I've seen a lot of distributors who are saying that some models take N cells, and others take 23s. Glo-toob.com says all are 23s. Huh? I'm waiting on GT to reply to that question, but if anyone here knows, tell me please? I'm thinking about adding some.
I think those distributers are mistaken. It's a simple issue of voltage and cost.
Glo Toob uses the 12V battery instead of the 1.5V battery because it makes driving the LED much easier and cheaper.
While some of us geeks would like to see them add a boost circuit which would allow them to use a 1.5V battery, adding the circuit would increase the cost. If they went to the trouble of adding that circuit, the only way they would realize a benefit is if they switched to a more common battery like a AAA or AA.
Of course, the length of the AAA/AA would significainly change the light. They could consider the 123A cell instead (in that case they could probably also avoid the boost circuit since it is 3V) but again they have a form factor issue.
While I'd love to see an AA or 123A version of this light, I think Glo Toob very carefully picked the A23 cell and I don't see how it would make sense for them to change it.
-john