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.
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.
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.
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!
If you have the purple XTAR 2600, it may not fit your L2P. I have a couple of those purple ones and none would fit the new L2P I received about a week ago.
That's a fact. NEW XTAR 2600's will not fit in the NEW Solarforce L2P. They will fit in the older L2P's, however. I have both older and newer XTAR 2600's along with older and newer L2P's so I've tested this.