Yup. I rely on USB passthrough charging only under the most dire of circumstances (as in I forgot to bring my charger along). I have an XTAR VP2 in both of my vehicles for the express purpose of external mobile charging.And I tend to trust a dedicated charger much more than "dime sized" convenience feature.
Good point. I'm just cheap and try to save money. One day I will hopefully buy a nitcore or efest charger. Better your charger and not your mod.External charges have a better charge availability also if there were a bang boom least you charges Brooke's and not your mod
I love my Nitecore - even though I am a little concerned that it has the option to shut off the lights for overnight charging. Why would anyone charge overnight? Not exactly safe.Good point. I'm just cheap and try to save money. One day I will hopefully buy a nitcore or efest charger. Better your charger and not your mod.
I frequently hear that charging replaceable batteries while still in the mod is a no no, but I'm curious to know why. I mean, how is it any different from charging a mod with a non replaceable battery?
Not an expert, but as I understand all more or less modern devices could be charged from any charger and be safe (you can blow USB port on old computer, but not USB device). No problems with high-powered wall chargers. There is another thing to consider: how well charging circuit of your mod was designed. If you do not believe your mod, if you have any indications other people had problems with charging, do not charge with USB.There have been many instances of someone using a charging cable or power source that is higher amp current than the batteries will accept, ie an Ego which needs only 420mAh charge current and someone plug the charger into an iPad charging wall wart (2.1amp current) this is a bad disaster waiting to happen. Pioneer4You for instance has had several models (IPV3 and IPV4) onboard charger fry and/or damage batteries and equipment. Not that all onboard chargers have issues, but others do, quality control and engineering mistakes happen, best not to put yourself in danger and harms way, using the onboard charger when not at home and need to in an emergency you can use the mod's own charger, but do not leave the mod unmonitored the entire charge or while it is charging.
Most name brand external chargers do a lot more than just charge a battery, they also detect battery type, if the battery needs to be deep cycled (pulled up from a very very low state below 2.5v), condition the battery, and other things, along with as stated above better ventilation so the battery doesn't overheat during charging, as well as cut off if they detect high temp and other faults during the charge.