Should I get a Xstar XP2 or Nitecore i2? Does the xstar charge the efest LiMn?

[Vap3ster]

Should I get a Xstar XP2 or Nitecore i2? Does the xstar charge the 18350 efest LiMn?

Can I use the xstar with theses battery's Efest IMR 18350 800mAh 3.7V LiMn Battery Flat Top or Nipple Tops (2PCS)


Or are these better for the Xstar 18650 Batteries which one of these are the better batteries for vamo and xstar combination

EDIT Xstar WP2 sorry for the confusion

 

[SirSteve]

I don't know that it matters which charger you get, both Xtar and the Nitecore are well regarded. And both chargers should charge those Efest 18350's you linked. I have those same batteries and they work well for me, I have the nipple top because that is what my sigelei V8's take. The nipples stack in the Sig Zmax and the Vamo, however they are a tight fit, the flat tops might be better for that.

I use Efest 18650's in my VAMO and Sig ZMax, but any of the IMR listed at Orbtronic should work. The Panasonic are highly regarded, just make sure you get IMR they will be unprotected, but the device has the protection built into it. Here is a link to Efest 2250 mahs eFest IMR18650 Flat-Top Battery .

 

[SupplyDaddy]

I know the Nitecore does what you need and handles the batteries you need.
http://www.orbtronic.com/batteries-chargers/nitecore-i2-intellicharger-universal-battery-charger-sysmax
(Note: Sale and never a shipping charge for regular mail...)

 

[peraspera]

I have both the Xstar XP2 and the Nitecore. I very much prefer the Nitecore. You don't have to hassle with spacers and it automatically adjusts the power going to the batteries being charged.

Efest has a new smart charger with an LCD screen, Efest Universal 2 Bay LCD Charger LUC Multi-functional Smart Charger. Use the coupon code VaporJoes11Percent if you decide to get one of those. I've got one one on pre-order but there haven't been any reviews yet.

It takes about ten days to ship from Hong Kong but you can get some excellent batteries and charger at Fast Tech for amazingly low prices. Use the coupon code CPASTE13SPRING.
Nitecore I4 V2 Li-ion Ni-MH Ni-Cd Smart Battery Charger
Panasonic CGR18650CH Rechargeable 2250mAh 3.7V 18650 Lithium Batteries

You can get the charger at Amazon if you don't want to wait for Hong Kong shipping.
JETBeam IntelliCharger i4 Charger - 2nd Generation

Batteries are available from numerous places but buy from a reliable seller because there are tons of fakes on the market. The batteries that will work properly in the VAMO are Efest or AW IMR 18650s for regular mode and IMR 18350s for shorty or stacked mode. The Panasonic CGR18650CHs also work very well and seem to be particularly highly regarded. Orbtronics to which you linked is a very trustworthy vendor.

Some people can't screw their battery cap on all the way using stacked button tops. AW doesn't make flat top 18350s so you would probably want to use Efests if you plan to stack. I buy my Efests from Vapor Beast and RTD Vapor is a popular source for AWs.

It would be an excellent idea to give this post on battery safety a very careful read before using your VAMO. Stacked batteries should always be used in pairs, charged and used together. Their positions in your VAMO should be alternated between uses.

 

[Vap3ster]

I use 18350 battery's that are 800mahs.

So I am going to get the nitecore i4 it charges at 750mahsx2 fastest charge rate I can safely uses anyways.

The xstar wp2 charges at .5amp and 1amps so the 1amp would not be a safe option for my 18350s. So I am decided I will get the I4.

Thank you for all your helpful information everyone!!! . I posted a similar thread somewhere else if a mod want to delete I would not mind.

 

[hvac999]

I have an i2 and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[kamil99]

for what its worth, i got one of these:Amazon.com: JETBeam IntelliCharger i4 PRO Charger V3 - 3rd Generation - 2013 Enhanced Version (Black) - for charging 18650, 16340(RCR123), 14500, etc.: Camera & Photo

and its been working great. my brother has a nitecore i4 and i had issues with some 18350's making a good connection on the terminals. this jetbeam version seems alot better in the area of the rails and contacts.

i read up on it some and the two companies parted ways. jetbeam was making the charger for nitecore.

 

[Vap3ster]

for what its worth, i got one of these:Amazon.com: JETBeam IntelliCharger i4 PRO Charger V3 - 3rd Generation - 2013 Enhanced Version (Black) - for charging 18650, 16340(RCR123), 14500, etc.: Camera & Photo

and its been working great. my brother has a nitecore i4 and i had issues with some 18350's making a good connection on the terminals. this jetbeam version seems alot better in the area of the rails and contacts.



i read up on it some and the two companies parted ways. jetbeam was making the charger for nitecore.

