Again: Good value in 18650

Yeah, I know, there was a kinda huge thread only a few days ago. But some things have changed since most of the posts, I think.

I bought faked TF2400 and I think my TF3000 might be fake too because I dont see them on the trustfire website. Maybe they are genuine, I dont know. But I want two decent 18650s for my two XM-L lights.

XTAR are good. Or were good, nobody really knows the new cells, it seems the new ones look different from the old ones.

Solarforce, Hi-Max and some others are often recommended too. I dont want to spend like.. 10$ per battery, but I think 11$ for 2 TF3000 would be a rather bad investment at this point.

So.. any advice?

hi max 2600 for about 6-7 usd

Here's some mid-priced batteries I've either had good luck with or that come recommended from others, hope this helps:

Mid-price Batteries:
SolarForce 2400 mAh $9.99
SolarForce 2400 mAh $7.00
TrustFire 3000 mAh $11.70 / 2
Xtar 2600 mAh $17.90 / 2
HiMax 2600 mAh $18.90 / 2
Xtar 2600 mAh $13.5/2

I just ordered 6 HiMax 2600's for $38 shipped, so a bit more than $6 per battery

How you do dat?? On that link, they were going for $18.90 a pair!!

$5.25/ea if you buy 12

Purchase individually for a little more

Probably best deal for a reasonable amount, 6 batteries $6.33/ea

That's who trooplewis bought his from (on two separate occasions I believe) and they seem legit.

I would second the recommendation on all of the above, save for the TF3000.

Yeah, I tend to agree, but it seems like problems have been more with other vendors. Manafont doesn't have as many reported issues with fakes, unlike DX, DD or fleabay sellers. I would go for the other choices first.

Unprotected:

Panasonic 2900mAh 18650 Battery (Grey) (6.49 for 3+, 6.30 for 5+, free shipping)

Sanyo 18650 Unprotected 2600mAh (5.85, free shipping 3+)


Considering the XTAR 2600 uses Sanyo cells and the wrap is quite good I'm still collecting those. The Solarforce batteries are good but the wrap is crap. I'm wondering about the Hi-Max though

I just did some tests on some XTAR 2600's about 9 months old (probably only 10-20 cycles). I wanted to do a test so I could compare them against the new ones I have on the way. Only got about 2199 and 2294 mAh at 1 amp using Turnigy Accucell hobby charger down to 3V. Disappointing. I haven't used them that hard and would have thought they would hold up better than that. One of these (not sure which) measured 2472 mAh when I first got it.

Yes, I bought the 6 batteries for $27.99 plus $10 shipping.,

Have not seen anything on here regarding these cells (genuine or not) but they seem fair value if they are:

Protected Sanyo (?) 2600mAh for $8.34 each

http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/sanyo-protected-18650-high-capacity-rechargeable-battery-1pcset-p-9322

So.. noone heard about the new XTARs or received some of them?

I'm torn between Hi-Max and XTAR, but hasnt anyone here heard of those new XTARs?

Maybe I should test my own oldest Xtar 2600 to see, what it has.

It has been discharged mostly by 2,8A in short term use. Has never really gotten too empty for circuit to cut power.

Can´t remember, when I bought them...

e: 7-8 months ago and have been charging it now once a week.

CheapThrills said in the group buy thread (last post right now) that the new ones seem to perform as well as the old ones. Also be aware that they are fatter and don't fit in all lights.

Yes but I can only measure capacity at 1A.

Okay, thank you. So XTAR it is. Got a good feeling with those. :)

From what I've read, they will fit in my UF980L and solarforce L2P.

Again, thanks to all of you!

I have some flames coming from Manafont(my first 18650), but from reading on here recently, who knows what might turn up!

The TFs arent bad, I got 4 TF3000 from MF and 2 TF2400 from DX (those are fake, tho I dont think they are bad) and they all work very well. But its just as it is when you start with something new.. my first flashlights cost less than 10$, now I spend multiple times of that. So naturally, I'm willing to spend more on batterys, too. There is always something better.. always!