A slew of new XTAR chargers

TheIntruder · 2018-07-29T08:36:36.000Z

A slew of new chargers have quietly appeared on XTAR’s website.

MC2 Plus - a two slot version of the ANT MC1 Plus

SC1 single slot 2A charger, in the vein of the MC series, thought not as compact

SC2 - two slot version, capable of 3A, but presumably requiring a QC adapter

VC2S - a new version of the venerable favorite, with the detailed color display, 2A max, and micro USB input many have longed for.

Dang, XTAR, where was the VC2S when I bought a TC2 a couple months ago? I will say that I hope it’s not as quirky/buggy as the TC2, but I dig the dial/car IP aesthetic some designer inside the company obviously possesses.

Kindle · 2018-07-29T09:51:26.000Z

Hmm VC4S should be following soon then.

TheAuditor · 2018-07-29T11:48:41.000Z

I want the VC2S with the cool display cos gadget but I also need it to charge protected 21700’s like the SC2

robk · 2018-07-29T14:46:29.000Z

The Xtar page says that the VC2S cannot charge protected 20700/21700 batteries. Too bad.

Cereal_killer · 2018-07-29T15:00:42.000Z

When I click on their own “buy on Amazon US” link it takes me to the Amazon product page for the regular VC2 plus (non S).

Their buy link

What do you think’ll happen if I order that? I’ll get a VC2S or a amazon headache?

JordanZHP · 2018-07-29T15:01:53.000Z

robk:

The Xtar page says that the VC2S cannot charge protected 20700/21700 batteries. Too bad.

I agreed! Why aren’t all new chargers just a few MM longer to accommodate protected 21700?

WalkIntoTheLight · 2018-07-29T15:15:57.000Z

JordanZHP:

robk:

The Xtar page says that the VC2S cannot charge protected 20700/21700 batteries. Too bad.

I agreed! Why aren’t all new chargers just a few MM longer to accommodate protected 21700?

Yeah, it seems they’re all still aimed at the 18650 market, which is still by far the largest. Even though I have no plans to switch to 20700/21700, it still might be nice to have longer slots to make is easier to install and remove 18650’s.

Zulumoose · 2018-07-29T20:35:56.000Z

Time they brought out a PB-4, the PB-2 is great, just add support for longer cells and lower termination current please.

TheIntruder · 2018-07-29T20:52:02.000Z

Cereal_killer:

When I click on their own “buy on Amazon US” link it takes me to the Amazon product page for the regular VC2 plus (non S).

Their buy link

What do you think’ll happen if I order that? I’ll get a VC2S or a amazon headache?

The link points to their AMZ storefront, not a specific product. Presumably, the VC2S listing will appear once it’s released and stock has reaches the warehouse.

But, they’ve been sloppy before, by putting up dead links, or not actually stocking a particular product on the site. At least the links now point to store. Consistency has been lacking.

JordanZHP:

robk:

The Xtar page says that the VC2S cannot charge protected 20700/21700 batteries. Too bad.

I agreed! Why aren’t all new chargers just a few MM longer to accommodate protected 21700?

It’s an evolution of an older design, and they probably felt it wasn’t worth the additional cost to accommodate what is still a small niche.

stephenk · 2018-07-30T04:25:22.000Z

I’d like see an update to the VP4 Plus Dragon charger with live voltage readout during charging.

atbglenn · 2018-07-30T04:33:18.000Z

stephenk:

I’d like see an update to the VP4 Plus Dragon charger with live voltage readout during charging.

I’d buy one if they did.

d_t_a · 2018-08-06T04:53:45.000Z

A slew of new chargers have quietly appeared on XTAR’s website.

MC2 Plus – a two slot version of the ANT MC1 Plus

SC1- single slot 2A charger, in the vein of the MC series, thought not as compact

SC2 – two slot version, capable of 3A, but presumably requiring a QC adapter

VC2S – a new version of the venerable favorite, with the detailed color display, 2A max, and micro USB input many have longed for.

Would like to see if any of these are compatible with solar USB chargers (ie. the charger should automatically resume charging when there’s a drop in USB voltage). Most USB-powered battery chargers will discontinue charging when USB voltage drops below a certain threshold (and such conditions happen frequently with solar USB charger)

stephenk:

I’d like see an update to the VP4 Plus Dragon charger with live voltage readout during charging.

The VP4 Plus Dragon doesn’t have invidual charging current control right? That is, selected charge current applies to all slots. Would probably be good if invidual slots can have individually selected charge or discharge current.

stephenk · 2018-08-06T05:33:38.000Z

d_t_a:

A slew of new chargers have quietly appeared on XTAR’s website.

MC2 Plus – a two slot version of the ANT MC1 Plus

SC1- single slot 2A charger, in the vein of the MC series, thought not as compact

SC2 – two slot version, capable of 3A, but presumably requiring a QC adapter

VC2S – a new version of the venerable favorite, with the detailed color display, 2A max, and micro USB input many have longed for.

Would like to see if any of these are compatible with solar USB chargers (ie. the charger should automatically resume charging when there’s a drop in USB voltage). Most USB-powered battery chargers will discontinue charging when USB voltage drops below a certain threshold (and such conditions happen frequently with solar USB charger)

stephenk:

I’d like see an update to the VP4 Plus Dragon charger with live voltage readout during charging.

The VP4 Plus Dragon doesn’t have invidual charging current control right? That is, selected charge current applies to all slots. Would probably be good if invidual slots can have individually selected charge or discharge current.

Same charging current for all channels (but different chemistries OK). To be honest I find that less of an issue than the lack of live voltage readout. I’ve had a Dragon since it was released, and it’s been a reliable workhorse.

toddcshoe · 2018-08-06T05:52:33.000Z

Zulumoose:

Time they brought out a PB-4, the PB-2 is great, just add support for longer cells and lower termination current please.

Agreed, PB-4 would be awesome. These folks need to sell off all the 650 stuff before they start putting out the 700 stuff. I am sure patience will persevere.

Bob_Loblaw · 2018-08-06T06:20:46.000Z

Hopefully they will make them work with flat top’s. I have the vp4 plus and the vc4, had to put solder blobs on all the + contacts to get a reliable connection.

HelloHazel · 2018-08-06T09:36:11.000Z

XTAR SC2 can charge protected 20700/21700 batteries

flphotog · 2018-08-06T11:57:51.000Z

I’ve got a couple XTAR’s and haven’t had any issues with them. But since I got the Miboxer C4-12 that’s pretty much the only one I use. It charges every thing I have and I don’t have to wait hours for it to finish. It may reduce my battery live but I don’t really care, batteries don’t really cost that much and I’d rather not wait a life time to finish charging.

mortuus · 2018-08-08T11:16:55.000Z

Bob Loblaw:

Hopefully they will make them work with flat top’s. I have the vp4 plus and the vc4, had to put solder blobs on all the + contacts to get a reliable connection.

weird, i have vc2 and i can charge flat tops just fine ?

polones · 2018-09-08T23:21:26.000Z

I just bought the VC2S on GearBest.

Guys, any news from this charger?