CR123 Rechargables?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

This is more of a paper exercise atm, but are there any CR123 rechargables with similar charge holding characteristics as Eneloops have

[John]

This is more of a paper exercise atm, but are there any CR123 rechargables with similar charge holding characteristics as Eneloops have

Mike the best by far RCR123's available are AW's mate I have used them for years and they hold a good charge for ages 

[Benner]

The bigger prob is finding lights that are not just compatable with RCR123 cells, but those lights where they physically fit in.  Make sure you read the specs before you buy.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Bugger me, this got complicated quickly

[Benner]

RCR's are slightly longer I believe.  Loads of lights accept them so it's no biggie.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well this is the one I'm interested in...

http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=47tvoa862211&strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=4737&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1

So I'd be keen to know if it'll accommodate them

[John]

Well this is the one I'm interested in...

http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=47tvoa862211&strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=4737&strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1

So I'd be keen to know if it'll accommodate them

AFAIK it's 3v CR123 primary or RCR123 3v rechargeable only same for the Ti version    


edit,not 3.7v RCR123 

[NutSAK]

John is right, single CR123 lights from Fenix will not properly regulate a 3.7V Li-Ion rechargable.

This is one reason I've moved away from Fenix lately.  If I carry a light in the 123 format, I always use AW 3.7v Li-Ions.  My Quark and Novatac run beautifully on them.  Another good choice would be a NiteCore EX10.

[NutSAK]

RCR's are slightly longer I believe.  Loads of lights accept them so it's no biggie.

Protected RCRs are a bit longer and slightly fatter.  Most CR123 lights these days will accept the size of an RCR123 (16340), but some won't deal well with the higher voltage of the 3.7V AWs.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm thinking that despite there performance improvements, that CR123 really aren't offering me much more over and above AA's then

[Medic82]

I'm thinking that despite there performance improvements, that CR123 really aren't offering me much more over and above AA's then

The only thing they are offering you is a higher price

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'm thinking that despite there performance improvements, that CR123 really aren't offering me much more over and above AA's then

The only thing they are offering you is a higher price

That's certainly my take on it too

[ringzero]

I'm thinking that despite there performance improvements, that CR123 really aren't offering me much more over and above AA's then

The only thing they are offering you is a higher price

A few years back some CR123A lights offered much greater output than AA lights.  That output advantage has narrowed since then.

Nowdays there are 2AA lights available that are bright enough for most anyone, and even the 1AA lights have become brighter than the 2CR123A lights of several years ago.

I no longer buy CR123A lights, and those that I owned have been sold or traded away.

The economy and versatility advantages of AA cells over CR123A cells has become huge nowdays.

-Alkaline AAs can be found at very reasonable prices.

-Some type of AA cells will be available even in the smallest stores and gas stations in rural areas.

-Most modern multi-level AA lights will run on Alkaline, Lithium, NiMH, NiCad, and even carbon-zinc cells if necessary.

-AA Lithium cells are pricey, but no more expensive than CR123A cells.  They have the same cold weather and long term storage advantages as CR123A.

.

[Magnus]

call me a noob if you will (because, well, I am), but what is wrong with 18650 flashlights?  they seem better all round than 2xAA lights.

[NutSAK]

I'm thinking that despite there performance improvements, that CR123 really aren't offering me much more over and above AA's then

The only thing they are offering you is a higher price

That's certainly my take on it too

Even though I love AA NiMH as a power source, I don't completely agree with the above statement when considering RCR123.  Let's not forget that I am talking about the subject of this thread--rechargable Li-Ion (RCR123), not lithium CR123 primaries.

1xRCR123 is much more compact than 2xAA, but offers equal lumen output.  2xAA offers better runtime in a bigger package.

1xRCR123 is equally compact, more or less, as 1xAA, but offers better lumen output (due to higher voltage).  Runtime is virtually equal at any given lumen level that both lights can supply.  The power stored in an RCR123 and an Eneloop are virtually the same.

It's a bit of a moot point to me, but you may also want to consider that lights designed for 2xCR123 are typically more efficient than AA lights, because they use buck circuits (to lower the voltage from input to the emitter) vs. AA lights which use boost circuits (to increase voltage from input to the emitter).

[NutSAK]

call me a noob if you will (because, well, I am), but what is wrong with 18650 flashlights?  they seem better all round than 2xAA lights.

Nothing is wrong with them, and I don't believe it has been stated that there is anything wrong with them.  We have been discussing 16340, not 18650.

However, 18650 is a much better option than 2xRCR123 (2x16340), when only runtime is considered.  That is, if your 2xCR123 light is designed to also utilize the 18650 cell.

[Benner]

Mike to give you an idea, my Surefire runs 2xCR123 cells and I am still on the original set which weren't new when I got them.  That is depite being carried and used every single day since I got it.  The cells are available pretty cheaply (look at 4sevens) and a 10 pack like I get lasts for ages.

[NutSAK]

Mike to give you an idea, my Surefire runs 2xCR123 cells and I am still on the original set which weren't new when I got them.  That is depite being carried and used every single day since I got it.  The cells are available pretty cheaply (look at 4sevens) and a 10 pack like I get lasts for ages.

