After looking about the popular suppliers, they all have seemed to exclude sales to Canada (Gearbest, FastTech, BangGood). Others have outrageous shipping costs (LiionWholesale, Ilumn). Richard at MTN limits 4 batteries and has a standard shipping cost of $10.50 (USD). That makes an $8.50 cell to about $13.50 (converting to Canucks).
Some background:
After narrowing my search for an outdoor lamp, throwy, and affordable, Iāve found a compromise with the JKK03 from Kaidomain. Not perfect UI but really wanted to experience a Cree XHP 70.2. Needing a sustainable light at high output my preferred cell is in the 3400 āish range. Proven workhouse is a Sanyo/Pan NCR18650GA - and is cheap. The light requires 3 cells. Kaidomain has them at a āreasonableā cost (ā¼ $11 CDN) but will ship non-standard air (a footnote on their site). Iāve had a window of opportunity once with BangGood for some Sams 30Qs and it did take a snail route thru many Asian ports. Took over 7 weeks to delivery. May just get in by x-mas!
Must add: others on eBay, not trustworthy. Amazon has one listing at $25 a piece - ouch!
The Vape shops around my place sell high drain cells, not high capacity. And they are rather expensive: 30Q @ $15. Very limited stock - usually eFest or Vapecell at the 2800 to 3000 mAh mark.
Yes that is pretty pricey. I have sent a few things to Canada before and it has cost me an arm and a leg. Bought a few things from there too and I was paying $15 or so dollars for just a small box that weighed less than a pound. Insanity for sure. Well there are more than a few Canadians running around here. I am sure they can point you into the right direction. Either that or we could start our own battery smuggling business on the side.
Iāve bought from Illum. My last couple of orders (this year) were $15 shipping. Took about a week to get here, and extremely well packaged.
$15 is pretty expensive if youāre only buying a couple of cells, but if you buy at least 8, the shipping is still the same. Thatās only a couple of bucks per cell, which isnāt too bad. The cell prices are very good, so overall the price per cell is still good as long as you buy several.
There are Canadian vape shops you can order from (The Vaporist is the cheapest Iāve found). But, youāre looking at $10+ per cell, plus tax and shipping (around $10). Itās not cheaper.
Liionwholesale gets good mentions here, but I think itās only good if youāre from the U.S. They have a ridiculous waiver you have to sign (for International orders) that says youāre responsible if they lose your package. It might not happen often, but thatās not how everyone else does it. Plus, I think their shipping is just as expensive IIRC.
Or, keep checking Banggood every week or so. Occasionally they allow shipping to Canada for a small charge. It comes and goes. Mostly goes.
Another option Iāve had good luck from is The Sunway Store on Aliexpress. Genuine cells, free shipping, but painfully slow. However, Ali stores sometimes switch to fakes, so YMMV.
Even if you can find cels that will ship here, they will probably take 3-4 months to arrive, that is, if they arriveā¦.( Which currently, they often donātā¦)
Iām also in Canada and I feel your struggle. If youāre in Ontario, send me a PM. I could send you my ODF30C for a reasonable price, and Iād be happy to put in an order together and split the shipping cost from Illumn.
As Iām looking for 3400 mAh cells. Samsung 30Q can get at $15; KeepPower P1830R is not cheaper (thanks for the link Barkuti). But my preferred cell is a Sanyo 18650GA or Sam 35E (and any LG / Sony equivalent).
Ilumās shipping cost of $16.25 (USD) is cheaper than LiIonās at $26.65 (USD). So I may have to resolve myself to pay as much for the cells as the flashlight.
Thanks BM for the offer. Iām not in Ontario but a joint purchase to Ilumn may be an option.
So thereās 10 cells per pack -> $6.50 / cell? Not bad for Samās 25R; who would have thought a cheap generic tool pack holds Samsungs? I like the idea.
However, Iāll place the flashlight order with Kaidomain with the 3400 mAh GAs, hoping BanL can get them here by x-mas. Iām leaning on 3400s as Iāll be driving the light long and hard.