Reading a LOT of mixed reviews. Came away thinking they’re all junk. Any of you settle on a good CR123? Any experience with Surefire batteries?
UPDATE: Checked the factory installed battery. It’s Panasonic. Since I have Surefire lights, and I hear the most good things about them, I ordered a supply of Surefire batteries directly from Surefire’s website to avoid fakes.
Panasonic cells are good. So are surefire cells. Stay away from any cell with “fire” in the name, except for Surefire cells.
Streamlight branded and Duracell have been good for me.
Surefire batteries have been very good to my XPS2-0. As long as you buy them from reputable vendors, you’ll be ok (there’s a huge black market for Surefire CR123).
I had good battery life from a Panasonic lithium. On an old exps 2.0. Stick with quality lithium from a reputable brand and you should be good.
Surefire is the only 123 I buy. Used them in EOTechs for years.
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I would just make sure they are made in the US and buy from a solid vender.
I read this on candlepower forums but have no way to verify - “Streamlight, Battery Station, Duracell, SureFire and Panasonic are the brands made in the Panasonic factory.”.
Same factory doesn’t necessarily mean same specs, QA, etc.
Andy
Rechargeables seem to perform well in lights, why not optics? You can push your output a little, not sure how that translates to longevity.
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I’ve been sticking with SF.
I can’t seem to find it, but there was a guy on Candlepower forum that did a pretty comprehensive review of a number of both known and off brand CR123.
As of that time, SF was near/at the top of the list.
Look for quantity deals, and the price isn’t to ridiculous these days.
I’m having good luck with the Streamlight brand
Most rechargeables are a different size than primary batteries, even though they fall under the same 16340 size. They also have PCB protection boards inside of the wrapping that may change the size the battery that can also jar loose during a firing schedule, rendering the battery useless. Voltages on rechargeables are different than primaries. IIRC primary 123’s are nominal 3.4v-3.7v. Rechargeables are 3.7v-4.3v. I don’t have my multimeter in front of me, but I would say those numbers are accurate from what I remember.
Also, get a pelican 1040 case, one of those foam battery caddy things that hold 24 batteries, and buy 12 batteries. In 5 years, buy 12 more if you haven’t already so you can keep a regular supply of primaries in rotation. I keep 3 rechargeables in mine and rarely use my primaries anymore. I keep them around the house in various locations for backup, but my rechargeables are primary.
i make use of Energizer E90, they last long and they each cheap, easy to find.
