Surefire SF123A vs. X

[chuglobal]

How does the Surefire SF123A compared against other CR123 batteries? The SF123 runs ~$1.75 while X ie: Tenergy runs ~$1. Is there a better quality at a lower price CR123 battery compared to the Surefire? Thanks.

 

[WildChild]

Yes, there are qualities in CR123A. Many cheap CR123A are made in China and there has been many incident with them... SF CR123A are made in USA and this explain the higher price. Energizer, Rayovac, Duracell, Streamlight and SF are all made in USA and are better quality cells... There is also the manufacturer warranty if something goes wrong...

 

[dano]

The American made 123's (i.e. Energizer, Surefire, Streamlight, etc) work great.

I've noticed, recently, that the overseas produced cells have extraordinarily high rates of self discharge. I have a bunch that are dead, and they were in storage. I have Streamlight cells that are older than the dead cells, and they work fine.

-dan

 

[chuglobal]

Humm

I guess then the summary is for me just the purchase the Surefire SF123A instead of going cheap?

 

[WildChild]

I just started to get CR123 powered lights this summer (SF E2L, G2L, L1) and I decided to stick with American made CR123A. I got 16 Energizer and 24 SF cells, they only cost me around 1.8$ each, including shipping to Canada. I find the price difference not that big to be safe... Anyway, even with Chinese made cells, the shipping cost increase the price much because I'm in Canada...

 

[carrot]

After the strings of battery thermal runaway incidents (ie, fire and brimstone) we've had on CPF during the past year or two, I am quite wary to use brand X cells. Right now I use Surefire batteries exclusively but when I run out I may go for Energizer if I can get them cheaper. I would suggest you be wary too.

 

[Monocrom]

Re: Humm

I guess then the summary is for me just the purchase the Surefire SF123A instead of going cheap?

Oh yes! Definitely!

There was a thread just very recently about a guy who used cheap 123A cells in his Surefire M6. The results were not pretty!

LINK - http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=176075

Personally, as far as 123A cells go; I use either Duracell or Surefire cells.
(If a company recommends using their brand of 123As in their lights, I'll use those. But not if the cells are made in China).

 

[chuglobal]

Humm

Can do.