Best CR123A batteries? What do you use?

[jtivat]

I just discovered that half of my two year old Battery Station cell where dead! Sanyo's from the same age group are still good to go.

 

[syncytial]

I just discovered that half of my two year old Battery Station cell here dead! Sanyo's from the same age group are still good to go.

Have a look at this thread, this thread and this post. Then search for information on passivation and lithium batteries. An email to BS wouldn't be a bad idea.


- Syncytial.

 

[jtivat]

Have a look at this thread, this thread and this post. Then search for information on passivation and lithium batteries. An email to BS wouldn't be a bad idea.


- Syncytial.

Thanks that is good info I think they did have yellow on them but I tossed them six months ago.

 

[Mike89]

Titanium. A buck a piece. CR123a lights pull a lot of juice at high voltage to get the brightness (which is what everyone wants). There is a price to this though. CR123a batteries were really never designed for a flashlight to begin with. They are just not going to last that long no matter which brand you use. You want to pay big bucks for a battery that will last no longer (or not any longer that's going to make any noticeable difference), be my guest. I'll stick with paying a buck a piece or lower. Better yet, you want more longevity in a flashlight, don't get one with cr123a batteries.

 

[destro72]

Is there any difference in output/brightness between a rechargeable cr123, and a non-rechargeable one?

 

[mrlysle]

The RCR123's come off the charger at 4.2 volts. So, in some cases, in lights designed to take them, they're brighter than primaries, because of the higher voltage. They only have about half the capacity though, so your runtime will be shorter.

 

[aimxplode]

Rayovac's are great. They are made in USA at the same factory as the Surefires/Energizers/Panasonics and they are only $15 for 12 at batteryjunction.

 

[HighLumens]

Titanium. A buck a piece. CR123a lights pull a lot of juice at high voltage to get the brightness (which is what everyone wants). There is a price to this though. CR123a batteries were really never designed for a flashlight to begin with. They are just not going to last that long no matter which brand you use. You want to pay big bucks for a battery that will last no longer (or not any longer that's going to make any noticeable difference), be my guest. I'll stick with paying a buck a piece or lower. Better yet, you want more longevity in a flashlight, don't get one with cr123a batteries.

Do you mean flashlights powered by cr123's have shorter runtime than other ones, like AA powered flashlights?

I hope I'm not turning this thread into a "AA vs CR123" thread, but I'm quite disappointed since I see cr123 powered flashlights usually have better runtimes than any other battery option (at the same brightness level).

 

[dano]

Any of the USA made cells are fine. They are all made in the same place (there is only one lithium battery factory in the U.S.).

 

[aimxplode]

Someone recently made a thread about his Titanium brand cells exploding.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?317705-First-battery-blowout

I know this could be an isolated instance, but more often than not, it involves made in China cells.


Go with U.S. made

 

[aaronu]

Just because two batteries are made in the same factory doesn't mean they are identical. If two companies commission a factory to make a product, each may have different requirements to the factory on specs, tolerances, quality and pricing.

I can easily imagine a company like SureFire having very specific requirements for their battery manufacturer and just as easily imagine Rayovac being more concerned with pricing and logistics.

That said, does anyone have insight on whether SureFire, Energizer, Panasonic and/or Rayovac are identical under the label or if there are any specification or quality differences between them?

 

[ebow86]

I only use surefire CR123's simply due to the fact that my local lowes has them 2 for $5. They sell for cheaper online but once you factor in shipping the price evens out, and going to lowes means no wait for delivery.

 

[ryguy24000]

I use streamlight I get them at my local Electrical wholesale house $18.50 DOZ. They placed top 5 in all catagories in the 123 shootout.

 

[pelotonjon]

4Sevens are the cheapest I can find, and they have worked out well for me so far.

 

[john-paul]

4Sevens are the cheapest I can find, and they have worked out well for me so far.

I use a lot of 4Sevens cells, but they are too large for some of my Surefires.

 

[Lightfoot98]

Went to Lowe's today to pick up more Surefire CR123's, and they were marked at $2.99.
Needles to say, I bought all that were left. (11 2X packs).

Normaly they're $4.30 here.

All had exp of 5-2021

 

[ebow86]

Went to Lowe's today to pick up more Surefire CR123's, and they were marked at $2.99.
Needles to say, I bought all that were left. (11 2X packs).

Normaly they're $4.30 here.

All had exp of 5-2021

Wow, that's a great deal. I wish I would have checked my local Lowe's to see if we had the same sale. I sure do wish my lowes would start carrying the 12 packs, but my hometown is so small that I imagine the demand is very little.

 

[DutyLight]

So far I am using an 18650 in my Klarus XT10, however I saw a graph somewhere here on CPF that showed Evergreen brand compared to surefire, and the graphs were nearly identical, so I may get some from ebay.

 

[menoceros]

I buy my 123s at Amazon. Thye have Streamlight for about $18.50/doz. I buy 2 packs and get free shipping. Made in USA and I have had great servive from them.

 

[Mattssacre]

I can tell you from personal experience that the Panasonic's are awesome batteries. These are the batteries that are issued to the USMC as well as other branches of the military. For a price usually half that (or better) of Surefire batteries, they preform just as well.