That may be true but, regardless of the efficiency of your CR123 light, you will be hard pressed to make the case that primary CR123 is one of the cheaper, or greener, power options for a torch.

Sorry to bring up the greener thing, but I know Mike would be concerned with that. 

[Benner]

Good job I'm not making that case then ey. 

CR123 lights have this rep of being ridiculously costy to run.  I was merely pointing out that it is not necessarily the case.

[NutSAK]

No, it's certainly not ridiculous.  CR123 is a great power source when you consider the benefits of high power, long storage, and wide temperature operating range.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well I'm certainly not ruling them out

Thanks for your imput Terry

[NutSAK]

Well I'm certainly not ruling them out

Thanks for your imput Terry

You're welcome Mike.  As I look back through this post, it has become pretty complicated...  Consider that it is very important to keep the comments about RCR123 rechargables and CR123 primaries separated in your mind, as they have very different characteristics.  Specs, performance, runtime, cost, pros, cons, etc. are very different.  I would say that the differences between the two are much greater than the differences between AA alkaline primaries and AA NiMH rechargables.

[prime77]

I agree with Ben on CR123s. I edc three lights that use them. And use one or two of these lights every day and I am still on the same box of twelve that I got like last Jan I think. Runtime of your light matters a great deal. I have stayed away from rechargeables so I can't offer much help to you mike. I hope you find what your looking for. Lights and rechargeables can get pretty complicated sometimes.

[Nightshade]

RCR123 3.7v is a great platform when physical size is a concern. Unlike many flash-0-holics, most of my lighting needs are close range and 10-12 lumens is more than plenty. I use a modded Arc LS and Firefly 3 with Flu-pic conversions. Those allow to me to user select 3 settings ranging from 3 lumens to over 100.The runtime on low with a RCR123 3.7v is very respectable.

That being said, AA Eneloops are a very,very practical set-up. Considering all of the terrific AA lights out there now, Fenix LD1, Nitecore D10,etc.etc. Most of these lights will run off of almost any chemistry. Lithium,alkaline, Nimh. The Arc and FF3 aren't as capable.
If I did not already own the CR123 lights, I can't say if I would add those lights now. AA and AAA lights are so advanced now.

To muddle the waters even more I received a Muyshondt Aeon in trade this year. It uses CR2 batteries and the light is shorter than a AA battery. With a non user settable low output of 9-11 lumens. Low output runtime is 38-40 hrs. This has become my most used and carried light. I am still on my first battery.

[NutSAK]

I'm with Nightshade.  My uses are also similar to his, and I like 15-20 lumens for nearly everything.  Runtimes are not as big a consideration.

IMHO, if you're considering buying a CR123 light just to run RCR123 and you don't own one already, don't do it.   You'll be better off investing in another AA light, since you can run Alkaline, lithium, NiMH, and Li-Ion (14500) in a single AA light.  In a 1xAA, the 14500 will give you exactly the same benefits (high voltage and lumens, equal runtime) as a 16340 RCR123.  Like the CR123 lights though, you will need to be sure the particular light you're considering accepts the higher voltage of the 14500 li-Ion battery.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well the main thing's that we're leading me down the CR123 route were there compact nature, and the lengthier run time's compared to AA's, but after reading all this, and in view of my fairly limited need of a torch most days (except in use as a cycle light) I thinking that just sticking with the AA torch/Eneloop combo is the best way to go for me personally

[ringzero]

Well the main thing's that we're leading me down the CR123 route were there compact nature, and the lengthier run time's compared to AA's, but after reading all this, and in view of my fairly limited need of a torch most days (except in use as a cycle light) I thinking that just sticking with the AA torch/Eneloop combo is the best way to go for me personally

Stick with AA lights - the economic advantage over CR123A lights is huge.

The supermarket that I frequent sells 4-packs of Energizer Lithium AAs for a little less than 8 bucks - about $2/cell.

Alkaline AAs are available in packs of 16 and 32 for very decent prices, as low as $0.25/cell if you catch them on sale.  Sale prices on NiMH AAs and chargers are also very decent.

At that same supermarket, 2-packs of CR123A cells are just under 10 bucks - well over $4/cell.  CR123As are never available at reduced sale prices.

These prices are typical of most places around here that you'd buy batteries:  discount drugstores, hardware stores, etc.

.

[Medic82]

While we are in on the subject of CR123 batteries, does anyone know where you can buy batteries in bulk at a desent price?

[ringzero]

Another point that needs clarification:  cold weather performance.

I see this touted all the time as a supposed advantage of CR123A lights over AA lights and it's just wrong.

I've read up on this issue and I've also done a few practical tests of my own.

CR123A lights offer NO cold weather performance advantage over AA lights running on Lithium AA cells.

However, unlike the CR123A lights, AA lights have the option to run on cheaper alkaline or NiMH cells in warm weather conditions - most of the time for most of us.

.

[NutSAK]

Another point that needs clarification:  cold weather performance.

I see this touted all the time as a supposed advantage of CR123A lights over AA lights and it's just wrong.

Really?  I've never seen anyone comment that the cold weather performance was related only to the CR123 cell.  I've only seen it related to lithium primary chemistries.  

I saw one CPF member comment that he's had poor performance (not weather) from Energizer L91s and L92s, but that seems to be an isolated incident.