El Cheapo CR123A's

[Albinoni]

I'm really sceptical about installing these so called cheap unknown branded CR123A type batts in my torches unknowing what the hell will happen to my torch down the track. I do trust brands like Surefire, Sanyo, Panasonic, Duracell, Energizer and the well respected brands. But I have also been using a Chinese brand called Goldston which has never given me any probs what so ever (touch wood !!) I have seen some really cheap unheard of brands on Ebay for eg 30 CR123A's for US$10 so really how good are these and really how long do they last.

 

[winston]

My guess is some of them will be fine, and others will be quite bad. I wouldn't expect to get the stated capacity out of any of them, and say goodbye to the peace of mind you enjoyed during the years you used brand name cells.
-Winston

 

[zipplet]

If you must use really cheap cells please confine yourself to single celled lights. This will eradicate most of the problem but please be aware one member did have a single cell failure in a fenix P1D-CE.

Using multi cell lights will only encourage a failure.

 

[Fallingwater]

They are rarely very good.

While I'm all for cheap LiIon cells, I wouldn't go for supercheap primaries, because they have proven themselves far more problematic than rechargeables.

Still, using them in single-cell lights of proven reliability (read: that won't cause a short) should be OK, because it's cell imbalance that usually causes them to go pop.

 

[VegasF6]

I seem to recall reading some horrible things about the Golston's, as well as the light blue WF brand cells. To be avoided.
You can get Titanium cr123's from battery junction for only 1$ a cell, and a CPF discount to boot. Personally I have had no issues at all with them, and they have been tested here.

This thead is really old, but I think in general it is still usefull:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67078

 

[Monocrom]

Not worth the potential risk of turning your light into a bomb. Granted, such incidents are very rare. Still, no one wants to read another thread of cheap cells exploding inside flashlights. Even one is too many, but I've seen a few such threads on CPF.

You're honestly taking a gamble with those Goldston cells. So far, Lady Luck has been on your side. But as any Gambler will tell you, she's a fickle b*t*h.

Best way to save money on CR123 cells is to buy in bulk, online. Such as a case of 12 Surefires. Doesn't have to be SF cells. Any brand with a solid reputation is worthwhile. I've used Duracells in my SF lights as well.

But getting the cheap stuff online isn't worth it.