Thanks a lot I would have hated to find out the hard way the i4 does not contact 18350s well. Yes I also researched the charger online and noticed the i4 manufactures pictures and text do not mention the 18350. But orbtronics had 18350s listed in the i4 info so I thought I would be ok. Good to know the jetbeam version 3 fits better. All in all I just want the best charger for less than $25 that will charge my 18350's and possibly a 18650 one day

 

[tsbrewers]

for what its worth, i got one of these:Amazon.com: JETBeam IntelliCharger i4 PRO Charger V3 - 3rd Generation - 2013 Enhanced Version (Black) - for charging 18650, 16340(RCR123), 14500, etc.: Camera & Photo

and its been working great. my brother has a nitecore i4 and i had issues with some 18350's making a good connection on the terminals. this jetbeam version seems alot better in the area of the rails and contacts.

i read up on it some and the two companies parted ways. jetbeam was making the charger for nitecore.

I ordered this one a couple weeks ago and it got VERY hot when you first started charging, and had the "burning electronics" smell. I returned it and have been looking for something else.

Brew

 

[Light Seeker]

Thanks a lot I would have hated to find out the hard way the i4 does not contact 18350s well. Yes I also researched the charger online and noticed the i4 manufactures pictures and text do not mention the 18350. But orbtronics had 18350s listed in the i4 info so I thought I would be ok. Good to know the jetbeam version 3 fits better. All in all I just want the best charger for less than $25 that will charge my 18350's and possibly a 18650 one day

The nitecore has no problem with 18350s, I charge 4 of them everyday with it.

 

[tnt56]

For the Xstar you'll need a couple of extra spacers if you want to charge 2 18350's at the same time. I got one and leave it on the 0.5 amp setting for all my batteries. No problems in over 6 months of use. Great product IMHO.

 

[Scott_Simpson]

I have had a Tenergy, a Pila, and an xTar SP2, but the best one of all has to be the new xTar VP1; I got mine from Empire Mods, but many dealers are carrying them now.

The digital readout is precise, and it charges anything from 18350s to 18650s with perfectly tensioned slides. The batteries come off the charger at exactly 4.2V every time. Since I like to extend my battery life as much as possible, and because I need to keep pairs of batteries balanced for stacking, I appreciate the ability to charge at .25A, .5A, or 1A. When time is no issue, I charge at the lowest setting, but if I need a fast charge, I just bump it up to a higher setting — .5A for the 18350s and 1A for the 18650s. I bought this when it was first released, and I've been using it daily for over two months ... this is the best charger I've ever used, and it runs roughshod over the vaunted Pila! (I don't know if I got a bad unit or what, but the Pila I have is the most inconsistent POS I've ever seen ...)

 

[jlinko]

Love my i4...18650's and 18350's are not a problem (or my Eneloop AA/AAA for the Wii)

 

[Liv2Ski]

I have had a Tenergy, a Pila, and an xTar SP2, but the best one of all has to be the new xTar VP1; I got mine from Empire Mods, but many dealers are carrying them now.


The digital readout is precise, and it charges anything from 18350s to 18650s with perfectly tensioned slides. The batteries come off the charger at exactly 4.2V every time. Since I like to extend my battery life as much as possible, and because I need to keep pairs of batteries balanced for stacking, I appreciate the ability to charge at .25A, .5A, or 1A. When time is no issue, I charge at the lowest setting, but if I need a fast charge, I just bump it up to a higher setting — .5A for the 18350s and 1A for the 18650s. I bought this when it was first released, and I've been using it daily for over two months ... this is the best charger I've ever used, and it runs roughshod over the vaunted Pila! (I don't know if I got a bad unit or what, but the Pila I have is the most inconsistent POS I've ever seen ...)

X200! I picked mine up at RTD Vapor:

Battery Chargers : Xtar VP1

I have many chargers and this one blows the rest out of the water. Since I also have a nice collection of batteries to feed a multitude of Mods's I can say it has handled everything thrown at it nicely. No spacers, great readout and as stated 4.2 on the nose every time. Get whatever unit you like or fits your budget but this one is well worth the $$$ in my book.

 

[Strontium]

VP1 xtar all the way.

I am lazy to look for my voltmeter. Now everything is in one box.
250mA setting is only for small batteries like 18350, 16350, 14500... BIG plus.

 

[Red_Bird]

Nitecore Intellicharger i4 Version 2

HANDS DOWN.....

 

[Strontium]

Nitecore Intellicharger i4 Version 2

HANDS DOWN.....

Nitecore is OK charger, but 750mA when you recharging 2 small batteries is too high.
If you are recharging 4 small batteries then current of 350mA is very good.

 

[Red_Bird]

It adjusts itself for w/e is being charged.

Can charge two 18350's and two 18650's simultaneously and correctly, without spacers.

Microchip in this charger applies the correct current to both sets.

They must be inserted as follows.

(Set of same sized batts need to be in 1, 3.......The other sized set in bays 2, 4)

Charges AA batteries correctly too.

 

[evgeny131]

i charge my 350s with a nitecore twice a day no prob its cheaper and no need for spacers all around GREAT charger

 

[evgeny131]

the nitecore charges EVERYTHING i have to 4.2 on the dot...i was gonna get the more expensive one and got the nitecore because there was one left in stock at a vendor..i dont regret it