Are my Eneloop Pro's fake?

molitar · 2019-05-20T04:53:08.000Z

I think there is just too many fakes out there. I purchased mine from a seller in US and probably a victim himself/herself. I been reading quite a few fakes from various sites so I am thinking of just purchasing Amazon made in Japan batteries as they have through various testings appear to be rebadged Eneloop Gen2 batteries just a bit cheaper and since Amazon is really the only seller as it’s there products no fakes from them.

I read on another forum where new fakes with the packaging only having like 1 thing off so even the packing for fakes are improving so unless you have the money to buy directly from Japan which I do not I really think there is just too many fakes to risk it. The Ikea batteries would be good too but that is an hour drive to a local store for them as online are all rip offs so Amazon seems to be best choice.

teacher · 2019-05-20T05:04:34.000Z

Where did you buy them??

$24 for 12 Eneloop Pro’s was your first clue something wasn’t right. .

Like Lightbringer, I too buy regular Eneloops. Pro’s are not worth the extra cost ‘to me’.

Thomas Distributing is my ‘go to’ Eneloop dealer unless I find a sale a reliable dealer is having. However… this is pretty rare as “reliable dealer” & “sale” do not often go hand in hand.

You want to be 100% sure your Eneloops are the real deal & made in Japan…. Thomas Distributing is a dealer I can recommend with absolute certainty. I’m sure there are other dealers in this category…. but I am not familiar with them.

Pay a little more… get the real deal. They last a looooooong time. I am still using all the Eneloops I bought in 2006…. and they are all still going strong.

Testimony over….

ChibiM · 2019-05-20T06:06:52.000Z

100% fake

https://youtu.be/bW3vStsC8pY

ChibiM · 2019-05-20T06:10:22.000Z

molitar:

I think there is just too many fakes out there. I purchased mine from a seller in US and probably a victim himself/herself. I been reading quite a few fakes from various sites so I am thinking of just purchasing Amazon made in Japan batteries as they have through various testings appear to be rebadged Eneloop Gen2 batteries just a bit cheaper and since Amazon is really the only seller as it’s there products no fakes from them. I read on another forum where new fakes with the packaging only having like 1 thing off so even the packing for fakes are improving so unless you have the money to buy directly from Japan which I do not I really think there is just too many fakes to risk it. The Ikea batteries would be good too but that is an hour drive to a local store for them as online are all rip offs so Amazon seems to be best choice.

Do you remember which forum? I'd be very interested.

molitar · 2019-05-20T06:34:34.000Z

ChibiM:

molitar:

I think there is just too many fakes out there. I purchased mine from a seller in US and probably a victim himself/herself. I been reading quite a few fakes from various sites so I am thinking of just purchasing Amazon made in Japan batteries as they have through various testings appear to be rebadged Eneloop Gen2 batteries just a bit cheaper and since Amazon is really the only seller as it’s there products no fakes from them. I read on another forum where new fakes with the packaging only having like 1 thing off so even the packing for fakes are improving so unless you have the money to buy directly from Japan which I do not I really think there is just too many fakes to risk it. The Ikea batteries would be good too but that is an hour drive to a local store for them as online are all rip offs so Amazon seems to be best choice.

Do you remember which forum? I’d be very interested.

No forget which one but would of been nice of the person had shown packing but I remember poster stating that it looked like the real thing except battery model was for AA he did not catch that and a single spelling error lesk instead of leak.

Amazon review of a fake by a US Seller.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R24GN8PADS73WM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00JHKSMJK#R24GN8PADS73WM

I think some are much like the printer counterfeit ink that went around for a while. The sellers themselves were victims as the packing was that close to the real thing it required Epson themselves to step in and check the products and they found it the problem was as widespread as being in Walmarts and other major chain dealers. I think the Eneloop problems will continue to spread. The counterfeiters are getting cleverer showing real package and shipping fakes as one example. Also another thread I read is that Chinese are storing them in US and listing as US seller in the US exasperating the problem even more.

ChibiM · 2019-05-20T06:37:50.000Z

Ow, that is even worse.

If you ever come across the thread feel free to send me a message. I'd like to check it out!

teacher · 2019-05-20T08:10:18.000Z

@ molitar….

Where / what shop did you buy these from??

Knowing that might save someone else from making the same mistake.

raccoon · 2019-05-20T08:24:15.000Z

I get my Eneloops here:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/horizonbattery/m.html?_nkw=eneloop

They're real, and somewhat cheap, but they only ship to the U.S.

molitar · 2019-05-29T21:21:10.000Z

Well I contacted Ebay as seller wanted me to mail them back to China on my dollar. When I reported to Ebay they said do not return them we will have you sign and affidavit that you will not sell them and we will return your money. This is their move against counterfeit items.

So I signed it and uploaded it and they closed my case with a return on it’s way in about 3-5 business days.

molitar · 2019-05-29T21:23:47.000Z

teacher:

@ molitar….

Where / what shop did you buy these from??

Knowing that might save someone else from making the same mistake.

Seller Meegop on Ebay. They ship from US and report selling from US but they are in China. Seems China is housing in US for these scams. Well good news Ebay is not going for it and just having you sign a waiver that you will not resell them and refunding the money.

teacher · 2019-05-29T23:12:22.000Z

@ molitar
Thank you for the info & update. Glad you got your money back.

