Did I buy real Sony VTC5?

[zachn85]

Hey guys, first post here, nice to meet everyone

So I ordered a pair of VTC5 batteries from a trusted Amazon seller, he had many positive feedbacks about these cells and people confirming that they are genuine. I wanted to ask your opinion on whether or not they are genuine:

1. Arrived in a box with tagging, product code, voltages and safety int

2. The battery is smooth, no bumps or ugly seams, QR code and font size look to be located correctly and in the right size

3. The negative side is straight and not raised outside as in known fakes

4. The positive side is clear of sticky residue which is common on fakes:

5. The top has 2 rings, no visible sinking in as in known fakes and the gap looks about right

The only thing which made me a little suspicious is that the seam is slightly darker than the rest of the battery, it's quite hard to see but here's a photo:

However, as said, the entire body is smooth, nothing sticks out and the battery overall appears to be genuine.

I'd love for some feedback, thanks.

 

[schatz]

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.

 

[zachn85]

Thanks for the reply, I know Amazon and eBay are usually not trusted, however, I carefully checked this seller's reputation and feedback and everyone who bought these batteries from them reported that they are genuine. According to the articles I checked these look real so just wanted a second opinion. I'm in the UK so I opted for fast delivery and didn't want to order from the US. If someone can confirm that these are in fact genuine or tell me how can I test them to ensure they are original it will be much easier for me Thanks

 

[schatz]

Thanks for the reply, I know Amazon and eBay are usually not trusted, however, I carefully checked this seller's reputation and feedback and everyone who bought these batteries from them reported that they are genuine. According to the articles I checked these look real so just wanted a second opinion. I'm in the UK so I opted for fast delivery and didn't want to order from the US. If someone can confirm that these are in fact genuine or tell me how can I test them to ensure they are original it will be much easier for me Thanks

Your welcome, sorry I cant be of more service, loks like people are looking at your post so maybe youll get some usefull replies.

 

[zachn85]

No problem, I hope someone will be able to provide some info. Cheers

 

[IMFire3605]

The cell shown looks authentic to me. QR code being a bit darker in color than the rest of the printed coding and numbering compared to other Sony Cells I've owned is a little off. Other than that looks like a VTC cell. Just remember not to run them over 20amps, not 30amps as the VTC5 is 20amp only where the VTC4 is 20amp capable of 30amps and the VTC3 is full 30amp.

 

[zachn85]

Hi, thanks, I've noticed that too, but I wasn't sure if it's an indication of being fake or not. I'm hoping it isn't I'm using a KangerTech Subox Mini, and I'm a little new to Sub-ohming so I'm not exactly sure if I can actually run it at over 20A?

Also, is there anything I can use to test the battery other than vaping in my own Mod which will indicate that it's genuine? I have a Nitecore D2 Digicharger which I use to charge my batteries if that can give some indication

 

[Froth]

Hi, thanks, I've noticed that too, but I wasn't sure if it's an indication of being fake or not. I'm hoping it isn't I'm using a KangerTech Subox Mini, and I'm a little new to Sub-ohming so I'm not exactly sure if I can actually run it at over 20A?

The VTC5 is only a 20A battery to begin with, while you can run it over 20A in short bursts you'll be taking a calculated risk in doing so.

 

[zachn85]

Hi Froth, I understood that part, what I was asking is if my Mod (Subox Mini) is actually capable or running it at over 20A? Sounds like this is something which is more common in mechanical mods? Again, quite new to this, sorry if I wasn't clear. BTW, your thoughts on the authenticity of the cell?

 

[IMFire3605]

Hi, thanks, I've noticed that too, but I wasn't sure if it's an indication of being fake or not. I'm hoping it isn't I'm using a KangerTech Subox Mini, and I'm a little new to Sub-ohming so I'm not exactly sure if I can actually run it at over 20A?

Also, is there anything I can use to test the battery other than vaping in my own Mod which will indicate that it's genuine? I have a Nitecore D2 Digicharger which I use to charge my batteries if that can give some indication

Simple way with a regulated mod like the Kbox Mini (Subbox Mini) is this formula

Max Wattage of Mod/Lowest Battery State the Mod will fire at (most instances that is 3.2volts)=Max Current Draw (Amps)
50/3.2=15.625amps in the case of the Kbox Mini.

A Mechanical, use an Ohm's Law Calculator then use the max charge of a battery with the resistance of your coil (Ohms), the calculator will fill in the wattage and amp draw by itself. Example 4.2v/1ohm=4.2Amps

Fact that the reseller has good marks and reviews of the VTC5 cells they are selling, just like if you bought from Fasttech, the reviewers (guinea pigs) reporting back authentics, good indication you have authentics in your hands, especially when those reviews are 50 to 100+ positive authentic product.

