CR123 vs AA

[tibis3383]

What does everyone prefer and why? The battery life looks to be the same but I would imagine that the CR123s are more expensive but also smaller. I appreciate any and all opinions.

Semper Fi

Tim

[randyman_ar]

I would prefer the AA simply for the availability and price. However all of my weapon mounted lights use the CR123. I'm assuming the mfg. does this for a reason.

[JHC]

Is there much of a difference in how they last in cold temps?

[rackham1]

I assume you mean for optics, right? I used to dig the CR123 batts because I bought into the long shelf-life, high intensity features that are usually mentioned. And I love my Surefire flashlight so it seemed to make sense to keep things the same.

However, lately I'm thinking what's normal might be better than what's cool... AAs are easier to replace, cheaper, and give you some warning when they're getting tired (I find the sudden death of CR123s to be a problem if I don't have spares immediately on my person).

Also, supposedly lithium AAs get nearly as long of shelf life as CR123s, although I've never put batteries on the shelf for 10 years just to test this.

I guess I'll go back to AAs where I can.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Dim bulb here, but don't 123 discharge faster and with more power than a AA can, so when we all had these incan bulbs that needed 9V to get 200 lumens we could drive them for 30 minutes, or whatever.

Now with LEDs, it seems they work petty well with 123 or AA batteries. I carry a Fenix AA when I travel, since I don't know when or where I'd be able to restock ITSHTF. At home I run all my lights 123s.

[rackham1]

Originally Posted by FromMyColdDeadHand

Dim bulb here, but don't 123 discharge faster and with more power than a AA can, so when we all had these incan bulbs that needed 9V to get 200 lumens we could drive them for 30 minutes, or whatever.

Now with LEDs, it seems they work petty well with 123 or AA batteries. I carry a Fenix AA when I travel, since I don't know when or where I'd be able to restock ITSHTF. At home I run all my lights 123s.

That's what makes the 123's sudden death that much more of a problem for me... because I only get about an hour on my basic 65 lumen Surefire flashlight, which means it's not like I got a whole lot of time where I could remember to grab spares.

Agreed that the LEDs work well with either. Do you happen to know if you get the same drop-dead effect when running 123s on LED bulbs? I'd guess so, but at least you get 100x the burn time.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Originally Posted by rackham1

That's what makes the 123's sudden death that much more of a problem for me... because I only get about an hour on my basic 65 lumen Surefire flashlight, which means it's not like I got a whole lot of time where I could remember to grab spares.

Agreed that the LEDs work well with either. Do you happen to know if you get the same drop-dead effect when running 123s on LED bulbs? I'd guess so, but at least you get 100x the burn time.

I tried to figure it out, but my thumb got tired

Try http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/

I go there when I'm researching a light. Seems to be the AR15.com of flashlights. I ended up spending too much cash and have all kinds of spare bulbs sitting around the house because of that site.

[rackham1]

I hear you... I can't resist a good flashlight and my wife already picks on me mercilessly for it. Guess this will make it worse... I like it!

Back to the OP's question, which I think might be related specifically to CR123 or AA for optics (I helped lead us astray)... I assume that means deciding between models of EOtech? I think I'd personally go for AA for simple, cheap, and easy to replace (if I wanted an EOtech). Unless weight or size is a more important issue (I don't carry a duty weapon so it's not as critical for me), then I'd go with 123.

[Armati]

123 batteries are great, however availability is an issue.

There are also no 123 rechargeables. I have several AA solar chargers. And the new NiMH rechargeables are vastly superior to the old NiCads. If you need near 123 performance out of your AA use the AA lithium L91 batteries.

I like having one battery for logistical purposes. At one point I had my EOTech, PVS-7, PEQ-2, Peltors and headlamp all running on AA's. I am trying to run down a good tac-light that runs on AA's.

I also know I can find AA's in just about any store in the world. In the US a lot of places do carry 123's but AA's are everywhere and are used for nearly everything.

[tibis3383]

Thank you all for your input. I was actually asking because of the EoTech optic and I was already leaning towards the 517 and you all have helped confirm that decision. Eotech has both models listed at 1000 hours with the use of lithium batteries so AAs it is. Thanks again

Semper Fi

Tim

[Byron]

A couple points worth making:

AA and 123 are battery sizes, not to necessarily be confused with battery chemistry. 123 primaries are lithium cells, and when most people say AA generically they are referring to alkaline cells, but you can get AA in lithium. I realize this has already been pointed out to some extent, but I still see some people making 123 vs AA arguments which are really lithium vs alkaline arguments.

Lithium cells perform much better in a wider range of temperatures than do alkaline cells.

There are rechargeable cells in 123 size. I run them in some of my 123 flashlights. That said, they are generally higher voltage than 123 primaries (there are various kinds, but that's a whole 'nother can of worms) and I wouldn't stick them in an optic.

Flashlights suddenly dying isn't really a result of 123 vs AA as much as it is the device, its method of illumination, and its regulation. Some flashlights will dim slowly over a long period of time while others will die suddenly. This is true regardless of battery size or chemistry and can be seen in both incandescent and LED lights.

All that said, I would feed an optic lithium batteries, regardless of whether you choose 123 or AA. They have significantly longer shelf life, perform better in temperature extremes, and don't generally spew their contents like alkaline cells occasionally do. Overall, lithium cells are more reliable than alkaline cells.

[ra2bach]

what is the word on the Eneloop rechargeable battery?