One of my LHS has been doing very nice LiPo testing. Check out the tests and equipment used:
http://www.slowflyer.ch/000000972c0e...290e/index.php
For example, they have put 202 cycles on a Kokam 4800 mAh 30C with 3C charging.
I hate the recent claims of 35C and 40C battery packs, mostly hard-cased. I bet they would drop to 3 V/cell in no time and melt before they're empty or worse, if discharged at 35C or 40C constant.
The capacity numbers are heavily exaggerated as well. I've seen graphs of a "5100 mAh 35C" LiPo and it shows the same performance as a Kokam 4800 mAh 30C. The Kokam is probably more reliable after 200 cycles, too. There's this RC plane guy who's put 1000 cycles on his battery.
But hey, who buys the Kokam if the other battery has lower price, higher current rating and higher capacity rating? I agree, we need more test data in controlled (but real-world) environment.
Here, you find the Slowflyer "testing procedure", you have to translate or read in German:
http://www.slowflyer.ch/downloads/pa06002v2.pdf
Regards,
Thomas