Which are better? RCR123 or 14500

[bcwang]

I'm thinking of getting single cell battery tubes for my quark and L2D, and getting full output by using lithium rechargeables. However, I'm wondering from people who have experience, which size are better in the lithium ion world, 123 or 14500?

I guess by better I mean of the widely available cells, which are better quality, hold a charge longer, have more capacity, maintain a higher voltage under load, have better cycle life, safer, etc...

Please list any pros and cons of each type.

Thanks!

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

I'm thinking of getting single cell battery tubes for my quark and L2D, and getting full output by using lithium rechargeables. However, I'm wondering from people who have experience, which size are better in the lithium ion world, 123 or 14500?

I guess by better I mean of the widely available cells, which are better quality, hold a charge longer, have more capacity, maintain a higher voltage under load, have better cycle life, safer, etc...

Please list any pros and cons of each type.

Thanks!

They are basically the same thing in different shapes. Same energy and everything else. RCR123 has the advantage or being much shorter thus allowing the use in more compact flashlights. 2XCR123 form factor is much more compact and practical than 2xAA.

 

[Marduke]

14500 typically has up to 20% more runtime, despite what the label says. I also allows you to use AA cells at any time, making it much more versitile.

 

[Gryffin]

14500 … also allows you to use AA cells at any time, making it much more versitile.

That's a big ol' chrome-plated +1 on that.

Every tried to score CR123A cells on the road? If you're lucky enough to find 'em, they'll cost nearly as much as the light. AA cells are about as widely available as running water.

 

[Badbeams3]

14500 typically has up to 20% more runtime, despite what the label says. I also allows you to use AA cells at any time, making it much more versitile.[/QUOTE

+1 Also I find the thinner/longer shape of the AA more comfortable to use and EDC than the short tubby 123.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

That's a big ol' chrome-plated +1 on that.

Every tried to score CR123A cells on the road? If you're lucky enough to find 'em, they'll cost nearly as much as the light. AA cells are about as widely available as running water.

I've never ran out of CR123 cells in my whole life as an avid trekker, caver and climber. Most multi-mode/level lights last days, weeks and even months on a single set of batteries. Besides that, if you are serious about your hobby, you must carry spares and backups all times. No excuses.

Not to mention there are no roads, gas stations or any kind of store in the places I go... Therefore, having AAs off the shelves is a moot point for me. I must always plan ahead and carry everything I might need during my excursions. Buying batteries in the middle of my trips was never an option... Not many caves, mountains or jungles have stores. Having said that, CR123 primaries are by far, the best cells for energy storation, lightweightness, shelf life and performance under adverse weather conditions.

 

[Marduke]

Having said that, CR123 primaries are by far, the best cells for energy storation, lightweightness, shelf life and performance under adverse weather conditions.

Except for AA Lithium Primaries, a.k.a. L91's...

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Except for AA Lithium Primaries, a.k.a. L91's...

They are bigger and with less voltage, though. Also, it's shame not many manufacturers are interested in making these cells, Energizer is the only one. CR123s are far more popular in many electronic devices, so virtually all mainstream brands offer batteries in this format, which is a big plus.

 

[Marduke]

They are bigger and with less voltage, though. Also, it's shame not many manufacturers are interested in making these cells, Energizer is the only one. CR123s are far more popular in many electronic devices, so virtually all mainstream brands offer batteries in this format, which is a big plus.

Good thing more voltage doesn't mean more power. They are lighter AND store more energy than CR123's, giving them a higher energy per weight. They also have a 50% longer shelf life. And they are cheaper to boot.

 

[lolzertank]

Also, it's shame not many manufacturers are interested in making these cells, Energizer is the only one.

They're not "not interested," they're weren't allowed to until quite recently. Energizer has a couple patents on them that just expired. These patents were on the older chemistry, which is now called EA91/Advanced Lithium. The newer chemistry or L91/Ultimate Lithium might have different patents. Who knows, other companies could be preparing to release their products right now.

Another possibility is that other companies have decided to go the LSD NiMH route, which Energizer has not taken.

