Did I buy real Sony VTC5?

[Susan~S]

Many UK vapers get their batteries from Torchy the Battery Boy on UKVapers. He has a very good reputation there.

 

[zachn85]

Thanks for the info

 

[Topwater Elvis]

I'm actually not worried at them at all man, like I said I was just looking to get some opinions from you guys as you have much more experience with these than me. I really appreciate your responsiveness and I'm actually quite satisfied with your feedback, as a few guys said that they appear genuine.

BTW, what are some of the equal/better alternatives as you mentioned previously, which are less prone to being faked/copied? Thanks

2500mah, 20a cdr;
Samsung 25R2 or 25R5.
LG HE2, HE4.

3000mah, 20a cdr;
LG HG2.
AW 3000mah.
Samsung 30Q.

 

[zachn85]

I actually have an LG HG2 3000mah in my mod, it's not bad but I think it drains pretty quickly. Thanks for the tips again.

 

[sacullen]

I say you were sent fakes for a couple reasons. First, the printing of the production code looks too straight and perfect. Second, there is a stray "C5" printed at the end of the first line. None of my legit ones have that. Third, the first half of the second line of the code looks nothing like what I have on any of my legit ones.

 

[zachn85]

...., you're right man, I didn't even notice that extra C5 at the end of the code. Is that a definite indication it's fake then?

 

[herb]

I am no expert, but to give you a bump, here goes. It is usually not recommended to purchase off amazon or ebay, I get mine from Illumination supply. Ther are many threads here on how to tell a fake from real. And many threads on where to purchase. Good luck and try the search.

It's good you mention that because it's mind boggling how many people still buy from those sites , i rate E Bay as the absolute worst place to buy and people get taken on there constantly.

The sellers usually post pics of authentic's to fool buyers , what you receive is something else entirely.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

that extra C5 at the end of the code. Is that a definite indication it's fake then?

I don't think so, unless orbtronic is selling fakes too. The only thing that I see is that the QR code is too dark. All my Sony batteries it looks kinda faded like the rest of the printing on the wrap.

 

[zachn85]

The QR code looks darker on Illumination Supply website as well...

And I've checked around and some previous VTC4s also have that extra C4 at the end.
However, what I wasn't able to find is authentic VTC5's in which the serial number starts like mine, in all authentic photos it seems to start with C5A and then the number, in mine it starts with G, but then again, there are some photos of real VTC4 with the G code as well...

Confused

 

[zachn85]

I say you were sent fakes for a couple reasons. First, the printing of the production code looks too straight and perfect. Second, there is a stray "C5" printed at the end of the first line. None of my legit ones have that. Third, the first half of the second line of the code looks nothing like what I have on any of my legit ones.
View attachment 515055

Small update, I called Illumination Supply and talked to Craig, who's a very nice guy and was very helpful! I showed him the photos of my VTC5s and he sent me a photo of an authentic one that he had. His authentic VTC5 had the same coding pattern as mine: An extra C5 at the top, G at the bottom and the code started with numbers. The G stands for a Sony factory in Singapore, and production has moved there. Furthermore Craig said that this new coding format is actually meant to identify original cells, as most fakers would produce the code that everyone knows, the one that starts with C5A.

Anyway, Craig looked at all the photos I've sent and said that the cells I have appear to be 100% authentic. I've also started using them, there were no heating issues during charging or during continuous vaping at around 25W.