VTC4/5 versus MXJO 18650: Internal resistance or something else?

[graffiti]

Hi all. Been using mechs for a year and a half now, and I've come across something interesting.

Due to recommendations here and on ECR, I mostly run VTCs. My 4s were getting pretty tired (at this point they're relegated to being flashlight batteries, as they're close to 18 months old) and I only had four 5s for my various mechs.

While browsing a local vape shop, I came across MXJOs. Supposedly they're rated to 35a which is more than enough for what I'm running, which as you can see from my sig is a GUS Estia triple coiled at about 0.35Ω.

My old (bought and started using in September of last year) VTC5s give me much better performance than the MXJOs. The MXJOs hit like the VTC5s after I've used them for half a day even when the MXJOs are fresh.

Why is this? Is it just a function of internal resistance? Would I be better off going with new VTC4s (Illumination supply seems to have 5s but I don't completely trust that) than either the MXJO or something like a 25R?

 

[Baditude]

There is a big difference in battery brands. MXJO is not a major battery brand and likely doesn't make their own cells.

There are only a few major battery manufacturers, primarily in Japan. Lately, those Japanese manufacturers have been moving their plants to China to reduce production costs.

Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, and LG have been the major players producing consistently high quality batteries. Some companies choose to use those cells, re-wrap them, and market those cells under their own name (ie AW, Efest, MXJO, Xtar).

Like anything else mass produced, quality control and high quality parts matter. AW realized that not all batteries are created equal when they leave the factory. AW made their reputation by buying loads of batteries from the Japanese manufacturers and rewrapping only the ones that individually tested out top tier as AW's. This increased their consistency of delivering a high quality battery to customers.

Where you purchase your batteries is just as important as which one. Counterfeiting and deception runs rampant in the Chinese battery industry. Many off brands and generics are poor quality seconds or used batteries rewrapped to look like new batteries.

The more reputable vendors for selling authentic name brand batteries are RTD Vapor, Illumn, Orbtronics, and Lighthound. Avoid Alibaba, Ebay, or Amazon.

 

[Morandir835]

Graffiti suggest going with the Samsung cells or the new AW 18650's that came out not too long ago if you're looking for something that performs like the Sony cells in a mechanical. Keep in mind the Sony cells are discontinued, and whatever ones you're buying at this point are most likely fakes or they're old....

 

[Baditude]

Keep in mind the Sony cells are discontinued, and whatever ones you're buying at this point are most likely fakes or they're old....

That subject is open to discussion. Although there most certainly are fake Sony's on the market, there are still authentic Sony Vtc4 2100mah 30 amp batteries available at reputable dealers. Illumn and Orbtronics also have authentic Sony VTC5 2600mah 30 amp batteries available.

I can't answer to where these Sony's actually come from. Either Sony themselves are still producing them, or the factories which Sony comissioned to make their batteries is still making them and selling them to vendors. Somebody is making them regardless. I'm seeing them advertised in power tools like cordless vacuum cleaners on tv.

 

[Morandir835]

Sony's official stance is they're no longer making them for single cell sales Baditude (sir right?). They are making them for power tools and the like. Know xtar is still getting them, but as you can see on rtdvapor's site they're not wrapped in sony green or with their markings. Anyone who has the green sony cells either have old stock (which I'm sure is what the reputable dealers have), or they're fake.

Speaking of which the latest batch of fakes look just like the real ones. A friend of mine gave me 2 of them to test he recently bought to see how they compare to the real ones. Doing the tests currently to see how different they are from the authentic. Could indeed be the company they commissioned to make them still is without sony's consent. Tests will help shine the light on it.

 

[graffiti]

So from what I'm reading the AWs, new old stock VTCs, and maybe 25Rs are what I should look at buying if I want that crisp, low voltage drop of a VTC5?

 

[B2L]

RTD Vapor has both VTC4s and 5s in stock now.

Batteries - Batteries - Sony,Xtar,LG,Panasonic,Samsung..... - RTD vapor

Those, the AW 1600 mah 18650s or the Samsung 25Rs are my top picks.