Best 123A battery option

[lingpau]

I just got a Surefire 6P LED light and this is my first light with the 123A battery. What is the best way to go? I have no experience with these batteries. I just know they must be made out of gold by the price they want for them in retail stores! Do they make rechargable 123A batteries or is it cheaper to just buy generic batteries thru ebay or CPF venders? Are Surefire batteries($1.75 each) better than the $1.00 batteries I see advertised by several CPF venders? Any advice will help alot! Thanks! Ken

 

[Niconical]

Batterystation brand special, box of 50 for $60 shipped USA

The rechargeable option is a whole other discussion, start by reading this thread.

EDIT: I should add that the 2 options above are things you should do.
Something you shouldn't do is to.... "buy generic batteries thru ebay". :shakehead

 

[lingpau]

Hi Niconical ! Thank you for your reply. I had no idea that rechargables for 123A batteries was so complicated. As of right now I think I will use non-rechargables till I can digest all the info on rechargables! I use rechargables on my AA and AAA lights but it doesn't seem so involved! I am looking at the Titanium 2 pack of 123A batteries that are sealed together as a start for my Surefire 6P LED. Have you used these? There are some great deals on 50 packs of 123A batteries but thats way too many for me- Ken

 

[eshishlo]

You will be surprised how fast you will go through the batteries. Well, if you only have one Surefire then maybe they will last. I used up a whole box in a year. I bought a box of 50 online for $50. They were energizer, but you can get panasonic, energizer, rayovac or several other brands, I believe that they all come from panasonic. Just make sure that they are American or Japanese made!

 

[danpass]

Hi Niconical ! Thank you for your reply. I had no idea that rechargables for 123A batteries was so complicated. As of right now I think I will use non-rechargables till I can digest all the info on rechargables! I use rechargables on my AA and AAA lights but it doesn't seem so involved! I am looking at the Titanium 2 pack of 123A batteries that are sealed together as a start for my Surefire 6P LED. Have you used these? There are some great deals on 50 packs of 123A batteries but thats way too many for me- Ken

that is still the great mystery to me. AA/AAA equivalents why not 123A equivalents

:duh2:


.

 

[Black Rose]

that is still the great mystery to me. AA/AAA equivalents why not 123A equivalents

I believe it has to do with the voltage produced by the chemistries (i.e. NiMh is not able to produce 3.0V)

 

[etc]

I like Panasonic, I think it's the same thing as Surefire.

I only keep them for TSHTF times or backup to AW 18500 cells.

 

[Black Rose]

I like Panasonic, I think it's the same thing as Surefire.

Yep. Panasonic manufacturers them for Surefire.

 

[mdocod]

that is still the great mystery to me. AA/AAA equivalents why not 123A equivalents

:duh2:


.

Every battery chemistry is going to have different voltage and other behaviors and limitations.

It's actually more coincidental that NIMH HAPPENS to work as a replacement for 1.5V alkaline cells, as their operating voltage HAPPENS to be about the same. They didn't produce NIMH with the intent of replacing alkaline cells, but instead, stumbled on it through the rigors of testing and trial and error and "discovered" it while trying to build a better rechargeable cell.

With that said, I guarantee, nobody is out there putting any time or effort towards developing a new rechargeable cell chemistry with the intention of replacing CR123 primaries. I can guarantee, that there are thousands of researchers looking for ways to make more energy and more power dense cells, regardless of what the voltage winds up being after the fact.

Develop a better cell, and you can sell it at a premium price in devices designed around that new cell type.