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.
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 .. I found the source, and was able to get 6 hi max 2600 for $26.00 plus $10 for shipping.
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..
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..
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..
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!! But, then again, that not be right, need to dispose of them correctly. But, they are going...
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.
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.
I started off with grey Trustfires from dx (not bad). A few months back, I bought a pack of 6 Hi-Max from ebay pingyi (good). However, I read some recent forum threads about how the Hi-Max battery quality may have dropped or become inconsistent.