Leif · 2019-05-30T06:09:14.000Z

I think Ikea own brand 2450 mAh AA cells are Eneloop Pros. Some Amazon basics were Eneloops. Look for made in Japan, there is said to be only one Japanese battery maker.

molitar · 2019-05-30T17:49:38.000Z

Yeah I have an Ikea about an hour drive away… Since they are a rip off to order online from anywhere and the shipping is high at $9.99 it’s actually cheaper for me to drive there and pick up a few packs of them batteries at $6.99/ea for 4 packs.

WalkIntoTheLight · 2019-05-30T18:14:30.000Z

Leif:

I think Ikea own brand 2450 mAh AA cells are Eneloop Pros. Some Amazon basics were Eneloops. Look for made in Japan, there is said to be only one Japanese battery maker.

IIRC, the Eneloops and “similar to Eneloops” were tested by someone over at CPF. The non-Eneloops didn’t test as well, especially after many cycles, but are probably close-enough if you can’t get real Japanese Eneloops or they are too pricey.

IMO, if you can get real Eneloops, go for them. They may be more pricey, but it amounts to a small fraction-of-a-penny per cycle.

Same for lithium-ion cells. Get quality name-brand cells from a trusted source. It’s not worth trying to save a buck or two. I just bought another bunch of 18650’s from Illum. Only 4 days to be delivered to Canada, and confident I’m getting genuine cells.

I’ve bought from China before, but there’s a good chance they’re fakes. They also don’t come packaged well from China (you don’t want damaged 18650’s), and it takes about 2 months to get them. Not worth it to save a few dollars. I’ll pay the extra penny per charge to save the hassle.

Phlogiston · 2019-05-30T18:31:51.000Z

I believe Japanese Eneloops are actually made by Fujitsu - they own the tech, Panasonic only own the Eneloop brand name. Fujitsu also sell their own branded LSD NiMH cells, which are somewhat cheaper than Eneloops, at least in the UK. I have old Eneloops, made in Japan, and newer Fujitsu cells. I refuse to even touch the made in China stuff.

molitar · 2019-05-30T18:58:42.000Z

Phlogiston:

I believe Japanese Eneloops are actually made by Fujitsu - they own the tech, Panasonic only own the Eneloop brand name. Fujitsu also sell their own branded LSD NiMH cells, which are somewhat cheaper than Eneloops, at least in the UK. I have old Eneloops, made in Japan, and newer Fujitsu cells. I refuse to even touch the made in China stuff.

Fujitsu cost more then Eneloops.

Pete7874 · 2019-05-30T19:16:33.000Z

molitar:

Fujitsu cost more then Eneloops.

Depends on the sale. Sometimes Newegg has good sales on these Fujitsu cells. I paid $14 for 8 not too long ago.

Leif · 2019-05-31T12:04:26.000Z

Phlogiston:

I believe Japanese Eneloops are actually made by Fujitsu - they own the tech, Panasonic only own the Eneloop brand name. Fujitsu also sell their own branded LSD NiMH cells, which are somewhat cheaper than Eneloops, at least in the UK. I have old Eneloops, made in Japan, and newer Fujitsu cells. I refuse to even touch the made in China stuff.

They are indeed made by Fujitsu, that is AFAIK the only Japanese NiMH battery maker. They are also rebranded as Duracell. To complicate matters, Duracell markets both Japanese and Chinese NiMH cells under the same branding, so make sure you check for Made in Japan on the packet. Prices vary greatly, I’ve bought Eneloops, Fujitsu cells and Duracells at lowish prices on several occasions.

Chinese cells are not bad, but they wear out (degrade) much more quickly. So if you regularly discharge and recharge cells, Fujitsu cells are the way to go. Unless the Chinese ones are cheap, avoid.

molitar · 2019-05-31T19:54:11.000Z

Leif:

Phlogiston:

I believe Japanese Eneloops are actually made by Fujitsu - they own the tech, Panasonic only own the Eneloop brand name. Fujitsu also sell their own branded LSD NiMH cells, which are somewhat cheaper than Eneloops, at least in the UK. I have old Eneloops, made in Japan, and newer Fujitsu cells. I refuse to even touch the made in China stuff.

They are indeed made by Fujitsu, that is AFAIK the only Japanese NiMH battery maker. They are also rebranded as Duracell. To complicate matters, Duracell markets both Japanese and Chinese NiMH cells under the same branding, so make sure you check for Made in Japan on the packet. Prices vary greatly, I’ve bought Eneloops, Fujitsu cells and Duracells at lowish prices on several occasions.

Chinese cells are not bad, but they wear out (degrade) much more quickly. So if you regularly discharge and recharge cells, Fujitsu cells are the way to go. Unless the Chinese ones are cheap, avoid.

So where and how do you usually find these batteries on sale?

Pete7874 · 2019-05-31T20:47:49.000Z

molitar:

So where and how do you usually find these batteries on sale?

Set up an alert on SlickDeals or some other such deal tracking website:

Here is one past deal, as an example:
https://slickdeals.net/f/12719329-fujitsu-8hr-3utgx-ft-u-8-pack-aa-batteries-ni-mh-hi-capacity-13-49-ac-newegg?attrsrc=Test%3AHideExpiredSearch%3AControl&src=SiteSearchV2_SearchBarV2Algo1