Help Picking a New Charger

[00gt1]

So I picked up a Nitecore i4 thinking I'd like it... and I don't.... So I need some opinions. I am stuck between the xtar VP1 and eFest LUC. From what I understand the VP1 has selectable .25A/.5A/1A charging options whereas the LUC only does .5A/1A. That seems to be the only major difference I can see. Anyone have either of these chargers and have any opinions one way or another?

 

[Kirkwood]

Is there a stand out reason for not liking the Nitecore? Just curious since I have one and it has been rock solid. I see that your replacement choices have displays.

 

[jakl_53]

I would also like to know. I have the I2 and haven't had a problem.

 

[awsum140]

I have a VP1 and love it. In fact I'm ordering another for a Christmas gift. According to what I found before I bought it, the VP1 has an optimized charging curve for lithium batteries that is "better" than others. The display is nice as is the selectable current. I use 250ma for 18350s and 500ma for 18650s.

 

[Sickkboy]

Nitecore -> xtar -> Pila

 

[Strontium]

Vote for VP1. It just looks right. Not to mention all the features.

 

[Baditude]

So I picked up a Nitecore i4 thinking I'd like it... and I don't.... So I need some opinions.

You didn't say what you DIDN'T LIKE about the Nitecore i4. That would be a big help in providing advice for something else.

I've had a Pila, an Xtar WP6 XII, an Xtar MP2, and a Nitecore i4. Of those three (and based upon my experience with the particular models) I prefer the Pila > Nitecore > Xtar.

The Pila was my first charger. I served me well for well over a year, but one of the charging bays just stopped working.

I had ordered the Xtar MP2 specifically to charge the high number of 18350 batteries I had. The springs in this charger are flimsy and make inserting the batteries difficult. I rarely use this charger.

I ordered the Xtar 6 bay charger to replace the two bay Pila because over the years time I had accumulated a lot of batteries and needed more than just 2 bays. This charger uses flimsy springs to hold the batteries in the bays and will not contain my 18350 batteries - they pop out of the bays.

I then ordered the Nitecore i4. It has become my primary charger, charging 14500, 18350, 18490, and 18650 size batteries and does that in a very reasonable time.

 

[MrStik]

well I think he is looking for either a 1A charger or something with a pretty LCD/LED display.

I like my Nitecore i4. It does what it does. Charges my batteries.

 

[00gt1]

I dislike that the nitecore only used LEDs to specify the charge level. Also I don't need a 4 slot one (building a charging station). I would prefer (personal preference) something with an accurate display (call me ...., but I like to verify the charge level before I use my batteries in my mods) and variable charging levels. I found that the nitecore was inconsistently charging my efest 650s. Most times it would charge to 4.2 but randomly it would only charge to 3.8ish even when left on after full. I think I'm leaning toward the xtar tbh.

 

[pcrdude]

Then you should probably look at the EFest LUC. I have one, and it works great. Auto amp-setting depending on battery length (I think that's how it switches), two bays (on mine), digital volt readout, fairly good reviews.

I think the new one has manually switchable amperage, and I think there is a four bay version.

I got mine from DV.

 

[Baditude]

I dislike that the nitecore only used LEDs to specify the charge level. Also I don't need a 4 slot one (building a charging station). I would prefer (personal preference) something with an accurate display (call me ...., but I like to verify the charge level before I use my batteries in my mods) and variable charging levels. I found that the nitecore was inconsistently charging my efest 650s. Most times it would charge to 4.2 but randomly it would only charge to 3.8ish even when left on after full. I think I'm leaning toward the xtar tbh.

That could could just as easily be attributed to the quality of the Efest batteries as the charger. My experience has shown Efest battery consistancy to leave much to be desired, to the point that I don't recommend them as the same quality as AW, Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, Sony, or Orbtronic. They are only better than Trustfire, Surefire, and Ultrafire batteries IMHO. My daughter has had the same experience with Efests as I have.

I now only use AW IMRs and one Panasonic hybrid battery. They always come off my Nitecore at 4.2 volts checked by my Provari's voltage meter.

I have no experience with the Efest or the Xtar VP1 chargers. For the price, they better be a better charger.

 

[Truetopath]

I use the xtar wp6 ii and it's been flawless for me. In regards to the flimsy springs I've never had a problem, but that's just my opinion. My efest 18650 1600mah 30amp batteries come off at 4.2 volts every time.


CASAA member 2013

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free