CR123 Batteries

[Scorpionboy]

I find these batteries amazing, the voltage, size, everything. Lately it seems that flashlight technology and the awareness of mag-lites not being the high-end powerhouse people thought they were, is certainly spreading. Does anyone ever think that normal stores like wal-mart will start selling 12-packs of cr123's such as tactical stores do? Or that maybe one day when you go to the flashlight section in a normal store you can have some enthusiasm to maybe see fenix, or a surefire g2 on the rack?

Just a couple thoughts jumpin around in my head

Steven

 

[martytoo]

It would be nice if Walmart became a source of these as a bulk item, but right now they are a source of "cheap" 123s which they sell for a little less than $5 each:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2158123

For the time being there is no reason for them to go lower than this. It is a nice way to make easy money. Others sell these for up to $10 each!

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gatew...ults..x=5^Click+to+go+to+search+results..y=13

 

[Marduke]

Lowes sells 2-packs of Surefire CR123's for $5, as well as the G2L and 6PL on the shelves.

 

[Buck91]

Bass Pro Shops stocks G2's and I've seen both G2 and G2L lights at a few (very few) stores. Actaully I can't remember where I saw the G2L, but I know I've seen it somewhere; maybe lowes. Yes Lowes. Anyhow, Surefire CR123's are $6 for a two pack at bass pro shops. Not bad, considering you can get them for $21/12pk but then you have to add for shipping as well...
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...r=50095&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

 

[BlackDecker]

Doubtful that Wal-Mart will carry large packs of CR123's, when they probably sell AA's 50 to 1 for every CR123 sold. Retailers like Wal-Mart love high volume profit items that move off the shelf quickly.

 

[ampdude]

Doubtful that Wal-Mart will carry large packs of CR123's, when they probably sell AA's 50 to 1 for every CR123 sold. Retailers like Wal-Mart love high volume profit items that move off the shelf quickly.

I would be shocked if they sold 1 CR123A for every 50 AA batteries sold.

 

[ltiu]

The Academy Sports and Outdoors in 77077 sells 2 pack Streamlight CR123A Lithiums for $4.17. This is for a pack of 2. It's got the green rear (around the inner sides) similar to SureFire and Energizer telling me it's made in the same factory. Streamlight I reckon is also a very good brand in it's own right.

But they are out of it now since I took em all

 

[DM51]

It is worth checking the prices of authorised dealers here on CPF, such as Battery Junction, Battery Station and Fenix Store.

These dealers offer prices lower than those mentioned so far in this thread, especially if you buy cells in quantity, which is a good idea anyway with Lithium primary cells.

Battery Station now stocks new CR123A cell made in the USA, not to be confused with their old stock which had problems and was recalled.

Fenix Store offers free shipping worldwide too.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list of good dealers, and you will probably want to look around before buying. Take a look at SilverFox's 123 Battery Shoot Out too.

 

[ltiu]

Buying online and in bulk is definitely cheaper.

But if you only need 2 at a time and need it right away, there are some good deals to be had from some brick and mortar shops.

Lowe's at 77077 had 2pk e2 Energizer EL123A for $5.73 back in December 07. Apparently, that was a mistake and they quickly changed the price to $9.54, after I got a couple.

I wonder why Energizer sells their EL123As for a premium, is it just plain branding or are Energizer EL123A really much better?