Buying 14500 cells

I have been looking for some 14500 cells and wonder what is the difference between Ultrafire silver wrapped to the blue wrapped? Are protected safer to use than unprotected? I also noticed most are around 750 - 800mha then there is a big jump to 2200mha, are the higher cells the way to go?

Ultrafire is a brand to avoid. They are used, rewrapped, overall questionable quality.
More than 850 is a fake. Simple as that, it isn't possible.
Efest is the brand I'd recommend and they are 700 or 750mAh, I can't remember.

Edit: changed 800 to 840 to cover the sanyos; didn't want the rounding to be considered literal. And the sanyos are quality.

I didn't know they were used, thanks for that

I'm sure you will get plenty of feedback on your question. IMHO:
1. NEVER buy any battery with the name "Fire" in it. They are 9 times out of 10 Junk! If you do TrustFire would be the only one I'd consider.
2. Protected are safer but have fit problems due to the size, cost more and many times are unnecessary. Especially if your light has low voltage protection and or it only uses one cell.
3. I think the Sanyo 840 mah unprotected 14500's are the best right now, you can't go wrong with them. Read up on here about the pros and cons of protected vs unprotected.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231408993050?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
4. There is literally no such thing as a 2200 mah 14500, unless an alien has dropped some off. False and wish full advertising!

I've been using orbtronics protected 14500....believe it uses a Sanyo 840 mah as the host. Great cells. I have 5 in constant rotation as at least 1 cell is used daily. They were all purchased about 14 months ago and still going strong. I checked the capacities of 2 of the cells the other day and both were about 750 mah. May want to check dimensions prior to ordering.....they fit fine in a ZL H52w.

has anyone ever found button top unprotected 14500 cells? I have had no luck and no luck in finding protected under 51.5mm in length.

yoyobrotha said:

has anyone ever found button top unprotected 14500 cells? I have had no luck and no luck in finding protected under 51.5mm in length.

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No problem, your wish is my command!
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=477

Protected under 51.5mm in length?: Don't think that is going to happen seeing as how these unprotected are 50.5mm

yoyobrotha said:

has anyone ever found button top unprotected 14500 cells? I have had no luck and no luck in finding protected under 51.5mm in length.

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FYI, I own both the Xtar protected 14500 and the 800 mAh Keeppower protected 14500 and measured both to be under 51.5mm:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...1-5mm-length&p=4997416&viewfull=1#post4997416

I'm guessing whatever the basic cell is inside them is a mm or two shorter than 50mm. HKJ's tests showed the Xtar not performing quite as well as the Keeppower at high loads, but still decent.

Thank you, I just found the EagleTac 14500 measures less than 51.5mm and is protected. No mention that it uses a 14530.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-Test-Review-of-EagleTac-14500-750mAh-(Black)

try also xtar's 14500. i ordered a few and they work quite well on my EDC 14500 lights