Anyone prefer AA over 123

[HeadCSO]

AA now for me. I started with CR123A when I got my first Surefire several years ago.

Living in the UK, I put up with the high cost of the 123's because of the wow factor of the Surefire. Although I can now get 123's much cheaper, AA lights now have a good enough performance for me. I've got several 1 and 2 AA lights, all running on Eneloops. The ability to use alkaline in an emergency was also useful.

 

[Marduke]

I now use AA alkalines only. Can get them everywhere and they are cheap. My favorite combination is a SF 9P with a Lumens Factory led drop-in designed for a single cell 123. Good output and long runtime.

Went through all the phases cr123 and rechargables in various sizes. The AA alkalines really makes life simple!

FYI, NiMH cells are over 100 times cheaper than alkalines.

Edit:
10000 posts :wave:

 

[MY]

1. I do not have AAA lights because of the low power density of the cells, and the batteries are expensive.
2. I find that most AA lights are significantly bigger that 123 lights. Take for example the quarks. The AA quark is much longer than the 123 version but only the middle tube is somewhat smaller, with maybe 50% more volume. 14500 cells are much more difficult to find than rc123.
3. There are many more quality 123 lights than AA lights. Most higher end manufacturers tend to focus their designs on 123 (although this is changing as is the tint preference from cool to warm).
4. I would rather use CR2s than AAAs. I prefer 123s to AAs. I am now discovering 18650s and see the logic in their use.
5. I only use rechargeables so the aspect of cost is not a factor.

 

[Brasso]

I too prefer the AA lights for their dimensions. The 14500's put out pretty much the same power as 123's and in a pinch standard AA or e2 can be used and found anywhere.

 

[corvettesR1]

I dont see it as an either/or situation. I enjoy having both AA and cr123s.Each version sems to have its own benefits.

 

[PCC]

I currently own 5 (five) CR123a cells. Two of them are Duracell brand that I bought some time ago and three came with my G3. With any luck these will be the only CR123a cells I will ever buy in my life. I have one flashlight that takes a single AA cell that I am modifying to take a single CR123a and it will be put away for emergencies along with the spare cells. The majority of my lights are AA lights because I have tons of AA batteries, which include AA NiMH and alkaline batteries.

All of the AAA lights that I have were given to me. Two of them are actually three N-cell lights that I'm running two AAAs in. I'll buy more NiMH AAA batteries as the need arises.

 

[Max_Power]

I recently bought a FiveMega three-AA body with a SureFire 6P head. It can run any standard module that works with a single Li or Li-Ion battery. Right now I have 3 eneloops in it, which seems to be the best trade-off for brightness (decent current source at 3+ volts), runtime, long shelf life, and rechargeability. At the moment it is driving a Malkoff M30W (Warm-neutral) at about the same brightness I see with an 18650 cell. Of course the ability to run on alkalines is useful in a doomsday scenario too.

I've also experimented with 2xAA eneloop cells in a Malkoff MD3, which also works pretty well at a reduced light output. Surefire 9P can do the same trick.

What do I pick up on the way to work?

I find that I prefer the hand-feel and shorter length of a Surefire 6P, 9p, or Malkoff equivalents. The switches on these lights are superior quality. The 18650, 18500, 17670, and (R)CR123 batteries they support will provide higher current for longer. I have plenty of batteries and lights, there would have to be a month long power outage before I would have to rely on my AA stash. Then I'd be down to 8 lights that use AA, and I can charge AA batteries in my solar powered garden lights. (Hmm, maybe I need to set up a way to charge the Li-Ion cells with solar power too!)

I bought a Romisen NC3-warm light for my mom, it can be used with 2xAA or 1xCR123. She prefers the CR123 configuration. It is more compact, lightweight, and just as bright. I have a bunch of CR123 cells which have a shelf life of 10 years, so she's set for a while.

Beyond pocket lights, the uber-bright 400-700 lumen multi-die LEDs require Li chemistry... I don't want to have gobs of AAs in series due to safety and reliability considerations.

So, I prefer Li battery chemistry, but it's nice to have the option to use batteries from the grocery store.

 

[yowzer]

I prefer AA and AAA because of the convenience to me. Aside from my phone, laptop and some radios that have custom battery packs, all my electronics work on those cells. Only having to worry about keeping two types of batteries around and charged up makes life simpler. Runtimes are fine, and most current (hah!) AA or AAx2 lights are bright enough for my needs.

