C4 Evo the charger that can’t charge.
So i think i’ve had terrible C4 before, then terrible C4 Evo in 2021 (returned), and now that they brag about NIMH finally working directly on the Amazon pictures, I bought the Limeta version for 43€. Which is a nice price for an analytical charger. Could 4 years of changes mean it can do the basic job: charging? Let’s try v2.0.0.2 with NIMH batteries and fire extinguisher nearby.
Basically all I wanted is to stop defining every little parameter before each charge. Talking about MC3000 of course (MC5000 didn’t change that, they just removed temperature sensors and added similarly slow GUI with crappy joystick). But it looks like the only such charger in my portfolio will be Xtar VC8S for a while. At least some progress, Xtar now can “charge” (VC8,VC8+ could NOT). Bingo! What about ISDT?
Well, it still does undercharges (ERROR #3 mentioned above) like it used to (e.g. finished at 1.35V then top up in MC3000 another 900mAh). It still overcharges NIMH (ERROR #2 like, e.g. drive AAA into 50ºC and even showing the flat curve unapologically). But so far in less frequency. I didn’t try xmass batteries yet, the cold temperature completely fooled this charger before.
As I point the thermal gun on the batteries, one of them is 50ºC and C4Evo is of course showing 38ºC for each. So instead of 6 sensors they brag about there’s maybe 1 system sensor? Congrats MC5000, you have a colleague not caring about temperature. Which saved me couple of times from thermal runaway.
I’ve seen it restart relentlessly (ERROR #1 like) on a start of charge when the input was over 10W. Have to figure this out, chargers themself love to reset the connection.
The main reason why this charger just can’t be easy to operate (insert batteries and forget), is that automatic mode is bad. Unless resistance is is hundreds of milliohms, it will insist on 1.5A for NIMH in any mode. I don’t know anyone who like this default for AA or even AAA batteries. How difficult can be this to change, or add as an option?
Otherwise I do appreciate the very nice GUI, the fantastic screen with insane angles (178º), the compactness, and proper PD input (which still is not present on MC5000). I even like the weird battery placement. It limits the battery compatibility, but it’s smart. It holds batteries strongly, I can move the charger around. Whereas on MC3000, I need to reinsert AAAs many times, and can’t move it a bit, it’s connected via AC cable like it was 1995.
Summary:
Advantages:
- crisp 320x240 IPS display with incredible viewing angle 178º – that definitely helps on a desk (hello MC3000, hello Triton scales, hello tons of other devices)
- very easy GUI which shows all details or charts, while alternating
- very compact device for the functionality
- pretty smart design of battery insertion, tho it’s got some limitations
- using modern QC, PD input is so correct
- quiet fan, mostly not used
- easy firmware update of both ISDT and Limeta “brand” via PC app (yes Limeta too)
- fully automatic mode, and also some automatic options for manual mode, this is where SkyRC MC3000 annoys, taking convenience away
- 1.5V Lion support, unlike SkyRC MC3000
Disadvantages:
- once settings are pressed, can not cancel, and see the results, they’re gone. Also can’t reach global settings when any battery is inserted
- the battery slots can’t accomodate very short batteries, and long batteries inserted horizontally block vertical slots, reducing capacity to 2 pieces (yet they brag about “charging 6 at once”)
- no Eneloop mode
- automatic mode supports only Charge or Destroy function
automatic current is very agressive on AA and especially AAA batteries. Unless the resistance is giant, it will insist on 1.5A which is ironically maximum per vertical slot
- auto start of 5 seconds can’t be customized like on ISDT C4
- resets happen
- temperature sensors don’t work (values are the same, and hot battery doesn’t show up)
- no Bluetooth connection or PC app
Let’s wait another decade for MC7000!