New place for CR123A - 12 for $10

TigerhawkT3 · #1 07-30-2006, 02:31 PM

Hey all,
I thought you might like to hear about a new place I found to possibly buy batteries from. Yesterday, I ordered an Argo HP from them for about $25 shipped, and I searched their site for "streamlight" and came up with a 12-pack of Streamlight 123As for $10. It's called the "Acme Knife Company (.com)", and the cells are Streamlight brand. Does anyone have any experience with AKC.com (not akc.org, the American Kennel Club!

) or with Streamlight batts?

dmz · #2 07-30-2006, 02:44 PM

$9.27 + $7.95 US shipping = $17.22 total price, $1.43 each

TigerhawkT3 · #3 07-30-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmz

$9.27 + $7.95 US shipping = $17.22 total price, $1.43 each

Yeah, but you'd pay shipping anywhere.

Trashman · #4 07-30-2006, 03:02 PM

That's a great find! Shipping is Flat Rate, so.....

24 batteries = 18.54 + $7.95 shipping = $26.49, about $1.10 each!

Wait, it gets even better....

36 batteries = 27.81 + $7.95 shipping = $35.76, about 99 cents each!

This is about the cheapest price for batteries (when bought in larger quantities) that I've seen. Too bad, I just restocked and mainly use rechargeables.

TigerhawkT3 · #5 07-30-2006, 03:11 PM

Just found the price point for <$1 per cell. Using GraphCalc, the equation is:

(0.7725x + 7.95)/x
Price/cell + shipping, all divided by number of cells.

Using the Table function with "x min" at 12 (for one dozen pack), "x max" at 144 (or however many cells worth of 12 packs you want to buy), "step" at 12 (for dozen packs), and "decimal places" at the default of 5 (or whatever), two 12-packs (24 cells) comes out to $1.10375/cell, and three 12-packs (36 cells) comes out to $0.99333/cell. The savings just get better the more you buy. For the flashaholics among us, that could amount to pretty great savings

so that we don't end up broke

.

Edit: I need to start editing faster. While I spent 14 minutes writing this post, the Trashman zoomed in less than five minutes after my previous one and did the math - without GraphCalc (which I recommend anyway)!

dmz · #6 07-30-2006, 03:20 PM

Is 12-pack of Streamlight CR123As for $9.27 the best deal?

$9.27 + $7.95 US shipping = $17.22 total price, $1.43 each

http://yhst-62211393482758.stores.ya...most85177.html

(Moderator edit: Merged like threads - took out link that referenced the second "now merged" thread.)

TigerhawkT3 · #7 07-30-2006, 03:28 PM

Uh, while I appreciate your spreading the word, I don't think the mods would take kindly to cross-posting (unless they OK'd it already).

Trashman · #8 07-30-2006, 03:36 PM

If you're buying 12, no, it's not. If you buy 24, it's only $1.10 per cell, and if you buy 36, it's only $.99 per cell (after shipping!), which is the best price. (shipping is Flat Rate--$7.95, regardless of quantity)

If I'm out of cells, I would most likely buy 24 or 36, anyway. (actually, I'd probably buy 20 cells for $23.98 from ebay, but this is a better deal)

dmz · #9 07-30-2006, 03:57 PM

Thanks for finding this deal TigerhawkT3. I wanted to get replies at the batteries section of this site since I need to order fairly soon and wanted to get more feedback.

carrot · #10 07-30-2006, 03:58 PM

I am told that Streamlight, Surefire, Panasonic, and Energizer batteries are all made by the same factory.

dmz · #11 07-30-2006, 04:08 PM

How is the performance of the Streamlight CR123As? How do they compare to other brands?

TigerhawkT3 · #12 07-30-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrot

I am told that Streamlight, Surefire, Panasonic, and Energizer batteries are all made by the same factory.

Awesome! That means we can expect the same quality from Streamlight cells as from those of the other large brands.

And you're welcome, dmz!

jayb79 · #13 07-30-2006, 07:54 PM

I have a bunch of Streamlight 123s and they look very different.
Check out this link, large photo at bottom of page.
http://www.dlsenterprises.citymax.co...40/1206018.htm
Are the yellow ones a new style or a knock off?

