Xtar VC2S Battery Charger: Review
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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2024
- Amazon - amzn.to/3QuxNP5 (USA/Can/Europe)
An in depth look at the latest dual bay fully automatic charger from Xtar. This model features and upgraded LCD display, internal resistance testing, and fast 2.0 amp charging for one bay. But is it any good? I find out
Sample supplied via Xtar for unbiased review and testing
Details from the maker:
1: As a Fast Battery Charger - Fully Charge 3.6V/3.7V Li-ion IMR INR ICR from 10440 to 26650 and 1.2V Ni-MH Ni-CD AAA AA A SC C
2. Portable Power Bank Function - Charge USB devices and the batteries at the same time. Micro USB input port available with all 5V USB power
3. Check Your batteries’ authenticity VA LCD screen display charging capacity/real-time charging current/ internal resistance. Insert batteries, automatically identify the battery type and check the authenticity and usage of the battery
Compatible cells: Li-ion 3.6/3.7V 10440,14500,14650,16340,17335,17500,17670,18350,18490,18500,18650,18700,20700,21700,22650,25500,26650,
Ni-MH/Ni-CD A,AA,AAA,AAAA,SC, C
FCC, CE, RoHS
Anti-reverse Protection
Over-charge Protection
Over-voltage Protection
Over-current Protection
Short-circuit Protection
Amazon - amzn.to/3QuxNP5
Xtar - amzn.to/3Rzgde2
Support the channel on Patreon - www.patreon.com/mrbazreviews
try to test skyrc mc3000 seems very nice programmable charger ;)
Unless I get sent one it's not likely to happen (either maker or a seller) as I have to put other resources into the channel. I will review it if I am supplied a sample otherwise it's not viable for me at the moment
@Fx Out of those I think the VC4 is the best option if not the new UM2/4 ones are also good from Nitecore. The i2/i4's are OK more so for Li-ion I'm not as impressed for Ni-MH charging
@@MrBazReviews which is better, vc2 or vc2s for 18650 flat top batteries? I dont know what charger should i buy
@@wyattacealano3178 Both will do the job if you vape this is OK if you use AA/AAA the VC2 is better
an honest review is the best review, and you, sir, are the best :) thanks!
I appreciate your kind words, yes it is important to be honest and there are many things I don't like about this
Really excellent review; about to buy my first Li-ion cell + charger and this review has helped no end! I'm very thankful for the fullness and style of your review. Go well mate!
Not a problem that's the idea to help pros and cons etc so folks know if it's suitable or not
An excellent and comprehensive review as usual. I will stick with chargers that allow me to have control over the charging current.
Agree I prefer to have manual control not sure why Xtar made it fully automatic (previous version allowed you to change it)
Could you reduce the charging current by using a restricted USB supply? Like a 1 amp supply, or 0.5 amps from a standard PC USB?
Yes you can do that say a normal USB 2.0 port is around 500mA so that would reduce it or if using a 1.0A output if charging two cells. But I would have much preferred to have had some control on the charger the previous model had a choice - nothing wrong with fast charging if you want it, but it should be optional IMO
Interesting review. Thanks for the information!
Thank you Mr Baz for the detailed reviews! 👍🏻😊
Can this charger charge the 21700??
Unprotected 21700 yes the protected ones no
@@MrBazReviews what? why is that? Can it charge the Samsung INR21700 40T
Thanks for your review videos I find them very useful and entertaining.
A general question first - what mains adapter would you recommend for this charger and others?
I notice that you've said in another comment that you don't recommend this brand any more, which chargers would you recommend?
Thanks
It's OK if you charge larger cell Li-ion, otherwise something like the UM range from Nitecore seems better overall to me
I don't understand how it measure internal resistance?
I use 5V 2.0A usb charger and 18650 Sony VTC5A. I read instruction about less 700mA and fully charged batteries. VC2S shows different resistance results every time. Sometime are 5, 13, 25, 36, 42 etc mOm for one same battery. Regardless of which battery i'm charging - fully, half, one third or two third discharged battery. When result is true? Or it mean that my device is with defect?
No internal reading directly off the slots is going to be 100% accurate so just average it out a charger like the Dragon has probes so should be much more accurate, either way it does at least give an indication of the resistance so take several readings
Bit of a pain watching this when there's an ad coming up every couple of minutes, apart from that, great review, thanks
I have no choice but to monetise the video as it's my main source of income (which isn't vast by any means). There are 4 ad breaks not that many really - I've seen some add 8 in a video this length. Obviously I am aware it's a balance, but I have to pay the bills somehow. The videos take quite a while to make so I think it's not unreasonable considering
@@MrBazReviews no of course, that's perfectly understandable and I appreciate it. The review itself is good. I use sv2 rocket and was considering this charger as a backup for work but I don't like the forced 2a charging for 18650 or not being able to pick the rate myself so I think I'll have to give it a pass. Thanks for doing what you're doing.
ublock origin will solve that.
