Sony VTC Battery Shootout -- Which one is the best?

[Mooch]

I'm often asked which of the Sony VTC batteries is the best. I've always answered, "it depends". Is run time the most important thing to you? Or is the one that hits hardest the one you want?

But is this always true? Could there be a single "best" Sony VTC for most vaping setups? I decided to directly compare the performance of the following batteries (with my ratings):

- VTC3 28A 1600mAh
- VTC4 23A 2100mAh
- VTC5 20A 2600mAh
- VTC5A 25A 2500mAh
- VTC6 15A 3000mAh

I used the continuous discharge graphs for these comparisons as they make seeing the differences much easier. While the pulse discharge graphs better simulate how we use these batteries when vaping the relative differences in their performance doesn't change between the two types of discharges. For example, if one of them holds the highest voltage when continuously discharged it will also do so when pulsed.

I ran all of them at 10A, 20A, and 30A down to 3.2V. So, is there a clear "best" VTC battery?



Bottom Line: The VTC5A runs at a higher voltage than any of the others and runs for longer (or the same) at 20A, 30A, and higher. But the VTC6 runs for longer at 10A. The clear winner for run time is the VTC6, which is understandable considering its rated capacity.

The VTC5A is the best overall performer. For the longest running time at under 15A or so use the VTC6

 

[T0mmy1977]

I like the VTC5A's extra amps (coupled with 2500mah) when using parallel and serial mech mods.

Thank you for this thread, @Mooch !

 

[Ed_C]

Just went over to RTD to see if they had the VTC5A and read:

"This is our last shipment of Sony batteries. We will not be able to get anymore once these are sold out. Sony will no longer allow these batteries to be sold."

 

[Mooch]

Just went over to RTD to see if they had the VTC5A and read:

"This is our last shipment of Sony batteries. We will not be able to get anymore once these are sold out. Sony will no longer allow these batteries to be sold."

And it begins...
Hopefully that's only for vendors who are openly selling to vapers.

 

[T0mmy1977]

Just went over to RTD to see if they had the VTC5A and read:

"This is our last shipment of Sony batteries. We will not be able to get anymore once these are sold out. Sony will no longer allow these batteries to be sold."

You scared me in to buying 4 of these from IMRbatteries.

 

[Hendog24]

Should we be stocking up on batteries too?!?

The FDA is ruining my life.

 

[Ed_C]

Wow, I just read the warning at IMRbatteries. I won't repeat it here, but DAMN.

 

[puffon]

Should we be stocking up on batteries too?!?

The FDA is ruining my life.

That would be great if we could, however they have a limited shelf life.

 

[Topwater Elvis]

Wow, I just read the warning at IMRbatteries. I won't repeat it here, but DAMN.

I'd say their warning is quite appropriate, most folks skate through life unscathed only by dumb luck oblivious to the various dangers.

 

[puffon]

If only people didn't put batteries in their pockets with loose change and no battery protection.
Don't people do that with 9v Duracells? We can still buy them....

 

[Ed_C]

Warning yes, but they are stating that it's a "DANGEROUS misuse of the battery cell that poses a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury, property damage, or death"

 

[T0mmy1977]

Wow, I just read the warning at IMRbatteries. I won't repeat it here, but DAMN.

I think they put that warning up to protect themselves from lawsuits, but obviously they get a lot of extra business from vapers. I think I remember Origin Vape getting a letter from Sony demanding Origin Vape stop selling Sony batteries on their site.

 

[Baditude]

I think they put that warning up to protect themselves from lawsuits, but obviously they get a lot of extra business from vapers. I think I remember Origin Vape getting a letter from Sony demanding Origin Vape stop selling Sony batteries on their site.

 

[Ed_C]

I've read something like that from Sony, but that's the first I've seen that from LG.

 

[Barkuti]

[Removed]

Plenty of other sellers will be able to provide us with quality cells, no doubt. And the chinese are getting better at manufacturing li-ions…
Those who chicken out will be the only ones losing the game.

Cheers

 

[retired1]

And it begins...
Hopefully that's only for vendors who are openly selling to vapers.

It's more likely due to Sony getting out of the battery business. They've sold their battery arm to Murata.

No more Sony batteries

 

[Mooch]

It's more likely due to Sony getting out of the battery business. They've sold their battery arm to Murata.

No more Sony batteries

Possibly.
Sanyo batteries are still available though after Sanyo's battery business was bought by Panasonic. I can't imagine a company buying Sony's battery manufacturing infrastructure just to shut it down.

 

[retired1]

I doubt it'll be shut down, but Murata already makes components for the electric vehicle market. It stands to reason that they'll most likely concentrate on EV battery technology.

As for continuing the 18650 batteries, it's a toss up. The reason Sony divested itself of the battery manufacturing is it apparently wasn't making them enough money to retain that part of the company. So if Murata takes a hard look and comes to the same conclusion as far as 18650 type batteries are concerned, it's entirely possible that we'll have one less source for decent batteries.

 

[Barkuti]

If Murata bought Sony battery division, it's quite likely they are going to put those resources and knowledge to good use. And with it, they also inherited the corresponding client portfolio.
I actually see this as a win-win situation, as I do not think Murata will need to send chickening out warnings to the few known retailers doing end-user business with their batteries which, for the most part, will now be quite unrecognizable to muggles (because of the name change, imho).
Cheers

 

[Baditude]

@Barkuti, it will be interesting to see how Muirata markets the Sony batteries after the takeover.

MNKE was a reputable manufacturer of quality batteries. Then IMREN (a rewrapper who over-rated their specs) bought out MNKE. Since their takeover of MNKE, IMREN has continued to over-rate their battery specifications.