Energizer EL123 any good?

[red02]

Tried doing a search, but found no real data. I found some EL123s at about 1.50 ea. is this a good deal? How do they perform in comparison to Surefire cells? I found some thread that claims they have 500mAh @ 1A draw, any truth to this or were those just the old batch?

In short, how do the EL123s stack up to the competition?

 

[Monocrom]

They're quite good. I have a case of them. Any CR123 cells that are Made in America can be counted on. Performance in flashlights is likely to be a hair under Surefire and Duracell brand cells. But you're not likely to notice it at all. $1.50 is quite good. Especially since comparable cells often sell for $9 each at some B&M shops.

 

[zenlunatic]

Most people will say stick with name brand US made cells, which energizers are, so they are fine cells.

 

[Illum]

none of my last 200 EL123As ever gave me an issue, with all necessary safety checks and procedures in place.

 

[red02]

This is the thread I've read: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=81931. It states that the EL123s are 500mAh @ 1A. Is this normal, or are the EL123s just 1/3 capacity of Surefire/other cells? Of course another option is that I'm misunderstanding something...

 

[Monocrom]

No.

The Energizer brand CR123 cells definitely don't have only 1/3 the capacity of Surefire brand cells. I've mainly used four brands of CR123 cells in all of the more-than-I-can-count flashlights I own that take those cells. Surefire, and Duracell brands mainly. With Streamlight, and Energizer brands a bit less. As mentioned above, based on experience, Energizer CR123 cells will give just a hair's difference in performance compared with Surefire, and Duracell cells. The latter two being just a bit better. But certainly not 2/3 better.

 

[red02]

Sounds great, I still haven't killed my 4sevens cells after a year of intermittent use and they are rated at the same 1500mAh. Looks like I misunderstood something...

Are surefire brand cells worth the extra 0.12 cents/cell?

 

[45/70]

Looks like I misunderstood something...

Part of what you might not realize, is that cells are rated at a specific discharge rate when determining capacity. A cell rated at 1500mAh may have been discharged at a 300mA rate to arrive at this figure.

When cells are discharged at rates other than those used to determine their capacity, the resultant capacity will differ. Cells discharged at a lower rate will have an effective higher capacity. Cells discharged at a higher rate will have an effective lower capacity.

The higher the rate of discharge, the less efficient the cell will become and vice versa. If the discharge rate is high enough, the cells capacity will be zero, for all intents and purposes, as the cell will not be able to deliver the required current under load.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[Monocrom]

Are surefire brand cells worth the extra 0.12 cents/cell?

I'm sure many will disagree with me. But if the difference in price is very small, then I'd go for Surefire brand cells. Usually though, the difference is quite a bit bigger with regards to price. For example, a case of Surefire cells at Lowes will run you just over $32. I got my case of Energizer CR123 cells for just over $16 online.

If the difference is that huge, then it's a no-brainer.

 

[red02]

How many batteries per case are we talking about here?

 

[Monocrom]

How many batteries per case are we talking about here?

Standard case of 12.

$1.50 each is a good price for quality CR123 cells. Avoid the ultra cheap cells from overseas.

 

[red02]

Oh, for some reason I kept thinking of that 400 cell Surefire 'case'... guess that would have been some deal.

Thanks for the input, I'm probably going to go with the Surefire cells for about 1.75ea. since buying the EL123s will mean paying for shipping. Probably would have been worth it I bought 50+.

 

[Monocrom]

Well, if you're looking for a good deal on a truly bulk case; there's always this deal that translates into just $1.15 for each quality, Made in the U.S., CR123 cell:

http://www.batteryjunction.com/rayovac-cr123a-100-box.html