As far as i have understood in this thread, the typical and most recommendable way to charge several cells at a time is to connect all cells in series and use balance leads: this way the cells end up being connected to both the standard output (+, -) and the balance port. Even with a cradle (battery holder) you end up with several wires.
And then it is said, that NiMH cant be used for such a balance charge setup -- so we would charge them in series (i.e. same as in a balance charge setup) but without any connections to the balance port. Then again, this primitive setup is only recommended for NiMH's with identical charge levels (e.g. 3x Eneloop AA: 58%, 62%, 60%).
But what about Eneloops which have varying discharge states, e.g. 3x Eneloop AA: 30%, 50%, 70%?
And the least recommendable method be charging a set of cells (e.g. 4x 18650, or 4x Eneloop) in parallel .. because in a similar fashion, all 4 cells should have the same voltage (e.g. 1.41V, 1.41V, 1.43V, 1.42V). The "advantage" of parallel charging would be: you cant use the balance lead or the balance port, and thus you end up with 2 wires only: + and - for the standard output (+, -).
Most obviously, the easiest way to use a hobby charger for recharging our typical flashlight cells is by charging a single cell only (e.g. 1x Eneloop, or 1x 14500). We could use either the standard output (+, -) or the 2-pin balance port. So people with a lot of time who dont mind charging one cell after the other (protected or not, doesnt matter here! 1x Protected 14500, then 1x Protected 10440, then 1x Protected 18650) can profit from their hobby chargers.
Last but not least, the manual would suggest not to use the balance charge method with Protected Li-Ion's (e.g. 3x Protected 14500's in series, with balance leads to the balance port) whereas the users still do exactly this, ha.
Li-Ion safety is another issue and the standard budget hobby charger isnt shipped with a temperature sensor and the least expensive premium hobby charger with update-able firmware costs 79.99$ + shipping and comes without power supply.
The least expensive budget hobby charger be the genuine Imax B6, which too comes without power supply -- it is pretty much identical to the "discontinued" Turnigy Accucell 6. (the fake Imax B6 comes with a power supply. In all three cases, the package doesnt include a temperature probe/sensor.)
All correct so far?, or any further explanations or comments?