CR123 powered Headlamps?

boostdemon · Feb 4, 2016

I've been looking for a good recommendation for a new headlamp. I prefer the CR123 batteries but i'm not completely opposed to something else easily found at a grocery/convenience store. This would be mostly for working under cars, in crawlspaces/attics, messing around outside at night where i need both hands... like when the wifes cat gets out and I have to chase it around like a moron.

Had a Zebralight on the wishlist... but it seems like there might be more/better/cheaper options that people recommend?

Zebralight H32:

Jabe1 · Feb 4, 2016

Zebralight is a great choice. Personally, I'd go for the flood model for up close work like under a vehicle. Also, you can use RCR123 rechargeable lithium ions. Another might be a Fenix HL50.

Echo63 · Feb 5, 2016

Fenix HL50 is awesome (but you cannot use Lithium Ion Rechargeables in it, you can however use Nimh or Nicad AA rechargeable with the AA adapter)
my wife keeps stealing mine to hang the washing out with (its too hot during the day, cools off nicely by about 2100) so i keep a stash of used AA's from work (speed lights recycle times slow right down long before the batteries are close to flat - so i bring em home and use them in torches and remotes etc)

Surefire Minimus Vision is my favorite headlamp though, i just wish i could find mine.....
its expensive, and a bit bigger than the HL50 though (and not quite as bright either)

uofaengr · Feb 5, 2016

Any Zebralight headlamp is worth the money. My choice is the H600Fd III although it's 18650. High CRI and just a perfect beam. Not sure what 123 options they have, but for mid to close range stuff I recommend a floody model.

boostdemon · Feb 5, 2016

Jabe1 said:
Zebralight is a great choice. Personally, I'd go for the flood model for up close work like under a vehicle. Also, you can use RCR123 rechargeable lithium ions. Another might be a Fenix HL50.

Good call on the flood light. I'm not spelunking so i doubt i'll need a beam at 100 yards.

Echo63 said:
Fenix HL50 is awesome (but you cannot use Lithium Ion Rechargeables in it, you can however use Nimh or Nicad AA rechargeable with the AA adapter)
my wife keeps stealing mine to hang the washing out with (its too hot during the day, cools off nicely by about 2100) so i keep a stash of used AA's from work (speed lights recycle times slow right down long before the batteries are close to flat - so i bring em home and use them in torches and remotes etc)

Surefire Minimus Vision is my favorite headlamp though, i just wish i could find mine.....
its expensive, and a bit bigger than the HL50 though (and not quite as bright either)

uofaengr said:
Any Zebralight headlamp is worth the money. My choice is the H600Fd III although it's 18650. High CRI and just a perfect beam. Not sure what 123 options they have, but for mid to close range stuff I recommend a floody model.

So heres a question.. The reason i wanted Cr123 is that i have 2 other torches that use them and so I have them in the freezer. They're not bad to find but they're nowhere near as common as say a AA. I have 2 other AA and one AAA that i use as well. Is the 18650 rechargeable upgrade worth the investment? Should i just sell off the Fenix and Maratac CR123's that i have instead? I kind of want to move toward a standard battery option.

boostdemon · Feb 5, 2016

I checked out the Fenix HL50... i love the idea that you can use an adapter to switch between CR123 and AA but its weird they didn't design it to be reversible and always part of the housing. I suspect more people will run it as just AA so they don't lose the adapter/barrel.

uofaengr · Feb 5, 2016

boostdemon said:
Good call on the flood light. I'm not spelunking so i doubt i'll need a beam at 100 yards.

So heres a question.. The reason i wanted Cr123 is that i have 2 other torches that use them and so I have them in the freezer. They're not bad to find but they're nowhere near as common as say a AA. I have 2 other AA and one AAA that i use as well. Is the 18650 rechargeable upgrade worth the investment? Should i just sell off the Fenix and Maratac CR123's that i have instead? I kind of want to move toward a standard battery option.

I know of some people that have gotten rid of all their AA lights for 18650, but I don't recommend it. I think you need at least a couple good AA lights for emergencies. However, with the 18650 format, you can get so much more output and runtime in a body not that much bigger than a typical single AA light, specifically lights like the Zebralight SC62w, a hall of fame light to me.

boostdemon · Feb 5, 2016

uofaengr said:
I know of some people that have gotten rid of all their AA lights for 18650, but I don't recommend it. I think you need at least a couple good AA lights for emergencies. However, with the 18650 format, you can get so much more output and runtime in a body not that much bigger than a typical single AA light, specifically lights like the Zebralight SC62w, a hall of fame light to me.

So maybe swap out the rarer CR123 batteries for the more powerful rechargeable 18650 in the EDC rotation, and keep the standard AA/AAA around for backups - like in the cars, B.O.B., etc that don't get used all the time but could benefit from the AA availability.

michaelm466 · Feb 5, 2016

+1 on the Zebra lights

nwbusa · Feb 5, 2016

Another vote for the Fenix HL50. I never run mine on AA but it's nice to have the option.

uofaengr · Feb 5, 2016

boostdemon said:
So maybe swap out the rarer CR123 batteries for the more powerful rechargeable 18650 in the EDC rotation, and keep the standard AA/AAA around for backups - like in the cars, B.O.B., etc that don't get used all the time but could benefit from the AA availability.

I started out with only Surefires and was burning through 123s. I still have them along with one light that can take either 123s or a single 18650 so I have the 123s for emergencies and never use them. I haven't used these lights for over 2 years now, but purchased some 16650 rechargeables if I ever want to use them with guilt free lumens.

I have some AA/14500 lights (SC52w another hall of famer) and a AAA light and carry them sometimes when I want something smaller and know I won't need the runtime. Even though I have backup cells with me everyday, I like knowing even if I use high a lot, with 18650 I'll have juice left at the end of the day if I get stranded at night or something. Everyone has a different philosophy. I got into 18650 because the brightest and coolest lights out there now are pretty much ran on 18650. Quality cells and chargers are the key though. Candlepowerforums has a wealth of knowledge on all of these subjects.

Also, it doesn't get much smaller than single CR123 lights, and you might not like the bigger size of an 18650 for EDC. If the light can handle the increased voltage, you can also use 16340 batteries as a rechargeable alternative to CR123.

boostdemon · Feb 6, 2016

Edit for double post.

I'm adding that I think the rechargeable CD123 option might be nice at first but I'm afraid like you said, I won't use them after I have a 18650

boostdemon · Feb 6, 2016

Great info, thanks. I have a AAA maratac that's in the coin pocket of my jeans but this new lamp will be the go-to for any planned task. I think the general consensus I've been reading here as well as on other forms is that the new rechargeable 18650 options are worth the initial investment. That is assuming you'll be using it a lot.