If we use it as a powerbank we need Ni-Mh batteries or Li-ion batteries
Li-ion
Nice review. Purchased one of these for my 18650 batteries and had no problems.
You mention a rechargeable Lithium AAA in your review. Where do you get those or are there any rechargeable LI AAA batteries you can recommend? Thanks
Not many around I got it on eBay, yes it's Li-ion and rechargeable capacity is small on these cells
@@MrBazReviews had a look on ebay and found some 1180ma kentli, 23 pounds for 4. Think I will stick to my 1100 ma vapex techs for a fiver a a set, they seem to last well after many charges and still take the quoted charge.
Thanks for your reply.
for li-ion unprotected cell why did you say 0.5amp for charging, isnt 1 amp safe anyway?
Listen again I said the charger puts a high current into smaller Li-ion cells, that is the problem (ie 16340)
Hope you will get a hand on SV2 rocket soon.
The first time I bought this worked normally i put 1 pcs 18650 got 2 amps, and with 2pcs 18650 got 1 amp, but after 3 months the charger began to have problems can not detect the battery I have to move the battery on the slot until the battery is detected and it is very difficult to get right position to be detected, besides that my vc2s also can not charge with 2 or 1 amp anymore, now on the display is always shown 0.5 amp even i only put 1 pcs/slot 18650 I still only get 0.5amp
As you can see in the review, I don't recommend this charger. I've found Xtar quality has slipped in the last few years. I don't even bother to review their products any more.
why do you prefer half an amp for AAA and which chargers charge at that level?
Lot of charges charge AA/AAA at half an amp. Thing is 1A charging on AAA you'll wear the battery out faster, AA it's fine for higher capacity cells
thanks! Good and informative review.
No problem glad it was useful
Another great review! I think I'll stick with the Xtar vc2 plus that I already own, I don't see enough incentive here to upgrade.
Same here, currently on the VC2 plus, but this new one can output from slot #2 as well, and those V and A and Ah readings are great to have. Too bad the new one autocontrols the charge current, ain't gonna touch that shit with a 10 meter stick.
You are right!
how cai i figure out the capacity of a batery i have placed in mAh? NOT how much it has charged , i mean the total capacity!
Discharge it fully that is the only way, it doesn't have a full test function
@@MrBazReviews thanks for the answer mate. Great review!
Does any VC2S user notice that the CAP mAh reading on CH1 is generally over stated??
A bit not too much
how does this compare to the nitecore i2? price is very similar which is worth getting?
i2 is mains powered this is USB up to you I don't like this one much for the reasons mentioned in the review
@@MrBazReviews can charging current be reduced by using a lower powered usb charger?
Any idea on the difference between the vc2 and the vc2s?
VC2 slower charging, VC2S faster depends what you are charging VC2 Plus is also worth a look
@@MrBazReviews Cool thanks for the reply. VC2S it is.
As powerbank, how low the battery voltage are discharge until it is considered empty on the charger?
About 3.15-3.2V I've not seen it drop lower than that so you can use unprotected cells
I see that it can fit 2 26650’s. What do you think about xtar vc2, can it fit 2 26650’s? Vc2 is the only one locally available. Nc reviews btw :)
VC2 is fine the display is different but it works OK for charging. Design is the same ie size so it also fits 26650 cells x2 just fine.
hello for vape batteries (18650) i need to buy a charger. im between vc2s , x2 and pb2 which one do you recommend? I used i2 new and it broken (lights blinking) and used xtar vc2 plus master (one port burnt) so i need new charger. i bought new set of VTC 6.
This is fine for fast charging 18650's I just don't like it for smaller cells
Can this be charged from a USB port on my computer? Or would the current be too low. A typical USB computer port is 5V 0.5A or 2.5 watts so I'm guessing that this would not work.
USB 3.0 gives a bit more (about 900mA), USB 2 is more like 500mA. So it will work, but it won't be quick
Depends how old the computer is some motherboards can support faster rates
Just got one of these and it’s not charging anything! Is it the box I’m using...?? Sucks I have to send back the first day....
Try different power supplies some USB ports are weak
Hello 😊 can you help me sir? I would like to know if i can charge my 1.2v 1900mAh eneloop AA batteries using this charger?
Of course the video shows everything you need to know
Lets say i dont use a powerbank to charge my batteries but use a samsung quickcharge used for mobile phones, will that be ok?
