CR123 vs 18650?

va3rbz · Nov 2, 2013

Hi folks

New member here so don't mind the stupidity

I have a Fenix TK22 on order and have some leftover Surefire CR123 batteries from my E2D that blew a bulb.
Is there a big difference in performance between CR123's and a 18650 in the TK22? Second question: does a 18650 even work in a Surefire E2D?

Thanks!

TheVat26 · Nov 3, 2013

There won't be a big difference in 123's and 18650's other than longer runtime with the 18650. Surefires don't accept 18650's without boring them out.

NorthernStar · Nov 3, 2013

In most flashlights CR123 batteries gives sligthly higher output but shorter burntime, while 18650 batteries gives slightly lower output than CR123 batteries but gives longer burntime. The major advantage of using 18650 batteries is that it´s much cheaper in use over long time because one can recharge them about 500 times.

reppans · Nov 3, 2013

A single cell is also much safer.

va3rbz · Nov 3, 2013

Thanks for the input everyone. I still have 1/2 a box of 123's so I'll stick with those until I learn more about the 18650's.

KITROBASKIN · Nov 3, 2013

va3rbz said:
Thanks for the input everyone. I still have 1/2 a box of 123's so I'll stick with those until I learn more about the 18650's.

Perhaps you might consider keeping your 123's as an emergency backup because they store well. 18650's are the way to go for daily-use flashlights. I have read somewhere in this forum how expensive it is to use 123's regularly, especially the bigger torches.

va3rbz · Nov 3, 2013

Glad to give you a chuckle Phry! We all have to start somewhere

Phry · Nov 3, 2013

va3rbz said:
Glad to give you a chuckle Phry! We all have to start somewhere

Don't be offended. I wasn't laughing at you, just at the notion that Surefire would be so handy as to accept 18650.

va3rbz · Nov 3, 2013

Oh, not offended at all. Just laughing at my lack of knowledge right now. Kind of like how I felt before I got my amateur radio license.

dc38 · Nov 3, 2013

Depending on the situation, Phry's a funny guy lol. There are services offered by some members here to widen the battery tube to accept 18650 cells. Cr123 cost about 3$ a pair. 18650 3100 mAh cost between 17$ and 25$ shipped. Rechargeable up to 500 times. If the light can run on 2.7 to 4.2 v instead of only 6v, and you put the light through moderate use (2 cr123 a week) you save at least 50$ the first year even if you buy a decent charger and 2 18650 cells.

KITROBASKIN · Nov 3, 2013

My early Surefire U2 takes an 18650 after unscrewing the flashlight head. 100 lumens advertised with 123's, any takers?

Poppy · Nov 3, 2013

va3rbz said:
Glad to give you a chuckle Phry! We all have to start somewhere

va3rbz,
I'm glad that you took that comment in stride.

I'd like to suggest that you read some of the threads in the batteries section.

And this one that I started not long ago.

va3rbz · Nov 3, 2013

I take everything in stride! Funny to feel afraid of batteries, but I'll get over that soon.

justanotherguy · Nov 3, 2013

dc38 said:
Depending on the situation, Phry's a funny guy lol. There are services offered by some members here to widen the battery tube to accept 18650 cells. Cr123 cost about 3$ a pair. 18650 3100 mAh cost between 17$ and 25$ shipped. Rechargeable up to 500 times. If the light can run on 2.7 to 4.2 v instead of only 6v, and you put the light through moderate use (2 cr123 a week) you save at least 50$ the first year even if you buy a decent charger and 2 18650 cells.

Did you mean a PAIR of 18650 run that amount... ?

dc38 · Nov 3, 2013

justanotherguy said:
Did you mean a PAIR of 18650 run that amount... ?

If you get a pair of Callie's, it'll be 35$, if I remember correctly. AW's are 20-25 a pop, inc shipping

leon2245 · Nov 3, 2013

What about the fenix 18650, is for noobs?

dc38 · Nov 3, 2013

leon2245 said:
What about the fenix 18650, is for noobs?

Troodat, troodat. Those would be cheaper and work well too.

fredx · Nov 4, 2013

What exactly is a Callie????

braddy · Nov 5, 2013

dc38 said:
Depending on the situation, Phry's a funny guy lol. There are services offered by some members here to widen the battery tube to accept 18650 cells. Cr123 cost about 3$ a pair. 18650 3100 mAh cost between 17$ and 25$ shipped. Rechargeable up to 500 times. If the light can run on 2.7 to 4.2 v instead of only 6v, and you put the light through moderate use (2 cr123 a week) you save at least 50$ the first year even if you buy a decent charger and 2 18650 cells.

The price for high quality 18650 batteries is 2 for about $12 to $17.00, for instance Panasonic 3400, protected, are 2 for about $16.98.

KITROBASKIN · Nov 5, 2013

fredx said:
What exactly is a Callie????

Callie's Customs is a maker of batteries but I guess they have Panasonic cells, like so many.

CR123 vs 18650?

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