Thread: Looking to invest in a quality handheld torch that runs on 18650s.

Originally Posted by timattalon

My understanding of LED tech is that the more batteries, the longer the run time with no change in brightness / performance. I have a couple of cheaper ones that came in a 1 and a 2 battery format and both are exactly as bright as the other, but one lasts much longer between charges. (No prizes for guessing which one....) It's something to do withthe way the LED circuit controls voltage / amperage flowing through the LED.

Mudgripz and Gadgetman would have to be the two torch Guru's here to answer your question...

I brought a convoy c8 thinking it would be the same as the maxtoch because it used the exact same led but have a shorter runtime. Not true. The c8 has a different driver board in it and the single battery can't provide enough juice to drive the led as hard as in the maxtoch. On the same theory I brought a one cell body for the maxtoch. Not idea why they sell that useless piece of aluminum because one 18650 isn't enough to make the torch work.

C8 is still a good general purpose torch if you want something thats lighter and cheaper than a maxtoch.