Where is the best place to get flashlight batteries

[Grub Master]

With the number of flashlight collectors here someone has a good source.
I have bought CR123A batteries from Battery Junction for $1 each for their brand. They don't seem to last very long. Duracell or other national brands are around $1.50 each.
AA are .50 each
Free shipping over $50 and it's not hard to spend $50 on batteries.
Where do you find batteries local or is there a better place on the web?
What's the best brand?

 

[fufgeepants]

I get rechargeable batteries off ebay

 

[sparked1]

Surefire CR123 from battery junction or Amazon. AA/AAA in alkaline or Eneloops from Costco or online from Amazon.

 

[MacTavish]

No matter where you get your batteries please do not store them in a drawer. Instead, store them in the freezer. The power drain is way less and the shelf life in far greater.

 

[Old_School]

I've had good results with Tenergy batteries. I usually buy them in bulk: http://www.amazon.com/Tenergy-40-pack-Lithium-Battery-Protected/dp/B001W9Y4PK

Here's a review of the various brands: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?362052

If your light is made to also take the rechargeable 18650 cells, I've harvested several good cells from old laptop battery packs (careful not to short them out!). Each cell is equivalent to 2 CR123s. I use this charger: http://www.xtardirect.com/collections/best-sellers/products/xtar-vc2-charger

 

[the_great_white]

believe it or not, the cheapest place i've found to purchase batteries is Home Depot.

 

[Old_School]

No matter where you get your batteries please do not store them in a drawer. Instead, store them in the freezer. The power drain is way less and the shelf life in far greater.

Actually, modern alkaline batteries don't benefit from cold storage, as their self-discharge rates can measure into years.

NiCd & some NiMH batteries can benefit from cold storage, but the chance of moisture damage and rupturing internal seals of all batteries is higher when subjected to freezer temps.

I recently tested some Panasonic Eneloop batteries (low self-discharge, NiMH rechargeable AAs) that had last been charged about 3 years ago and had been forgotten in an office drawer. They still had nearly a full charge! And they drive my LED flashlights brighter than any alkaline cells.

 

[cullyhog]

I get Sunbeam branded batteries from the Dollar Tree. 4 AA for a buck, 2 D for a buck. Others as well. Seem to last a very long time.

 

[Leatherhead]

No matter where you get your batteries please do not store them in a drawer. Instead, store them in the freezer. The power drain is way less and the shelf life in far greater.

That myth was debunked a while ago. Actually worse for the batteries to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer.



http://www.snopes.com/oldwives/battery.asp

 

[Hayata]

I've just recently discovered the Eneloop rechargeable AA and AAA at Costco.