High drain 18650 Batteries in Korea

[Skida]

Does anyone here run mech mods? If so, where do you guys get your high drain batteries?
It seems like you're very limited on your options from local vendors. I found 1 site online that sells Samsung INR 18650-20R's, and they cost 17000 won ea. + 2500won delivery. The AW's and Efests that they label high drain here are nice, but none of them top 10A.

Do you get them from overseas? If so, where, and how long does it take? I know fasttech generally can take over a month for batteries.

 

[yourbuddyjames]

I ordered my AW 18650 1600mah and my EFEST purple 1860 2500mah (35A) from ÀüÀÚ´ã¹è ¼îÇθô <½Ã±×À£>. They are located in Busan and have been very reliable.

 

[Skida]

Managed to get 2x LG18650HE2 batteries (the battery under the EFEST purple 35A wrapping) shipped to me from FT before the latest shutdown of Malaysia Post.

When I went to Yongsan's battery district, the best they had to offer there was a 15A pulse, 10A continuous 1500 mAh Sanyo battery for 8000 Won. That's what I was using till my LG's arrived.

If your willing to wait over a month for batteries, I think you can still get batteries from FT. $12 basically gets you 2 of these LG's (Efest purple 35A).

 

[Waddle]

Fasttech only ships batteries via HK post surface mail (45-60days) , only MNKE and Sony vtc4/5 but you can be sure they are authentic. I figure if you must, buy a couple of batteries in Korea. Then wait out the 2 months for the FT batteries. I just ordered 6 Sony VTC5 for ~ $55

 

[Waddle]

Be careful, just too many fake AWs running around Asia. Cigwell still sends AW batteries with the black sticker and according to Andrew Wong (AW) all batteries produced since November 2013 now have a hologram sticker not the black sticker. Of course these can be counterfeited to, but the moral of the story is be careful who you buy batteries from period. Also get yourself a decent battery charger like the Xtar VP1

 

[Waddle]

Managed to get 2x LG18650HE2 batteries (the battery under the EFEST purple 35A wrapping) shipped to me from FT before the latest shutdown of Malaysia Post.

When I went to Yongsan's battery district, the best they had to offer there was a 15A pulse, 10A continuous 1500 mAh Sanyo battery for 8000 Won. That's what I was using till my LG's arrived.

If your willing to wait over a month for batteries, I think you can still get batteries from FT. $12 basically gets you 2 of these LG's (Efest purple 35A).

You are correct about the Efest 2500mah being re-branded LG batteries. Unfortunately they are not 35a but 20a continuous discharge. Dangerous if you are sub-ohming. Better to get Sony VTC4s.

 

[Waddle]

Gmarket is showing the Panasonic NCR18650PF 2900mah3.7V for 7,000w each. Plus 2,500w shipping. Its a hell of a deal for the money.

 

[aftercafe]

you can get efest and sammies here for 10,000won + 2500 for shipping
¡Ú ½Ã°¡¸ô ¡Ú ÀüÀÚ´ã¹è ºÎÇ°Àü¹® ¼îÇθô

 

[pocariboy73]

I've bought ALL my rechargeable mod batteries from G-Market. Either Samsung or Panasonic (both unprotected and protected.)

I've seen much lower prices for rechargeable batteries made in China being sold online, but have yet to try one.

The few times I've used Chinese batteries (AAA , AA) were because they were included in the item I bought. Such as electronic equipment. DURABELL, ENERBIZER, etc.

Right away I know they are gonna be junk as the weight alone is half that of a brand name battery.

How's people's experiences been with the Chinese made (and name) 18650s abs 18350s? Such as the ones sold on FT and even G-Market?

 

[Waddle]

Gmarket only sells Panasonic NCR18650PF 2900mah3.7V high drain batterys. These are 10A batteries and not really good for extreme sub-ohm builds. The only Samsungs I've seen are ICR not IMR or Hybrid. I don't see anyone selling authentic IMR/hybrid grade Sony, LG, Samung, or AW batteries locally. A few of the online shops in Korea will sell Efests and AW but at extremely inflated prices.

FT sells authentic batteries but can only be shipped via HK post surface 45-60 days.

