Broke out the old trusty EDC Surefire flashlight, shined it on a device & cable mounted to some overhead beams, that I was curious about (possibly a WiFi repeater), and my normally bright light beam is dimmer than normal and flashing in strobe mode. Pull the light head off, and while there was no sign of leakage, I detected the faint but noticeable whiff of batt fumes.

The Surefire SF123A batts lasted a good many years, perhaps as long as 11-12 years, so I'm plenty good with getting more Surefires but, as manufacturing quality sometimes changes, I figured I'd check with forum members first.

Are current production Surefire batts still reliable? Any better 123 A batt options I should consider?

I just bought a new batch not too long ago and they seem to work just as good as they always have for me in my lights and other devices. I had bought some Amazon brand CR123 batteries previously and they did not seem to last nearly as long so I went back to surefire.

I won't buy anything but Surefire CR123 batteries for my Fenix lights. They just always work and last a long time.

Jim

SF, Panasonic, Energizer and Duracell are all top tier.

Moving down a notch, based on my experience, are Streamlight and Rayovac. Not that these are bad batteries but rather they don't have the performance of the others although they are less expensive.

There are other brands such as Titanium from Battery Junction and I'd pick those too since they are on par with Streamlight and Rayvoc and it a very competitive price. I've used all of them and the top tier light would be my first choice for an EDC/life depended on it light with the others for general purposes.

Only ones I buy anymore are Fenix rechargeables, 700 mAh. I use them everyday, put them on the charger before I go to bed. They last!!!!

I only use Surefire 123’s. I also have a half dozen of their rechargeable ones and their charger, that seem to work fine.

I will buy surefire and/or Duracell.

Correct me if I’m wrong; isn’t like 3-4 manufacturers who make batteries for everyone who wants them. I thought I read that someplace.

I use Surefire exclusively. We get a lot of different manufacturers batteries at work and none last as long as the Surefire CR123s

Yep, +1 for Surefire.

I was just looking into this topic tonight.

Saw some Energizer CR123 Lithium on sale at Home Depot for about 2$ a battery.

But couldn’t confirm the CR123 were interchangeable with the CR123A.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
I was just looking into this topic tonight.

Saw some Energizer CR123 Lithium on sale at Home Depot for about 2$ a battery.

But couldn’t confirm the CR123 were interchangeable with the CR123A.

Pretty sure there isn't any difference.

Surefire, Panasonic, and Interstate are what I use.
I have not been able to notice a discernible difference.

Surefire 123s for me. And you can't beat Surefire if you have an issue with your light that is or isn't battery related.

Yeah, Surefire and nothin' but

Last night I dug out the instruction manual for my Surefire flashlight. I also went down the internet and YouTube rabbit hole, trying to find recent 123 & 123A battery reviews.

One thing I'll mention is that both my Surefire's instruction manual and an included Surefire battery leaflet emphasize that Surefire batts are specifically engineered for high drain applications such as tactical lights/ WMLs and warn against using 123A batts labelled for photo or camera use in their products.

My Surefire light is at least 10 years old so the info included is the same age, and it wouldn't surprise me if other batt manufacturers jumped onboard and started making their own batts for high drain applications...but, having said that, Surefire 123A still includes labelling indicating their specific suitability for high drain use, and I haven't noticed this same labelling on other 123A batts.

My instruction manual most definitely encourages using Surefire Batts in their products, but does say that Energizer, Duracell, & Panasonic will work safely as well. I also found one YT video reviewer that claims that Surefire, Energizer, and Duracell are all made in the Panasonic plant.

Just noticed that my old Surefire batts are marked 08-2019, and if this is the end of the shelf life then I've done well with them, I'm happy with their reliability and performance, they are engineered specifically for Surefire high drain use and matched to Surefire light circuitry and, barring a better option, I'll be ordering more Surefires.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to answer my questions and share your experiences!

At this point in my research I'm not satisfied with any of the 123A review articles or videos I've come across...but, if you can tolerate an AI review, this is one of the better of the unsatisfactory ones.

@ 6 minute video


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kOYlWPkeqCA


@ 2 minute Surefire 123A battery explanation.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp_sYVajQYU


This video isn't 123A specific, but covers some good batt chemistry and marking info.

9 minute video


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6M9Gy1_Ckz4


I'm including this 11 year old video only because this reviewer talks about the fire/ explosive gas incident he experienced when he failed to follow the lithium battery directions and because he mentions Surefire's warning about the dangers of counterfeit batts.

@ 16 minute review


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u5uoQxqL80A


=================

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

...

But couldn’t confirm the CR123 were interchangeable with the CR123A.[

Pretty sure there isn't any difference.

Actually, I can understand OttoSig's confusion.

According to this article, the 123 batts are physically larger and heavier than the 123A ones, although they produce the same 3V.

What is the Difference Between 123 and 123a Battery?

... However

According to this article,123 and 123A are "interchangeable".

When searching for 123 batteries, you might come across ones labeled CR123 or CR123A. Don't worry. These batteries are all interchangeable, and there is no operational difference between them. They are all lithium chemistry batteries with a nominal voltage of around 3.0 volts and a capacity ranging around 1000-1500 mAh. I have found the most common designator for these batteries is CR123A. The difference comes down to companies trying to differentiate their batteries from another's. You may also see them labeled: SF123, EL123, DL123. Again, don't worry. It is the “123” label that describes the proper size and voltage.

