On Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 12:08:54 PM UTC-5, jfitch wrote:
On Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 3:50:28 PM UTC-8, Dave Springford wrote:
I'll preface my remarks with the statement that I sell K2 batteries.

The K2's are made in the USA, not Chinese knock-offs. K2 pays a fee to the patent holder while the knock-off's do not. K2 has also had their batteries UL certified and listed.

These items account for some of the price difference.

The K2 also have a higher Watt-hour rating at 123 vs 115 for the Stark and the K2 are rated for 25 amp continuous discharge vs 15 for the Stark. The K2's also have a better temperature range.

In my opinion, the K2 is a superior product and is worth the extra cost.

I sell K2 batteries with the protection module for $150 US and chargers for $30 US and will have some on hand at the Seniors at Seminole Lake. For any one interested in purchasing a K2, contact me at the address below.

Dave Springford
dave at foxonecorp dot com

I don't believe anyone is building cells in North America for the consumer market. These are all coming from China. It makes no sense at all to build the BMS boards here either. So as a point of differentiation between vendors, there is nothing in it.

As an avid "Electric RC'er", while you are likely correct that most cells come from a limited number of places, where they end up can be a case of, "Give me cells" vs. "I don't want seconds/low performers".....
Price is not always a guarantee (there is a "very high priced" LiPO hobby vendor that has performance numbers similar to "mid level" vendors.....), but it can help out as well as "post sale support".

Not saying anything for/against any vendor mentioned here, just a different view.