Test / review: TrustFire TF18650 3000mAh (Flame)

I hope we will share some knowledge, experience, and good products for a long time.

What is the normal price for these 3000mAh TF batteries? They are being sold here for 10,30USD but I dont know if they are fake or genuine

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/trustfire-protected-18650-3-7v-3000mah-rechargeable-li-ion-batteries-pair-120476?r=43033281

Did DX just start selling these? That's the first time I've seen them there. I see Manafont sells them for $11.70/2pk.

-Garry

Yes they sell them, they added the batteries yesterday

Yeah, I just checked the "New Arrivals" link and also see the new TF Flames 25500's.

-Garry

I don't think potential scamming manufacturer would have any profit by making fake Trustfire batt. - They are already cheap cells.

But, who knows - Chinese can pull any trick available to make a few $.

DX overview for this TF 3000 actuallyl states that it’s capacity is 2500-2600mah. Same capacity as tested in this thread.

Hehe there's forum requests at DX by the clients there, why wouldn't anyone show them the link before they actually had it for sale.

Actually one of the guys there says for the 26650 that the cells are rated 500mAh but they tested them to be 4000mAh. They may have very well not tested them, as on Taobao there's the same mention.

BTW there's the mention of a 3.2A max current discharge on the 26650 TFflames.

You think they don't see HKJ web site ;)

We all should link to his web site to spread a word , and more info to naive buyers who still think that Ultrafire is good 18650 batt. manufacturer.

How do you useTaobao when is all in Chinese. Google translator?

I meant HKJ has very informative test/review website about all lithium based batteries, chargers, flashlights. Maybe the best currently.


You just type in names, no translator. Then you translate what you need, like a description for example.

Lol, we will have to learn Chinese soon.

Did you find any difference in price?

The prices on TB are useless to be compared as they do not contain shipping like DX or MF.

Looks like a copy of a post from CPF where americans hate anything which is not US made. Pathetic.

Most of the best 18650 cells are made in Asia.

With all due respect I wouldn't agree with your statement.

I just received 4 of these batteries from MF. I'll have to test them and see what kind of capacity they are putting out. I was really hoping that these would perform as HKJ's original test. I'm traveling at the mo so it'll be a while

The 2400mAh Trustfire flames were widely faked, with underperforming cells and falsely advertised as protected when they were not.

and good to know when buying these cells.

It would be even better if somebody of your experience post something like guide how to spot them with pictures.

Probably would help many people.

There are a couple of good threads around that cover it in detail. Just search for fake trustfires. The biggest problems were an eBay seller and then more recently Dino Direct.

Making a blanket statement like that does not make you come off any better. There is nothing wrong with being patriotic with regards to the things you chose to spend your money on and I can respect anyone's personal views on that. I'm American and proud of it, but I tend to buy what's the best value regardless of where it is made.

I would agree with Space Cowboy in that there's an old saying: "You get what you pay for". Interpret that however you want, but I do believe it's a saying or statement that has merit.

I've tried some of these TF 3000 18650s as well, my first batch of 4 I ordered from Manafont, 1 was DOA. I ordered 4 more and they all worked but I haven't measured anything yet. I have a Pila IBC Charger that I believe is one of the best chargers out there, it wasn't cheap compared to ultra/trustfire level chargers, but to me well worth it.

Recently I decided to order a batch of Xtar 2600s that are the Sanyo Cells...looking forward to getting those just to see if I can tell a perceivable difference in actual use versus measurements.