Which isn't to say I won't buy a CR123 light... it'll just need to have something unique or very special about it. The 4sevens RGB and Surefire Titan are really calling my name...

 

[erlon]

I prefer AA over 123 for many reasons

Alkaline in a pinch
1.6V Energizer E2 lithium AA
14500 "AA" sized lithium-ion generally has 20% longer run time

:thumbsup:

 

[Beacon of Light]

the only benefit that i see is that AA is very common, easy to find and slightly slimmer light, whereas the 123 generally has more lumens and longer runtime, or am i missing something?

rcr123 cells are EXPENSIVE. /thread

 

[waddup]

i like 1 x AA lights A LOT.

need a battery?

turn around and there's one sitting on a shelf

LIGHT :party:

 

[MY]

rcr123 cells are EXPENSIVE. /thread

My experience is that while "AW" brands are a little more expensive, off brands which I have had some luck with (although they are inconsistent) are not that much more expensive than quality disposable alkalines and on par with NiMH cells. Keep in mind too that the price is amortized over 100 or more charges.

Regards

 

[wrencher]

I'd like a multi function 1 x AA made by Ra lights.

 

[adirondackdestroyer]

I used to have lights that used pretty much every battery imaginable, but I recently sold all of my CR2/CR123 lights. I ended up sticking with AA cells because of how versatile the lights are that use them. They can use either alkalines, L91, NIMH, and 14500.

 

[regulator]

Typically if I am using a small light and want/need a LOT of lumens, I prefer using rechargable cells because of the power demand and economy of rechargables.

In this area - I think the 14500 cell does great and provides another level of versitality to the AA light (that can run on 14500 cells). The 14500 cell seems to have just a tad bit more capacity than a RCR123 cell as well. This is just another advantage to an AA light.

But in general, my small pocket lights serve as EDC and do not require more than 25 lumens for most tasks - and generally less than that. Having high output is nice but rarely used. Typically if I need or want a light with a lot of lumens - I know in advance and will bring a larger light.

 

[John_Galt]

I have two lights, both use AA's. I currently run Duraloops (rockin the 15 minute dumb charger). Locally, CR123 batteries are about the same for a two pack, as a set of four lithium AA's (~$10.99), so I'm trying to limit myself to AA's. But there are a few CR123 only lights that are tempting me.

 

[mchlwise]

I dont see it as an either/or situation. I enjoy having both AA and cr123s.Each version sems to have its own benefits.

+1

I really like 123 lights and with my rechargeable 123s, that's what I mostly use, but wouldn't EVER be without a AA light handy.

 

[clg0159]

I definately prefer AA. The ability to choose Nimh, lithium primary or the globally available alkaline seals it for me. The price is just a nail in the coffin.

 

[dracodoc]

I only use AA lights. I even don't want AAA lights since smallest AA lights today are not much bigger than AAA lights.
If you want more power, you can either use 14500 or choose a 2AA light.

 

[shark_za]

I have two main uses for a good torch.

1. General tasks - power failures, looking under desks, EDC.

2. Security - I may need to fight for my life at night.

I use AA's and AAA's for the first task, also 18650 gets used for basic day to day stuff too. Camping, tasks like that.
Guilt free lumens rock and the Maha keeps the LSD's all tip top charged.
Got chargers for 18650 and 16340 too. All in this class.
I was not into AAA's till I got the Microstream and now the iTP A3. Love em now. Only have 2x Uniross LSD AAA's and a bunch of L92's for them. I also have serious amounts of alkalines that I will never use before expiry date.

For the second I use Surefire 6P types with CR123's.
I practice at the range using 16340's but drop in new or unused CR123's to store them in my sidestand or wherever these lights are kept for serious purposes.

Some are a blur between the two, like going out at night. The security factor becomes higher but the torch is usually a 1xAA with an battery I know is fully charged or an e2. A spare torch is usually around somewhere too.


I'm considering buying a few SAFT 14500 primaries, this would make some AA lights more security focussed. Use the iTP for general tasks at night and have the main light sitting there ready to pump out 3.7v. On looking into this the discharge rate makes it impractical

When travelling it seems the choice is my 2AA iTP C8 and a 1AA multimode like the LD10 for general tasks. Can be used for both.