I’m also in Canada and I feel your struggle. If you’re in Ontario, send me a PM. I could send you my ODF30C for a reasonable price, and I’d be happy to put in an order together and split the shipping cost from Illumn.
As I’m 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).
Ilum’s shipping cost of $16.25 (USD) is cheaper than LiIon’s 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. I’m not in Ontario but a joint purchase to Ilumn may be an option.
I always use mtn.
I can help you out, fellow Canuck 
I’m not kidding, but here is my source of high drain cells:
https://www.amazon.ca/TenMore-DCB206-Battery-DeWalt-Lithium/dp/B07FVJGS1C/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1541716273&sr=8-5&keywords=20v+6ah
I actually got myself a while back a 20V 5Ah pack from the same reseller/manufacturer.
Ripped the cells out, actually got Samsung 25Rs from the pack, and then sold them to some friends who were vapers.
IMO, this was the cheapest way by far to get legit 18650s.
So there’s 10 cells per pack -> $6.50 / cell? Not bad for Sam’s 25R; who would have thought a cheap generic tool pack holds Samsungs? I like the idea.
However, I’ll place the flashlight order with Kaidomain with the 3400 mAh GAs, hoping BanL can get them here by x-mas. I’m leaning on 3400s as I’ll be driving the light long and hard.
No, the pack I linked actually has VTC6s.
I ordered the 25Rs a looong time ago. I think 2 years ago.
Well, those are better…
Perhaps I should buy this pack and see if they also contain legit cells, like the last pack.
Some interesting high discharge offers for you Canuckians in Aliya's hut:
- Samsung section, only 30Qs right now
- LG section, some nice offers like HE2s, MJ1s and rare high voltage E1 cells
I’ve been lucky enough to have cells brought up from the States by relatives, but if I were buying a whole new set now, I’d just get them from illumn. For 10 cells it’s something like $16 shipping, which doesn’t add that much to the cost per cell. You can also be completely confident they’re legit.
@Barkuti, why did you have to spill the beans about that store?
I was actually keeping it secret for myself 
I like to help people, and Aliya's shop is what seems one of those AliExpress merchants who like to spell truth. Everything is clearly stated in their ads: brand name, model and everything, and prices seem as good as it can reasonably be for 1st OEM cells.
I had it bookmarked because of the KeepPower UH1835P 18350 cells.
^:)
Don’t buy on account of my needs. Much that I like the idea, want something workable by x-mas. I don’t have a large collection of lights and my needs are modest – about a dozen cells.
However, if you do explore the venue and they are sony VTC6, and you do wish to depart with some, I’ll gladly fork over some PayPal dough covering the post & fees.
@ Barkuti: I’ve earmarked that link. Much to explore in the battery underworld! What are their shipping times? HK to Canada typically 5 weeks (w/ previous AE).
P.S. I don’t seem to have Paypal option on Aliya’s Battery Store…
MTN Electronics is ok with 4 cell cap, combined with other items lowers the per piece shipping fee. Same with Ilumn. But as of right now just want some 3 to 4 cells.
But scavenging about I came on these TESLA 3550mAh NCA18650GA cells . Now that would fit the ‘jet set’ crowd!
Very interesting… Thanks.
Don't really know, no orders from them yet for me and even if I were have gone through some I would have chosen TNT-PostNL, barely a few cents more and much better in my case. Seller's Shipping Method usually means slow boat for me, probably railway ground shipping (45+ days). In your particular case it could be faster.
@ Barkuti: And what about PayPal? On an earlier post you mentioned that payment option. Some distrust w/ Asian vendors and a credit card.
I’ve looked over Aliya’s site. Seem’s very legit and very well detailed info. Shipping is the slowest though - some 12 weeks. The prices are great and they do ship Canadian.
For me the only reason to choose PayPal in AliExpress is for the extra protection in case of dispute. I've never used PayPal in AliExpress yet. I would probably pay with PayPal if buying cells from some random LietoKala Faketory Store. For Aliya's I see 0% reason, they're hiding nothing.
It seems the PayPal option is just a vendor option.
:-)
I can’t mention this enough. If you live within driving distance of a border crossing and the other side has a Kinek shipping point you can pick up your order and declare through Customs. It costs 5 dollars US per package and Canada Customs will rarely pull you over for less than 100 Canadian currently and soon to be more.
I personally declare led flashlight components as a rule and have had no problems yet. Sometimes you have to shrug and tell them it’s a hobby :laughing: 