InfidelCastro · #14 07-30-2006, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrot

I am told that Streamlight, Surefire, Panasonic, and Energizer batteries are all made by the same factory.

I've heard that the Streamlight batteries are Panasonics. I've not used Panasonic or Streamlight batteries, but I'm sure they are fine.

I'm really not fond of the Energizers after my experience with them. I prefer Surefires, Sanyos & Duracells.

You guys that end up buying these Streamlight batteries... we'd appreciate a runtime report from you.

TigerhawkT3 · #15 07-30-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayb79

I have a bunch of Streamlight 123s and they look very different.
Check out this link, large photo at bottom of page.
http://www.dlsenterprises.citymax.co...40/1206018.htm
Are the yellow ones a new style or a knock off?

I sure hope they're a different style. If they aren't, then someone is doing something very illegal.

If you go to the enlarged pic link at AKC.com, you can enlarge that using IE7, Opera, or (after you've saved the pic) the Windows Photo Viewer to see that it does indeed say "Streamlight" on the cells. They might be an old style, since the black/silver cells look a lot cooler.

I don't know what the deal is now...

P.S.: InfidelCastro, if we take carrot's post regarding the manufacturer of SL, SF, etc. cells as true, then the SF cells you like should be the same as the Energizer cells you don't like.

InfidelCastro · #16 07-30-2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerhawkT3

P.S.: InfidelCastro, if we take carrot's post regarding the manufacturer of SL, SF, etc. cells as true, then the SF cells you like should be the same as the Energizer cells you don't like.

I've read this before when people have taken the cells apart. It's real doubtful in my mind though.

It could be that they're made in the same plant, but maybe the Surefire cells are made to a different standard than Energizer branded ones. They certainly don't test the same in the 123 comparisons and my experience has been the Energizers are noticeably dimmer in incan lights and don't run as long in either incans or leds as other branded batteries.

TigerhawkT3 · #17 07-30-2006, 10:34 PM

I was wrong, and you're right, of course, InfidelCastro. Just because two cells are made in the same factory doesn't mean they're the same! Carrot's remark that the different brands are made in the same factory is just as right as yours to the effect that it doesn't necessarily mean that the cells are all the same.

I'm glad you have real world experience with these batts, as I have NEVER used CR123As before. Soon, though, I'll get cells for my P1 and my yet-to-arrive Argo HP, and that should be cool.

So, does anyone recognize these yellow Streamlight cells? I guess that we can always just contact Streamlight as a last resort, but does anyone have the lowdown?

Bullzeyebill · #18 07-30-2006, 10:42 PM

My Streamligt CR123 batteries are silver/black, like jayb79's. I would stick with silver till I knew otherwise. I got mine at a Streamlight Warranty/Distributor store. They are excellent batteries. SilverFfox has done runtime tests at different amps, and they fared very well, as good or better than Surefire. Made in USA.

Bill

TigerhawkT3 · #19 07-30-2006, 11:36 PM

I just ran a search for "streamlight cr123a" on Yahoo! Images, and pictures of the yellow cells came up about as often as pictures of the silver/black ones. I checked Streamlight's site and didn't notice anything about their branded cells. Maybe I'll just call Streamlight on my lunch break tomorrow.

dmz · #20 07-31-2006, 01:17 AM

Here are price comparisons for 12-pack of CR123As:

12-pack of Streamlight CR123As for $9.27

$9.27 + $7.95 US shipping = $17.22 total price, $1.43 each

http://yhst-62211393482758.stores.ya...most85177.html

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

http://www.tadgear.com/x-treme%20gea..._batteries.htm

Order For $2.50 FOR TWO PACK ($1.25 each) / $44.40 FOR BOX OF FORTY ($1.11 each)
$15 + shipping

