Most professional users of SureFire high-performance products need their flashlights, WeaponLights and other illumination tools to operate on a single battery discharge cycle for as long as possible. That’s where the SF123A batteries excel due to their higher power density in a very compact size. The downside is that SF123A batteries are primary batteries that, once expended, must be replaced.
But there is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the standard SF123A battery: the SureFire SFLFP123.
The SureFire SFLFP123 Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) chemistry delivers a shorter runtime than SureFire SF123A batteries due to its lower capacity, but it can save you money in the long run while helping to protect the environment. Alex Soo, SureFire’s Vice President of Engineering, says that if the latter two benefits are high on your priority list, then SureFire SFLFP123 rechargeable batteries are a viable option.
“While It is true that the capacity [and runtime] of the SFLFP123A is less than that of the SF123A batteries,” Soo says, “there are many other advantages to the LFP chemistry beyond the obvious rechargeability and cost savings; that being superior safety and cycle life.”
True, if you are using up a pair of SF123A lithium-ion primary batteries every time you go on a camping trip, or you use a lot of them in your daily job, you can burn through a lot of money quickly. SureFire SF123 primary batteries cost about $4 per pair, and they boast nearly twice the capacity of SFLFP123 batteries. But assuming that you are using two batteries in your illumination tool, it will cost you another $4 every time you have to replace them. Two SFLFP123 batteries cost about $16 each per pair, but you can recharge SFLFP123 batteries several hundreds of times.
“The best cost-saving option is to use LFP batteries,” Soo says. “Even though the capacity is lower, you can recharge them. Also, from a safety standpoint, when you compare the two chemistries, lithium primary batteries can be hazardous if not used as directed. LFP is much safer due to its superior chemical and thermal stability. As such, LFP does not even require a protection circuit like lithium-ion does. Another advantage of LFP batteries is that they are environmentally friendly. They don’t contain any heavy metals such as cobalt, nickel or cadmium; therefore, they are less hazardous to recycle.
And just like 123 lithium-ion primary batteries, SFLFP123 rechargeable batteries have a long shelf life due to their low internal self-discharge rate. This means a fully charged SFLFP123 will be ready when you need it.
From the affordable G2X handheld to a weapon-mounted Scout Light Pro, the SFLFP123 batteries are an economical way to power your SureFire illumination tool. The SureFire SFLFP123-KIT is the perfect solution for customers who prefer a convenient rechargeable battery option. The SFLP123-KIT includes two batteries plus a dual-bay charger with a Micro-USB cable that allows you to conveniently recharge your batteries at home or on the go. The batteries can also be purchased in pairs, without the charger.
For more information on the SureFire SFLFP123-KIT and SFLFP123 batteries, visit SureFire.com.
