In the UK a single CR123A can cost up to $8 each from well known supermarket outlets.
Yes, never buy 123A cells from a brick and mortar unless you are totally desperate. It is MUCH cheaper to buy on-line.
Personally, my preference in terms of performance and reliability is something like:
- Streamlight
- Surefire
- Eveready
- Duracell
- Sanyo
-john