Confused about battery authenticity

[Keiitthhhh]

Okay so I just did a little research on the VTC4's. At first I was skeptical whether the battery I purchased was authentic or not but as far as it seems, it's legitimate. At the same time, I feel like it's just a really good fake. Here are a few pictures of it. The seller had a pretty good description and said he's selling vtc4's because vtc5's are hard to come by and they are basically all fake.



I just need some input from others before I go crazy going back and forth!

 

[Jim Beam]

Not to sound crazy, but I also ordered some fake sony just to check them out.
That thired pix almost looks like the real things.
You'll hear bout this or that but want get responses to ones whom actually tried them.
Just monitor them till yeah know.
I do have a modest tester and meter.
I bet their rerapes of LG's or Panasonics.

Jb

 

[Rsunderl]

Wish I could help. Where did you buy them from? Why do you think they are re-wrapped LGs or Panasonics? Hopefully, someone with more familiarity with the Sony VTC4 will be along shortly.

 

[Keiitthhhh]

Not to sound crazy, but I also ordered some fake sony just to check them out.
That thired pix almost looks like the real things.
You'll hear bout this or that but want get responses to ones whom actually tried them.
Just monitor them till yeah know.
I do have a modest tester and meter.
I bet their rerapes of LG's or Panasonics.

Jb

Are those testers expensive?

 

[Keiitthhhh]

Wish I could help. Where did you buy them from? Why do you think they are re-wrapped LGs or Panasonics? Hopefully, someone with more familiarity with the Sony VTC4 will be along shortly.

I bought them on eBay from a seller who's description was geared towards vaping. Are links to merchandise allowed on this forum?

 

[Soignee]

Okay so I just did a little research on the VTC4's. At first I was skeptical whether the battery I purchased was authentic or not but as far as it seems, it's legitimate. At the same time, I feel like it's just a really good fake. Here are a few pictures of it. The seller had a pretty good description and said he's selling vtc4's because vtc5's are hard to come by and they are basically all fake.

View attachment 411210View attachment 411212View attachment 411211View attachment 411213

I just need some input from others before I go crazy going back and forth!

I can't ease your mind from your pictures...
Here are a couple of links to reputable vendors of VTC 4 and VTC4 re wrapped batteries. I'm sure there are a few other reputable vendors out there that I haven't done business with, but many other people here on ECF have and they will have input as well. These links are not the end all be all...but they are reputable sources with authentic VTC 4 products.
4 pcs Sony 18650VTC4
Sony VTC4 18650 30A high drain battery 2100mAh
Xtar High Drain 18650 2100mAh 30a (Sony VTC4 cell) - RTD vapor
IMR 18650 Battery 30A Orbtronic SX30 Ultra High Drain Hybrid rechargeable Li-ion | Li-Mn

 

[Rsunderl]

The general advice here is to stay away from Ebay and Amazon. At least unless you are absolutely familiar with and trust the vendor.

 

[Jim Beam]

I have found a chart showing test various batteries. The fake sony is listed among them.
But, cant see how to post pictures.
By looking at pix though, it doing good.
Methinks it has to be rewraps of ones mention above.

 

[Jim Beam]

Still havent seem how to post pixs and dont have a way to host pixs.
Im on my iphone vs using my laptop right now.
If you like to views the chart I can e-mail it?
Im just as curious as anyone bout these clone sony's lol.

 

[Susan~S]

There is no way to know if they are counterfeit by looking at them. The counterfeiters saw all the ways people were using to identify fake batteries and changed the labeling on their wrappers.

Just because someone on Ebay sells vape products doesn't make them qualified to know when they are buying countefeit batteries. Even reputable battery distributors can get fooled. The difference is a reputable battery distributors can test the batteries (and they do).

The only thing you can do at this point is use the Sony battery in a regulated devise if you want an added layer of protection. Assume it's not 30A and build accordingly.

And as others said, in the future only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[HecticEnergy]

Personally I've only ordered from RTD, but have heard good things about IlluminationSupply as well.

I would add B&Ms to the list of vendors NOT to buy batteries from.

 

[Jim Beam]

Got the picture as profile pixs.
Just click on my name.

 

[Keiitthhhh]

There is no way to know if they are counterfeit by looking at them. The counterfeiters saw all the ways people were using to identify fake batteries and changed the labeling on their wrappers.

Just because someone on Ebay sells vape products doesn't make them qualified to know when they are buying countefeit batteries. Even reputable battery distributors can get fooled. The difference is a reputable battery distributors can test the batteries (and they do).

The only thing you can do at this point is use the Sony battery in a regulated devise if you want an added layer of protection. Assume it's not 30A and build accordingly.

And as others said, in the future only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

Alright that sounds like a fantastic advice. I'll be sure to do a little more research before actually purchasing batteries. What kind of equipment would I need to test batteries?