They appear to be genuine; at least they have the date code stamped as described in this thread: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/1070. I haven't had them long enough to say anything about their performance except that they're working well in my Canon PowerShot 650 on the initial charge (there are other batteries getting conditioned in my charger at the moment). Flash recycle time is good.
I am also curious about these Camelion AlwaysReady LSDs:
They seem to have the same specs as Eneloop XX for less $$$. I know that Camelion makes decent flashlights, so maybe they have good batteries too. I don't know anything about their chargers.
Look again - the eBay ad is for 8 Camelion batteries, so the price for four comes out to less than $14, which is over $4 less than the Eneloop XX I bought.
I suppose I won't know if the Eneloop XX I bought are genuine until I've used them for a while. They do have the date code impression stamped on each battery, which is supposed to be a good sign. Impression stamping is more trouble than printing so I am hopeful.
OK, however I have paid less than 10$ for 4x Btone 2100 and 11.99$ for 4x Btone 2500. So there is a significant difference in price, and you must to buy the pack of 8.... what happens if you only need 2 or 4?
However, thanks for the heads up. I am searching not very expensive ones to test. Still nothing found except for the Turnigy
Thanks to God (at least for me) I already own 18 Btone batteries (6 AA and 8 AAA). And no need to buy more Btones, but more other brands specially in the 2200-2500 range.
There is no way Im going to pay 10$ for 4xAA/AAA Chinese LSD batteries, Id rather spend 15$(or less if I can manage to avoid VAT 22%) on locally available genuine 2000mAh Eneloops.
Make them 6-7$ for 4xAA and 4$ for 4xAAA and Im in tho :)
HC Turnigy's seems like a good deal, but their shipping is too high for me to consider them in quantities I require, its the same as those "cheap-expensive" Chinese LSD's, makes locally available Eneloops so much better option.
Even if some "Chinese" batteries (Btone and Turnigy LSD) are actually better or at least equal (bigger capacity, about the same self discharge) to 2000mAh Eneloops?
Yes, UDO, even then. I cant justify spending 70-100% of the price of Eneloops on Chinese equivalents knowing how easy it is to get a lemon or fake ones and the hassle it takes to either get your money back or wait for re-shipped items.
Its risky business+when I buy locally I know there will be some kind of warranty and I will be able to contact either seller or manufacturer and try to adress the concerns, thats not possible with any of those Chinese copies when they offer month or two of warranty I believe?
Cheap lights=no problems, but not batteries at the price of branded ones.
As I mentioned - make them cost 4-7$ shipped for 4 pack and Im all in :)
I think in places where Eneloops are priced astronomically, the Btones sound like a good alternative. But I can find 4-packs of Duraloops for around $8 when I find a good sale. And that's why I have more Duraloops than I really need.
Where I live I can not get eneloops for less than 30$... (a pack of 4x eneloop 2nd gen 2000mAh is in this moment about 25euro where I live... too sad)
That´s why I have to purchase all kind of batteries via Internet, and, also, there is a significant difference in price when purchasing eneloops vs others: the cheapest price for 4x 2000mAh eneloops is about 14$ (manafont), where 4x BTone 2100, which performs about equal, cost 4-5 dollar less...
Also there is a big risk of receiving fake eneloops when purchasing at ebay from chinese sellers. That´s why I prefer brands like BTone, Pisen, Turnigy..... they are know to be OK. Cost less than eneloops, and perform quite good.
If I may request, can someone test the Harbor Freight LSD AAA/AA's that they sell. I am getting good results based on the usage I put them through, but do not have a way to test their performance in a more scientific manner.