Update January 2006: Pila cells have been updated. The 168's are now called 600 and the 150's are now called 300's. The charger has two completely independent circuits and can be forced into "charge" mode to top off cells that register as fully charged (green LED lit) when placed in the charger. The spacers for the 300 cells are no longer brass, but are plastic with a metal core.

The cells themselves have been upgraded to higher capacity as follows:

300P = 1400mAh
300S = 1000mAh
600P = 2200mAh
600S = 1500mAh

The charger can be powered by a universal power supply with interchangable plugs or via an automotive adapter.

Pila sent along a couple of important FAQ's to share as well:

Q: I own the older Pila charger model BC. Can I use it to charge the new Pila 300P/S and 600P/S Li-ion batteries?

A We do not recommend it. The safety circuits of the new Pila 300P/S and 600P/S batteries differ from the former Pila 150A/S and 168A/S batteries. The older BC charger is not able to completely charge the 600P/S and 300P/S batteries and might eventually damage the Pila batteries.

Q: I have a number of Pila 150S and 168S batteries. Can I charge these batteries with the new Pila IBC charger?

A: You may but we do not recommend it. The new Pila IBC charger will charge all Pila Li-ion batteries, including the former models Pila 150A/S and 168A/S.

Q: Can I mix and use one Pila 150A and one Pila 300P to power my 9V flashlight?

A: NO! Pila 150A refers to the previous model rated at 1200mAh but the new Pila 300P are rated at 1400 mAh. As rule of thumb, never mix batteries of different brands, ratings or even age!

Original review follows...

Short Description:

Pila is a manufacturer of high intensity flashlights which can run on Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries or 123A lithium batteries. As it turns out (and Pila is well aware of this), the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries can also be used to power some Surefire flashlights, Streamlight flashlights, and others as well.

Pila actually makes two versions of each of their batteries - the "A" version which has higher capacity and fits in their own lights, and the "S" version that fits in Surefire and other lights. The "S" version has slightly lower charge capacity as they are made more narrow to fit in more lights.

For this review we have a Pila charger, two 168S (600S) batteries - each one replaces two 123A lithium batteries, and two 150S (300S) batteries - each pair replaces three 123A lithium batteries.

These batteries are available from J. S. Burly's.

Detailed Information:

Why would you want to replace your 123A batteries with rechargeables? In a word: cost. Over the long run, if you use your 123A powered light regularly it will be less expensive to use rechargeable Rechargeable have been used as a low cost alternative to alkalines for a long time, but the rechargeable 123A battery has been elusive. The Pila batteries, although not a perfect rechargeable 123A solution, will serve the purpose for a number of folks.

In use, the batteries and charger are very straightforward. First, plug in the charger. Next, drop in the batteries, paying special attention to the polarity. Polarity is indicated on both the charger and the batteries. If you are charging the 150 size batteries, first screw in the battery length adapters to the + side of the charger, then drop in the batteries. The two LEDs will turn red indicating the batteries are charging. One or two batteries can be charged at at time. When the LEDs turn green, your batteries are charged!

Lithium Ion batteries are the "next generation" of rechargeable They hold a charge longer, have very high discharge capability, and are very lightweight. Overcharging or overdischarging can result in serious consequences, but the Pila batteries and charger are designed with safeties to prevent either condition from occurring.

A full recharge of two batteries takes 3 hours.

There are a few important things you need to know when going about replacing your 123A batteries in your 123A lights with the Pila batteries:

First thing is that the Pila batteries are only about 3.7 to 4 Volts each. So as a result you will be driving your 6V bulbs at around 4V and your 9V bulbs will be driven at around 8V. The result is reduced output from your lights.

If you will be using the Pila batteries in a Surefire 6V light that uses a P60 lamp module, I would recommend getting the Pila 3.7V lamp assembly which can act as a direct replacement for the P60 lamp. The Pila lamp is designed to run at the lower voltage.

If using the Pila batteries in another 6V incandescent light you may want to try to find a matching bulb that runs at 3.7V. Otherwise the output starts out the same as if you were using partially depleted 123A batteries. I found them all to be dimmer, but tolerable.

I have been told that underdriving bulbs could shorten the lifespan of the bulb. I have not yet been able to test this.

The only 9V light I have successfully tried the Pila batteries in so far is the Surefire M3 and output was reduced but not by very much. The M3 was able to throw a very white light and very bright beam (using the standard lamp assembly - high output not tested). Reduction in throw was less than 10% per my meter readings. Keep in mind that I do not know how long that level of output would be maintained.

The Surefire M3 requires that a spring be inserted into the head of the light which will rest in-between the spring on the lamp and the body of the light. Just drop it in and screw on the head with the lamp in the reflector. The spring gives more clearance for the 150S (300S) batteries and allows the switch to operate.

If you will be using the Pila batteries in a Luxeon Star LED or 5mm LED flashlight, you will also notice diminished output. It's not too bad really, but noticeable when directly compared with 123A batteries. Underdriving Luxeon Star LEDs or other LEDs will NOT harm the LEDs. In fact it will help extend their already long lifespan.

Several Luxeon LED flashlights have regulator circuits in them and the circuit will compensate for the lower voltage. Specifically, the Surefire L4, KL1, KL3 run very well on the Pila rechargeables. Reports from third party individuals are that the Pila batteries work well in the Surefire L5 and L6.

PILA COMPATIBILITY TABLE MOVED HERE

Comparison Tests: (More will be added as time allows.)

Comparison test of Streamlight TL-2 / Scorpion / NF-2 (all use same reflector and bulb):

So output was reduced by a little more than half using the Pila batteries and the stock bulb. More reason to search out a 3.7V bulb that fits your current 6V light if using Pila batteries in place of two 123A cells.

NOTE: I have also tried using a Streamlight Stinger bulb (3.6V) in a Streamlight TL-2, Scorpion, and NF-2 with the Pila 168S (600S). This actually works quite well. Overall output was at about 4000, so you still lose about 30% over the stock bulb with 123A batteries. Since the Stinger bulb is a little longer than the normal bulb, the focus is a bit off, but you can focus it to a very acceptable spot and the switch works as normal.

Comparison test of Pelican M6 LED:

So using Pilas you get about 63% of the throw and about 72% of the overall output of using 123As. Battery capacity is about the same between the Pila and the 123A's so I would expect similar runtimes, but at decreased brightness levels as indicated above.

Comparison test of Surefire L4:

Yes, identical output as a result of the regulation circuit inside the L4.

What I Liked: "Guilt free lumens", easy and fast charging, protection circuits in the batteries and charger, reduces battery costs in the long run

What I Didn't Like: Does not run lamps at full power, diminished output - but surprisingly, not that big of a difference to the eye. The M3 on two 150S (300S) cells showed a reduction in throw of less than 10%.

Other Things I Noticed: The 150S (300S) batteries are just long enough to prevent them from working in some 3 x 123A battery lights.

Conclusions: Great for regulated Luxeon Star 2 x 123A lights. Works well in unregulated Luxeon Star lights with slightly diminished output. Works well in the Surefire M3 with standard lamp. In Surefire lights that take the P60 module you can replace it with the Pila module for better output with the Pila batteries. For other incandescent 6V lights you may want to consider replacing the bulb with one which is designed for 3.7V.

Please Note: Runtime performance of the Pila batteries in these lights has not been tested.

Quick Facts Table: