Rechargeable batteries are proof God loves us and wants us happy. Not long ago, I never would have uttered such words. Over the last 20 or so years, I’ve witnessed an impressive progression of tactical technology. Weapon lights, optics, lasers, and night vision are light years ahead of early 2000s technology. We don’t need to perform mental gymnastics to know batteries followed suit.
As with anything in life, there is no free lunch. Rechargeable batteries are a tremendous leap forward in the firearms industry. Let me add a caveat to that: I’m referring to reliable rechargeable batteries. Before delving into the pros and cons of rechargeable batteries, let’s delve into how and why we’ve arrived at this point.
A Brief History of Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are nothing new. French physician Gaston Planté invented the first rechargeable battery in 1859. Since then, this technology has come a long way. The most common rechargeable battery is under the hood of your vehicle. Vehicle batteries use a lead-acid combination to hold a charge with a significant lifespan. However, if you’ve ever changed a car battery, they’re heavy and bulky.
Small lead-acid rechargeable batteries are suitable for long-term use but don’t produce high-output energy without the added weight and bulk. Lithium-ion batteries are smaller and lighter (somewhat) for added convenience.
Introduced in the late 20th Century, Lithium-ion batteries revolutionized our lives. Bluetooth headphones, computers, cell phones, and electric cars rely on this battery type. Lithium-ion batteries produce a significant amount of voltage and are relatively safe and stable compared to lead-acid batteries. As demand increased, so did their efficiency. In addition, the production cost of lithium-ion batteries decreased over that same period.
Surefire embraces the Lithium-ion battery
Laser Products Corporation, now famously known as Surefire, introduced the Model 6C flashlight in 1988. The flashlight featured an incandescent head and boasted a “powerful” 60 lumens. In comparison, this was three times the output of that era’s massive D-cell flashlights. Surefire’s use of two CR123 Lithium-ion batteries for that light made history.
In 1999, Lumileds Corporation introduced the first LED flashlight. With the addition of an LED head, flashlights were immediately brighter with a longer run time. This development also meant longer battery life. Surefire quickly adopted the more durable LED heads while boasting longer service life compared to incandescent heads.
Eventually, Surefire wasn’t the only reputable manufacturer offering reliable LED flashlights. Streamlight, Insight Technologies, and many others entered the fray with their tactical flashlight iterations. This competition led to powerful weapon lights producing around 1,000 lumens. Handheld lights, like the Streamlight HL-5, now exceed 3,000 lumens.
As lights became brighter, they needed more batteries – or burned through them faster. While the cost of Lithium-ion batteries has dropped, $3-5 for two hours or less of runtime remained a pricey proposition for consumers. Accordingly, consumer demand increased for a larger rechargeable battery market. The history of how we arrived at today’s rechargeable batteries is interesting, but that’s not why you’re here. So, without further delay, I’ll explain why I stopped worrying and learned to love rechargeable batteries.
Rechargeable Batteries – The Pros
Cost
I’m not made of money nor are most of us. Budgets are limited and, while there’s the occasional unwise purchase, we want to save money without sacrificing quality. This is where rechargeable batteries excel.
At first glance, rechargeable batteries seem expensive. A two-pack of Surefire CR123A batteries with a charger runs about $31.99. Conversely, a 12-pack of Surefire CR123A disposable batteries is $29.99. The disposable version runs about $2.50 per battery whereas the rechargeable version runs $16 per battery. For additional rechargeable batteries, a two-pack still costs around $9 per battery. However, the important term is rechargeable. I’ve used rechargeable batteries for a little over two years. I purchased two battery chargers ($64) and at least 10 additional CR123A batteries ($180) for my weapon, handheld, and household lights. The total investment for 14 batteries was nearly $250, or around $17 per battery.
While rechargeable batteries appear more expensive on paper, they’re actually quite a bit cheaper. I only need to recharge these batteries 10 times to match the cost of one disposable CR123A. I’ve already charged these batteries no less than 30 times per battery over the last two years. Per most manufacturers, rechargeable CR123As last hundreds of charges before a noticeably reduced runtime. With the number of times I’ve recharged these batteries, the individual cost per battery is down to a paltry 58 cents. That’s a huge cost-savings.
Convenience
In the past, I’ve bounced from store to store to obtain replacement batteries. Since that initial investment in rechargeables, I’ve not had that issue. While on duty, it’s not uncommon to replace batteries on a weapon light or handheld after extended use. I’ve had K-9 tracks last as many as four hours. Other nights, I’ve cleared several buildings. In those instances, the batteries were exhausted from extended use. My duty rifle and pistol use Surefire X300 Ultra weapon lights and Surefire rechargeable CR123As. On average, these need weekly recharging. Normally, I put them on the charger on Friday and load them back into the lights before my next shift.
While I’ve predominantly focused on rechargeable CR123As, there are other batteries available for handheld and weapon-mounted lights. One of those batteries is the 18650. A variety of lights use the 18650. Some lights, like the Streamlight HL-4 and HL-5, use either CR123A or 18650 batteries. I’ve used 18650 in those lights for several years with reliable — and impressive — performance.
Rechargeable Batteries – The Cons
Reliability (sort of)
At one time, I didn’t trust rechargeable batteries in a weapon light. Surefire formerly advised against rechargeables in their products. Obviously, their position has changed. Rechargeable batteries of yesteryear were somewhat unreliable with weapon lights. Depending on where you sourced them, batteries performed inconsistently if exposed to recoil and fluctuating temperature.
I’ve had a few rechargeable batteries stop working at inopportune times. In my experience, the failure rate is low (one 18650 and two CR123As in over two years). The ones that failed were out of warranty and, most likely, at the end of their reliable life cycle. Accordingly, consider tracking how many times you recharge a battery. Also, don’t leave rechargeable batteries expended for extended periods. If you use them, recharge them as soon as possible. This improves their lifespan.
Run Time
Rechargeable battery run time gradually diminishes over multiple recharges. The charge normally reduces after they’re recharged dozens of times. For example, Surefire CR123A rechargeable batteries retain about 80% of their capacity after a few hundred charges. That is A LOT of charges, but still worth noting.
A major difference between disposable and rechargeable batteries is the presence of a voltage block. Rechargeable batteries have a voltage block that prevents them from being completely discharged. If a rechargeable battery is completely discharged, it cannot be recharged. Rechargeable batteries normally shut off when they hit the voltage block. In comparison, disposable batteries dim gradually over time. The dimming gives the user some indication the battery is dying and needs replacement. In my experience, rechargeable batteries dim some but eventually shut off. When they’re off, they’re off. This point emphasizes the importance of maintaining an extra set of backup batteries.
The Verdict on Rechargeable Batteries
Light is your best friend. It identifies problem areas, friend from foe, and helps you find what you dropped. To say I’ve burned through a few batteries in my time on the graveyard shift is an understatement. Rechargeable batteries virtually eliminate the cost and inconvenience incurred by disposable batteries. These battery’s reliability is excellent but, in the interest of avoiding Murphy’s Law, I maintain spares nearby at all times. Redundancy is advisable – rechargeable or not. The upfront cost might dissuade a few of us from making that investment. However, if your light accepts rechargeable batteries, it’s worth it to do the math on whether or not rechargeables are right for you. Your pocketbook will thank you.
