The reasoning here is that, since there's no capacity comparable off-brand cell to those of LG, Sanyo/Panasonic or Samsung, it is easy to discharge test prove a “product not as described” dispute for Samsung 35Es, Sanyo GAs or LG MJ1s or M36s.
With regards to VTC6 cells, the game is quite different. Bought once VTC5A cells on sale from Turmera Powerflagship Store (3110015), and their resemblance was reeally good. I later noticed their discharge performance did not matched that of a 30Q cell I had, that there was a mistake in the date code format, and even later and after unwrap I saw their insulator ring was glued. Wrong wrong wrong…
Sony cells are expensive, the profit margin for fakes is high.
What does all of this has in common? Philistine vapers!
Sorry, until AliExpress can provide the means to defend our rights adequately and properly guarantee the authenticity of its products I'll buy my high discharge cells from european provider nkon.
I’m impressed!!! no idea how they behave on medium and high discharge current (my Lii-500 charger can discharge at 500 mA maximum), but at 250 mA discharge they performed surprisingly well!
and #4 in particular… #1 and #3 cells scored about 50 mAh less. All at the first cycle (except #3 which was at its second cycle). After a couple more cycles or so, at least 2 cells could perfectly match the GA (at low currents at least)…
Now I’m really wondering what cells they are… by the way here is a genuine NCR18650GA for comparison (with about 5-10 life cycles):
What bothers me most here is that the two predominant “official” liitokala stores first deny, deny, deny and then play word games claiming their cells are consistent with stated capacity but completely ignore the amp discharge concerns. After much hoop-jumping, liitokala people only offer return for refund. The return shipping is cost prohibitive and they know it.
Lastly, the Aliexpress “team” know of all the counterfeits, they would have to know with all the proof but do not side with the buyer.
Aliexpress will never get another dime of my money.
I had this same problem weeks ago with a similar purchase. Bought a 4-pack of Samsung 25R cells, received a pack of fake green wrapped cells which scored higher and more inconsistent capacities than genuine 25R cells:
I later measured their DC IR and got 35.4mΩ on average, which is close to 50% higher figure compared to that of genuine 25R cells.
The fake cells' top was also tri-lobed, but with a different geometry, bulged and different shade of green wraps, etc. The AliExpress Case Management Team'Tards :-D did not recognized the cells as different, but the capacity test was enough to back up my “product not as described” for half refund claim.
Believe it or not, doing this matters. It matters because this actually makes the seller lose money and puts the AE Case Management Team on guard over them.
Received 5 18650B from liitokala Official Store.
Fakes: - 5 prongs instead of 3, different font and spacing of the text printed on them, rather negligent wrapping, smaller capacity, they overheated.
Opened dispute on AE with pictures and video.
The seller tried to convince AE that he has original documents from the producer and proposed me to return the batteries and to get full refund.
I refused.
AE considered only one of my argumets - the smaller capacity of the batteries (aprox 3200 mAh) invalidating the others.
Finally, today AE decided in my favor: I keep the goods, the seller must fully refund me. Yey!
At the risk of opening old wounds, I just checked the “LiitoKala Official Store” #217753. As far as I can tell, they have removed the references to battery brand names. Their 30Q is now a “Liitokala 30Q brand”, HG2 is a “Liitokala HG2”, …
I guess that settles the question of whether the cells were original Samsung, LG, Panasonic or copies / fakes.
This was not necessarily the case a good bunch of months ago, last year maybe, where I could get a couple good shipments. But it obvious is they've fully turned to the dark side.
Seen some inconsistencies with the LiitoKala wrapped 26650s already, but this may be due to shady seller selling factory rejects. Aditionally, they have never claimed what 26650 or 21700 cell they're rewrapping. Better keep an eye over them in any case (or nothing :-D at all).
I do not think they believe they're fully wrong doing, and this of course has to do with their blemished morale/way of doing things with regards to selling what they claim for. If they were willing to sell well they would sell these cells with their factory wraps or at least claim what brand name and model they're rewrapping. I am not straight willing to buy a product for which I cannot easily resort to datasheets or unbiased tests, and this is exactly what they're doing to their own products when they're selling them under fake wraps: covering 'em with shite.
The reason why I went back and looked at the store’s site is that I bought some HG2’s from them early this year. I tested them on my Lii-500 and they seemed to be OK so I charged them to 4 V and stored them in 4 cell plastic cases. When I took them out to check them this morning they were at 1.51 - 2.75 volts. They were never used.
I won’t waste my money buying anything from the “Liitokala Official Store” again.
Yesterday received varicore
30q and after testing i have to say fake. Under 1amp load voltage dropped to 3.6v immediately. Compared to lyggte.info it should be on 4volts about half hour when discharging 1amp
I'll buy my high discharge cells from european provider nkon.
