CR123A Lithium

[akodo]

CR123A Lithium for flashlights. I see Surefire and Streamlight both have their own brand, and the cheapest price for them seems to be about $2.00 per battery

I see Energizer has a CR123A Lithium "photo" as does Duracell, Panasonic, Sanyo, and Rayovak, cheapest price seems to be $1.50, +/- 10 cents for different brands

I also see 'off brand' CR123A Lithium for $1.00 each, or a tad less.

I am inclined to stay away from the 'no name' batteries.

Does anyone know or have any experience with how surefire and streamlight brand batteries used in a flashlight compare to the more mainstream makers 'photo' batteries?

Is one really tuned toward flashlights and one tuned toward cameras?

Maybe it is a case where streamlight and surefire simply sold the rights to use their name to a 'no-name' company...anyone been using generic CR123A Lithiums?


To clarify this as gun related, flashlight is to be gun mounted

 

[dkk73]

More than you could possibly want to know:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67078

Some off-brand better than others as made by same firms...

Lots of reading depending on how much you care. Can also check out some of the battery sales sites that advertise on those forums.

Hope this helps.

 

[highorder]

That link is the gold standard.

Always measure battery voltage when using multiple 123's together.
Even name brand cells can show variation.

Match cells by voltage. Use the 3.2's with other 3.2's, use 2.9's with other 2.9's, etc.

I use all brands of cells, and I usually buy from John at

http://www.lighthound.com/Streamlight-CR123-Battery--CR-123a-Compatible_p_1839.html

 

[Gary G23]

I've been real happy with Battery Station 123s. If you sign up on candlepower forum you can get them for $1.25:

http://www.batterystation.com/cpf9.htm

 

[greenled]

akodo, manufacturers use slightly different formulations depending on what they think might be the most common use for their cells. As you can see from SilverFox's thread over on CPF, there are a few brands that will perform well in flashlights.

As far as brands to avoid... stay as far as you can from "no name" brands sold on e-Bay! Actually, stay out of e-Bay batts completely; there's too many counterfeit cells being sold as the real thing.

Most of the "good" brands are produced in the US (SureFire, Battery Station, etc.). You can find really good deals if you poke around the 'net (the one Gary linked to works, but you *must* be a CPF member). There's actually other CPF dealers that offer batteries for a little over $1 (check my sigline on CPF).

 

[Caimlas]

I like BatteryStation.com CR123s. They're priced well at $1.25, Made in the USA, and are the most consistent ones out there (which is important when you're using 2x in series due to them being lithium ion).

I like 3.7v 18650 rechargeable cells better than a 2x cr123 setup - but the light has to be designed for them, generally, or you get sub-optimal output.