CR123A, 16340, and 18650 Battery Best Buyers Guide

So, my question; how are batts w/ different dimensions "interchangeable"? Some sort of fixture/ adapter/ spacer??

quote:

According to this article, the CR123 Batts are physically larger and heavier than the CR123A ones, although they are produce the same 3V.

Confusion abounds, but your link stating the CR123 length at 46mm doesn't jive with any of the documentation I found. In fact the below link says:
CR123 L = 34mm Dia = 16.5
CR123A L = 34.4mm Dia = 17mm

https://batteryspecialists.com...-two-three-batteries

I've never heard or seen of anyone having or using a "fixture/ adapter/ spacer" because they aren't necessary, to my knowledge. I think your 1st link is way inacurrate.

Your second link

quote:

These batteries are all interchangeable, and there is no operational difference between them.

Doesn't agree with your 1st link, AT ALL.

I've bought CR123's in the past and they physically fit and worked in every device I used CR123A's in previously...

Regardless, Surefire is my go to...

quote:

Originally posted by stoic-one:

quote:

According to this article, the CR123 Batts are physically larger and heavier than the CR123A ones, although they are produce the same 3V.

Confusion abounds, but your link stating the CR123 length at 46mm doesn't jive with any of the documentation I found. In fact the below link says:
CR123 L = 34mm Dia = 16.5
CR123A L = 34.4mm Dia = 17mm

https://batteryspecialists.com...-two-three-batteries

Thanks for the battery specialists link, as it's probably one of the better articles I've read. I'm starting to lose confidence in my search engine because that link never showed up.

Yeah, those are pretty large discrepancies in dimensions. I did come across one article or reviewer (they're all starting to run together now) that mentioned that some manufacturers adding circuit and over heating protections to their batt's cathode end would increase its length dimension.

quote:

I've never heard or seen of anyone having or using a "fixture/ adapter/ spacer" because they aren't necessary, to my knowledge. I think your 1st link is way inacurrate.

I came across one video reviewer that tested a flashlight designed to use 2 123 batts, but he then converted it to use a single rechargeable batt in some sort of adapter, and then he (unscientifically) compared the two types respective discharge rates...but yeah, I agree, that first link I posted wasn't well written and questionable.

quote:

Your second link

quote:

These batteries are all interchangeable, and there is no operational difference between them.

Doesn't agree with your 1st link, AT ALL.

I've bought CR123's in the past and they physically fit and worked in every device I used CR123A's in previously...

Regardless, Surefire is my go to...

I would've thought the differences in 123/ 123A dimensions, combined w/ the variations in device spring contacts would've caused reliability issues, but based on your experience apparently I'm wrong.

Thanks for the link and info. Surefire it is.

quote:

Originally posted by wreckdiver:
Only ones I buy anymore are Fenix rechargeables, 700 mAh. I use them everyday, put them on the charger before I go to bed. They last!!!!

Gotta be careful with that. CR123As and 16340s are not interchangeable. Many flashlights are built to use both, but if your light isn't made for it you could kill it.

Modern Day Savage,

Batteries and lights have changed over the last 10 years and now days, most any top tier battery from say Surefire, Panasonic, Sanyo or Duracell will offer very similar performance.

Battery manufacturers know what the primary uses are for 123a batteries and among those are flashlights but to get to the answer you have understand how flashlights have changed.

Over time, and especially the last 10 years, LED flashlights have greater and greater outputs. It's call the "Lumen Wars" and this is where you see very high outputs but for an extremely short period of time before the LED downsteps to a lower output for a longer period. It's done this way so a flashlight manufacturer can brag through marketing about brightness but hide behind useful run times.

All 132a batteries produced in the US have an output limit of 1.5amps That bandwidth is set and isn't changing so regardless of name brand, the limit is 1.5.

Flashlight manufactures overdrive their LEDS on brightness but two factor come into play - 1. heat on the LED kills it which is why it steps down and 2. lithium 12a batteries get hot in the head area which requires heat sinking to dissipate.

Adding all that up, a light that gives you 4k lumens can only sustain that for an extremely short period of time before it steps down unless you have multiple 123a batteries. Heat is a factor in all LEDs to a degree that output is reduced (Malkoff is an exception) but no matter what, the discharge rate is no more than 1.5.

Electronics have changed and nowadays batteries are largely interchangeable. Where you do see a variance is the capacity. Surefire and others are running at around 1,500, 1,500 or even 1,600 so there is increased capacity over lesser brands and never trust Chinese specs on capacity.

Buy based on battery capacity and price and you won't see much of a performance difference between top brands.

If you want a true runtime light with performance backed up by real world numbers look at Malkoff Devices. Lots of people love their products and I have quite a few. They are in the majority of my SF lights that are P60 or P90 based. Money will spent and then, battery conversations are even less important.

I have several thousands dollars worth of flashlights. I like flashlights. I have a spreadsheet that list every battery in my house (hundreds), to include its voltage, the last time I replaced it, and its expiration date.

I believe I have read numerous times on the internet (must be true) that their is only ONE USA manufacturer of 123 batteries. It is my understanding, that Surefire, Streamlight, Sanyo, Panasonic, Battery Station, and others, are all made by the same company and just have differing labels placed on them after they are made. I tend to believe this as I have had exact same performance out of every 123 battery I have personally tried from Surefire, Streamlight, Panasonic, and Battery Station.

That being said, I am brand snob when it comes to 123 batteries. I prefer Surefire batteries in my Surefire lights, Streamlight batteries in my Streamlight lights... for not apparent reason other than snobbery.

If you got 10-12 years out of a set of 123 batteries, that a pretty low use light, and I'd stay with Surefire batteries.