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

http://www.batteryjunction.com/1pcsofcrteli.html

Tenergy Lithium Photo Battery 1300mah

$12.00 + $8.95 ship = $20.95

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

http://www.texastacticalsupply.com/p...cific=jnongnl8

Universal Battery CR123A 3volt Lithium Battery $1.25 Remove $15.00

Coupon Discount: $-0.75
Sub-Total: $14.25

Coupon# CPF
5% off cart! Expires: Never

$14.25 + 7.07 ship = $21.32

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

http://www.amondotech.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=490

Titanium CR123A batteries

$12 + $8.02 ship + $0.99 tax = $21.01

__________________________________________________ ___________________________

http://www.islandtactical.com/index....D&ProdID=23714

$21.95

wasBlinded · #21 07-31-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerhawkT3

Hey all,
I thought you might like to hear about a new place I found to possibly buy batteries from. Yesterday, I ordered an Argo HP from them for about $25 shipped, and I searched their site for "streamlight" and came up with a 12-pack of Streamlight 123As for $10. It's called the "Acme Knife Company (.com)", and the cells are Streamlight brand. Does anyone have any experience with AKC.com (not akc.org, the American Kennel Club!

) or with Streamlight batts?

Hope you get what you ordered, but judging from the page that now comes up when you click on those links, I think you may be out of luck! I guess if it seems too good to be true....

Manzerick · #22 07-31-2006, 08:47 AM

dead link

jsr · #23 07-31-2006, 09:47 AM

Wow, that's the best deal I've ever seen on SL 123As. Too bad the store seems to be out of business. In my own testing (no results, just throwing in lights and checking how long they run), my SL 123As last longer than BS and Titanium. SilverFox's test show they're one of the top performers and often times best SFs. I physically compared SF, SL, Panasonic, and Energizer 123As and they look identical from the top cap design, to the foam ring at the bottom. They're likely made in the same factory as stated above, but perhaps certain brands pay for more/less quality control and possibly chemistry. Like many items, there's likely binning and perhaps certain brands pay more for the better bins.

Handlobraesing · #24 07-31-2006, 10:09 AM

uh...
"Dear Valued Acme Knife Company.com Customer,

Due to issues beyond our control Acme Knife Company.com has decided to close our online store and business operations

If you placed an order within the last week of July 2006, your order has been canceled and your credit card WAS NOT CHARGED and/or BILLED.

We apologize that we could not fulfill your order request. God Bless You!"

g36pilot · #25 07-31-2006, 10:16 AM

Dear Valued Acme Knife Company.com Customer,

Due to issues beyond our control Acme Knife Company.com has decided to close our online store and business operations If you placed an order within the last week of July 2006, your order has been canceled and your credit card WAS NOT CHARGED and/or BILLED. We apologize that we could not fulfill your order request. God Bless You!

</FONT>

Guess I'll have to check my CC billing online.

greenLED · #26 07-31-2006, 11:57 AM

Dang! ...and I was about to add this to the CPF Specials thread.

TigerhawkT3 · #27 07-31-2006, 01:02 PM

BLAST IT!

Now it looks like I won't receive the Argo HP I ordered from them! Maybe I can call and convince them to just try, or something. I really hope they can fill my order, because they had an awesome price on that HP ($25 shipped!) and on the SL cells.

Sorry, GreenLED... I don't know what to say.

Trashman · #28 07-31-2006, 09:03 PM

To think, they were just about to get the largest influx of battery purchases they'd ever seen!

dmz · #29 07-31-2006, 11:45 PM

I'm surprised there isn't a group buy on CR123A.

TigerhawkT3 · #30 08-02-2006, 01:05 AM

Update: I emailed AKC.com on 7/31, and heard back on 8/1

(and the responder said he was sorry for the long delay...). It turns out that they can honor my order, since I requested it, so if anyone ordered those Streamlight cells in the last week of July, just email them. I believe it's acmeknifecompany [at] aol.com. Also, the guy said that they're just eliminating some "sister" stores to cut overhead and concentrate on their main site - I don't remember what it was called. I asked him if they'll have that same Streamlight cell deal on their redone main site, making sure to tell him about this thread and CPF's potential buying power! If he says that they'll have that deal again at some point, I'll be sure to post it here.