Counterfeit flashlight batteries recalled due to fire hazard

Unfortunately for those 4,400 or so owners of the Xenon Aluminum flashlight sold at Sportsman's Warehouse, the recall wagon has come your way, and unless you have no fear of exploding batteries, we'd suggest you power it off at your earliest convenience. Interestingly enough, this case involves more than just a faulty design, as the Panasonic CR123A Industrial Lithium batteries packed within are believed to be counterfeits, and it comes as no surprise that these knockoffs "can overheat and rupture, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers." So, if you happen to own the six-, nine-, or twelve-volt version of these here devices, it looks like you'll be making an unwanted trip out to Sportsman's Warehouse before long.

[Singh @ Jul 18th 2007 1:22AM]

Hope we don't get like this for the iPhone's Battery...

[Bob @ Jul 18th 2007 1:46AM]

As a fellow hunter and sportsman, any excuse to get out to the local gun/sportsman/hunting shop is a good one. So geeks hold off on your condemnation of the Sportsman's warehouse. Seriously what the hell is with the "... it looks like you'll be making an unwanted trip out to Sportsman's Warehouse before long." Come on out of your cubical and realize that most people like the outdoors.

[DJK @ Jul 18th 2007 1:49AM]

i'm with ya man. hooray for the great outdoors.

[ryan @ Jul 18th 2007 7:11PM]

i don't think that's what he meant..
if you're going there to buy new trek shoes, it's a wanted trip. if you're going there to claim that the torch you bought exploded in your hand, it's an unwanted trip... that's all

[Bob @ Jul 18th 2007 3:14AM]

I am saying that even if I am there to return a faulty product I am still happy to be there. This is just another good excuse to buy something else for hunting season this fall. Plus the wife can't get upset and tell me not to go. It's not like she wants an exploding flashlight laying around.

P.S. I do not condone crappy flashlights as mentioned above. Surefire flashlights are the only way to go.

[mp4020 @ Jul 18th 2007 5:44AM]

Go surefire! Yes. I did spend near 900.00 on surefire's last year but there worth it.

[Zipplet @ Jul 18th 2007 6:55AM]

Another fellow "flashaholic"? ^_^

Only just got my first surefire... a huge step ahead of the other lights I'd been using like Fenix.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 18th 2007 7:23AM]

I never met a cool flashlight, set of earbuds, or AM/FM radio I didn't like.

Not so big on the exploding ones.

[Ric Kaysen @ Jul 18th 2007 9:10AM]

I'd be willing to bet money the counterfeit batteries came from China, just as I suspect the recent exploding battery that took a Chinese workers life did. Counterfeiting cheap, knock-off products is practically a government subsidized industry in China. There are countless shady operations scrambling to rush fake products out the door to hungry consumers looking to save a few bucks on overpriced OEM products. It brings huge money in without the irritation of worrying about patents and licensing fees. China was good at producing colorful plastic children's toys, but Peter Principled out when they got into tech products and cars that crumple like soda cans in crash tests.

[David @ Jul 18th 2007 1:43PM]

I agree, counterfeiting is basically OK under the government. I am Chinese, and I lived there until 17 (1997). Back then, everything was OK, there wasn't many dangerous counterfeit things (like DVDs, games,...) but fake baby formula, chocolates (especially Ferrero Rocher.) Now, there are even more, mainly because government officials are taking bribes and allowing these companies to create dangerous things. In turn, I think that China is only somewhat better than N. Korea in the way that the government takes care of its people.

[Jamar @ Jul 18th 2007 9:37PM]

But hey, Wiis, Wiis everywhere (seriously, I have yet to find a game place in Shanghai that's out of stock of Wiis) and games for only $1 a pop (why would anyone pay $50 for Mario Party 8? It's not worth that much). I'm happy, being Chinese (frequent visits to China) with a US passport (the US is far better to live in).

[Ric Kaysen @ Jul 18th 2007 6:31PM]

It's obvious the Chinese government has been encouraging counterfeiters for years. They hate the Capitalist system, but love the capital. When someone markets a product that kills or injures people because it was made in a criminally negligent way, it becomes very inconvenient. The world starts to take a more critical look at Chinese products and the money starts to dry up. So, they hold a few show trials, execute some people and the world is once again assured of the safety and efficacy of Chinese made goods. The image must be restored before the Olympics...you can't buy advertising like that. It would be very bad if consumers knew Chinese products are crap when the country is center stage.