Rvrdog, those would be NiMH cells, correct? If you have “lots” of cells and only have had that many fail, consider yourself lucky. My failure rate runs 1/8-10 cells. Essentially all NiMH cells are made in Taiwan, China, or Japan. QC in Taiwan and China sucks, (China makes the vast majority, with Japan number 2 last time I checked0 and NiMH cells are borderline stable when it comes to lifetime when made under very good QC. I’ve spent the last 4+ years, thousands of dollars out of pocket, and living through one nightmare after another because of that quality control and a project I took on. I will never take on a project which relies on Chinese made product again. Unfortunately, there are no US made batteries.

The only NiMH cells worth buying for everyday use are the newer Sanyo Eneloop cells, which are still made in Japan, (unless that has changed). They hold their charge for much longer, and are much more stable.

There are a few high discharge applications where the Eneloops don’t work, and specialty high discharge NiMH cells must be used, but so far as I can find, ALL of those are made in China and have very iffy QC. 1 out of 4-5 is probably and exceptionally LOW failure rate for those cells.

Fortunately, the Energizer Lithium cells are very well made, and I have remotes that have had them in them for 3-4 years without replacement.

I’m now finding sudden failures in my inventory of rechargeable cells. Two from UniRoss (2000 mah) and one from X1 (2400 mah). I recharge all my cells once a month, and have noticed all three duds when putting freshly-charged cells into various equipment, which then does not work. The dud cells are either internally shorted or open.

I’m still using mini-mags for pocket lights (not weapon lights), and full-size 4-cell Mag Lites with a 5W Led conversion (Luxeon Star 2G).

As a survivalist person, I’m more interested in longevity of the light for general work than lighting up a target (which I will do with large 12-volt rechargeable H4 spotlights so as to be able to reach out to the max range of my rifle). I’m not interested in CQB with lighted weapons. If I have to engage in CQB, I’ll do it in the dark, giving ME the advantage over the enemy who lights off a flashlight or uses night sights. Yes, I DO practice sneaking up on an unmanned night-sighted pistol in total darkness….

No doubt, but compare the 123 diameter to a C/D cell, and it seems puny!

The AAA Fenix light is an ideal size for a pocket light, finally something in the same form factor as the Maglite solitaire, but with decent output!

The limiting factor for smaller lights has always been the batteries, AA/AAA cells are limited to 1.5 volts, and until the advent of the LED they just couldn’t get it done. Now with boost circuitry, a single 1.5 volt cell can be boosted to produce 3 volts, and the world has opened up in that regard. Run time isn’t what the 123 can provide, but it’s like a handgun. (You use a handgun to fight your way to a rifle. You use a pocket light to find a bigger flashlight!)

123 cells aren’t that expensive bought in bulk, there are plenty of $1.25 cells if you look around.

Lithium rechargeables are probably the future, but the form factor has created some issues so far. That will change, and is changing, but for now we’re a little stuck. The LED technology is changing much faster than anyone forecast, so maybe the battery world will catch up soon.

Yes, they are more expensive, but for lights left in drawers for years, they are a much better option!

Beaumont, the Lithium cells are famous for showing a surface charge of 3+ volts, but dying as soon as a good load is placed on them, and it typically happens in multicell lights that one cell is completely discharged, while the other cell(s) show good. They aren’t really, but they look good on a voltmeter.

I discarded several before thinking to check the batteries with a meter. Without fail, one would be discharged, and one would still be good.

Fenix seems to make some good lights. For me, the future is AA lights, rechargeable conversions for my SureFires, and possibly single-battery 123 lights.