Hello
Thinking about getting these batteries and the charger for my Tool AA 2.0 and Convoy S2+
https://i.imgur.com/p2wne1H.png
What are your thoughts?
Fine overall. HKJ says the charger isn't bad but not great (if you don't mind some inaccurate readings for capacity and if you aren't concerned with NiMH cells getting fully juiced, it's fine).
The 14500 gold cells are excellent. Vapcell also has newer L10 purple cells which are comparable or slightly better (and also an H10 purple that is impressive but of no benefit for the Tool since it doesn't draw high current). Most places have all of those in either flat top or button top.
I'd highly recommend getting some better 18650s for the S2+ if you don't mind spending a little more. Seems like Vapcell has had some concerning quality control/cell quality issues over the last year or better and those particular ones have been mentioned a couple times. They're also a higher drain cell (sort of) and unless you're running a FET driver or a FET triple in your S2+ you don't really need that...instead you could get a decent cell with higher capacity and enjoy that since the high current isn't there. Something like the Samsung 35E or similar. The Sony VCT6 are also great and often pretty reasonably priced...high current capacity but also has respectable 3000mAh capacity and tends to be legit in that number.
Prices are still kinda high for cells right now, not sure if or when they'll return to previous normal prices. Haven't looked at 18650 recently but Molicell was able to keep most of theirs in stock and they do have pretty decent cells...didn't jack up the prices this year, either, from what I noticed.
https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Xtar%20VC2S%20UK.html
https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/62636
Thread here about some QC issues....original video is gone and I can't remember if it was 18650 or 14500, but there were also some concerns expressed in other threads. I have a number of Vapcells, mostly 14500 and 26650 and they've been great, but some of what I've read lately gives me pause about buying more in the future. But generally if you buy from US suppliers like Illumn or Liion Wholesale they're going to send out only good cells and will take care of you if you get a bum lot. https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/66405
If you've never used HKJ's cell comparator, it's a wonderful tool (in addition to his numerous reviews on cells and chargers and other bits). You can choose one cell from a drop-down, pick one or more current ranges, and view the performance of that cell. In a second drop-down you can select another cell and compare them side by side. Very handy when trying to choose a cell that maybe you want more capacity and has lower current requirements, or when looking for a hot rod cell that handles higher current with less sag. This links to the 18650 (and similar) graphs....other sizes are at the top of the page in different sections. It usually defaults with three currents selected but that's too much to look at so I'll uncheck those and pick something like .5A and 2A or whatever. https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php
Thanks alot for your detailed reply Correllux.
Seems like most of the 18650 are out of stock on illumn. I was only able to find this one (Panasonic 3400mah) in stock in flat top. What do you think of that one?
Also, any recommendations for a better battery charger?
Sheesh, slim pickin's, no kidding. From Illumn I think I'd save a buck and also get a slightly better cell with the LG MJ1. I'd have to use that comparator again but if memory serves they're nearly identical to the Samsung 35E. The Sanyo/Panasonic 18650B are fine, just a tad older model with slightly lower performance, but they'd be just fine in a normal S2+. The Panny 18650GA was their slight improvement over the B. (If you ever see Sanyo branded cells, those are the same thing but will be older stock (fine)...Panasonic bought the cell line from Sanyo some years back). Looks like Liion is even worse right now.
I checked Aloft...super legit small seller in California. They only have a few popular cells that the R/C folks like, but they still have the Samsung 35E in stock...shipping with them is super cheap (like $4.50 or so) and they sorta break rules and send out cells without the lithium warning sticker, so it'd probably get to you in 2-3 days via priority (at least that's how both of my orders were...). But I think the LG MJ1 is fine and could keep you with only one order/seller/shipping charge. As for the charger...I haven't kept up with them lately. I'm using 4-slots and have been happy with MiBoxer (now apparently going away) and Maha for the NiMH.
https://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/batteries/18650-lg-inr18650mj1-3500mah-high-discharge.html
https://alofthobbies.com/inr18650-35e.html
Kinda hard to find on his site but here's HKJ's sortable table for chargers. Lots of newer models aren't on there yet but he's covered a lot of ground. Your mouse cursor won't show a change but if you click on the various column headings you can sort the whole table by that heading, kinda like Excel except you can only do one column at a time. Handy if you want to focus only on 2-slot chargers, or by brand name, etc. Good info in his reviews for each one but also often extra/better info on the threads when he posts those reviews here.
https://lygte-info.dk/info/roundCellChargerIndex%20UK.html