123 Size Lithium batteries

[Illiya]

Hello All,
I am new to this forum and lithium batteries. Can you tell me are all 123 size lithium batteries of different manufactures the same quality? Could you list for me the best and worst makes? Thanks for your replies in advance.

 

[MicroE]

Welcome Illiya!
Not all 123's are created equal. The performance of different manufacturer's batteries can vary significantly. The lithium chemistry is the same in all 123's so the voltage will be (roughly) the same. The physical dimensions are the same because they are set by international standards.

The main difference between brands is in the maximum current delivered (milliamps and the total power contained in the battery (milliamp Hours).

There are many battery experts here who can give you the facts and runtime charts better than I can.

If you are NOT an afficianado then any brand will suffice.
If you are a purist then you will probably only buy the SureFire brand 123's.

Personally, I buy whatever brand is the lowest cost.

---Marc

 

[dano]

There are only 4 or so manufacturers of 123-size cells.

I prefer Ray-o-Vacs (which may also make the Surefire cells) and Duracell.

I have had poor luck with Radio Shack batteries, and Energizer lithium batteries.

--dan

 

[Monsters_Inc]

Could you elaborate of the "poor luck" bit regarding RS and Energizers dano?

 

[Charles Bradshaw]

I am using GE-Sanyo CR123As from cheapbatteries.com, since thay are the cheapest I have found. I have a pair of Eveready 123s also.

What is said above is true: they are all different.

 

[dano]

Sure will...The Radio Shack betteries dented for no apparent reason...I took 'em out of a 6P, running the HOLA P61, and the batteries had small dimples or dents around the exterior...weird...

The Energizers, although rated at 1400MAH (which is high for a 123-type cell) but never seem to have the degree of brightness that other brands have...They're missing that extra "spurt" the other brands have...BUT all this could just be me...I dunno...

--dan