Why do people avoid cr123 lights

LED Flashlights – General Info CR123A Flashlights
1

I think I've heard every bad argument against them .

Number one being that the batteries are so expensive .OK sure if you walk into a walgreens pharmacy they are 9$ each but we only talk about that because it's so absurd .. no one has actually paid that much for one .they are cheap online and in quantities even cheaper yet ..

Somehow people have missed the simple fact you can buy a few decent rechargables cheap and just pop them in the same charger you've been using for 18650s and charge them thousands of times .

I've heard people say they don't want another size battery ..I'm sorry.. but that's just a really odd thing to say too.

I have about 15$ invested in 2 trustfire flames and 4 bestinone LMR's.

the shelf life on cr123's is over 10 years and they like heat and freezing cold ..making it a great survival light or glovebox /emergancy light.. Oh yeah they pack a serious punch which makes for a nice small bright light ...what am I missing here ?

If you have a bias against cr123's it's probably a kneejerk reaction, unfounded and not based on clear rational thinking . Most custom high end lights found on the (other site) are cr123 lights .. If people with a lot of money invested in lights are using a battery and you're avoiding it ...maybe you need to rethink your position.

2

Preaching to the choir here! I agree with you 100%. They pack as big or bigger punch than 14500 cells and are simply awesome! 16340 torches are some of my favorites due to size, power and decent runtime for EDC. Some of the coolest lights made are CR123 sized and in a pinch can run readily available primaries which can't be said of 18650 torches.

No extra cost as they are as cheap as any other sized Li-Ion cells and don't need a special charger. Anyone already running Li-Ion cells has a charger that can be used on CR123/16340 cells. Never understood the reluctance some have toward using them.

3

Capacity and easy availability of 18650, infact I'd prefer larger batteries again, ie 32650s it's just not easy to get stuff to take them

4

I love bigger batteries for the same reasons you do and agree but only when it comes to holstered lights. Pocket EDC lights using 16340 cells are every bit as nice or nicer than any 14500 lights but then that’s just my personal opinion.

5

If only talking about small EDC I can't really disagree, I own only 14500/10440 but might get a 16340 if/when I buy another small torch, I just don't use them much.

6

The problem is that if you already have an 18650 battery and charger, then there is little reason to use multiple CR123 lights. You cannot substitute 2 RCR123s for 2 CR123s in those kinds of lights due to overvoltage. Also, having 2 cells is a bit more dangerous than a single 18650 whcih will have slightly more output anyways.

If you don't have an 18650 light already, then you'd want to stick with AA/AAA as those batteries can be used around the house for other things and you only need 1 charger type. They are far better to give as gifts to non-flashaholics too.

That said, I personally use a Quark MiniX 123 with an RCR123 as my keychain light, and 18650 lights for other uses. All you need is a spacer like you said and you can recharge them no problem.

But I can see why people would avoid CR123 lights.

7

My thinking was that CR123 based lights are more of a tactical light made for police or for mounting to firearms. I'm not sure most of those lights are geared towards people that want to EDC them for everyday-civilian use.

Good CR123 batteries are very expensive. Knock-off CR123 batteries from China are much cheaper in bulk, but usually don't have the same amount of mA available. I've tried a few different brands from overseas but most of them are inferior to the US name brand ones. What did I wind up doing? Converting my CR123 lithium primary lights over to rechargeable 16340.

I have two CR123 style lights. One is a surefire6P. It takes two of the CR123 batteries and it's my least favorite light. It's short/fat and turns on in my pocket all of the time because of the momentary on forward push button (not even clicky).

The other one I have is an Aurora SH034, it takes one 16340. It's a very nice light, but I don't care for the fact that it uses the CR123 "size" batteries.

I converted my surefire6p over to use 16340s as well. I have (6) total rechargeable flame 16340s and about (30) 18650 batteries. Why don't I like lights that are 16340/CR123 based? Probably because all of the lights designed to run on this format/size battery are short and fat. Another reason is I had to buy special batteries and a special charger for two of the lights I own.

Why do people complain about investing in "another" type of battery? Well, I can understand that too. I had to buy a charger that fit the 16340 size battery and then I had to buy enough so I have spares so I don't have any downtime. I dislike the 14500 series lights for this too. If I get a light that takes AA or 14500, I will generally power it with Eneloops instead of the 14500 batteries.

