I’m looking for a small light that takes a single CR123A battery, the smaller the better, preferably with a warm, high CRI emitter. There aren’t many good offerings on the market any more these days. I don’t really care if it can use 16340, as I’m mainly interested in the lithium primaries, as they are less affected by temperature extremes in a vehicle.
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What sort of UI do you want? Mechanical switch, e-switch, or don’t care?
I know of a few 16340/CR123A lights that are extremely small but they are a twisty UI.
Also, are you open to using Lithium-primary AAs (energizer ultimate lithium and such? They have similar extreme-temperature handling.
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Parametrek is your friend…
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Excellent advice.
Parametrek doesn’t have every flashlight, but it has a lot of them. 
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If you’re using primaries you’ll want a light without LVP. I don’t see a filter for that on Parametrek but maybe I’m just missing it.
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Of course. The thing is, I already have a bunch of AA lights, but sadly only a few CR123A lights, and only one of them is a single cell light, and kinda bulky at that. I like a little variety, and whatnot. Not that I need all that, but once you get locked into a serious light collection, the tendency is to push it as far as you can.
Thank you for the link! I had completely forgotten about Parametrek.
UI doesn’t really matter. I love em all!
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Check for On The Road flashlights on AliExpress, you have several models that take both 16340 and CR123a batteries, also with different more or less customizable UIs!
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My car light is a Skilhunt H150 loaded w Eneloop, which are also very heat tolerant.
In the AA category Skilhunt also makes the M150. And there is the Emisar D3AA. Both of which will run on Eneloop.
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Foursevens Mini MKIII. 90+ CRI.
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" The Mini MKIII is a compact RCR123-powered light"
that means 16340… or, have you direct experience to verify the light runs on CR123a Primaries?
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lumireviews.ca will be your second friend. You can’t filter by length or diameter size though. For the battery format, use the manual entry and enter 123 so you get CR123A and RCR123. For the battery qty, use the dropdown menu to fix the result to 1x instead of getting things like 1-3, etc
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The specifications for the Mini MkIII indicate it will work on 2.0 to 4.2V, and the manual lists CR123A as an allowed “alternate battery.”
It should be assumed the light will have significantly reduced maximum output. I don’t know if the lower modes achieve the same outputs as with a 16340, or if they are proportionately adjusted downward.
Don’t mind the questionable-looking URL. This instruction sheet was linked from the Prometheus/FourSevens website:
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I have one, it is intended for 16340 but it works on a CR123A in an emergency.
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I like cr123/RCR123/16340 and 2xCR123/16500 size lights myself. Unfortunately I think they are relatively unpopular and have limited options on the market… especially if you are looking for a lower temp or high CRI.
Off the top of my head (you didn’t mention UI, but descriptions are available on each of the manufacturer’s websites):
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You could look at Malkoff lights. I like them. Just be aware that some of their flashlights that are designed for a single CR123 are often not meant to use a Li rechargeable. I might suggest the 1xCR123 Bodyguard (older model), but they have a couple other single CR123 flashlights, as well as options in 4k with high CRI.
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You might be able to track down a Surefire E1-B Backup MV (floody; low CRI nice white tint)) or EDCL1-T (a little greenish tint). The EDCL1-t has a slightly larger head and longer body since it uses the “gas pedal” switch. I have both, use the EDCL1-T in my “to go” kit, and swapped out the E1-B MV head with a modified Lumens Factory head with a Samsung LH351D in 5k and aftermarket driver. However, I sometimes swap in one of the Malkoff heads, depending on task/purpose. Side note, Lumens Factory also offers some higher CRI options in 4k IIRC.
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Streamlight’s Protac 1L-1AA is available at Cabela’s/Bss Pro Shops locally and is a decent light. I have one but it’s output is outclassed by the Surefires. I keep one with another kit. Also lower CRI but a nicer white tint than some bluer tints of lower cost competitors.
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I’m a fan of EagleTac Clickies at Illumination Gear. Their D25C and D3C have high CRI options. I have one single-CR123 Clicky (since I prefer the 14500/AA shape). They are great task lights… they have a reverse clicky switch and only one way clip so you’ll need to decide if that’s acceptable for your purpose.
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Fenix and Nitecore have a couple low CRI single CR123/16340 options. I’ve been happy with those brands, but I understand the want for higher CRI.
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Klarus K10, maybe you could mode for high cri.
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I was surprised to find this post because I have been searching for something very similar. It seems the single CR123 platform has mostly gone by the wayside. The EagleTac D25C is one of the only ones I can find outside of the expensive Malkoff or Surefire options. The Peak Logan is also a possibility, but I cannot find a whole lot of info about that one.
I have opened up my search a bit and have found a couple of 18350 Nitecore lights that are specifically marketed for compatibility with a single CR123 cell. These are the M10C and the M1C Pro. The manufacturer has tested runtimes on CR123 and includes them in their literature. They seem reasonable enough in performance, although they are substantially better at the high outputs when running an 18350. They are not high CRI, though. Both are cool emitters.
I will probably end up with one of the Nitecores, as they are readily available and affordable, and have good enough performance on a CR123 primary.
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The majority of those (at least the ones under $60) are discontinued lights that are not available for sale anywhere.
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Here is a Classic Small Titanium CR123a light with a Warm LED for sale:
Olight SMini Titanium
(clic pic to go to the sales ad)
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That one looks very nice, but I’ll let someone on that side of the pond grab it up. I would up finding a Foursevens Atom Al on ebay. Definitely fits the smaller is better checkbox. Thinking of a Jetbeam Mk II and/or Eagletac D25c, err, most likely both as well 
Didn’t have the time to show it before, but here’s what I mentioned about On The Road flashights!
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/3081046
The **M4-Pro, M4 and M3 Pro are models are 16340/CR123a compatible flashlights.
The 311 model is also compatible with both types of batteries:
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