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CR123 batteries are twice as powerfull as AAs, so you can drive a brighter light.
AA - 1.5 volts
CR123 - 3 volts
CR123 batteries are also shorter than AAs. They can allow for flashlights with shorter overall length to fit in smaller cubbies in your car. A SureFire G2X pro is a full inch shorter than a mini Mag light.
One CR123 battery has a greater capacity than one AA battery, but you can use two AA batteries for a total capacity that is equal to the capacity of one CR123 battery.
The pistol-mounted tactical flashlights generally use two CR123 and CR123A (lithium). The only difference between the alkaline and lithium battery is that the latter has greater capacity, so it takes longer to discharge than the alkaline CR123 battery, but the voltage is that same.
Lets say that you take the LED out of a pistol-mounted tactical flashlight that has two CR123 batteries, and build a larger flashlight that uses four AA batteries: in this case the LED's brightness will equal the brightness of the tactical flashlight that uses 2 CR123 batteries. In both flashlights the total voltage and capacities are equal. What allows an LED to be brighter than another relates to the amount of current passing though the LED. Flashlights are designed with LED's that consume a certain amount of power. The more power it consumes, the faster the battery is discharged. That's why most flashlights have more than one brightness setting, from bright to low. Battery cells are A, AAA, C, D. The lithium ones have more capacity than the alkaline battery cells, but that does not make the LED brighter.
Quote:
CR123s are small, 3V high powered lithium batteries. They’re designed for use in small gadgets like alarms, flashlights, cameras and other household electronics.
Their power capacity typically ranges between 1,500 mAh (milliampere hour) and 2,500mAh.
Most brands of CR123s can operate at 2,000 mAh of continuous current and maintain a capacity of 3,000 mAh pulse current.
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I still use the EverReady 6v floating lantern I bought in 1973. "Dolphin I" https://www.candlepowerforums.com/th...mark-1.445967/
It has fallen into more than one rotating radiator fan on semi trucks, so it is kinda beat up, but still works (doubt it will still float!)
Fortunately a local food market sells 6v batteries for under $3
But I do cherish a nice LED headlamp these days.
What I would really like? "" Durable, sturdy, reliable ... car? ""
I still use the EverReady 6v floating lantern I bought in 1973. "Dolphin I" https://www.candlepowerforums.com/th...mark-1.445967/
It has fallen into more than one rotating radiator fan on semi trucks, so it is kinda beat up, but still works (doubt it will still float!)
Fortunately a local food market sells 6v batteries for under $3
But I do cherish a nice LED headlamp these days.
What I would really like? "" Durable, sturdy, reliable ... car? ""
Yes, a lot of people still use the incandescent 6-volt battery lanterns. Some of these batteries are quite large and heavy, but can be used for days without complete discharge them because they have a lot of capacity. some of the larger 6-volt dry-cell batteries can have 20 to 25 cells connected in series/parallel for an output of 6 volts.
Thank you All again for the info. Some of it is a bit over my head, but... I've made a list of suggestions & will visit some stores this upcoming week to buy a few flashlights.
I usually head to the camping/hunting section of varying stores, like Target/Walmart... in the midwest, they're usually fully stocked... but, I see that REI has some of the other brands people mentioned, too, that are not available in the former stores.
I'm also going to buy either a few with cases or separate protective cases to keep flashlights in... firstly, they must roll around in the car & get broken, cuz they never work when I need them, even if changing batteries (I keep a cache of batteries in the car).
I'll report back. I've accepted a job where I'm actually in need of a reliable flashlight... they might be provided... nonetheless, I'd like to have my own, just to be sure. So, I need at least one in the car, at home (I have 2 that are on their last legs), on me & at work.
I bought a twin pack at BJ's for around $20. LED and rechargable, medium size.
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