 

[inswva]

The Subox is a 50W mod, correct? If so, it'll never pull 20A out of the battery. You'd have to run the battery down to ~2.7V before it would require 20A of current to produce 50W and I'm assuming the device has a low voltage cutoff.

 

[zachn85]

Yes it's a 50W.

Thanks for the detailed answer to both, so if I understand you correctly I will have to use the Mod's highest wattage (50W) when the battery state is very low to run the battery at over 20A? If that's the case, I'm in the wide clear because I never run my mod at over 25-27W when vaping with 0.5 coils. And I usually go 17-19W with 1.2 coils. I also usually start charging it again when it hits 3-3.2V because as I've learned it's not good to let these cells completely deplete.

P.S.

The guy's feedback page on eBay, he's got 100% positive feedback.
eBay Feedback profile for insatint

 

[Bad Ninja]

Don't take this the wrong way, but why didn't you order from a legitimate vendor website like illumination supply?

Is the couple bucks you saved with an amazon vendor really worth the worry?
( it concerned you enough to post a thread asking for advice).

Some things you just shouldn't skimp on.
LiOn batteries for your mod is definitely one of them.

 

[zachn85]

Hi, because I'm in the UK and I found a seller who appeared to be very trusted and with a genuine product so I opted for fast shipping, ordering from IS would mean I had to pay another $15 or so. From what I've seen so far they appear to be genuine, I have no issues ordering from illumination supply and comparing them as well, it wasn't about skimping btw, as I paid $12 for every battery.

It wasn't so much of a concern, I was pretty sure they are genuine when I opened the box. It was more to have them further validated by a community which knows and uses these cells a lot.

Do they seem genuine to you btw?

 

[Topwater Elvis]

The only way to be positive without a full spectrum battery analyzation is to buy from known reputable vendors / dealers or a source that receives them directly from SED.

Website battery reviews are close to meaningless unless the vendor or one of the reviewers has tested batteries from the same lot yours came from.
The problem is, testing the cell will at least reduce the life & possibly ruin the battery(s) being tested.
Identifying the original source to a 99% accuracy requires chemical & metallurgical anyalization which of course leaves the battery in pieces.

The good news is (if you consider it good) now most not all fakers/copy-caters are using a 20a cdr battery under the wrap.
If you're confident in the source you got them from treat them like any other 20a CDR cell.

I won't say if I think they are fake or real, the things that stand out to me from what I can tell from your pictures is, the QR code looks to have solid lines/areas, the wrap appears shiny / glossy.
The numbers & letters printed on the cell itself & the seam looks fine to me.

Just me, I never have & never will understand why folks buy vtc5 at all.
There has always been at least equal if not better options that are not plagued with copy cat / fake / re wrap / mystery cells.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Hi, because I'm in the UK and I found a seller who appeared to be very trusted and with a genuine product so I opted for fast shipping, ordering from IS would mean I had to pay another $15 or so. From what I've seen so far they appear to be genuine, I have no issues ordering from illumination supply and comparing them as well, it wasn't about skimping btw, as I paid $12 for every battery.

It wasn't so much of a concern, I was pretty sure they are genuine when I opened the box. It was more to have them further validated by a community which knows and uses these cells a lot.

Do they seem genuine to you btw?

It's extremely hard to tell from an internet pic.
They look legit to me, but it's a pic.

To me, personally, it's not worth the $15 in savings to risk it. Some things just aren't worth the risk to me.
Just my thoughts.

 

[zachn85]

Hi,

Thanks, I can see what you mean, but that's down to the image quality, I've checked the QR code carefully, there are actually no lines but dots, unfortunately the iPhone 6's camera is not able to focus deeper to reveal those. I can see how it looks like a line in the photos, but it's actually dots on all the QR code

About the wrap, again I think this is due to the image quality, it's actually more matte and not very shiny.

I can see how it may be problematic to get all the details from an iPhone 6 photo, but I appreciate your feedback nonetheless.

P.S. the QR code on the one posted in Illumination Supply also seems darker than the rest of the print as in mine

 

[zachn85]

I managed to focus the iPhone 6 on the QR code closely, as you can see on both QR codes from the 2 different batteries, all dots:

 

[Topwater Elvis]

If you're really that worried about it don't use them.
If they were mine I'd treat them like any other 20a cdr battery.

IMO & IME there simply is no way to be 100% certain they are real just by looking at pictures.

 

[zachn85]

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