Best CR123 Battery

[Teofilo]

Which CR123 Battery do you think is the best for our lights? or, are they all the same?
At the lower portion of the SF package, it says:  "Replaces DL123, CR123.. What does it mean?

[Spoonrobot]

Which CR123 Battery do you think is the best for our lights? or, are they all the same?

Personally I think Streamlight brand cells are the best but pretty much any American or Japanese cell is going to perform pretty close to the same. A poster at CPF did a huge test of several different makes of cells here. I would recommend against using any Chinese made cells, they tend to "vent with flame" more often than American/Japanese cells due to spotty quality and sometimes just poor construction.

At the lower portion of the SF package, it says:  "Replaces DL123, CR123.. What does it mean?

It just identifies all the different ways of labeling these batteries. That is, Surefire is technically SF123, so it's just clarifying that SF123 (Surefire brand) can replace the DL123 (Duracell brand) as well as others.

[NutSAK]

I prefer Ray-O-Vacs but, like Spoon said, pretty much any US made battery will perform well.

[Spoonrobot]

I've never had the opportunity to try out Ray-O-Vacs myself. Know a place where they can be purchased at typical market prices? (12 batteries for @20$ or so?) I'm on my last few sets of 123s and was just going to re-order my Streamlight brand from Brightguy but I always like to try new things.

[NutSAK]

http://www.lighthound.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2856

Take a look around the store if you haven't before.  Lighthound as some great stuff!

[Leatherman123]

I use the Energizer Lithium's.. They work pretty well..

[Benner]

I use the Energizer Lithium's.. They work pretty well..

So do I, but that's only because they are sold in fenix-store and are pretty cheap in comparison to prices over here.

[WhichDawg]

the only primaries I have are duracell ultra CR123 and they work fine and I've heard
very good things about Surefires, but their all too expensive for me, especially being
one time use (which really bothers me), it's why I'm now into RCR123s, better value for me.

[Spoonrobot]

NutSak, thanks for the link. I've used Lighthound before for buying Surefire parts but never thought to get my batteries from there.

As long as we're on the subject; if anyone has a Lowe's home improvement store near them they have started stocking Surefire 123 batteries at certain locations. They're selling them $4.99 for 2 cells which is about the best deal I've seen at common B&M stores. Just a tip. 

[Teofilo]

Thanks for the info guys! In relation to CR123 battery, Is it possible that this type of battery would leak or corrode our flashlights the same way the AAA does especially when left inside for a long time?

[NutSAK]

Thanks for the info guys! In relation to CR123 battery, Is it possible that this type of battery would leak or corrode our flashlights the same way the AAA does especially when left inside for a long time?

(Image removed from quote.)

They can, but it is a VERY RARE occurrence, and it should only happen when they're damaged physically.

[prime77]

Have any of you guys ever used Titanium brand 123s? I just bought a light from batteryjunction.com and got 8 free.

[RichardMT]

I received 50 of the Batterystation.com 123s that I ordered. They are supposed to be much improved and are made in USA. I have not used any yet at I still have about 20 Surefire brand batteries. If they turn out to work ok then I will order a few more boxes of 50. My wife says she is going to put a Batterystation battery in her L1 when her current battery dies (she goes through 2 or 3 a week) so I will let you know what she thinks.