What Brand for cr123 batteries?

R

reaper11

Joined
Jul 1, 2006
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108
Ok, I'm sure this has been beaten to death, but I cant find a thread on this topic.

Which brand is best for cr123 batteries for use in a flashlight? I currently have a Surefire 6P incan, and am planning to pick up the e2d led and want to know which battery works best.

Thanks for any help!
 
I believe the E2D can handle 2xRCR123, so you could always just pick up a couple AW protected 16340s. If you don't want to go that route, BatteryStation batteries tend to be pretty good for the price, especially if you buy in bulk.
 
Panasonic USA makes the CR123s which are branded by Surefire, Everready, Duracell, Rayovac, and Panasonic. Those brands, with USA manufacturing, are the best choice.

If you shop around on the internet you can find these cells down in the $1.50 range or so, when buying a dozen or more. That's your best way to go. I bought a dozen Panasonics last fall for somewhere around $1.50 apiece I believe. Don't remember where, but if you're internet savvy with Google, you will easily find some good sources.

Lithium primary batteries (CR123) are something which is best to avoid off name brands (especially non USA made) and go with the big name brands. As for lithium-ion rechargeables (RCR123 for example) are not manufactured in the USA. AW are considered top of the line, and they're made in China). If you learn about lithium-ion cells and how to use and charge them, they can be safe. If you don't want to invest the time and effort to learn about charging and using li-ions safely, stay away.

With lithium primaries (CR123) if your flashlight just takes one, great. If it takes two... be certain you only use well matched cells! Or you risk venting/fire/explosion when using two cells of notably different charge states. This is serious. Lithium primaries and lithium-ion rechargeables are incredible power sources, but they are to be well respected... they ain't your grandpa's alkalines! ;)

Here are some good sources with good pricing:

http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm

http://www.batteryjunction.com/pri-cr123a.html
 
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Surefire and tenergy are the ones I use, tenergy can be bought in bulk at allbattery.com
 
I prefer Surefire CR123 batteries, but have had good results with Duracell also.

Haven't been too impressed with rechargeable batteries in this size.
 
I buy Panasonic in bulk on eBay.

I've tried Surefire, plus about 10 different "off brands" including Tenergy and found the
Powerizer (see Post #2 above) to be remarkably good for the price.
However, I've decided to stay with brand names.

The Surefire is great, but IME the Panasonic is at least its equal and less pricey.
 
A big plus one on the panasonic batteries.

I did though buy a bunch of the Battery Station brand ones at about a dollar a piece, and while they aren't bad, they aren't exactly that great either.
 
I've been using Titanium Innovations brand CR123A for the last year and they have worked out great for me.
 
The USA made ones from Panasonic (including all the brands mentioned above that are relabeled Panasonics) are great batteries, but the best are Sanyos from Japan. Sanyos are usually stupid expensive though, so the Panasonics are probably a better choice.
 
Thanks for the info everyone, I appreciate it. Couple of the sites are not taking orders right now though, but ill keep looking.
 
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