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
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.
Just a thought, but perhaps the next set of tests should be the MF TF Flames 2400 mah to see how they compare. If they, too, have dropped from other tests, then perhaps TF is re-badging the 2400's as 3000's.
Well in this case I see it's more about perception or interpretation as I did not see what you see in Space Cowboy's statements. Maybe I have a thicker skin than you, I don't know...guess we can agree to disagree there. Just that my point was is if you have a displeasure for what you see as BS mentality that we've seen over at CPF (which as I've said before is still a fantastic resource of a website despite the politics and mentalities over there) and then essentially insinuating that Americans are like that (which I interpret as a blanket statement), just to me doesn't make you come off any better. I don't condone or agree with much of that kind of mentality that we both can agree is a bad thing that happens over at CPF, so often I try to take the high road. I say to each their own and leave it at that.
That said, I myself am a bit of a duality...I buy plenty of cheap stuff and from all of the same places you mentioned and I've also purchased some of extremely expensive custom flashlights as well as owning brands like Surefire, which I am proud is an American company who still makes their flashlights here in the good old US of A (though now they say "designed and assembled in the USA with domestic and foreign components", which is to be expected these days). My favorite budget brand is Solarforce and I definitely think they provide arguably the best quality to price ratio and I have a boatload of their lights.
As for batteries, I don't think I've come across a USA made protected 18650 yet (Space Cowboy did say all the good batteries come from Asia)...all of mine are either Trustfire, Ultrafire, KD or Solarforce. I just ordered some Xtar 2600s based on recommendations here, but haven't received them yet.
My friend just got 4 of TF 3000 (flames) from DX. I’ve made discharge test for 3 fully topped at 3A and got very consistent results.
Two ot them were 2599 and 2601mAh, third not so fully toped was 2581mAh. Testting equipment was iCharger 106B+
I’ve also got decent 3A at tail with Kaidomain C8 (probably direct drive), so it looks they are quite good buyat DX ATM.
I think these cells are inconsistent. Some people report they are good, others not so good (or just "ok"). I think the best deal going right now are protected Sanyo 2600's from FastTech at 2 for $11.03 - 5% discount (use coupon code "BLF" for flashlight accessories).
I use these, but I can not measure the capacity. They work fine, haven't problems, if a flashlight needs 4,3 Ampere. Do not buy the tmart version. The picture show the real one, but the delivered looks a little bit different. For me it isn't important, if they have 2600 or 2400 mAh. I have enought batteries.
Garry post the link of the Sanyo, which should be also a really good choice or the Samsung 2600mAh.
The delivered batteries look different from the photos on their ebay listing.
For one the negative plate is silver textured metal (attracts magnet), while their photo and this review show the negative is golden/copper colored, smooth metal (don’t know if it attracts magnets). Secondly the plastic wrap is suspicious. All the photos have the yellow lightning very pronounced and obvious but on the delivered batteries the lightening barely can be seen if you look for them.