that has the work light on it as well, they make decent lights for the money.

 

I have this one, fits good between the passenger seat and center council and readily available if someone is looking for a bad day.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Tr...75035&wl11=online&wl12=51095002&wl13=&veh=sem

 

This thread is going to make me buy another flashlight isnt it?

 

Family portrait. It`s a sickness, but it`s good to have one arms reach away.

 

What's the self discharge rate of a 18650? Will it be there when I dig it out a few years from now? What I've found on Wikipedia is 1.5-2% per month self discharge at room temperature. Assuming the truck environment will likely be more adverse than room temperature, let's use 2%. So about 75% charge remaining after 2 years. That's actually pretty good. I wonder how well that works out in real life. Anyone have any real-world experience with standby/shelf life on these batteries?

Wikipedia states self discharge for alkaline batteries is less than .3%/month with an expected life of 5-10 years (I suspect end of life is not from self discharge, but some other mechanism). So after 2 years we are at 92% with alkaline batteries.


Also, while the single 18650 has high density, if you don't mind the bulk (you need a handle anyway and perhaps better to swing) you get more capacity with a set of C cells.

All values just what I found with a quick search and I'm playing loose with nominal values but I think they are acceptable for a qualitative analysis:
18650 3.6V and 3.0Ah capacity = 10.8Wh*
C-cell primary battery 1.5V and 8.0Ah capacity = 12Wh** EACH or 4x that with a set of 4

*Not having gone to this tech yet (I am from the 70's, so that's my excuse) I don't know if you really should use all the capacity of these batteries or if you should only discharge to some lower state of charge such as 40%. Here I assume you get it all.

**To be fair, effective capacity will be considerably worse under heavy load. However, if you have a stack of 4, current draw will be lower at the higher voltage so you will probably be closer to nominal.

As always, I'm open to corrections and input.

 

You can purchase alkaline CR123A cells, 2x in place of one 18650 if you are concerned about the discharge rate of lithium cells. 18650 cells are used in laptop batteries and have been in use for may years. Another reason I don't like c cells is because they are rarely interchangeable to different devices such as lanterns (often d cells). Having your devices use the least different types of batteries is best. I had a c cell lamp a few years ago and hated having to shop for the expensive c cells just for that one dang light.

 

Most people that use 18650 batteries use them regularly, they don`t let them sit for 2 years but if you are interested in learning about them, there is lots of info here.
http://www.batteryspace.com/batteryknowledge.aspx

 

http://www.lupinenorthamerica.com/piko-tl-minimax.asp

Lupine Piko. 1200 lumens. Simply the best.

 

Lithium batteries also have a much longer shelf life than alkalines. And they do not corrode when unused like alkalines do. If you are looking for a battery that won't get used much but needs to work years from now, lithiums are exactly what you want.

 

If a concern is battery discharge and you don't mind not having the batteries in the device while being stored a solution would be to purchase a digital timer (15$) and a power strip with a few lithium battery chargers (very inexpensive 10$) and have the timer come on once every two months for a day. The batteries have a 1000+ cycle lifespan so even years won't take much life out of them. They would be ready to go for an emergency in this case. Several flashlights from the manufacturers above have usb charging built in. Where these aren't that great at charging well, you could put these on a timer, or leave plugged in and the light would be charged and ready to go with the batteries in the device for instance in your truck you could leave them plugged in, or even add an usb port to your glove or center console to keep the light in storage there.

 

fleshlite...yummmie. so good to be young...hehehe

sorry could not resist.

anyways, Fenix fan here LD60 for truck and LD75c for work.

 

Sick-o's...
I carry a Surfire fury and a Surfire titan.

 

I didn't realize that CR123a lithium batteries could be used in place of 18650's, that's an interesting option.

Until I looked into it, I assumed the self-discharge rate of Li-ion batteries would preclude standby use but it appears they would be fine. Having a setup where the light charges while not in use would be a great; though I wonder if the built-in chargers (especially in my price range) are sophisticated enough to prevent over-charging under those conditions (charge power cycling several times per day and significant temperature swings). I think having Li-ion batteries charging all the time in my truck would make me nervous. Anyway, there's been some good info shared and I appreciate the input.

 

Surefire 6px Pro, and the cheapest Black Diamond head lamp I could find.

It'll get me by until the topper is installed.

 

I wish fenix didn't have such a ridiculous markup here in Canada. I want to get one but they're marked up way too much.

On another note does anyone have any recommendations for a good bright headlight?
Lately I've been finding it would be better for camping. Just not sure what to get.
Want something that can take a all the same batteries. So something that takes a 18650

 

somebody has a flashlight fetish.