HKEquipment and LuckLife (HK) sell authentic batteries and have stellar reputations in all the flashlight enthusiast forums. I just bought 10 Samsung NCR18650 25r batteries from lucklife for $60. Four of them had small nicks in the top cap. When informed they immediately shipped four new batteries to me and allowed me to keep the flawed batteries that with a new wrapper are like new. They will ship via air but in disguise due to the carriers restrictions. HKEquipment sent me batteiries in old flashlights to get around these restrictions.

 

[pocariboy73]

Gmarket only sells Panasonic NCR18650PF 2900mah3.7V high drain batterys. These are 10A batteries and not really good for extreme sub-ohm builds. The only Samsungs I've seen are ICR not IMR or Hybrid. I don't see anyone selling authentic IMR/hybrid grade Sony, LG, Samung, or AW batteries locally. A few of the online shops in Korea will sell Efests and AW but at extremely inflated prices.

FT sells authentic batteries but can only be shipped via HK post surface 45-60 days.

HKEquipment and LuckLife (HK) sell authentic batteries and have stellar reputations in all the flashlight enthusiast forums. I just bought 10 Samsung NCR18650 25r batteries from lucklife for $60. Four of them had small nicks in the top cap. When informed they immediately shipped four new batteries to me and allowed me to keep the flawed batteries that with a new wrapper are like new. They will ship via air but in disguise due to the carriers restrictions. HKEquipment sent me batteiries in old flashlights to get around these restrictions.

Hi Waddle,

So do you recommend HKEquipment as the best source for 18650 batteries for Mods? Do I need to tell them in advance to put them hide them in flashlights to avoid a possible 2 month delivery time?

I tried to do a Web search for Lucklife, but nothing came up ㅠㅠ.

Thanks Waddle...

 

[Waddle]

My last order of Samsungs 25r were from LuckLife. Both have been good vendors for me.

Their shipping costs have gone up but still a good deal. Just search Ebay..should be first listing.

10 X SAMSUNG INR18650-25R 2500mAh High Capacity Battery 18650 20A High Drain

Lucklife just labeled them as a PATA hard drive Received them in about 3 weeks via Singapore Post.

 

[pocariboy73]

Just ordered a few purple IMR 18650`s and 18350`s from Cigwell. Getting rid of the low quality Li-ion batteries I bought off of G-MARKET, not knowing they are now deemed dangerous.

Had visions in my dream (rather nightmare) of mods blowing up in my face with my son sitting next to me.

Better safe, than sorry.

 

[nwasiq]

http://item2.gmarket.co.kr/English/detailview/item.aspx?goodscode=637698492
Waddle here it is. Is this good?

 

[Waddle]

http://item2.gmarket.co.kr/English/detailview/item.aspx?goodscode=637698492
Waddle here it is. Is this good?

Albeit a tad expensive, yes these are excellent batteries for vaping. My Korean isn't very good, but Gmarket online help will tell you if these are coming from outside the country. If they are expect a month at least for delivery. If they have them locally, a couple of days.

 

[nwasiq]

How long do these batteries last btw? And where dou you recommend I get a charger for these batteries?

 

[Waddle]

They say 250 charges, but of course they always exaggerate. I would estimate 200 charges. You can get chargers in Korea but they are double the price. FastTech has them. But of course free delivery means 3 weeks to a month. Mind you, you could order one on FastTech and send it via DHL and still get it cheaper then buying it in Korea.

Pila, Xtar, and Nitecore Intellicharger ​are the most recommended brands.

 

[pocariboy73]

http://item2.gmarket.co.kr/English/detailview/item.aspx?goodscode=637698492

Those batteries are located within the country. Delivery fee is 2,500 won. Thanks for posting that link. Much better pricing than those Chinese made batteries being sold on the Korean Vape sites. Unless you buy abroad in bulk and wait a long time, you're not gonna get a better price than that for a genuine Samsung battery.

Update: Just ordered 2 of them.

 

[pocariboy73]

How long do these batteries last btw? And where dou you recommend I get a charger for these batteries?

FastTech is cheapest, but it will take time. I bought mine, with the correct plug in for Korea on G-market. Mind you it was almost double the price. But even still, it's not that expensive for a genuine Nitecore Intellicharger.

Here's the mobile phone link. 25,000 won. Delivery 2 days maximum.

http://mitem.gmarket.co.kr/Item?goodscode=622073133

 

[Waddle]

... Much better pricing than those Chinese made batteries being sold on the Korean Vape sites....

Samsung INR18650 25r batteries are made in China, not Korea