Name-brand stuff from FastTech - do you trust them?

[Roger_Lafayette]

Not much point in saving a few bucks on a Trustfire battery or charger, let alone Vision equipment from fasttech if what I'm going to be getting is a even cheapER Chinese knockoff of a cheap Chinese knockoff (if you get my drift ;-)

I know that I'm probably being silly, because chances are pretty good that any US vendor from whom I'm ordering probably already gets their stuff from fasttech or Alibaba. I've also seen Rip Tripper's video in which he rages against the Chi You clone that has the original insignia on it. There's no such thing as a "brand" in China, it seems.

But I have two basic concerns. One is that I may be poisoning myself if I buy a drip tip from fasttech, like one of these: $1.68 Chambered Muffler Style 510 Drip Tip (CMDT) - aluminum at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping - it will be covered with toxic paint because the manufacturer figured out that a tenth of a penny per unit could've been saved that way. I even worry about buying the plain metal drip tips for related reasons.

Also, what's the point of saving a few bucks on a "trustfire" battery or a charger if it's going to last half as long because it isn't reallly made by TrustFire?

Comments?

 

[gully]

They sell much better batts than just trustfire for less than other vendors but it's your call if you want the savings or not.

FT requires a little bit of work on the consumers part,they do sell some rubbish along with the decent stuff.The reviews help to sort out what's what.

Your concern about toxic paint may or may not be valid,no way to be sure without testing it,again your call.

If they state "Authentic" then it is,everything else is a clone/counterfeit or in some cases the factories own design.

Saving money is it's own point.If you are happy to pay a bit more for peace of mind then go for your life.

I don't doubt the integrity of most China vendors anymore than a US vendor or a Kiwi vendor.You just have to understand the differences in culture.

 

[Roger_Lafayette]

Hey thanks! You said they sell better batteries. Any recos?

They sell much better batts than just trustfire for less than other vendors but it's your call if you want the savings or not.

FT requires a little bit of work on the consumers part,they do sell some rubbish along with the decent stuff.The reviews help to sort out what's what.

Your concern about toxic paint may or may not be valid,no way to be sure without testing it,again your call.

If they state "Authentic" then it is,everything else is a clone/counterfeit or in some cases the factories own design.

Saving money is it's own point.If you are happy to pay a bit more for peace of mind then go for your life.

I don't doubt the integrity of most China vendors anymore than a US vendor or a Kiwi vendor.You just have to understand the differences in culture.

 

[thebanik]

Hey thanks! You said they sell better batteries. Any recos?

Panasonic, Sony VTC4/5

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1628900

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1455000

 

[edyle]

I wouldn't buy a drip tip with paint;
I wouldn't buy a drip tip made out of metal;
plastic, delrin, or best: glass or ceramic. No paint.
Wouldn't matter to me if it's chinese glass.

 

[serenity21899]

I have never bought from FastTech, but I'm starting to wonder how much stuff I have bought from US vendors actually came from there. Although all batteries are from China, I still prefer to buy those in the US. It makes me feel better. For the mods I have, I choose AW or Efest. I don't subohm, so amp limits are not a factor from me. I would, however, buy Efest batteries directly from Efest at a large vapemeet. Super cheap even if they didn't speak English. And I will buy mods directly from other countries, other than China. Really, it just depends on what you are comfortable doing.

 

[gully]

Hey thanks! You said they sell better batteries. Any recos?

I use these,

$7.86 Authentic Samsung ICR18650-26F 18650 3.7V 2600mAh Rechargeable Lithium Batteries (2-Pack) 2-pack - with carrying case at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping in regulated devices.

These,

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1372400 in mechs.thebanik has kindly provided links for some good batts for sub-ohms.