I need a new charger for my 30Q's, thinking about a Nitecore

[Nuvola]

I need to buy a new 4 slots charger.

I use Samsun 30Q 18650 batteries only. Typically I "consume" a pair each day, and usually I recharge 4 batteries at the time every other day, and that is why I want a 4 slot charger.

Unless somebody recommends a different brand, I would prefer to buy a Nitecore charger. Among other things I like that it comes with its power adapter (I have an xtar that has already killed more than a couple of external chargers).

The problem is that I am not sure what should I buy. I4, D4 or Q4?

Suggestions?

 

[Northstar6]

Xtar is pretty good. I've had several over the years as haven't had a single problem ever. In fact, my little single bay Xtar MC1 (I think that's the model?) has gotta be 4 or 5 years old now.

I just picked up an Xtar VP4C as a simple secondary charger. It's very easy to use, pretty basic and straightforward.

I have a Zanflare C4 that I use primarily. More of a robust analyzing charger. Handles both lithium and Nimh batteries. It's about 2 years old, still works great.

I had a Nitecore charger years back and it died within a month. I didn't particularly like the user interface and obviously wasn't happy it died so quickly. I've had similar results with some of their flashlights as well. Innovative company but their QC is terrible. I don't know why they are so well regarded in some communities.

 

[charlie1465]

I have both a Nitecore 4 bay charger and an Xstar. I got the Xstar recently as it's their latest one and had good reviews and charges all the battery types you would ever need and battery sizes. The layout of the slots is good two with two dedicated wider slots for 26650's and others that size...

To be honest I would say get either but based on which is the newest onto the market I would probably get the Xstar....

Hope this helps

 

[puffon]

The first six charger test reports are now available

 

[mimöschen]

Get the Enova Gyrfalcon All-44.
It's affordable, easy to use and a well produced allround charger.
It beats the Nitecore in all aspects.

Review of Charger GyrFalcon All-44

 

[ShowMeTwice]

As Charlie said you can't go wrong with either Nitecore or Xtar. I have had good luck with both over the years. I have a Nitecore SC4 for 18650's that I bought when it was released and it works great. With it you can select what rate you want to charge your batteries at. Also have an Xtar X2 I use for 2x700 batteries. If you buy one of the more current chargers it will charge all battery types.

Also if you foresee any 2x700 battery mods in your future you may want to check out which chargers will work with those. Just a thought.
Here: Chargers Which Fit 20700 & 21700 Cells

 

[Baditude]

Had a Nitecore Intellicharger i4 for 3 - 4 years. It still works but appeared to charge slowly and had no information display other than LED lights.

I decided to upgrade to an Xtar VP4 for faster charging and a much nicer display. Extremely happy with it.

Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger

 

[Nuvola]

Thanks guys.

Any experience with the D4 and mostly the Q4?

 

[DaveP]

Thanks guys.

Any experience with the D4 and mostly the Q4?

I own the Nitecore i4, Zanflare C4, Efest LUC 4, and the Xtar VC4. All have slightly different features. Read the reviews and choose. I prefer a charger that can charge all 4 bays at 1A or greater and not all will do that. Not all will show you internal resistance, which is a factor in evaluating battery life, condition, and safety.

You might eventually want a charger that will also accept 2x700 cells. These are beginning to gain in popularity and not all chargers will accept a 70mm cell (as well as shorter cells).

I'm beginning to use 21700 cells instead of 18650 in my lithium flashlights for more power and longer charge life. Some of my mods can also use 2x700 cells.

Chargers Which Fit 20700 & 21700 Cells

 

[Nuvola]

The problem with my XTar VC4 is that it did not come with a power supply, just with a USB cable. So I would have to buy an external charger. I used 2A external chargers, like the ones used for the iPad or other tablets but it killed the first one and two more do not work properly anymore.

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

 

[puffon]

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

I've been using the Xtar power supply for 5 years without issue.
Xtar AC Wall Adapter 2100mA

 

[charlie1465]

The problem with my XTar VC4 is that it did not come with a power supply, just with a USB cable. So I would have to buy an external charger. I used 2A external chargers, like the ones used for the iPad or other tablets but it killed the first one and two more do not work properly anymore.

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

That's strange....the iphone charger is actually the same charger you would get if you bought the Xstar one which is an added option when you purchase. The important thing is that the plug in transformer must be 5V 2A max. You're apple chargers should be that....I use my samsung ones....

Maybe your two were on the way out anyway

This thread will help.....

18650 what Charger do I need?

 

[Northstar6]

The problem with my XTar VC4 is that it did not come with a power supply, just with a USB cable. So I would have to buy an external charger. I used 2A external chargers, like the ones used for the iPad or other tablets but it killed the first one and two more do not work properly anymore.

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

Not sure exactly with that charger but I got a VP4C literally about a week ago and it comes with a USB power cord but no wall block.

However, for most of us that is fine...I have numerous wall blocks. Although you need a good one to deliver a fast charge or else it just defaults to a slower speed.

