Sign In
Register
Help
Sometime ago I acquired 2 small flashlights that used 123 batteries. Didn't think anything of it at the time until I went to my neighborhood Walgreen's today to replace them. Did I get a surprise!!! The Walgreen's model is $7 + change for each one. The name brands were $9 and $10 for each battery. Are these made of gold, platinum, silver? Sounds like a sweetheart deal between the battery manufacturer and the flashlight manufacturer. Needless to say I decided not to replace these batteries.
Beware 123 Batteries
MultiQuote
#2
- Calls Shots
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 709
- Joined: 29-October 05
- Gender:Male
- Location:Brentwood, TN
#3
- Sees Sights
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 252
- Joined: 07-July 04
- Gender:Male
- Location:Caldwell, Idaho
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:12 PM
The internets are your friend. Buy in bulk and you can get them for less than a buck a piece. At least they were the last time I bought them.
#4
- Beyond it All
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 1,981
- Joined: 09-March 05
- Gender:Male
- Location:Some cornfield, People's Rep. of IL
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:16 PM
If you just so happen to have a friend in the military, he/she could buy them at just about any (AAFES) military clothing sales store. They'll be tax free too. 
AAFES = Army/Air Force Exchange Stores (or is it Services?)
AAFES = Army/Air Force Exchange Stores (or is it Services?)
___________________________________________________________________________
Why aren't you dry firing right now?
Captain for Team Flip-N-Catch. I'll be the guy wearing my hat backwards. :-P
Why aren't you dry firing right now?
Captain for Team Flip-N-Catch. I'll be the guy wearing my hat backwards. :-P
#5
- Story Teller
-
- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 10,629
- Joined: 02-May 01
- Gender:Male
- Location:Tacoma, WA
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:18 PM
Army & Air Force Exchange Service.
Pride and fear are emotions, which hope for an outcome. Outcomes take your attention from the present, where the shooting happens, to the future. It is totally impossible to do anything in the future, because it hasn't happened yet. The key to shooting your best is to be present as the witness of the shooting. Do not judge, do not give yourself anything to live up to. We can only shoot as well as we have trained ourselves to shoot. To try to shoot only induces stress. Be content with your current ability. And accumulate practice to improve that ability. Consolidate, build strength where you feel weakness. We cannot raise our ability until we accept our current limitations. Practice dissolves limitations. Matches simply define where the current limits exist. The game of shooting is all about redefining our limits.
- Sam
Amateurs do it til they get it right. Professionals do it til they can't get it wrong.
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
- Paul "Bear" Bryant
"The only reason why Everest is the highest mountain ever climbed is because it's the highest. If there was one higher, I bet there'd be people trying to climb it."
- Jack Barnes
- Sam
Amateurs do it til they get it right. Professionals do it til they can't get it wrong.
"It's not the will to win that matters - everyone has that. It's the will to prepare to win that matters."
- Paul "Bear" Bryant
"The only reason why Everest is the highest mountain ever climbed is because it's the highest. If there was one higher, I bet there'd be people trying to climb it."
- Jack Barnes
#6
- Send me pics of your Model 10 !
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 6,372
- Joined: 30-December 06
- Gender:Male
- Location:Grosse Ile, MI
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:21 PM
Surefire has some of the best prices I've seen on 123 batteries. They're low enough that they can't even discount them to gov't/military/etc. R,
Bart AKA "Bulldozer"
TY23298
SOB #8 The Selfincriminator
Never argue with an idiot. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!
TY23298
SOB #8 The Selfincriminator
Never argue with an idiot. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!
#7
- Sees Sights Lift
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 483
- Joined: 20-August 08
- Gender:Male
- Location:El Paso, Texas
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:23 PM
Thanks for the link. Just ordered 10. I still don't how the major players can get away with charging $10 each for these!! Talk about rape!!!
The_Vigilante
"A man can never own enough guns!"
"A man can never own enough guns!"
#8
- 100% Light Mod
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 3,386
- Joined: 04-September 03
- Gender:Male
- Location:Antioch Califiornia
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:23 PM
Dave - TY49171
Turangi!
