Tough but cheap CR123A light recommendation

Without warning, eh? That’s really bad.

right - it works ok if you don;t remove a 16340 and insert it half-rundown

there is no better way to really do that though. you want cr123s to run down all the way, but you don;t want th 16340s to do that…

unless you were to tell it explicitly [button commands] what kind of battery you have.

wle

The WK 42 can also can be fooled if you have a really fresh CR123. I had a CR123 that was just barely over the bottom limit that lit up the low battery warning on the clicky after a few minutes. I was pretty confused until I re-read the manual LOL.Then I just pulled out the battery for a few minutes to let the light reset and it was all good.

I’m starting to hope for battery tubes with little windows in them — like film cameras used to show you what kind of film was inside the case.

OK, I get the CR123 thing, but do not dismiss the AA and AAA size used with the L91/92 sized lithium primary batteries. If your department buys the batteries for you, the EOD, Aviation or Incident Command section will have a order number for these, as they use them for stuff that has to work out of storage. If not, hunting around, the AAA and AA lithium primaries can be had at CR123 prices. The main advantage is the use of other stock batteries, alkaline, which I know you do not like, but hear me out.

The 1.5V AA lithium primary have 3000mah capacity, or the equivalent watts of a 1500mah 3V CR123 (1/2 mah, doubled voltage), so they are effectively the same as a CR123, and single AA lights are thinner than the CR123 (more types too). Double AA will of course have twice the run time of the single lights.

The AAA is only about 1200 mah for the Lithium primary, so the run time suffers until you go to a 2x AAA, then it is almost equal to a CR123, and a lot nicer form factor to carry. A 1x AAA is too easy to carry, so there is that plus, even with the detriment to run time and brightness.

The last thing to consider is the dreaded alkaline compatibility. If you have the store chain “Dollar Tree” in your area, hit it up and buy a four pack of the alkaline Sunbeam batteries (NOT the heavy duty, they are lower capacity by 2/3). AA HERE AAA HERE For $0.25 you have a decent alkaline that you can afford to replace daily if you want. I saw a few comments that these are about 90% as long lived as the “brand” alkaline batteries, but are 75% cheaper. I like a ten percent loss for a 75% savings… A 20 work day month will cost you $5 in AA alkaline this route, no worries about leaking if you change them out daily as an extreme example. Plus if you give away the light to someone that needs it, they can get batteries easily and cheaply, unlike “retail” CR123 prices…

Perhaps this information will help in your search…

Tech bulletin on Lithium Primaries

The new fenix E15 2016, one of my reliable and compact for EDC daily use, only for a few bucks over your price around 25 USD you will get a top light at a budget price!
(not clip)

http://www.banggood.com/Fenix-E15-2016-Cree-XP-G2-R5-450LM-Waterproof-Mini-LED-Flashlight-p-1020987.html

+1 E15 2016

I had it as a keychain light for a couple weeks and was happy with it, smooth head operation and good throw for the size. Very compact and lightweight.