I've had a few chargers in the 16 months that I've been
vaping with rechargeable
batteries, so I'll add my experience to the discussion:
Pila -
Battery Chargers : Pila IBC Charger I wanted the best right from the start. Extremely well made compared to the other chargers that I've since gotten. Charges
batteries quicker and with those special algorhythms which allegedly improve battery life. It can charge 18650, 18490, 18350, and 14500 batteries.
After 14 months of use, one of the charging bays stopped working. I would have loved to have gotten another Pila, but at its more expensive price point and considering the number of batteries that I need to charge now of multiple sizes for multiple mods that I now own, I needed more than a two-bay charger.
The Pila served me well with daily usage and I have no regrets having chosen it as my first charger. It likely needs to be updated up to what the
Xtar VP1 offers currently, which is probably a better value at this point in time.
http://rtdvapor.com/online-store/battery-chargers/xtar-vp1-detail
Xtar MP2 -
Battery Chargers : Xtar MP2 I purchased this charger to charge 18350 batteries, as I use a lot of them. I should have gotten the Xtar WP2 II
Battery Chargers : Xtar WP2 II with the sliders instead of the flimsy springs of the MP2. Batteries go in much easier with sliders than with springs. It does the job, though it only has two bays. In hindsight, the Nitecore Intellicharger i4 would have better overall suited my needs (which I would purchase later).
Xtar WP6 II Battery Chargers : Xtar WP6 II I purchased this 6-bay charger to replace my broken down Pila, mainly to be able to charge a large number of batteries at once, and different size batteries at the same time. Other than the fact that it uses the flimsy springs in the bays, it's proven to be a good charger. The main drawback with this charger is it doesn't like 18350 batteries; this size battery does not want to stay in the charging bay and pops out on it's own, requiring something with some weight on top of the battery to keep the battery in (which I don't want to have to do.).
I don't mind the longer charging time when charging six batteries simultaneously, at least I can charge them all at one time and be done. I charge 18650, 18490, and 14500 size batteries in this charger.
Nitecore Intellicharger i4 http://rtdvapor.com/online-store/battery-chargers/nitecore-intellicharger-i4-detail I purchased this charger mainly because of the frustrations I had with the Xtar WP6 not liking my 18350 batteries. It uses the sliding slots to securely hold batteries in the bays. I can put 18650, 18490, 18350, and 14500 size batteries in this.
I prefer the screw-in spacers that the Pila uses for ease of use. The batteries fit in the slots perfectly, and go in and out easily. The chargers that use sliders work fine as an alternative to spacers, just are a little stiff to move and not as easy for batteries to go in and out. I find chargers that use the flimsy springs to be a pain; the springs always crimp sideways when putting the batteries in the bays, which I'm afraid will shorten their life.