Turangi!
#9
- Finally read the FAQs
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 102
- Joined: 15-January 07
- Gender:Male
- Location:MN
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:26 PM
G-ManBart, on Sep 7 2009, 05:21 PM, said:
Surefire has some of the best prices I've seen on 123 batteries. They're low enough that they can't even discount them to gov't/military/etc. R,
The last time I ordered from Surefire, its been almost 2 years, I got the LE discount. Order direct from them and they give you 20 or 25% off, I don't remember which.
Rick
#11
- Shooting Better Everyday!
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 7,676
- Joined: 04-July 04
- Gender:Male
- Location:Dayton, Ohio
Posted 07 September 2009 - 03:52 PM
I have a local gun store here in Ohio that sells them at 4 for $10, which is MUCH better than anywhere else. I get 20% off of that, but I think I may order some from the Battery Station anyways!
Thanks for the link!
Thanks for the link!
Chris Keen
A-46956
Rudy Project Shooting Team
My You Tube Videos
"Nothing will work unless you do."
"Work hard to get good, then work hard to get better."
There is no giant step that makes you a winner. It's a lot of little steps.
A-46956
Rudy Project Shooting Team
My You Tube Videos
"Nothing will work unless you do."
"Work hard to get good, then work hard to get better."
There is no giant step that makes you a winner. It's a lot of little steps.
#12
- Beyond it All
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 1,981
- Joined: 09-March 05
- Gender:Male
- Location:Some cornfield, People's Rep. of IL
Posted 07 September 2009 - 04:00 PM
You might try the candle power forums. Seriously, that is what it is called. Try googling it. There might be some sort of dealer there who gives forum members discounts on batteries.
Me? I'm too cheap. I went to the camping aisle at Wally World and bought the $17 Coleman LED flashlight. It is kind of a knock off the Surefire E2D Defender with the "persuader prongs". The Coleman flashlight also gets powered by 3, triple A batteries, instead of the uber expensive 123's .
Me? I'm too cheap. I went to the camping aisle at Wally World and bought the $17 Coleman LED flashlight. It is kind of a knock off the Surefire E2D Defender with the "persuader prongs". The Coleman flashlight also gets powered by 3, triple A batteries, instead of the uber expensive 123's .
___________________________________________________________________________
Why aren't you dry firing right now?
Captain for Team Flip-N-Catch. I'll be the guy wearing my hat backwards. :-P
Why aren't you dry firing right now?
Captain for Team Flip-N-Catch. I'll be the guy wearing my hat backwards. :-P
#13
- Send me pics of your Model 10 !
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 6,372
- Joined: 30-December 06
- Gender:Male
- Location:Grosse Ile, MI
Posted 07 September 2009 - 05:48 PM
Blue_862, on Sep 7 2009, 06:26 PM, said:
G-ManBart, on Sep 7 2009, 05:21 PM, said:
Surefire has some of the best prices I've seen on 123 batteries. They're low enough that they can't even discount them to gov't/military/etc. R,
The last time I ordered from Surefire, its been almost 2 years, I got the LE discount. Order direct from them and they give you 20 or 25% off, I don't remember which.
Rick
Interesting. I may have already been getting the discount because I ordered a bunch of lights and multiple packs of batteries (a year's worth for 40 agents). They did say they couldn't discount that price because it was already at their lowest....they said just enough to cover their costs give or take a little. R,
Bart AKA "Bulldozer"
TY23298
SOB #8 The Selfincriminator
Never argue with an idiot. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!
TY23298
SOB #8 The Selfincriminator
Never argue with an idiot. They'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience!
#14
- Voice of Reason
-
- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 9,716
- Joined: 03-May 01
- Gender:Male
- Location:Levittown, PA
Posted 07 September 2009 - 05:53 PM
Battery junction has 'em cheap also.....
