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Olight UC Universal Magnetic USB Charger for Li-ion/IMR/INR/ICR 18650/16340/14500/26650 Ni-MH/Ni-Cd AA/AAA & etc Batteries?
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If you’re comfortable having him use a simple charger, I’d highly recommend a Reylight Pineapple. The brass ones are available right now. They’re gorgeous, great high CRI emitter (Nichia 219C), and not too expensive.
For a dead simple charger, this Olight UC charger is as easy as it gets.. It even automatically adjusts for polarity of the battery (can’t put it in backwards). And cheap.
Nothing I'd trust on a rifle - or designed for that purpose - has USB charging AFAIK.
There are very small chargers like this one that work for almost any cell though.
For something small enough to EDC without a holster and that will be dependable as a WML on a full-power rifle Malkoff and Surefire are probably your best bets.
Side switch would be a complete no-go for a WML for many too, if it's used without a remote it would be a complete PITA to operate.
A lot of the popular 2 and 4 bay chargers will charge the shorter 16340 and 18350 cells.
I use and recommend the Xtar VC4S (there is the cheaper VC2S), but if it's out of the budget and you don't own any chargers right now, the Olight USB UC Charger is really versatile, though slow.
I tuck the UC charger in my backpack or travel bag so I can top off cells when I'm away from my VC4S (which never travels with me). It will charge any cylindrical NiMH or Li-ion cell with two exposed contacts.
While we're on travel chargers, the Xtar PB2C and PB2S are excellent but cannot handle the shorter 16340 or 18350 cells.
You have to take the battery out. Get the olight charger. It’s tiny.
Olight UC Universal Magnetic USB Charger for Li-ion/IMR/INR/ICR 18650/16340/14500/26650 Ni-MH/Ni-Cd AA/AAA & etc Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NZ5S3F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_88FC54SRQE5XZQJ67RAS
Dude buy a charger. Even if it's just the Olight universal magnetic charger. That thing will charge any size Li-Ion or Nimh for $10.
Anytime. If you get a Malkoff E2XT or E2XTD head, you get the same level of output as some of the crazy Modlites, but you can still use CR123's reliably. I know a lot of people are going with the 18650 lights, but based on the numbers and my experiences it just made better mathematical and logistical sense to go with the 16650/CR123 lights.
I'm running an Arisaka 600 with a Malkoff E2XT head and I get about 250yds of good visibility through my scope with it.
Incidentally, avoid Olight no matter what except for this: Olight UC Universal Magnetic USB Charger https://amazon.com/dp/B071NZ5S3F/
^ that USB charger is awesome. It works on the SureFire rechargeable CR123 kits, 16650's, AA's, AAA's, etc. I bought several and just stick them everywhere.
That's the one. There are a lot of dangerous fake batteries on the internet, so we always buy from trusted retailers, like this one. If you're in CA you should get your package quickly from Illumn.
Incidentally, upgrading to the "RC" model with built-in recharging is cheaper than a separate charger. But if you'd prefer to have something separate, try the Olight Universal Charger. It's very simple to use and very versatile (it will charge almost anything).
I agree that the PB2(S) is a great solution, and probably the one that I would go with, but just to give you an alternative to a minimalistic charger, Olight makes a magnetic charger that is cheap and seems like a good travel companion.
Is the FW3A the only light you'll be bringing? I haven't had any problems to speak of with mine, but I've read quite a bit in the way of reliability issues with them. You sure you wouldn't be better served by something like an FC11 or SP31 Pro that has the charging circuit built in to it, and appears to be more robust?
Wizards can definitely accept button top+protected cells, including ones that have both features. I don't run protected in any of my lights that have LVP though, the only on-cell circuits I trust are from brands that charge a premium.
Unless you're concerned about not attracting bugs, the red light doesn't really have any benefit over the super-low modes of the ZL and AT.
I like the Zebralight UI best because you can customize the modes, and even have different mode "groups" set up for different scenarios. Most people are very happy with the Wizard's UI though (although the button on Zebras is much better IMO).
I'd take ZL or AT for light quality for sure. Wouldn't order direct from AT though, they're a PITA to deal with if something is wrong with the light or your order.
Onboard charging can be nice if you only have one light or several that all share the same system, but there are many great options for small portable chargers that aren't much larger than the Wizards charging cable. Like this one
These magnetic charger/powerbank things exist. Here's a non-payola amazon link for the pretty pictures:
https://www.amazon.com/Olight-Universal-Magnetic-Charger-Batteries/dp/B071NZ5S3F/
I haven't seen the model they show before. Also, I'm not sure of the battery type but they could be skinny li-ion ones. Regardless of battery chemistry you will have to boost convert to get to 5v. for charging
Although it would probably take 2 days…
I picked up one of the Olight USB chargers for on the go charging. Small, compact, works well!
Right? I got one of their little single battery chargers for Christmas and it packs away really nicely.
Perfect, thank you! Also, if you have time to check out the linked charger, do you think it would be safe to charge the batteries with?
It gets mentioned here and there. I use the UM2, like it.. can change the charge current if needed.
The Olight UC charger is very portable and compatible with NiMH.
Here you can see reviews of many chargers.
Hmm, maybe the Olight UC Universal Magnetic USB Charger could fix that? It can charge both 14500 and Nimh batteries.
Alternatively, I've seen the Olight universal charger as a good recommendation for 1440 cells (I'm looking at buying some mini pineapples too)
Chargers can be had that are very small/light/practical so they don't limit you to a single cable/port for a given light. They then also work with lots of other different battery types/shapes//sizes.
Examples:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071NZ5S3F
https://www.amazon.com/Lithium-Suitable-Charger-Batteries-Included/dp/B085QLCNMD
An EDC light with a built-in charging port adds weight, size, unnecessary complexity to the light - plus it is useless without also carrying around the exact cable needed to go with that light's port.
For a truly small, rugged, dependable, high performance EDC light, my choice would definitely involve a Zebralight. Either the SC64c LE for an all-arounder, or if you want a bit more reach/output, then the SC600w Mk IV Plus. Both are 18650 lights, but some are some of the very smallest/lightest lights out there. If you really want to go smaller, then the SC5w Mk II AA. (550 Lumens out of an AA light that small is pretty impressive - and yes, I know there are 14400 based lights out there that can do more, but they have VERY limited run times.) What really separates Zebralights from the other brands is the overall quality of the light and their great driver performance. They also do lows (moonlight modes) much, much better than most others.
No but there is this and Folomov makes a similar portable USB charger.
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