I just like the CR123A batteries better. you can get them for as little as you can find AAs for if you know where to look, and I like that the body of the light is about an inch shorter. just makes it a little more comfortable for me to use. plus, unless I'm horribly retarded and don't remember anything correctly, the CR123As give you a longer life, both in the torch and on the shelf, and make things a little brighter.