Nik
You're shooting Steel like an A class shooter. Why are you shooting the Paper so slowly? ---- Dave Marques, Production Nationals, 2005
This is a game of high-speed precision. If you don't precisely plan what you want to happen, there's not much chance that it will. ---- Brian Enos, 2004
You're shooting Steel like an A class shooter. Why are you shooting the Paper so slowly? ---- Dave Marques, Production Nationals, 2005
This is a game of high-speed precision. If you don't precisely plan what you want to happen, there's not much chance that it will. ---- Brian Enos, 2004
#15
- This Forum is full of em...(truly nice people)
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 8,751
- Joined: 04-October 03
- Gender:Male
- Location:Corpus Christi TX
Posted 07 September 2009 - 06:44 PM
Totally massive overkill for "just" batteries but this is where I get mine. Be aware that lithium must be shipped hazmat with some carriers...
Digi Key Corp.
This is THE place for anything with current in or through it...
Digi Key Corp.
This is THE place for anything with current in or through it...
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Coastal Bend Shooters USPSA - IDPA - ICORE - 3 Gun
Coastal Bend Shooters USPSA - IDPA - ICORE - 3 Gun
#16
- Sees Sights Lift
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 428
- Joined: 29-January 08
- Gender:Male
- Location:Rochester MN
Posted 10 September 2009 - 09:59 PM
Dido on the Surefires, my buddy and I just split a box of them from time to time.
"Changing over to shooting revolver is the natural evolution of things, like learning to walking upright."
D.H. Busching
"If you starve to death, its your own dam fault!" My mom.
Jon Galde A55156
D.H. Busching
"If you starve to death, its your own dam fault!" My mom.
Jon Galde A55156
#17
- Burned Out
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 2,432
- Joined: 24-September 04
- Location:Longville, Louisiana
Posted 11 September 2009 - 04:28 AM
Chills1994, on Sep 7 2009, 03:16 PM, said:
If you just so happen to have a friend in the military, he/she could buy them at just about any (AAFES) military clothing sales store. They'll be tax free too.
FWIW, the last 12 pack of Surefires I bought there was ~$18.
Regards,
Chuck
IDPA A01966
USPSA A-51222
Chuck
IDPA A01966
USPSA A-51222
#18
- Burned Out
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 2,415
- Joined: 17-August 05
- Location:Methuen, Ma.
Posted 11 September 2009 - 04:44 AM
L.A. Police gear carries 20 round packs of the Battery Station batteries. I think they were somewhere around $20.00 for the bag. They show them out of stock right now, though. Their price was cheaper than from the Battery Station itself.
USPSA A446
Team Firebird
Team Firebird
#20
- Finally read the FAQs
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 50
- Joined: 20-September 08
- Gender:Male
- Location:Richmond, CA
Posted 12 September 2009 - 01:56 PM
http://shop.ebay.com...-All-Categories
Now, I let my kids play with my surefire. They don't last as long as the surefire brand but its worth it.
Now, I let my kids play with my surefire. They don't last as long as the surefire brand but its worth it.
#21
- Looks for Target
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 170
- Joined: 18-July 08
- Gender:Male
- Location:Naples, FL
Posted 12 September 2009 - 06:14 PM
http://www.cr123batt...CFRdc2godNxblig
This is where I get mine from. I have the regular ones and the rechargeable type. They work great and are cheap. I would stick with the rechargeable ones if I did it again. Just buy a couple sets and keep one set charged while the others are in the flashlight. I have been using the rechargeable type for about 18 months and they still keep a charge.
This is where I get mine from. I have the regular ones and the rechargeable type. They work great and are cheap. I would stick with the rechargeable ones if I did it again. Just buy a couple sets and keep one set charged while the others are in the flashlight. I have been using the rechargeable type for about 18 months and they still keep a charge.
#22
- I've been rocking a pair of RedHead's for a while
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 828
- Joined: 29-September 07
- Gender:Male
- Location:St Paul, MN
Posted 14 September 2009 - 09:29 PM
Yup, 123A's can be a pain - the only flashlight I have that uses them I got for free.
If you're looking for decent rechargeable alternatives: Streamlight Strion (rechargeable - not quite as brite as a Surefire E2E) or for a small light - the Streamlight Stylus Pro running on 2 rechargeable AAA's gets a lot of abuse from me at work/camping/general.
