Which RCR123a Chemistry should I use? IMR vs ICR vs IFR

I have recently (because of this forum) been convinced to get the Eagletac d25c ‘clicky’ which accepts RCR123a batteries. Come to find out there are different chemistry’s of this battery. I was going to go with the protected kind but which Chemistry should I go with?

- Lithium LMR vs LCR vs LFR ?

For that light, I would recommend either IMR or ICR. There is a link with a good bit of info about batteries in my sig.

Thanks for the quick reply! I’m reading two reviews right now that I’ll tag under references. What/where is your sig?

- Reference Links:

Here the link is.

Sig means signature, it is the thing in bars below my post.

Thanks! Your review looks very well compiled. I will give it a read.
At first glace tho I might go with ICR because of availablity. I can’t find any IMRs on eBay.
And more batteries have no info at all. I was looking at tenergy ‘blue striped’ ICRs.
Thanks again!

Here my two good ones are shipped from one of my favorite retailers.

IMR

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-IMR16340-550-mAh-IMR-CR123-size-LiMN-Rechargeable-Lithium-Battery_p_2626.html

ICR

http://www.lighthound.com/AW-RCR123a-Protected-750-mAh-Battery_p_114.html

Keep in mind the IMR one is not protected (like all IMRs) so come to think of it, if you want a protected one then just go with a ICR one.

Would you recommend a particular charger?

I was looking at tenergy’s

Reference Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Card-Tenergy-Rechargeable-Protected-Batteries/dp/B002UEE7SU/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1355255604&sr=1-3&keywords=tenergy+rechargeable+cr123

* In reading your review I saw that you suggested a charger, is this the charger your were talking about:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nitecore-i4-Intellicharger-4-Slot-Universal-Li-ion-Ni-MH-Ni-Cd-Battery-Charger-/321059895724?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item4ac0a939ac

Yes, that is a great charger. I'm up to two of them now along with an I2 which has two slots rather than four slots.

Great, im really leaning towards the i4 charger because it is user friendly and it can charge a wide range of batteries.

I was looking at the tenergy rcr123a ‘protected’ but it was rated at 900mah. Would this be a problem with the i4 charger. (i thought it read 750mah)?

Some other off brand rcr123a’s read 1000mah or 1200mah. Would this be a problem too with the i4 charger?

Reference Links:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenergy-RCR123A-3-0V-900mAh-Rechargeable-Li-Ion-Battery-/330625808572?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item4cfad578bc

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nitecore-i4-Intellicharger-4-Slot-Universal-Li-ion-Ni-MH-Ni-Cd-Battery-Charger-/321059895724?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item4ac0a939ac

No that would be fine, it just means it will take a bit longer to charge. I have personally used this charger to charge batteries with 4000+ mah capacities.

Also, the I4 doesn't actually charge this type of battery.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tenergy-RCR123A-3-0V-900mAh-Rechargeable-Li-Ion-Battery-/330625808572?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item4cfad578bc

Just look for anything called a 3.7 volt battery.

Okay, I see, look for 3.7 volts.

Is ultrafire any good and/or would it work with the i4 charger? I think I have heard of a few people using theses.

Reference Link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Ultrafire-16340-1200mAh-CR123A-Rechargeable-Li-ion-Battery-F-laser-Flashlight-/380573849294?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item589bf816ce

The ultrafire ones are most likely not that good. I would recommend any brand name that does not contain fire in it. I have used AW, Efest, Nitecore, and Jetbeam just to name a few.

Great, I was thinking of the AW rcr123a icr 750mah protected you had posted. My only additional concern was that With the Eagletac d25c ppl had mentions that a battery nipple was needed because the flashlight has a reverse polarity precaution that required a battery nipple. The AW link you sent looks to have one but it looks small. Do you think it will work fine with the eagletac d25c.

Thank you again for all of your information. it is invaluable.

The AW is perfect for the D25C. I have a few and run them all on AW.

On the Eagletac site here it says

So button top is needed no matter which chemistry. LIFR is the only one with the voltage range without direct drive/ heat issues. It might actually direct drive briefly on freshly charged cells. If you want to go higher voltage it may be best to avoid IMR; since it can sustain higher currents you are likely to push even more amperage than ICR.

Yes, but the visible difference with IMR over ICR is negligible, and the extra heat buildup is noticable.

Thank you for the info ‘Ouchyfoot’. I’m pretty sure I’m going with the aw icr.

‘Baterija’ I was thinking of avoiding IMR to avoid damaging the Eagletac d25c, although I’m still not sure it will (my knowledge of the matter is lacking). Are you suggesting to stick with ICR? The flashlight, for my use, will never be on more than a few mins. And I would like the extra lumen output. I have another 3xAAA flashlight for extended uses, such as camping.

- also I’m not exactly sure what direct drive means?

Get an AW RCR123(16340) and an AW LiFePo4. That way you can run your D25C how you want when you want. The Xtar MP2 is a beauty little charger, that charges both types at 250mA. A perfect little charger for 123 rechargeable typ cells.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-MP2-Battery-Charger-for-16340-18350-ICR123A-CR2-/220818194966

Where can I get AW LiFePo4s? Thanks!

Direct drive means it runs full out on high. On an ICR the D25C has been clocked at over 700 lumens. When in direct drive you will lose the other modes…high only, although I believe the D25C may retain low. If you keep a LiFepo4 handy, you have the option of having a light with all the modes available, with less output.
Ether way, the D25C is pretty damn bright for such a small package.