It's a pain in the ass for me to have to have separate chargers for everything. I had one charger that would work with 18650 only. Then I bought one that would do 18650/16340. Then when I needed to get a charger for 14500, I had to buy one that charges 18650/14500, but wont charge 16340 without a spacer. So can I understand when people don't want to invest time/money/effort into a new battery style for only 2 or 3 lights in their collection are going to use, yeah that's a valid argument.

I also have to worry about my kids/wife grabbing a 14500 battery and putting it into a AA toy. I've told them about the difference, can I guarantee they are going to remember the difference? NO!

Do I have CR123 Lithium primary lights, yes - do i have 16340 based lights, yes, does it piss me off that I had to buy a separate charger and stock of batteries for them ??? YES!

Do I not like them because they are short and fat? Maybe LOL!

8

don't like coz give less of 1/3 of power of a 18650 with half size

no reason to use 2 in series in lights made for 18650 for safe and autonomy issues

some flashlight that use 18650 can't handle more of 4,5v and a noob with 2 can fry the driver

disposable cr123 are way expensive here I like to turn on my light with no reasons xD

If you want edc take AA/14500 or AAA

no reasons to have another mid way

btw I haven't single 16340 flashlight just an old 3xcr123 L2 maybe when I will get the free M1 (tnx to old and manafont) or the blue luxeon mdxl on my way from FP I'll change my mind

9

cr123a / 16340 are my second favorites after 18650 in terms of size - absolute favorites for edc lights - so I totally agree with OP.

I understand that cr123a abandonment by some people has to do with their fear of Lion chemistry. What I don't understand is that some of the same people who are afraid of Lion batteries, write posts about it from their Lion powered laptops or their Lion powered mobile phones...

10

I have a question about cr123a's. The non-rechargeable cr123a's, is it dangerous to use two of them in a light? I have a 1x18650 or 2xcr123a light. I gave it to my dad so he didn't have to use the Lithium 18650, then I bought him a box of panasonic primary cr123a's to use in it instead of the 18650. Is this safe to use like that?

11

I like to recommend Romisen RC-N3s to my friends because they can use cr123s in them and have a decent pocket light , and if they need runtime , switch over to AAs .

I usually buy the cr123s in bulk , and sell them at cost to my friends .

12

My EDC lights are all 18650s or 14500s. I like the extra capacity and ability to use primaries in a pinch respectively. I think I have one light in every jacket, coat, hoodie, garbage bag with pockets, etc. but the two lights I probably use the most indoors are my Trustfire Z1 and my L2m. Not sure where I'm going with this. :D

13

well a protected 18650 is more safe of a cr123(on the other side primary litio like is said last 10/15 years with a 2% discharge for year), it can still short cut so can ...fire, but why should short cut? Think positive pls xD

A mobile use protected battery, your parents have a mobile? ...QC from china is another story

btw in japan 30% of primary batteries are with litio...

about use 2 cr123a in series is not a big problem(wont your burned home in my conscience xD) btw better if are MUST BE of the same type and charge level

14

[quote=MixoMaxo]

Actually I think that is pretty critical

15

well I have an L2(first xeno now led) with 3 cr123a when was young and fool(3 years ago xD) ever mixed them with unconsciousness never became hot or fire I don't think that the cell with bigger charge can charge the other btw better edit xD

16

Rechargeable all the way, be it NiMh or Li-Ion. Right now I prefer AA sized lights, that takes alkies, NiMh and 14500 :P But I want to try 16340 light, just because of the size.

17

Only Li Ion for me be it 16340, 14500 or 18650. Favorite is the short & fat one

I do like NiMh but mostly they are backups.

18

On what planet do 16340s have more power than 14500s (on average)? Because its not this one. :p

Primaries that cost $1.50 each (at best) don't agree with my wallet either.

19

Id like to get into that realm of batteries, but Im held back by not understanding what battery to get, what charger, what a cr123 even is or if its better than a 16850 or whatever...

AA and AAA are easy for me to get, very cheap (eneloops), buy them anywhere, I already have lots etc. Granted the 10 year life of cr123 sounds handy in survival, not so much EDC.

But Im not a light expert, I only have a few lights in total so far :( all AA and AAA.

20

Bingo! I have tons of 18650s, and just converted to the CR123 dark side. I have rechargeables on the way, but my first light will get here first. I went to two stores so far and no way am I going to pay what they ask for retail! I would argue that that, alone, is the real reason for the lack of greater popularity.

I think that form factor is definitely something you migrate to, rather than a starting point.

My next single-CR123 lights will be a nitecore EX-11v2, ITP A1, and jetbeam BC20.

I doubt I will end up gifting a CR123 because then I need to spring for the batteries and charger.