If you're looking for decent rechargeable alternatives: Streamlight Strion (rechargeable - not quite as brite as a Surefire E2E) or for a small light - the Streamlight Stylus Pro running on 2 rechargeable AAA's gets a lot of abuse from me at work/camping/general.
#23
- Calls Shots
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 920
- Joined: 24-May 04
- Location:keasbey, NJ
Posted 15 September 2009 - 09:52 AM
Ok, how to buy CR123A batteries:
One, only buy PTC protected cells. Period. It is not worth the risk to buy unprotected cells, not to mention it won't really save you much.
Right now, the two cheapest batteries i know of that are good are titanium and 4sevens flashlight food. The titaniums are available from batteryjunction.com and are a buck a piece and available in matched sets (i.e. 2 or 3 cells shrink wrapped together). The matched sets ensure you have batteries with a matched charge to help further ovoid outgassing issues. the 4sevens flashlight food are availablt at 4sevens.com, and are about 2 bucks a battery if you buy 10 at a time. The titaniums are 1400mah and the 4sevens is 1500mah and they do actualy last longer, I'm not sure if it is a dollar a battery longer but it might be worth it if you are buying the 50 pack. Both outperform the surefire batteries in terms of runtime.
They both are solid vendors.
One, only buy PTC protected cells. Period. It is not worth the risk to buy unprotected cells, not to mention it won't really save you much.
Right now, the two cheapest batteries i know of that are good are titanium and 4sevens flashlight food. The titaniums are available from batteryjunction.com and are a buck a piece and available in matched sets (i.e. 2 or 3 cells shrink wrapped together). The matched sets ensure you have batteries with a matched charge to help further ovoid outgassing issues. the 4sevens flashlight food are availablt at 4sevens.com, and are about 2 bucks a battery if you buy 10 at a time. The titaniums are 1400mah and the 4sevens is 1500mah and they do actualy last longer, I'm not sure if it is a dollar a battery longer but it might be worth it if you are buying the 50 pack. Both outperform the surefire batteries in terms of runtime.
They both are solid vendors.
#24
- I just can't seem to help myself
-
- Group: Classified
- Posts: 3,639
- Joined: 06-March 03
- Gender:Male
- Location:Mobile, AL
Posted 14 October 2009 - 11:27 AM
I found a useful comparison chart on several different batteries available. This chart was on the websight batteryjunction
Looks like I'm going to order the Titanium Innovations CR123A 12 pack for $11.98
battery_comparison.jpg (23.93K)
Number of downloads: 30
One thing I noticed was the the Surefire battery test was terminated because the battery got so hot.
fwiw
dj
ETA- the batteries are cheap, but the shipping isn't..just over $11 from CT to AL UPS. It was still less than $2/battery.
d
Looks like I'm going to order the Titanium Innovations CR123A 12 pack for $11.98
battery_comparison.jpg (23.93K)
Number of downloads: 30
One thing I noticed was the the Surefire battery test was terminated because the battery got so hot.
fwiw
dj
ETA- the batteries are cheap, but the shipping isn't..just over $11 from CT to AL UPS. It was still less than $2/battery.
d
This post has been edited by dajarrel: 14 October 2009 - 11:37 AM
"I live in my own little world, but it's ok... they know me here." - Unknown
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public
debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be
tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be
curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work,
instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero - 55 BC
"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public
debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be
tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be
curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work,
instead of living on public assistance." - Cicero - 55 BC
#25
- Looks for Range
-
- Group: Members
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 04-January 09
Posted 16 October 2009 - 05:39 PM
The_Vigilante, on Sep 7 2009, 03:06 PM, said:
Sometime ago I acquired 2 small flashlights that used 123 batteries. Didn't think anything of it at the time until I went to my neighborhood Walgreen's today to replace them. Did I get a surprise!!! The Walgreen's model is $7 + change for each one. The name brands were $9 and $10 for each battery. Are these made of gold, platinum, silver? Sounds like a sweetheart deal between the battery manufacturer and the flashlight manufacturer. Needless to say I decided not to replace these batteries.
Suggest you try Botach Tactical for 123 batteries at a reasonable price.
Walter