Nitecore vs Orbtronic - Gold standard in protected batteries?

[joduflan]

Hi,

I am looking for a "gold standard' high quality Protected 18650 battery with the highest possible mAh and would appreciate your advice before I spend a lot of money buying a batch of 4-6 batteries. So my list of options are:

1. Orbtronic 3500mAh - http://bit.ly/1Yisu5a
2. Nitecore 3400mAh - http://amzn.to/1MDYU2J
3. Orbtronic 3400mAh - http://bit.ly/1T12zw6
4. Orbtronic 3600mAh - http://bit.ly/1LokPce

If you know of any better batteries, please let me know. I am just a beginner trying to do my best.

My top choice, the Orbtronic 3500mAh has fewer details compared to its 3400 counterpart (unknown manufacturer, no reviews...) so that makes me wonder of its quality/safety.

I would love to hear from your expert feedback. Thank you in advance!

 

[Overclocker]

KeepPower 3200mah, base cell panasonic NCR18650BE. this is an EXCELLENT cell, supposed to be (almost) the same cell used on the Tesla Model S. 10A capable. i've personally tested up to 7.0A continuous without overheating

NCR18650GA is 3450mah. you pay a bit more for a bit more capacity

NCR18650B 3400mah is rather old already. not high-ampere capable. better avoid this unless it's really really cheap

 

[Capolini]

I would use the ORBTRONIC 3400mAH. I have had mine 1 month short of 3 years and they are still around 85% To 90% of original capacity. The difference between 3400mAh,3500mAh and 3600Mah is very small if any. HKJ proved that with his tests. He tested the 3600.

Also the price differential certainly does not warrant it.

QUOTE FROM HIS ORBTRONIC 3600mAH BELOW:


"When comparing this battery to the 3400mAh cell, the new battery has slight higher voltage and slightly higher capacity, this is not a revolution in any way, just a small improvement.
Being based on a Panasonic cell the battery is, of course, a very good battery."
________________________________________________________________________________________________

My KEEPPOWER protected 3400mAH also work well,,,,,,in fact I was told that Orbtronic uses them...KEEPPOWER BEING AN "OEM". Original Equipment Manufacturer.

 

[CelticCross74]

I have read the same thing that the Keeppower and Orbtronic 3500mah 10amp cells are the exact same thing. I have a half a dozen of the Keeppower 3500's and so far they are the best 18650's I have ever used. The 10 amp capability helps greatly in my 4-4.5 amp lights. Seeing as how the Keeppower 3500's are currently sold out I just ordered 4 Orbtronic 3500's. I also have a dozen of the 3600mah Orbtronic cells. Sure they have better capacity but just are not as good a cell as the 3500 GA.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

My advice is to get the Orbtronic 3500 mAh because it is more able to handle higher current, not so much that it has more capacity. There are other Panasonic and LG based cells out there, though. Check out illumn or mtnelectronics.

 

[Camo5]

The 3500 batteries are using either the Panasonic 18650 GA or the LG MJ1 as the base. I would choose one of those because they support higher current and don't sag as much under load. Go for the orbtronic 3500 if you really must have a protected battery.

 

[Capolini]

I changed my mind! I have not been on here much the last 6 months and have been falling behind!

I agree w/ several others that the 3500mAh 10a would be the best choice.

 

[akhyar]

Keeppower or Orbtronic 3500mAh if you're going the protected route, else the stock Sanyo GA or LG MJ1 if you just factory flat-top non-protected batteries.

 

[Capolini]

These might be the best! lol!

Sold for $9.95 @ Mt. ELECTRONICS.


[h=1]Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA Protected 3500mAh[/h]

 

[joduflan]

Hi, Thank you all for your replies!

I have just looked up more info about these Orbtronic 3500mAh High drain 10a and stumbled across a post here in the forum (http://bit.ly/1MEKShn) saying these batteries could damage direct drive flashlights which kind of worries me as I'm going to get a flashlight that has a direct drive mode (BLF-A6). Is this an unfounded concern?

Again, thank you!

 

[KeepingItLight]

KeepPower 3200mah, base cell Panasonic NCR18650BE. this is an EXCELLENT cell, supposed to be (almost) the same cell used on the Tesla Model S. 10A capable. I've personally tested up to 7.0A continuous without overheating

NCR18650GA is 3450mah. you pay a bit more for a bit more capacity

NCR18650B 3400mah is rather old already. not high-ampere capable. better avoid this unless it's really really cheap

I need to learn more about the Panasonic NCR18650BE. Here is a link to the quick review posted by Overclocker last year.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Do you want maximum brightness? If so, then you will need to turn off or go to a lower level when your torch is too hot to hold (or somewhere there about). But you may have to do that with many of the good quality batteries, anyways.

Hi, Thank you all for your replies!

I have just looked up more info about these Orbtronic 3500mAh High drain 10a and stumbled across a post here in the forum (http://bit.ly/1MEKShn) saying these batteries could damage direct drive flashlights which kind of worries me as I'm going to get a flashlight that has a direct drive mode (BLF-A6). Is this an unfounded concern?

Again, thank you!

 

[Camo5]

Hi, Thank you all for your replies!

I have just looked up more info about these Orbtronic 3500mAh High drain 10a and stumbled across a post here in the forum (http://bit.ly/1MEKShn) saying these batteries could damage direct drive flashlights which kind of worries me as I'm going to get a flashlight that has a direct drive mode (BLF-A6). Is this an unfounded concern?

Again, thank you!

I got a BLF A6 for my brother and put a 3500 GA in it. It has a timer step-down, so damage to it is impossible unless you keep forcing it into turbo.