 

[Outdoors Fanatic]

Good thing more voltage doesn't mean more power. They are lighter AND store more energy than CR123's, giving them a higher energy per weight. They also have a 50% longer shelf life. And they are cheaper to boot.

Of course it means: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3028625&postcount=4

Price is basically the same or less for CR123s in most cases -->> http://www.batteryjunction.com/aa2lienaahie.html

02 for 3.95. I pay 1.25 for each CR123, so that's even less. 2.50 for a pair. Even a pair of the most expensive brand of CR123 (Duracell Ultra) is cheaper than a pair of Lithium AA. 3.40 against 3.95 -->> http://www.batteryjunction.com/duraacell-cr123a.html

 

[Marduke]

Price is basically the same or less for CR123s in most cases -->> http://www.batteryjunction.com/aa2lienaahie.html

02 for 3.95. I pay 1.25 for each CR123, so that's even less. 2.50 for a pair. Even a pair of the most expensive brand of CR123 (Duracell Ultra) is cheaper than a pair of Lithium AA. 3.40 against 3.95 -->> http://www.batteryjunction.com/duraacell-cr123a.html

Locally, L91's are $1.67 each. Online, they are $1...

And that's for name brand, not store or generic brands.

$1 < $1.25

 

[Bullzeyebill]

If I remember right the max recommended current for the L91 is 1 Amp. Takes more than 1 amp from an L91 to drive an LED at 3.5 volts or so at 1 amp to the LED. Much easier for a CR123. Nobody really recommends an L91 to push a Q5 Cree LED to about 200 lumens.

Bill

 

[bcwang]

Remember, we're supposed to be comparing the rechargeable lithium chemistries of the 14500 and RCR123 cells!

So far it sounds like the 14500 holds more power than the RCR123.

 

[Mr_Light]

I have both the AA and 123 bodies for my Quark. I use AW RCR123 cells for my EDC pocket carry. If I was traveling or camping I would switch over to the 14500 with some AA NiMH cells that could be shared with my camera in a pinch.

 

[MichaelW]

Online, they are $1...

Where online?

 

[Marduke]

Where online?

See them on eBay all the time.

If you include sales, you can often buy them at Walgreens or CVS for <$1.

 

[Black Rose]

Also, it's shame not many manufacturers are interested in making these cells, Energizer is the only one.

Energizer has (had?) a monopoly on AA & AAA lithium primary cells in North America for a very long time.

Their patent recently expired and other companies are interested in producing these cells but Energizer are being a-holes and sicking their lawyers on those companies (currently just Rayovac).

I've read rumours of Panasonic wanting into that market.
I'd love to see Energizer and Panasonic lock horns

 

[wapkil]

Good thing more voltage doesn't mean more power. They are lighter AND store more energy than CR123's, giving them a higher energy per weight. They also have a 50% longer shelf life. And they are cheaper to boot.

Of course it means: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3028625&postcount=4

Marduke is right, a battery with higher voltage isn't necessarily able to deliver more power or store more energy. I wouldn't use this Illum's post as a reference - the answer confused units and meanings, you can see my follow up posts in that thread.

 

[VidPro]

I'm wondering from people who have experience, which size are better in the lithium ion world, 123 or 14500?

I guess by better I mean of the widely available cells, which are better quality, hold a charge longer, have more capacity, maintain a higher voltage under load, have better cycle life, safer, etc...

Please list any pros and cons of each type.

Thanks!

it is relative (as stated the capacity) , i was doing slightly better with 14500s over the RCR123 , then ALL of the 14500s didnt last TIME of the 123s , because i could not buy a wonderfull 14500 , i would chose 123s, because i have had some brands last MUCH longer.

as a side note, you can buy RCR123s in a LI-FE and REgulated TOO, so given the choice for flashlights , you would have more versatility, having batts that are lower voltages working with boost curcuits without overdriving.

BUT, when they say avilabilty and went horribly off topic with that lovecpf i have seen many tiny little stores out in the freaking boondies that wouldnt know what a 123 was even, that had a stock of AAs. Also take a look in them gas station Mini-Marts and tell me how many 123s you can find in them.