Here’s an example of a simple CR123 light next to a Fenix LD11, a great example of a 1xAA light. In general, AA lights are longer and thinner than CR123A lights, which tend to be shorter and thicker.įor us EDCers, the size and shape of gear is definitely something to consider as it affects not just how it fits and carries in our pockets, but also how it feels in hand. It’s especially clear when considering lights with two-cell configurations (2xAA lights are considerably longer than 2xCR123 lights usually). The difference might not seem like much, but when building a flashlight around them, the millimeters matter. AAs are longer and narrower, whereas CR123As are short and stout. The more obvious difference between AAs and CR123As is their size. They also cost more - a 12 pack of decent CR123s runs about $20 US, whereas a 12 pack of alkaline AAs costs close to half that. They’re commonly considered batteries for specialty applications (like cameras). You’d have worse luck trying to pick up some CR123A batteries off the shelf at the supermarket. This is a crucial advantage when relying on your light in emergency or survival situations. Because they’re so easy to track down and stock up on, many EDCers prefer AAs for their lights. Price and AvailabilityĪA batteries are the reigning champ of affordable and easy-to-find cells for EDC lights. The three main factors to consider between these cells are availability, size, and voltage. Of course, there are plenty of other battery types that some flashlights use, but for this primer we’ll start simple and use lights and batteries provided by Fenix Outfitters to explain the differences.
In this guide, I’ll explain one important aspect of choosing a light: batteries!įor an EDC-sized primary light that you’d be using for most tasks (as opposed to a small backup on your keychain), the best balance of simplicity, power, and size comes down to two battery types: AA and CR123A. But the advancing technology that makes them so great can get confusing at times. Modern-day EDC lights are leagues above the garden-variety lights you might have collecting dust in a junk drawer somewhere.
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