Review of Xp4 from Xtarlight

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
21

Walmart Bass Fishing League (BFL) - FLW Outdoors
www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/bfl/ā€Ž

??

22

I say your review is done well. It sparks my interests in the XP4.

23

Excellent review, lowks! 8)

:p

24

Thanks! I got some other chargers review coming soon.

25

Yeah I know thatā€™s why I predicate it by saying itā€™s not really as indepth as probably HKJā€™s one because I donā€™t really have the kind of setup he has so I mostly just report on what was the feeling like using the device plus what functionality could make the user experience better. Thanks for taking the time to read anyway.

26

While HKJ covers the more technical side of things itā€™s all great to have someone explain their observations in laymans terms, youā€™ve done that really well and look forward to reading your future reviews.
Donā€™t be discouraged that your reviews arenā€™t as in depth as HKJā€™s, sometimes people prefer less technical reviews like your own, personally Iā€™m happy to read both.

27

It is definitely good to get different types of reviews, but the risk with very simple reviews is that they miss important details. Just charging two batteries on the charger is to simple a test.

28

Completely 100% agree

29

Thanks for the comments HKJ. Indeed my setup is minimal compared to yours :). I am learningā€¦ just over the moon I even got an evaluation set to review from the nice folks at Xtarlight. One thing for sure ā€¦ my reviews will improve with time as my setup is getting beefier all the time.

30

It is not necessary to have a lot of equipment to do a good review.

Some simple details to check:

  • How long time does the charger use to charger, does it match with the current rating (i.e. a 2000mAh NiMH with 1A charge is supposed to take around 2 hours).
  • Is the charge time the same for 1 and for 4 batteries?
  • Does the charger get warm/hot when working with a full set of batteries at highest charge current.
  • This charger can cycle batteries, how long time does it take to cycle a cell and how many can it do at a time (Can I do a four pack in less than 24 hours)?
  • Does the usb output work, will it charge my phone and does the phone charge at full speed or slow?
31

Ah, HKJ those I do knowā€¦ I will update my review. Thanks for the pointers :slight_smile:

32

Addentum to original review:

  • The time taken to charge 1 battery and 4 batteries seems to be the same.
  • The charger itself does not really get warm in 0.25 and 0.5 settings but then there was one occasion where I was charging Energizer AAAs and it got hot enough for the plastic on the battery to melt. This was on the 1A setting. I believe the batteries were okay, charging at 1A really produces a lot of heat.
  • For cycling cells only Channel 1 can be used and it takes about 8 hours for the full cycle if you put in a fully charged cell.
  • USB works fine, just that you loose about 20% of the charge. It can charge my phone up once from 5% left in the battery.