Surefire Flashlights at, Lowes? - Page 3

jsebens · December 22nd, 2007, 06:03 PM

This may interest you...while deployed, I noticed that all the 123 batteries that our supply section got were Panasonic...I now have a mix of them and Surefire batteries in my safe.

bzdog · December 22nd, 2007, 09:28 PM

FWIW, this thread on CPF is sort of the authoritative source on 123A battery performance (although no Panasonic).

Keep in mind that performance varies by load. Looking at that thread, the way I'd think of it is that I'd look at the .5A charts for low power, long running lights, 1A charts for high power lights like the SF E2e / 6P, etc. And look at the 2A charts for the super high power lights like the SF M6.

Note beyond performance there is consistency/reliability which is mostly anecdotal at this point.

After reading a lot of stuff on CPF, I primarily buy Streamlight batteries and then Surefire. If I end up with others like Batterystation brand, I tend to use those in lower power lights.

But there are a lot of good batteries out there, and tests like the one on CPF are putting pressure on the lower cost suppliers to improve their quality. Some brands (Batterystation and Titanium come to mind) have re-formulated specifically because of this test.

-john

Other CPF battery threads of interest:

- Alkaline Battery Shoot Out
- NiMh Battery Shoot Out (rechargeables)

Also beware that while I am a big advocate of lithium batteries, both the 123A and AA varieties can explode (2, 3, 4), and the resulting vapors are very toxic.

IIRC, explosions appear to be mostly related to multi-sell configurations where one cell gives out before the others and gets reverse charged. It is very important to use matched lithium cells (no mixing of brands, charge levels, etc). Also, don't allow your lithium cells to be punctured, crushed or burned.

This is also an issue for lithium ion (rechargable) batteries, but currently they are not as commonly used in flashlights (although increasing).

Buyer beware and... be careful out there.

Rossman · December 22nd, 2007, 09:56 PM

I buy batteries for my Surefire E2e when ever I need them and hadn't paid attention to the price to much. I appreciate this discussion.

bzdog · December 22nd, 2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossman

I buy batteries for my Surefire E2e when ever I need them and hadn't paid attention to the price to much. I appreciate this discussion.

Well, whatever you do, buy them online. I've yet to see even a semi-reasonable price at a B&M.

And remember, they have a 10 year shelf life, so you can buy in large(er) quantities in order to save shipping.

-john

December 22nd, 2007, 09:56 PM	#23
Rossman Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bass Lake, CA Posts: 491	I buy batteries for my Surefire E2e when ever I need them and hadn't paid attention to the price to much. I appreciate this discussion. __________________ Rossman Colt 1911, XD 40, http://www.newsbusters.org/ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...stria-Iran.php http://www.soldiersangels.org/[url] I'm a bitter American clinging to his guns and religion.

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December 22nd, 2007, 06:03 PM	#21
jsebens Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hilliard, Ohio Posts: 80	This may interest you...while deployed, I noticed that all the 123 batteries that our supply section got were Panasonic...I now have a mix of them and Surefire batteries in my safe.

December 22nd, 2007, 09:28 PM	#22
bzdog Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle(ish), WA Posts: 451	FWIW, this thread on CPF is sort of the authoritative source on 123A battery performance (although no Panasonic). Keep in mind that performance varies by load. Looking at that thread, the way I'd think of it is that I'd look at the .5A charts for low power, long running lights, 1A charts for high power lights like the SF E2e / 6P, etc. And look at the 2A charts for the super high power lights like the SF M6. Note beyond performance there is consistency/reliability which is mostly anecdotal at this point. After reading a lot of stuff on CPF, I primarily buy Streamlight batteries and then Surefire. If I end up with others like Batterystation brand, I tend to use those in lower power lights. But there are a lot of good batteries out there, and tests like the one on CPF are putting pressure on the lower cost suppliers to improve their quality. Some brands (Batterystation and Titanium come to mind) have re-formulated specifically because of this test. -john Other CPF battery threads of interest: - Alkaline Battery Shoot Out - NiMh Battery Shoot Out (rechargeables) Also beware that while I am a big advocate of lithium batteries, both the 123A and AA varieties can explode (2, 3, 4), and the resulting vapors are very toxic. IIRC, explosions appear to be mostly related to multi-sell configurations where one cell gives out before the others and gets reverse charged. It is very important to use matched lithium cells (no mixing of brands, charge levels, etc). Also, don't allow your lithium cells to be punctured, crushed or burned. This is also an issue for lithium ion (rechargable) batteries, but currently they are not as commonly used in flashlights (although increasing). Buyer beware and... be careful out there.