Panasonic NCR18650BD or Samsung 35E

korkfoto · 2019-05-01T10:37:49.000Z

The Panasonic NCR 18650BD holds max 3200 mAh, the Samsung 35E, 3450 mAh.
Both are rated with 10A discharge capability.
Panasonic is 3.45 EUR and Samsung is 3.95 EUR so, a rather important difference in price (14,5%).
The cells will be used in regular flashlights (as Convoys S2+ with 2.8A) as well as in a FW3A.
So, which ones should I choose? (I already own some 30Q, I want the best value/runtime)
Thank you.

Barkuti · 2019-05-01T12:41:53.000Z

Panasonic NCR18650BD 10A 3000mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...an good 10A battery @ E-CigaretteForum

The 35E nets you at least 13% (at 10A) extra capacity, with larger difference at lesser current draw.

Pete7874 · 2019-05-01T13:56:43.000Z

Isn’t NCR18650GA a closer competitor to Samsung 35E?

But between the two cells you listed, I’d go with 35E.

sac02 · 2019-05-01T14:15:29.000Z

The GA is an overall more advanced cell, both higher capacity and higher drain than the BD. It would be the same capacity but higher drain than the 35E.

korkfoto · 2019-05-01T15:34:57.000Z

As I mentioned, the cells will be used in standard Convoys S2+ (max 2.8A) and A FW3A.
Do I need more than 10 A discharge?

Also, the prices are:

Panasonic BD: 3,25 EUR
Samsung 35E: 3,95 EUR
Sanyo GA: 4,25 EUR

I am looking for the best ratio price/capacity/quality for the mentioned lights.

L.E. Thanks Barkuti and all.
If that is the case, it seems that the price difference is worth it.
Any other alternative to the Samsung 35E?

Barkuti · 2019-05-01T15:38:20.000Z

The GA has slightly less internal resistance than the 35E, but also slightly less capacity. According to HKJ's tests even at 5A the 35E still delivers more energy than the GA. Pity that Henrik does not publish energy figures for each tested current, according to his tests I think the GA starts surpassing the 35E in energy output maybe from 7A and upwards. The difference is slim anyway.

Given the price for an energy battery pack I would no brainer pick the 35E.

P.S.: korkfoto you're splitting hairs, any of the discussed choices here is a good option so decide by yourself.

wstrachan · 2019-05-01T15:35:11.000Z

I would definitely recommend the 35E over the BD but both a fair batteries. The Sanyo 18650GA edges them both out.

sac02 · 2019-05-01T15:48:57.000Z

>Do I need more than 10 A discharge?

No, you don’t NEED it, a 10A cell won’t damage the light, or the cell directly - it might get hotter which over time would lose capacity a tiny bit quicker over dozens/hundreds of cycles. But a higher discharge cell (lower IR) will give you a few more lumens in the FW3A.

I’d pay the extra and get the GA so that you can get most out of the FW3A on turbo (if you aren’t going to put one of your 30Q in it).

BlueSwordM · 2019-05-01T15:51:37.000Z

@korfoto, just get the Samsung 35E.

Keisari · 2019-05-01T16:21:46.000Z

It’s always going to be a matter of taste and there is no right answer. No huge differences in practical performance there. In theory, it would depend on which modes you mostly use, but if you only used short bursts on turbo,

Out of the options you have given, I would choose the 35E any time, but would happily use either one in case it suddenly materialized on my desk.

I’m planning to use the 30Q in the FW3A for now. Mostly because I already have a few that currently see very little use. Another option might actually be better in such a lightweight FET triple. Top lumen performance is for a few seconds only and it’s a lot of thermal stress for a gain one will probably never really perceive.

With a 2.8 A linear driver the battery choice is not important at all beyond having a good quality known cell in good condition. I have some Samsung 26F cells for that purpose. I feel any better is a waste, but you might disagree. 35E will obviously be superior toward deeper discharge.

korkfoto · 2019-05-01T17:44:58.000Z

Thank you all!
I’m going for the Samsung 35E.

d_t_a · 2019-06-03T14:49:46.000Z

What are your experiences with the LG MJ1 vs the 35E?

It’s very difficult to find genuine Samsung 35E in our country (almost no local store for that battery, and foreign online stores do not ship batteries at economical rates to my country, if they even ship at all). However, I did find a local source of the LG MJ1, so I was wondering how the MJ1 compares, being one of the top 3 3500mAh 18650 batteries…

ChrisGarrett · 2019-06-04T04:16:29.000Z

Is the BD still in production, or are we dealing with older, post production stock?

I don’t know the answer.

Chris

ggf31416 · 2019-06-04T04:32:04.000Z

The difference between the LG MJ1 and the 35E will be less than 3%.

BlueSwordM · 2019-06-04T04:33:11.000Z

Yeah, there’s not much difference between all 3500mAh cells.