Have you had any experience with different 21700 batteries in strobes?

I'm about to buy some and I'm currently searching the internet for the best batteries suitable for it.

Initially, it was said that only Nitecore would be an option for the HF-1 Backscatter.

Furthermore, there seem to be models with slightly different sizes, and I don't know if the HF-1 can cope with these size differences.

Nitecore now offers several models of the 21700, which differ in capacity and ampere:

Nitecore.de

21700 Li-Ion Akkus

I would definitely prefer a model with 6000 mAh, but there are already three different models within that range:

Just 8A:

https://www.nitecore.de/nitecore-li-ion-akku-21700-6000mah-nl2160/nc-nl2160

20A:

https://www.nitecore.de/nitecore-li-ion-akku-21700-6000mah-nl2160hp/nc-nl2160hp

20A with a special feature of a positive and negative terminal on both sides:

https://www.nitecore.de/nitecore-li-ion-akku-21700-6000mah-nl2160hpi/nc-nl2160hpi

But does that mean the latter is a different size?

I'll probably contact Nitecore and ask.

Backscatter now has a recommendation for this battery type on its own website:

https://www.backscatter.com/Xtar-Dual-21700-5000mAh-Rechargeable-Li-Ion-Batteries

Low capacity, but very high ampere.

I'm confused...

Furthermore, my dealer recommended the following battery to me - of course, because he's selling it himself 😁:

https://www.uwcamerastore.com/xtar-21700hp-5000mah-25a-battery

Relatively cheap, low capacity and no information on the ampere.

Ergo: do you have any recommendations, advice, or tips?

Since I'll be buying at least six batteries, this is going to be quite expensive, and I'd rather invest a few more €s in good batteries than make a bad purchase.

Thanks in advance!

I got the NL2160HP for my MF-2's, they haven't run out on a dive yet, but they are also physically a bit longer than normal 21700's so they just don't fit in my liitokala charger, they fit in the nitecore Q2 without issue though (luckily the guy I bought my strobes from threw the charger in as a bonus!)

I'd recommend them, but double check the dimensions vs your charger before buying 6!

Thanks for your opinion!

I've already ordered the Nitecore UMS4 charger, which of course can handle the size of the Nitecore batteries.

If they are for the HF-1, Backscatter are quite specific on what models will work with that strobe as it has a very high current draw .

Cheap batteries are always a risk. see this link, quite interesting, it's for 18650 batteries but same risks with the bigger cells:

18650 batteries flaws

37 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

If they are for the HF-1, Backscatter are quite specific on what models will work with that strobe as it has a very high current draw .

Because the batteries will be used in the HF-1, I was writing an email to Backscatter for a recommendation. Hope to get their answer soon.

Someone here on the forum has mentioned that only the Nitecore work with the HF-1 but this was some time ago and I can't find it back.

This has certainly changed by now, otherwise Backscatter wouldn't sell any other batteries for the HF-1.

46 minutes ago, Chris Ross said:

see this link, quite interesting, it's for 18650 batteries but same risks with the bigger cells:

Indeed, very interesting.

My experience with both 5300 and 6000 Nitecore batteries in the HF-1 and Maxi is that you will not be able to exhaust the capacity of these cells shooting photos. Video Lights are another story, but can't realistically shoot enough photos in 3 or 4 dives to exhaust the battery.