Test/review of Charger Xtar VP4 Plus Dragon

They are about the same, the MC3000 is much more flexible and also more precise with capacity (At least after a calibration).
Except the internal resistance, the probes makes the Dragon really good at that.

um, something missing in “for simplified” — ?

There is no voltage or current readout, all slots always has same function and same current.

And it costs at least $80 (depending on store). I wonder which market segment Xtar targets with this. BLFers and electronics geeks would rather buy the MC3000 for the same price, the “average” user with a couple of lights and 3-4 protected cells would not spend so much on a charger. Wonder whether Xtar marketing had a stroke.

Is it true the MC3000 had problems with the negative terminal spring attachments breaking? I read that on CPF a while back. Have they fixed the problem?

I do find it rather strange as well. I mean even on lights like the Nitecore TM26 and Imalent DDT40 you have a voltage readout; really cool to see how much voltage sags under load. Even during internal charging you see the voltage instead of some progress bar… Ok, the readout is not accurate but it’s there at least. This charger is definitely more advanced both in features as well as in price, so it just doesn’t make sense…
I also expect individual readouts per cell from such a charger. Xtar are you reading this!? I still love Xtar though…

Thank for the review HKJ.
Lets hope this is in stock in Australia soon.

Until this charger goes down to around $30-40 probably won’t have mass marketing sales. Its a nice charger no doubt. I like the voltage readouts more then percentage. But considering a liito 500 is $18-$20 and a opus is $30 and can do discharge functions. Its accurate enough to give you a idea about your cells capacity. I figure in a couple years it will come down in price. Until then I’ll stick with opus and liito Kala. I do have a vc2 I use its a nice charger. But no way I’ll ever pay $80+ for a charger. Around $30 is my limit

Thanks for the review, a lot of work went into this!

Thanks for the review, i’ve added a link in my impressions of this charger thread to this review

Thanks for the extensive review!

I don’t understand this new path Xtar is taking with its chargers… no real time voltage or current readout, and instead of that an inaccurate % bar, in what’s supposed to be an “advanced charger”. The only reason I see someone would buy the dragon over the MC3000 is not having to set a program for each slot previous charging, which is really tiresome if you charge different capacity cells on a daily basis.

It seems obvious that they are targeting non-technically-oriented consumers instead of hobbyists or enthusiast.

Yes and very badly. All four bays in my unit broke, and by the third time I had to disassemble my charger to fix it the screw holding posts broke as well… so I had to shut it close permanently with glue.

The charger itself is amazing, but the plastic used to make the casing is of extremely low quality. Not sure if the problem have been fixed already but it would be laughable if they haven’t, the solution is simple and takes a minute to do using just precision pliers.

Thank you for the work you put into this review HJK. And now hoping there soon will be a flash-sale with this charger :wink:

I wouldn’t buy just because of no voltage readout. One thing all these charger companies need to add, is a function to discharge a cell down to 3.5 or 3.6v and shutoff, for storage purposes.

Great review, thanks

+1

This is a dead battery, 3.8V is about 40-50%, the ideal storage voltage.

It depends on the cell in my opinion. 3.6V for a Sanyo 2600 = almost dead, whereas for the GA there is plenty of juice left.

Double check that, but keep in mind people have Sanyo cells, as well as every other brand. according to battery university ideal storage is at about 40%.

I use HKJ comparator, and see that you have about 1/3 of mAh left with Sanyo GA at 3.6V, at reduced voltage of course. A lot has changed in five years time, such as chemichal composition of Li-ion, and I do wonder to what extent these rules of thumb from back then are valid. I wouldn’t be surprised if things have changed a bit.
Let me give you an example. I’ve heard often that self discharge of Li-ion is 1 year. I’ve experienced a couple of times from charging old cells that I haven’t touched a couple of years that they still had a decent voltage; I was really like wut?

I’ve seen the figure 40% in lots of other places too.

So instead of basing it upon a voltage figure, wouldn’t it be better to discharge 60% of the measured capacity?