AW IMR batteries or nothing

[dokebilee]

Hello reonauts,

I've had two AW IMR 14500 batteries as long as I've had my Reo Mini, which is around 5-6 months. They don't last as long as they did before and they certainly don't give out the power that they once had originally. Last week I decided to order some IMR 14500 batteries from IVape, recommended by another reonaut, and because AW IMR 14500 batteries were out-of-stock on every site that I know.

I got these non-AW IMR batteries recently and at first glance I got worried because they were blue and not red like the AW's. They take a very long time to charge compared to the AW's, are slightly lighter, and they have a flat tip. With a deep breath, I got them fully charged and plugged one into my Reo Mini, they fit surprisingly well. After two days of usage, the performance of my 5-6 months old AW's outweighs these other non-AW IMR's from IVape. Am I mad? No, but I am slightly confused because they are the same spec with different designs (and weight).

Here are some information for your own benefit,

- My 5-6 months old AW batteries outlasts these new no-name IMR's in performance.
- AW's take around 1-2 hours and sometimes 3 hours to fully charge, while the no-name IMR's take around 3-6 hours. Mind you that I have tenergy multi-functional charger that can charge 14500's.
- The no-name IMR's fit well but maybe too well, sometimes I feel very little resistance when pressing my button while using these batteries.
- The no-name IMR's are lighter than the AW's... but why?

In conclusion, I don't recommend anything but AW IMR's for Reo Mini's.

- Louis

Please add in your input if you have any.

 

[mlinky]

They are probably BDL's, which (despite their specs) are crap.

 

[Furius]

I notice everyone is saying the aw's are red. I got some aw's but they look orange to me...maybe a burnt orange. Does aw make different colored batteries? And for the record I just got my grand today and so far so good with the aw's......other reonauts and a little independent research do say they are the best.

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

I notice everyone is saying the aw's are red. I got some aw's but they look orange to me...maybe a burnt orange. Does aw make different colored batteries? And for the record I just got my grand today and so far so good with the aw's......other reonauts and a little independent research do say they are the best.

The ones I have look like that^

 

[ancient puffer]

FWIW, the AW IMR's are red (orange), but AW does make other batteries that are not orange (red). The IMR is the safer chemistry, and for that reason, along with the performance and the quality, are what's recommended. I *believe* the AW protected (silver with black) are okay to use in a pinch, some even use them all the time...but I don't

ETA: the protected have a PCB (protection circuit) stacked on the end of them and are therefore 2mm longer than the IMR's, so they do compress the spring more than the IMR's. The spring is a protection feature that should be able to collapse in the event of a short, thus cutting the current and preventing a complete meltdown of your REO.

 

[nerak]

I have always bought only the AW IMR for all of my REO's. I have seen other batteries used, some fit way to tight. I did have a couple of batteries that worked o.k. but as soon as I found out about the spring safety feature, I quit using them. They pushed the spring down so far that it had no where else to go in case of a short.

And I know what you mean about the color of the AW IMR. I can't really call it "red", but it is not a orange either. Just AW IMR "reo" red-orange!

 

[Skeeter T]

You're going to love this.

Super T Mfg now has AW IMR 14500 in stock, but they're expecting to sell out in two weeks or less.

Ted

 

[dokebilee]

Thanks Skeeter,

Just ordered a bunch and can't wait to retire my older AW IMR batteries, which is long overdue.

- Louis

 

[lithiumdaze]

I purchased 2 blue imr batteries 10440 and they worked wellish for a week then performance fell way off. My gray TF 10440's worked better in 2 weeks. So I bought a Grand and 2 AW 18650 2900 mAh batteries and they work xcellent in my Grand. I still havent switched to high drain because of my experience with the blue ones, didnt know they werent AW's. The AW 18650 2900 mAh batts will have you coughing for2 dazes!!! love my Rio ; )

 

[mlinky]

I purchased 2 blue imr batteries 10440 and they worked wellish for a week then performance fell way off. My gray TF 10440's worked better in 2 weeks. So I bought a Grand and 2 AW 18650 2900 mAh batteries and they work xcellent in my Grand. I still havent switched to high drain because of my experience with the blue ones, didnt know they werent AW's. The AW 18650 2900 mAh batts will have you coughing for2 dazes!!! love my Rio ; )

The AW IMR's work MUCH better than the Trustfires in the Mini.