CR123 "Photo" and "Camera" Batteries in Surefire

[lxhunter]

Anyone know why Surefire says"

"Batteries marked "photo" or "camera" are unsuitable for use in flashlights"
I Googled for an expnanation and counld't find anything

 

[greenLED]

Each battery manufacturer tweaks their formulation ever so slightly to match (what they think is) the cell's intended use.

Depending on what you'll be using the cells for, you might want to avoid those that don't support high current draws.

See this thread for more.

:welcome:

 

[lxhunter]

Thanks for the info.
Now I think I understand the issue of a flashlight's high current draw versus a camera's low draw.

 

[greenLED]

Thanks for the info.
Now I think I understand the issue of a flashlight's high current draw versus a camera's low draw.

Yes, that's especially important to consider if you're thinking about a high powered incandescent light.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Anyone know why Surefire says"

"Batteries marked "photo" or "camera" are unsuitable for use in flashlights"
I Googled for an expnanation and counld't find anything

That's because there are many "Photo" brandless batteries from China which are pure junk. SureFire just dont want people blowing their lights up with those dangerous low-quality cells.

 

[lxhunter]

Thanks again for the reference to the battery tests, just finished reading most of it.

I see that there are rankings at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 amp drain

Which amp/drain level should matter to me in a Surefire LX2 assuming 200 L output ?

Thanks

 

[Saint_Dogbert]

What about using Surefire batteries in your light?

 

[lxhunter]

What about using Surefire batteries in your light?

I am using the SureFire batteries.
Just wondered if there was another make with better performance.
Price is not much of an issue since I don't go through many batteries

 

[greenLED]

I am using the SureFire batteries.
Just wondered if there was another make with better performance.
Price is not much of an issue since I don't go through many batteries

Surefire cells are top of the line.

Check out the CPF Specials link in my sigline and let that guide you to ordering from OpticsHQ.

Battery Station is another well-regarded brand. They offer discounted prices to CPFers as well (again, check that link).

 

[GarageBoy]

So what did people use before SF cells existed?

 

[passive101]

I use titanium 123A cells since they are cheaper

I don't know how much shorter the life is in my light compared to surefire batteries.

 

[BIGLOU]

I read somewhere on some old school SF stuff that recommended Duracell batteries. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Search]

SureFire started selling light using lithium cells. They sold the batteries to go in them. People weren't trying to figure out which brand, it was laid out before you.

I think it's easier for SureFire to tell you not to buy those types of batteries because there are too many to make a list of what's good and what isn't.

If you bought a light from Battery Junction that came with free Titanium batteries, they would say "Photo". I've used quite a bit and they performed well. I think one is in my E1B now.

However, go to WalMart and look at a cr123 battery in the camera section. 15 dollars for one. SureFire is saving somebody a lot of money

 

[Size15's]

Back when SureFire invented lithium-powered flashlights there was only really Duracell with it's DL123A battery that was any good.

SureFire supplied DL123As with its products and since the only way to get DL123A batteries at a lower price than buying them in shops was to buy them as part of a product, SureFire invented their 12B Hurricane Light to offer a reasonable quantity of DL123A batteries for a reasonable price.

Obviously the growth of the market for SureFire lights and the price of DL123A batteries were related and so SureFire decided to invest heavily in purchasing CR123A batteries in the millions, designed to their own performance specifications, with their own label branding so that they could offer their customers the best battery at the lowest price. The SF123A was born.

Just like with the rest of the flashlight industry taking SureFire's lead; the same has been so for CR123A batteries so there is choice.

The most important thing to remember is ALWAYS use USA-manufactured CR123A batteries from a legitimate source. SureFire continue to offer their SF123A batteries so that users can have confidence in the safety and performance when they purchase them from authorised SureFire Dealers or from SureFire directly.

Al

 

[kyhunter1]

Panasonics were really good in Silverfox's battery shootout. Btw, they now make the surefire cells too.

 

[computernut]

My Dorcy K2 light came with 2 Energizer Photos in the package so I guess at least Dorcy thinks they are ok.

I just bought a Pelican case with 24 batteries from Battery Station (Made in USA). Got great service from them and received my order quite quickly in Canada. So far no problems.

I needed a pack of batteries before and the local place was out of Surefire but they had a two pack from Browning. The pack said Made in USA so I got them.

I think if CR123A's are made in the USA they either come from Panasonic or Duracell's factories.

 

[Size15's]

I think if CR123A's are made in the USA they either come from Panasonic or Duracell's factories.

I'm not aware of Duracell DL123A batteries being used by anybody else under a different wrapper.

 

[computernut]

I'm not aware of Duracell DL123A batteries being used by anybody else under a different wrapper.

I stand corrected :thumbsup:

 

[Black Rose]

My Dorcy K2 light came with 2 Energizer Photos in the package so I guess at least Dorcy thinks they are ok.

The Dorcy Super 1 watt lights also ship with Energizer CR123A cells.

I think if CR123A's are made in the USA they either come from Panasonic or Duracell's factories.

OK, I'll type this again since the server crapped out when I responded the first time....

Panasonic has the only factory in North America that makes CR123A primary cells.

If you see Made In USA cells from the following companies, they are all made by Panasonic to that customers' specifications: Surefire, Rayovac, Streamlight, Browning, Energizer, Duracell, and Battery Station.

 

[MattK]

I understand that CR123A batteries were originally developed by Sanyo and Canon for use in small APS cameras like the original ELPH.

All CR123A batteries can also be referred to as 'Photo Lithium Batteries' as that was their original primary application. The presence of the term photo or camera is NO INDICATION OF SUITABILITY OR LACK THEREOF.

As Black Rose states above - all US made CR123A's are made by Panasonic.

The Titanium CR123A's are made for high-current drain applications and while they say, 'photo' on them this is, more than anything, an 'historical' carryover term; the bulk of our cells, I have no doubt, get used in flashlights, lasers, night vision equipment and varied industrial or non-consumer applications - not cameras.