CR123 best value? Titanium? Tenergy?

[LightObsession]

I need 10 to 20 CR123 batteries for some one cell and two cell LED Flashlights and want to pay the least to get the most. The LEDs powered vary from 1w Luxeon to Q5. Some lights two to three years old and some less than a year old.

Here's two deals that I've looked at and the Titanium from CFR seems to be the better value, but they don't compare well in the CR123 battery shootout, which appears to be pretty old and nut updated recently and may not compare the current formulations of the batteries that were compared.

https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=53&products_id=551

http://www.cfrlights.com/servlet/the-Batteries/searchpath/31405/start/9/total/11/Categories

Both of the above have free shipping.

Are there better deals out there?

What are your preferred brands and dealers?

Thanks.

 

[alfreddajero]

You also might want to check the link out as well......i have ordered batts from there as well and the prices are great.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/crba.html

 

[StarHalo]

Don't skimp when it comes to your safety and 123 cells; Duracell, Energizer, and Panasonic/Surefire are the brands to stick with.

Check your local Best Buy first - they sometimes have Duracell 123s in stock that they don't want in stock, so they sell them for $2.99 for a 2-pack. After that, the reputable flashlight sites are all game, but avoid the off-brand cells.

 

[HoopleHead]

Battery Station brand

 

[alfreddajero]

Have you thought about going with rcr's for your most used lights......

 

[Black Rose]

Don't skimp when it comes to your safety and 123 cells; Duracell, Energizer, and Panasonic/Surefire are the brands to stick with.

Don't forget the Streamlight and Rayovac CR123s....they are also part of the Panasonic produced family

 

[alfreddajero]

The light that i edc has an rcr and i also keep a primary cell in the glove compartment, this just makes it easier and it saves your primaries for blackouts and such.

 

[LightObsession]

No CR123 batteries at all of any brand at my local Best Buy and Circuit City stores - at least that's what they told me via phone calls today. They said that they had a run on them over the weekend.

This sounds strange to me.

 

[madi05]

Have you thought about going with rcr's for your most used lights......

Hi, what is the difference in rcr and crs ?meaning runtime and lasting ,, i assume rcr is rechargable crs correct? as u see im a newb, lol and which are the best rcr to buy ,, also which is better between rcr and 18650 and why

thanks in advance

 

[mdocod]

I need 10 to 20 CR123 batteries for some one cell and two cell LED Flashlights and want to pay the least to get the most. The LEDs powered vary from 1w Luxeon to Q5. Some lights two to three years old and some less than a year old.

Every Since BatteryStation changed to a USA supplier for their cells, they are easily one of the best bargains in CR123s. The safety of a USA made cell is not really something you can put a price on... Keep in mind, that if a chinese cell burns your house down, there is nobody to turn to. If a US made cell burns your house down, then you may have legal recourse.

This of course, assumes you are in the USA.

Eric

 

[mdocod]

Hi, what is the difference in rcr and crs ?meaning runtime and lasting ,, i assume rcr is rechargable crs correct? as u see im a newb, lol and which are the best rcr to buy ,, also which is better between rcr and 18650 and why

thanks in advance

different chemistry, different voltage. Not all CR123 lights can use RCR123s, and not all 2xCR123 lights can fit or use 18650s. The 18650 has double the capacity of the 2xRCR123s is "displaces" space wise. It's the superior li-ion choice.

Consider the guides in my sig line below to learn more, also do some searches around CPF if you need more info, it's all here.

Eric

 

[Daravon]

BatteryStation.

I just bought 50 for $60 with shipping and they came like 4 days later.

 

[Guy's Dropper]

I'd go for the Titaniums. There is not a huge difference in performance, and they cost so much less than other cr123a batteries. The Titanium brand batteries also have a decent safety reputation, from what I've read.

 

[mcrn]

BatteryStation.

I just bought 50 for $60 with shipping and they came like 4 days later.

Same here. Was here in 3 days for me and I was very happy with the service. Nice little surprise in the box too! Found this site searching for batteries. Turned out to be 2 great finds!

 

[Sector7]

When dealing with CR123 only get the main USA/Japan brands mentioned. No reason to take a chance on dangerous cause you wanna be cheap. If you have read past threads here on CPF, you see cases of several recalls from dubios brands and a case were one CPF member had one explode causing slight injury to his foot.

 

[bltkmt]

Battery Station brand

+1 Great cells at a great price, and great service. Is that enough greats?

 

[mdocod]

The factor that often does not get considered when picking out a good bargain cell is how much capacity you are actually going to get out of the cell.

first go here:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67078

Since you are using these in mostly 1-2 cell LED lights, you will be in the 0.5-1A drain rate on most of these. You can quickly compare a number of cells in those top few charts....

The BatteryStation(2007) cell delivers 3.77Wh into a 0.5A load.

The Tenergy cell delivers 3.12Wh into the same load.

so with 20% more capacity, if it costed 20% more to buy, it would still be just as much of a bargain on paper. But the fact that they are made in USA and safer than chinese made cells makes them worth even more.... so where is the true "value" in all of this?

BS cells are $1.25 give or take depending on quantity and discount codes used.

Tenergy cells are around $1 each give or take depending on where you get them.

The price per Watt/hr is very similar for your application, and safety doesn't have a price tag IMO.

Eric

 

[LightObsession]

I ordered some Battery Station brand from Lighthound, along with some glow rings and other accessories.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Grox]

BS also have a cpf discount on their excellent cells.

At the moment you can get 50 SHIPPED CONUS for $60 USD. Not bad.

www.batterystation.com/cpf.htm