splashdown Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I'm in need of more 123A batteries for my M3 light. I've bought the 12 packs of surefire batts in the past, but wondered if anyone here has any other recommendations. Rechargables would be awesome, but from my brief search it doesn't look like they're available. I found a brand called Pentagon lights and they sell their batts cheaper than surefire. Any others? Does Duracell or Energizer sell the 123A size at the local mega marts? Who sells the 123A at the most reasonable cost? splashdown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue_862 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 If you are LEO surefire will give you a 25% discount if you order from them directly, or maybe you have a friend that is LEO and will help you out. Rick Dahly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-ManBart Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I've ordered from Surefire in the past as they had the best price I could find and I know that's what we buy as an organization...hadn't heard of Pentagon lights before, but I did work at the real one for a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Keep an eye out at your local 'corner drugstores' too. A while back I found Energizers at CVS drugstores for $2.99 a 2-pack with a manufacturers coupon attached for $3 off. Yes you read that right. They actually owed me $0.01 back at the end of the transaction. I picked up all they had at that store, and then moved on to 5 other stores in the Dayton area. I ended up with 10 2-packs for something like $10 (not ALL of them had the coupons attached) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingerjg Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I have had excellent luck w/ Evergreen CR123 Lithium Batteres from TAD Gear. I have compared run time in my Surefire L4 and had similar results as Surefire batteries. At $44.40 for 40 batteries its a pretty good deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwoods Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Try Botach Tactical. There were batteries on their site for .39 or .89 cents each. I think it was around 39 dollars for a boatload. Try botac.com Redwoods Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Try Botach Tactical. There were batteries on their site for .39 or .89 cents each. I think it was around 39 dollars for a boatload. Try botac.comRedwoods +1 lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j2fast Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 (edited) Glad I clicked into this thread Botac does have some good prices: http://store.botachtactical.com/batteries.html ETA: They've got name brands for about $1.00 a piece (20pack) and one brand that I've not used before for $.69 a piece (50 pack). Edited August 2, 2007 by j2fast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 http://www.batterystation.com/cr123a.htm Good place to do business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Anderson Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Be careful with some of the cheaper brands of batteries. The office just switched to a cheaper brand and they suck. I'm getting lights back all the time with "new" batteries that don't work. Drop in a couple SureFire's and they light right up. Some of the cheap imports don't include a thermal cutoff and can explode if left on. Ever notice how hot a SureFire gets if you leave it on in your pocket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashdown Posted August 3, 2007 Author Share Posted August 3, 2007 Has anyone used the rechargable RCR-123A from the battery station? That may be the best long term solution if I don't find a deal similar to what Chris Keen mentioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinMike Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I've had good luck with Amondo Tech Titanium batteries. They have the protection stuff built in and I really like how you can buy sets that are banded together in twos or threes - convenient and safe! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Kline Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Splashdown, If you get the rechargable 123's, let me know how they work. I've got numerous Surefire lights for work and would be interested in how they hold up. I bought a pack of 100 a few years ago for $75 and they are an off brand, something like Lisun or Alisun. I think they might have even been from Amondo Tech. They are decent, but not Surefires. They last about 2/3 or 3/4 as long, but I have quite a few, so I don't mind so much. I know traditionally Surefire does not recommend their rechargable lights as of now and until they improve their rechargable technology, but I don't know if that would apply to those rechargables. I do remember Surefire stating that the technology needed for dependable rechargable batteries and lights is just not out there right not, but they were working on it. Also, a little caution in dealing with Botach. Ive ordered from them several times and their cust service is a bit to be desired. They take their time and are in no rush to get you your stuff. Plus, some of the items listed they don't have, but they don't say anything until you call. They have great toys and looks great, but realize you're going to wait a while to get it. They don't rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Anderson Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Also, a little caution in dealing with Botach. Ive ordered from them several times and their cust service is a bit to be desired. They take their time and are in no rush to get you your stuff. Plus, some of the items listed they don't have, but they don't say anything until you call. They have great toys and looks great, but realize you're going to wait a while to get it. They don't rush. That is the most generous thing I've heard anyone say about Botach. It's a heck of a lot nicer than what I would say about them if this wasn't Brian's forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokshwn Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 +1 with Chuck on Botach Also stay with a quality battery. We just had two lights fail that had only been on about 5 minutes. They were powered by second rate chinese batteries. The batteries got hot enough in that time to not only rupture but also put enough heat into the flashlight head to cause the lenses to shatter. I would stick with surefire batts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFD Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 I would advise against ordering anything from Botach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eager Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 (edited) FWIW, here's a lessons learned safety incident regarding 123 batteries that happened where I work. It makes me wonder about the cheaper ones too: BatteryHazard.pdf Edited August 3, 2007 by Eager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Try www.lapolicegear.com Fair prices and good service. I've got some of their house-brand batts and they seem to be a good value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walangkatapat Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I've had good luck with Amondo Tech Titanium batteries. They have the protection stuff built in and I really like how you can buy sets that are banded together in twos or threes - convenient and safe! That's what I get and the shipping is fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walangkatapat Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 123 Battery Shoot Out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajarrel Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Unless you are going to carry a standard set of batteries as a backup to rechargables, I would avoid them. Other than the memory problems (which is being avoided by not using NiCad any longer but nickel-metal-halide) they do not die gradually, warning you that they are going, they just quit. If you look at a discharge graph there is a "knee" where the battery current drops to near-zero when the voltage gets to a certain level. FWIW dj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Unless you are going to carry a standard set of batteries as a backup to rechargables, I would avoid them. Other than the memory problems (which is being avoided by not using NiCad any longer but nickel-metal-halide) they do not die gradually, warning you that they are going, they just quit. If you look at a discharge graph there is a "knee" where the battery current drops to near-zero when the voltage gets to a certain level.FWIW dj Lithium cells have a pretty good knee to them as well... why scope dots seem to just go out all of a sudden.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 LA Police Gear sells the Battery Station 123's which seem to always end up in the upper end of the rating spectrum. Good value and little purchasing risk, unlike that other place in LA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiG Lady Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Eric's tip about lapolicegear is interesting: They offer two bulk 123-battery packages (50-count and 30-count) for $1 each and a-little-over-a-dollar-each*, respectively. That's pretty affordable! (that's per-battery, folks.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajarrel Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Eric's tip about lapolicegear is interesting: They offer two bulk 123-battery packages (50-count and 30-count) for $1 each and a-little-over-a-dollar-each*, respectively. That's pretty affordable! (that's per-battery, folks.) extremely affordable. I spent $2 per battery yesterday at a gun show for sure fire batteries and thought I was getting a deal dj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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