That will work
Noted.. thanks alot for the reply.. appreciate it..
Hi, Ive bought this charger after seeing your review, however it wont charge my 18650 battery simultaneously. I would appreciate your help
It should do check the power supply to the charger.
@@MrBazReviews actually after ive just let it sit for a week without using it. its actually charging both batteries simultaneously
I like your intro music, it sounds like The xx, the music they play when they can't think of any more lyrics
lol
Do you prefer this or the vc2 plus master?
I’d be charging 18650 protected and unprotected, 14550, AA and AAA Eneloop Pro and unprotected 26650.
Downside with this is you can't adjust charging speed (other than using a lower output USB). The display is better, but I think the previous version had the right idea charging selection. I'd go with the other one for smaller cells I found the charging rate too fast for some smaller cells.
Mr Baz Reviews sounds right. What I’m really trying to do is charge cells off of a solar panel I saw in one of your videos you said the Olight did well but charged slow. The panel is 28w 5v 2.4a max per ports I’m trying to find a multi bay charger that will do well with it. www.amazon.com/BigBlue-Charger-Digital-Waterproof-Foldable/dp/B071G4CQSR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1546341461&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=big+blue+solar+charger+28w&dpPl=1&dpID=51ImnW1hQyL&ref=plSrch
Solar panels can be tricky if they are in poor light if the charge drops below a certain level some chargers won't charge at all. I would only use a single or dual slot charger with a panel unless it's a beaming summer day then you get maybe closer to the 2.0 amps. In winter charging rates drop a lot perhaps a Klarus K1 or the magnetic charger is also decent, nitecore F series also worth looking at.
Mr Baz Reviews thanks for your answer I’ll look further into the recommendations. I really appreciate your dedication to respond to allot of your followers. It’s hard to get allot of answers especially when your pretty new to the flashlight world.
@@hotwater8473 Well some of them might be overloaded with comments and can't reply to everyone (so don't assume all tubers are ignoring you!) but it is true some can't be bothered I can as I want to help people ;-)
Is this better than the nitecore um2??
It's alright for high drain cells, I'd stick to the Nitecore for a general charger
Hi, would you recommend this for 16340?
It's fine for those cells
Excuse me sir, i want to ask you about xtar vc2s
The xtar vc2s already have features stop charging if battery full?
Thank you sir
u from india
Yes it does.
It's hit and miss
So what's the advantage of this over VC2?
Faster charging mostly, but I think there are some obvious drawbacks. It might work if you are using high drain cells, I'm not convinced for other types
Thanks. Thumbs up. Great review. Too fast for me, even at 500mzh. Can't see why charge rate can't be user defined.
Be real youtube.
Totally agree
which one is better ( xtar vc2 plus master vs xtar vc2s )
Not this one!
@@MrBazReviews thank you very much 🙏
Unfortunately it charges my 14500's at 1-2A's which is dangerous. Very disappointing for Xtar
Jacob Thomson have you tried the xtar vc2 plus master? I just bought it planing on recharging olight 14500 battery’s
@@supermoon1430 the VC2 Master is a great choice because you can actually manually adjust the charge current. For 14500 batteries you shouldn't charge higher than 0.5A
Jacob Thomson ok thank you
@@ilovelife18 Yes that one lets you adjust the charging current. I've no idea why Xtar didn't include manual charging selection on this, maybe it's aimed at vapers but it's a mistake IMO
just use a 1 amp wall adapter and it will limit the power
Would you recommend this for 18650 batteries?
Fine for high drain cells for protected I would prefer lower charging speeds
@@MrBazReviews what do you mean by protected and unprotected batts. Sorry i dont have much knowledge about batteries. Thank you for replying
@@wyattacealano3178 Flat top unprotected no circuit, button top protected circuit. They are longer the protected ones, they stop you overcharging/discharging shorting out
Jak sprawdzić ogniwa na tej ładowarka
You can only check internal resistance, or how much in charged into a cell
3.0 adaptor sir its ok for mc2 ?
It will only draw 2.0 amps. Using higher amps is fine (it draws amps).
Can u charge 21700 safely using that
Unprotected cells well it works OK
Can it charge 32xxx battery???
No too big for this one
thats very sad that u cant manually change charging current klarus k2 still the best portable charger
Sorry, but, because of your accent I did not understand what were you saying... ☹️
Being British and being a native English speaker, I guess if you can't understand it then you've got a problem! lol
It doesn't get any more English than this, and I don't have a dodgy accent like some ;-D Try using the subtitles
@@MrBazReviews
Yes, thanks, it is better with subtitles. Have a good day!
You talk a lot!
Yeah, I'll say nothing and play junky music!