 

[stratus.vaping]

I used to use an oldish Nitecore, but it was very limited and got fairly warm at times.

I recently bought a MiBoxer C4 V3 ( 2019 version). Excellent, comes with a good switch mode power supply. You can set the charging current separately for each slot and the data shown is comprehensive. Charges just about everything inc C/AAA/AA size cells.

There are many versions of the C4, the V3 2019 is by far the best. Mooch liked but criticised some aspects of an older version, the latest seems to fix the bits he was concerned about. About £23 in the UK.

 

[DaveP]

The problem with my XTar VC4 is that it did not come with a power supply, just with a USB cable. So I would have to buy an external charger. I used 2A external chargers, like the ones used for the iPad or other tablets but it killed the first one and two more do not work properly anymore.

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

I use a 2.1A wall wart adapter. I think I had to order that separately, too. It gets a little warm while charging al 4 bays, but not excessively hot.

Price battles are what makes manufacturers offer products at a lower price without the proper accessories. They could order adapters by the thousands at a much lower price and tack it on as a complete kit for a few bucks more.

 

[Hawise]

The problem with my XTar VC4 is that it did not come with a power supply, just with a USB cable. So I would have to buy an external charger. I used 2A external chargers, like the ones used for the iPad or other tablets but it killed the first one and two more do not work properly anymore.

What do you guys use as power supply for the XTar VC4?

I have an Anker and an Amazon Basics adapter that I use with my VC4. I do find there's a quick to the system. If I plug in the adapter and insert the batteries immediately, the charge rate will often drop a bit. If I unplug the VC4 from the adapter and then plug it in again it'll go back up to 1 amp (and stay there).

What rate are you wanting to charge at? That, and accepting 2X700 batteries, are key factors in choosing a charger.

I'm looking at the Nitecore site and both the i4 and D4 say they charge four batteries at 375 mA, which is painfully slow and well below what you'd need to maximize battery life. The Q4 lacks all the diagnostic and tracking features, but it does charge four 18650s at 1 A each. The down side is that you can't slow that down if you want to, but 1 A isn't a bad rate. On the other hand, if you ever want to charge 2 batteries at a time it seems you have to go with 2 A, and that's higher than I prefer. I suppose if I were determined to get a Nitecore I'd choose the Q4 as the most useful, but overall I'd pick an Xtar (although I admit that the adapter requirement is a bit of a pain).

 

[Nuvola]

Based on the feedback I decided to give my Xtar another try and I ordered a “Belkin 3-Outlet Wall Mount Cradle Surge Protector with Dual USB Charging Ports (2.4 Amp Total)”.

Thank you all.

 

[DaveP]

Get the Enova Gyrfalcon All-44.
It's affordable, easy to use and a well produced allround charger.
It beats the Nitecore in all aspects.

Review of Charger GyrFalcon All-44

The GyrFalcon would be my next charger if it showed internal resistance. I think that all chargers should have that feature. Besides that, the All-44 looks like an excellent charger.

 

[madstabber]

I used to use an oldish Nitecore, but it was very limited and got fairly warm at times.

I recently bought a MiBoxer C4 V3 ( 2019 version). Excellent, comes with a good switch mode power supply. You can set the charging current separately for each slot and the data shown is comprehensive. Charges just about everything inc C/AAA/AA size cells.

There are many versions of the C4, the V3 2019 is by far the best. Mooch liked but criticised some aspects of an older version, the latest seems to fix the bits he was concerned about. About £23 in the UK.

The charger Mooch reviewed was the Miboxer C4-12 which is different from the C4 V3. There is a newer version of the C4-12 that has some minor improvements. Unless I missed it and he also talked about the C4 I think you’re confusing the two. I’m a miboxer fan and the C4-12 is my favorite charger. It can charge up to three amps across all four bays and it monitors temp. And when auto charging picks rate by IR of the cell. Lots of great features but it’s in the $40 range so a bit more than the C4 V3. There is also a C4 plus which appears to be pretty great. They make some great chargers but could use some improvements naming them to avoid confusion about which is which. You may know all of this in which case I apologize but I thought you may be confusing them which is completely understandable with the similar names.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

The charger Mooch reviewed was the Miboxer C4-12 which is different from the C4 V3. There is a newer version of the C4-12 that has some minor improvements. Unless I missed it and he also talked about the C4 I think you’re confusing the two. I’m a miboxer fan and the C4-12 is my favorite charger. It can charge up to three amps across all four bays and it monitors temp. And when auto charging picks rate by IR of the cell. Lots of great features but it’s in the $40 range so a bit more than the C4 V3. There is also a C4 plus which appears to be pretty great. They make some great chargers but could use some improvements naming them to avoid confusion about which is which. You may know all of this in which case I apologize but I thought you may be confusing them which is completely understandable with the similar names.

All you have written about the Miboxer C4-12, in other threads, plus your experiences with the charger got me seriously looking into it. And several very good reviews I've read across the net.
I will be picking one up. Thanks.