Best charger?

[DIfm]

I was looking at chargers. I wanted to get a nice 6 or 8 bay or larger. But I'm interested in high end 4 Bay as well. I say the all88 or whatever it's called. Is that a good choice? I was also looking at the blu6 for the price it seems solid too. Any others I'm missing?

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Edit. I also saw the queen ant. It's a good price for a 6 bay. What's your thoughts on it

 

[KenD]

I really like my Opus bt-c3100 (make sure to get version 2.2 if you buy it).

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[Valkyrie_kara]

XTAR VP4 PLUS DRAGON Charger

its only a 4 bay, but, i like the lipo capability it provides also

 

[BackDoc]

Have switched to the xtar line the past few years and couldn't be happier

 

[Vinnybagodoughnuts]

I won the Queen Ant right here on ECF! It's a solid charger ime.

 

[JustWondering1]

XTAR VP4 PLUS DRAGON Charger

its only a 4 bay, but, i like the lipo capability it provides also

I got one delivered on Friday that I got in an auction on Ebay. I haven't used it yet, but it sounds like an excellent device.

Mine is the VP4 version without the Dragon.

 

[DIfm]

What do people think of that all 88 or whatever it is 8 bay

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[SteveS45]

I personally will be going for 2 4 Bay chargers. One reason because I already have a 4 bay and 2nd if an 8 Bay was to fail I would still have a second to charge although only 4 cells but would still be able to charge.

 

[BackDoc]

"Review" of Gyrfalcon All88 charger

 

[K_Tech]

I really like my Opus bt-c3100 (make sure to get version 2.2 if you buy it).

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Have switched to the Xtar line the past few years and couldn't be happier

I haven't owned a lot of chargers, the Opus is my "at-home" charger and I have my VP4 at work. My only gripe about the Xtar is this:
Several months ago as I was inserting a battery into the far right channel the slide went slack. I used it with three channels until I got around to opening it up, and when I did, I discovered that the tension springs were held in place with tiny little plastic standoffs - maybe 1mm in diameter. Even though I don't use a lot of force when I put the batteries in (really, I'm quite gentle with electronics) I'd snapped off the standoff when inserting the battery.
I fixed it with some JB Weld and reinforced the other three with a dab of JB Weld, and since my repair I haven't had any issues.
I haven't seen this as an issue on the forums, but I thought I should mention it.

 

[BackDoc]

I've said for some time that I'd gladly pay double for a charger with a metal casing , whether it's nitecore, Xtar, Opus, or the GYRFALCON.......It's still all Chinese mass produced plastic with fancy features to keep us buying the next greatest....... Funny, I'd never thought much about battery chargers until I started vaping

 

[DaveP]

I use the Efest LUC 4 and the Xtar VC4 for all my 18650's these days. I can charge 4 18650's at 1A with the LUC 4 or two at 1A o the Xtar VC4. For full 1A / 4 bay charging the LUC 4 wins out. For features and informational displays, the Xtar VC4 wins.

If I were shopping these days I'd make sure whatever I bought could do 1A charging on all 4 bays at once. The VC4 will only do .5A charging on all 4 bays at once, but it also does a great job on my LiMn batteries and provides more information on battery condition. For 1A charging only bays 1 and 4 have that capability. I guess that's because it works through a 2A wall wart.

 

[K_Tech]

I've said for some time that I'd gladly pay double for a charger with a metal casing , whether it's nitecore, Xtar, Opus, or the GYRFALCON.......It's still all Chinese mass produced plastic with fancy features to keep us buying the next greatest....... Funny, I'd never thought much about battery chargers until I started vaping

I'd LOVE to see them put as much tech into the body of the charger as they put into the chip that controls them.

I use the Efest LUC 4 and the Xtar VC4 for all my 18650's these days. I can charger 4 18650's at 1A with the LUC 4 or two at 1A o the Xtar VC4. For full 1A / 4 bay charging the LUC 4 wins out. For features and informational displays, the Xtar VC4 wins.

If I were shopping these days I'd make sure whatever I bought could do 1A charging on all 4 bays at once. The VC4 will only do .5A charging on all 4 bays at once, but it also does a great job on my LiMn batteries and provides more information on battery condition.

That's a good suggestion. Just a few years ago when I started vaping, most regulated mods were topping out at 15 watts, and it didn't matter that it took four hours to charge a battery (or two) because lasting an entire day on a battery was pretty easy for me. Now, on a multi-battery mod vaping at 50 watts and up, not so much, lol.

 

[DIfm]

I'd LOVE to see them put as much tech into the body of the charger as they put into the chip that controls them.



That's a good suggestion. Just a few years ago when I started vaping, most regulated mods were topping out at 15 watts, and it didn't matter that it took four hours to charge a battery (or two) because lasting an entire day on a battery was pretty easy for me. Now, on a multi-battery mod vaping at 50 watts and up, not so much, lol.

*cough* 250 watts and up *cough*

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[JustWondering1]

I haven't owned a lot of chargers, the Opus is my "at-home" charger and I have my VP4 at work. My only gripe about the Xtar is this:
Several months ago as I was inserting a battery into the far right channel the slide went slack. I used it with three channels until I got around to opening it up, and when I did, I discovered that the tension springs were held in place with tiny little plastic standoffs - maybe 1mm in diameter. Even though I don't use a lot of force when I put the batteries in (really, I'm quite gentle with electronics) I'd snapped off the standoff when inserting the battery.
I fixed it with some JB Weld and reinforced the other three with a dab of JB Weld, and since my repair I haven't had any issues.
I haven't seen this as an issue on the forums, but I thought I should mention it.

I'm glad you were able to fix it. I've noticed that the springs on the VP4 I have don't move as easily as my other smaller budget charger. I may spray it with some WD 40 to see if that helps.

 

[Eskie]

Is it really worth investing in a "high end" charger when the 20700 series of batteries are now hitting the market? I don't have a 20700 (nothing to put it in) but before investing in an expensive charger, I'd like to know if it will fit or not. On an inexpensive charger I doubt it matters as it will be replaced down the road, but once you're talking about a significant investment, assuring future compatibility would be important to me.

 

[KenD]

Is it really worth investing in a "high end" charger when the 20700 series of batteries are now hitting the market? I don't have a 20700 (nothing to put it in) but before investing in an expensive charger, I'd like to know if it will fit or not. On an inexpensive charger I doubt it matters as it will be replaced down the road, but once you're talking about a significant investment, assuring future compatibility would be important to me.

Most chargers will fit protected batteries which are longer so 7 cm batteries shouldn't be a problem. If the charger will fit 26650s, 20700s will fit.

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[madstabber]

Another vote for the xtar vc4 charged. Xtar has the most reliable chargers that are also the most versatile.

 

[DaveP]

I'm glad you were able to fix it. I've noticed that the springs on the VP4 I have don't move as easily as my other smaller budget charger. I may spray it with some WD 40 to see if that helps.

WD40 contains an additive (lacquer thinner) that will dissolve many plastics. For your bay sliders I'd suggest silicone spray that won't harm the plastic in your charger.

 

[JustWondering1]

WD40 contains an additive (lacquer thinner) that will dissolve many plastics. For your bay sliders I'd suggest silicone spray that won't harm the plastic in your charger.

Thank you very much for the tip. I was hoping someone would speak up if the WD 40 was not a good idea. I'll pick up some silicone spray at Home Depot this weekend.