Again: Good value in 18650

I've got a charger for my 18650s, I only think about getting something to test the capacity.. :)

Well, I don´t know of anything to fit in that budget of 30$. Seems like quite a lot of users here have Imax.

I know some guys have far better equipment to test and get for example discharge graphs but I think they cost some or FAR more than that.

there are others way but probably the hobby charger is the cheapest/easiest solution

just consider that the imax b6 and clones can test a discharge up to 1A, b8 and clones up to 5A, sometime, especially with cheap clones, the result is not very precise due to the cheap resistors used

Read from some hobby threads that imax b6 and clones have 1% resistors, this by itself more than enough accuracy for flaslight use. It's even considered ok for multi Li-Po balancing, though not perfect. However, simply changing these to 0.1% resistor totally changes the playing field, making the b6 performing similar to hobby chargers many times more expensive.

The drawbacks? Well... resistors are SMD... :) so if you have surgeon hands and proper tiny tools then you can think about replacing them.

0,1%? I thought resistors were Ohm..

They are - but they come in varying grades of precision.

I think in an earlier post in this thread, I asked you "how you do that"..

Anyway, I am think I have reached Level 1 Budgeteer Apprentice Wink.. I found the source, and was able to get 6 hi max 2600 for $26.00 plus $10 for shipping. Wink

That comes to $6 each.

However, before I saw that, I went for the 2 Hi Max 2600 for $18.90 on Ebay which means I spent $9.45 for each cell in that deal. I am learning.. Cool

The links were in the fifth posts btw. Thats where I ordered 2 Himax now.. dont have enough lights. :P

What is the capacity of Hi-MAX, there are several reports, 2200mAh, 2400Mah and others.

I see that now. But, at the time, I couldn't find it or understood. Anyway, at Level One Budgeteer, I am getting better. Wink

What you mean, you don't have enough lights?

I am getting ready to go over the 10 mark.. Cool

I have to be on guard that this hobby doesn't overshadow my main hobby.. Wink

From what I have been reading you are correct. One report put them a little higher. Compared to the Ultrafires I have been running, I am almost sure the Hi Max are going to be a big improvement.

Also, I plan on going up the scale in the cell department. That is each time I order new cells, get something better. Most like I will end up getting those $17+ cells that I have been reading about..

The old saying of you "get what you pay for" still holds true.. Wink

When all arrive, I will own 8 18650 batterys and 5 flashlights + 1 mod project. So no need for more batterys.^^

Dont know if I'll have to buy more lights.. currently im suppressing my urge to buy more. :P

When you find out how to suppress the urge, please, please let us or just me know how you did it!! Wink

Right now I keep telling myself I'll have all the flashlights I need. XM-L flood, XM-L throw, XR-E throw, X-RE flood to throw.. and I keep myself from writing ILIKEFLASHLIGHTS a PM about great throwers because I know it would end up in buying more. But yeah I'm satisfied with my flashlights.. kinda..

One of the guys here tested the HiMax 2600 at a tad over 2500mah

I saw that one too. Anyway, I am graduating up from those dreadful Ultrafires that came with my one of my lights.

When my Hi Max cells get here, I am going to see how far I can sling the Ultrafires!!Smile But, then again, that not be right, need to dispose of them correctly. But, they are going...

Prepay credit card. No money on card, no fun

I would just load it with way too much money out of laziness. I usually load my student card to pay in the canteen with 50€.. thats enough for 2-5 flashlights.. I mean, one month of eating there.

I receid my HiMax cells a few days ago. They are a very tight fit on the L2P.

I am still technically new to the flashlight game. But after a fiendish bout of scouring these forums I settled on these.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/panasonic-ncr18650a-3100mah-protected-batteryone-p-333.html

Here is the test data for these batteries.

http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Intl-outdoor%20NCR18650%203100mAh%20(Black)%20UK.html

Probably not what you would call "Value" but I thought it seemed like a good value for higher end cells. Compare the test data to other high end cells, these are identical to batteries that cost 30-40% more.