It’s a real drag having to constantly buy new batteries for our flashlights, isn’t it? Not only can it be inconvenient, but it also gets expensive quickly, depending on how frequently we use our lights. But there is a solution! Recently, I acquired a SureFire Battery Charger Kit that comes complete with two CR 123A 3 Volt Lithium rechargeable batteries. I also picked up a spare pair of CR 123A rechargeable batteries. That way, while one set of batteries is being used, the other can be charging so that I always have a fresh pair of batteries ready to go.
This company has been at the flashlight and laser game for a very long time, with a long and storied history. Dr. John Matthews started the company back in 1969 when they started out manufacturing lasers for industrial purposes before switching over to the weapons side of things. Matthews saw the potential to use his knowledge and products to help the military and law enforcement. And, over the years, that’s exactly what SureFire has done.
The Details
SureFire uses Lithium batteries because they hold their charge for a very long time. The non-rechargeable batteries from SureFire have a ten-year shelf life.
Lithium batteries also operate in colder temperatures than standard batteries, so their operational range is broader. The recommended operating range for the rechargeable batteries is 14 degrees F (-10 degrees Celsius) and 140 degrees F (60 degrees Celsius).
When operating in very cold temperatures, it’s best to keep batteries inside of our outer garments, next to our body, to keep them warm. This point is driven home by the fact that, as I type this, we’ve just come out of a cold snap in which the wind chill was below -15° F. The actual temperature was 2° F and winds were blowing at a pleasant 30 to 50+ miles per hour. Upon exiting a dwelling, the wind immediately made the skin sting painfully. The misery factor was exceedingly high.
Charge Time
Factory specs state that the charger will charge a set of batteries as quickly as three hours. I haven’t monitored it with a stopwatch, but that seems pretty accurate.
SureFire states on the package that depleted batteries should be recharged immediately after they are depleted, as allowing them to sit in a light may further drain their power.
I look at my batteries as I do the magazines for my firearms; I like to keep them fully charged up and ready. My wife consistently tells me that I’m nuts in this aspect (and other aspects), but I know differently.
SureFire states that these batteries will undergo hundreds of charges and still retain at least 80% of their charge after having done so. One thing is for sure—SureFire puts out quality products.
The Package
The charger package comes with a cradle that holds two 123A batteries, along with a USB-type cord that plugs into a wall plug. The only thing that does not come with the set is the wall plug. However, if you’re like me, you have a half-dozen wall plugs lying around the house, so that’s likely not an issue.
The package is very small and light. The compact nature of the unit is an attractive aspect, as it allows it to be stored away easily and is available when you need it. It would easily store in a compartment in a vehicle or a pouch on your gear. Also, the cord will plug into your vehicle’s USB port, so the charger can operate in your vehicle, which greatly enhances the versatility of this unit.
When I first received mine, I plugged them in for a charge. It didn’t take very long at all for the batteries to be fully charged, so they arrived from the factory mostly charged already. The spare two-pack of SureFire batteries that arrived from GunMag Warehouse was in the same state.
With four rechargeable batteries on hand, I feel fairly well-equipped to deal with lighting issues. I have a couple of SureFire lights that take the 123A batteries, as well as lights from other manufacturers who also use them.
I do have some newer lights that are set up to be rechargeable from the factory. It’s a great option to have. But for the older lights that were made before that technology existed, this charger and rechargeable batteries are a real savior for those of us who are geeked up enough to get excited about such devices. It’s also important to note that not all lights made these days are rechargeable either.
Practical Use
The majority of lights these days are dual output. Two of mine are single output, as they are older lights. They still work great, so I still use them. The weapon-mounted lights that I use all are single output too, and that output is very high.
The added versatility that comes with the dual output, however, cannot be understated. The truth is that I use the lower power settings on my lights far more than I use the blindingly high outputs. Typically, I don’t need to light up objects at a couple of hundred yards (but it’s a nice option). More often, I’m navigating around the house or in the yard. Maybe along a trail in the woods. Normally, that doesn’t require hundreds of lumens of light.
If I’m only using five or so lumens in my lights, the run time is drastically extended, with the batteries lasting quite a while.
While I’m going to utilize these new rechargeable batteries extensively for day-to-day use, I’ll also keep a spare box of CR 123A batteries on hand for certain circumstances.
What sort of circumstances, you may ask?
Contingencies
Of late, there have been power outages in my area (I live in the northeastern US). Also, other parts of the country seem to be experiencing such problems.
In such an outage, I wouldn’t have a lot of opportunities to recharge my batteries, other than in a vehicle. So having a handful of spare batteries around would be an asset in such an occurrence.
Taking to the field for an operation would also call for a supply of spare batteries. Maybe you’re into Search And Rescue, or military/law enforcement operations.
I recall one time, several years ago, I was out searching for a lost dog for several days. It wasn’t a 24/7 thing, but I spent quite a bit of time over the course of almost a week out in the woods looking for the dog. During the course of the search, I covered a good many miles, much of it at night. While out, there was no opportunity to recharge batteries, so spares of the disposable variety were a real asset.
It seems that a combination of disposable batteries and rechargeable ones is the best way to go. And these days, rechargeable batteries are more affordable than when they first came out.
Money Savings
No doubt about it, rechargeable batteries will save regular users a lot of money in the long run. The charger unit will quickly pay itself off and then some.
Cost of the charging unit is $29.00, and it comes with two rechargeable batteries. I recommend picking up a set of spare batteries so you can always have one charging if necessary while you’re using a set in your light. They cost just $14.00.
All told, these items are a bargain, and barely cost any more than a box of disposable batteries. In the long run, we’ll get a lot of use from them. The peace of mind we get from having these on hand is reassuring.
The Verdict
These are not expensive products, to begin with, and the money savings that they offer over the long haul will be substantial. In the future, I could see picking up another set or two of rechargeable batteries to have on hand, just in case.
Given the quality that SureFire offers, these pieces of gear are a no-brainer for anyone who uses a flashlight regularly. Two thumbs up on this one!
