I ordered the newer D4 EU model (2016) from Amazon UK (supplied by Amazon) but they sent the older D4 (2014 non-EU). Is it worth trying them again or should I use another seller?
Hi Leigh was it from Amazon directly or fulfilled by Amazon? I'm not exactly sure what the changes are with the EU version if any over the previous one.
It was Amazon direct. I paid slightly more as I thought direct would be a safer bet. I am also not sure if there are any real differences or if it is just cosmetic to distance themselves from the clones. Was your EU edition from Amazon direct? Great review by the way. On balance, I prefer the Nitecore for the extra battery support, clearer display and mains power connection. Just a shame it doesn't have the charge rate and LED indicators of the Xtar. How would you score these two? Would be interesting to know how you rank them vs the other chargers you have reviewed.
There are at least six typo's on the back of the Nitecore package. Sorry, the natural proofreader in me, can't help it, LOL. Thank you for the reviews! I'm in the market for a new charger.
Well spotted yes a common problem on some China goods, though they are improving just have to hire English speaking people that's all ;-) Some makers just don't want to spend the money! Despite that it's a good charger in most ways I like the design and performance.
"....six typo's"? Don't you mean six typos? No apostrophe is required before the suffixed 's' that indicates the plural. As a natural proofreader you should know this. I hope you're enjoying your new charger ; )
I have both chargers, the D4 slider guides internally are very flimsy and had cracked after changing cells several times a week. Disappointing, had to repair with hot glue to fix. Worked fine otherwise, for around the same price the D4 has an internal supply while the VC4 requires an external source.
Thanks Jason I just tried to show what might be important for viewers so you can make up your own mind which charger might suit best. Appreciate the comment more charger reviews coming!
Yes in some ways it is the better charger (faster speeds, genuine 4 channel not split), D4 is still quite a solid choice for some users lower charge for smaller Li-ion cells I'd like to see a new VC4 with a few extra choices on charging speed
Hey I have D4 for about 1 year...but I'm gonna get VC4 mainly for USB fun and I will still use both...I have have crazy many torch and USB fan with 18650 battery. 18650 batteries are really popular now 🤗
I have had a Nitecore D4 running(24-7) non stop for the past 2 years, i have been using it nearly exclusively to charge some high end 18650's. Now my d4 died like 10 days ago and i will get a new one and will be getting a new Efest Luc Blu6 Oled. Now this is my personal opinion the Nitecore D4 is one of the best all round charger out there now a days, oh and remember its not because you can charge AA and AAA bats on this type of charger that it means its a good idea to do it.
Interesting stress test! I suspect new models are due from both makers next year though I find the D4 to charge better than their newer i series chargers I hope Nitecore do a better job on a new D4 than their other models both the new i2 and i4 tend to undercharge a bit particularly NiMH cells.. I'll try to get some 2 bay Xtar chargers to test too. Due to the lower charge output the D4 is probably a better bet if you regularly use AAA or AA cells. Would be nice to have a 0.5 amp across the 4 as an option. The VC4 has the advantage there if it's a factor.
Baz, as a new subscriber i love your channel ! i just bought the xstar VC4L Charger 2021 after watching your review of the VC4! i used the VC4L to charge some 18650 batteries but noticed the display on the
Been looking at Xtar charger utube have brought us together. Funnily enough I've recently subbed to your channel them super computers are bloody clever. 🇬🇧👍
Good video tape review. On these chargers been watching those videos of Europeans in America and I have not come across a comparison video of two simple chargers to do simple things. Big up from South London...
Yes I saw nobody had done a comparison, so decided to do one myself. Though it's one of my older videos I hope it was of some use Appreciate the comment. I am from Greenwich so South London too ;-D
Hi Victor thanks for the comment I've tried to show both chargers in detail both are good as far as charging is concerned (have not seen issues on either charger)
I have the Nitecore D4, just like in this video. I also have the older Nitecore Intellicharger I4. In the newer Nitecore D4, If I charge an 18650 to full charge, remove it and replace it back in again, it continues to charge more. so it will not charge to 4.2 volts. On my older Nitecore I4, I charge to full and take it out and replace it again it will not charge anymore. If I then put it into the Nitecore D4, it says 4.2 volts and will not charge anymore either. My conclusion is the older I4 does charge batteries to the full 4.2 volts where the D4 doesn't charge batteries to their full 4.2 capacity. Did you test the batteries in the D4 to see if they actually reached the full 4.2 volts or was it less on your unit?
If that's true, then the new charger is a lot better. Battery lifetime drastically improve if you don't charge them to 4.2 volt. I wish there was a charger, where you could actually set the voltage threshold. so it wouldn't charge the cells above 4.1 volt.
I've also experienced that to. When the AA batteries is fully charged in nitecore D4, I remove and replace it again but still charging. Is that an issue ?
zoltan87 There are chargers that the user can set the terminating voltage, but you have to move to hobby grade chargers designed for the RC Hobby. Charger cost also goes up along with the need to actually set the charger for each type of battery and the charge rate. Look at iCharger and Powerlab chargers as well as ISDT chargers. Look up ProgressiveRC to find all of these. Like I said be aware that you won't find these type chargers for the low prices of the Nitecore and Xtar plug and play chargers. Also, the hobby grade chargers can discharge the batteries and monitor the mah taken out so you can find the actual capacity of any cell. I use and love the Nitecore D4 for 18650's, but I wouldn't trade my hobby chargers for anything. Plus I charge large high capacity Lipo cell regularly so they re a requirement.
Hi Mamadou thanks for the comment. Neither can test the true capacity of the batteries the VC4 can tell you how much charge you have put in (that will only be useful if the cells are fully discharged and it's not as accurate as a proper tester which discharges the cell and measures how much current is taken out not put in). D4 has a timer not a mAh meter. The VC4 might be more useful for a basic idea, but if you look at the timer on the D4 and the approx. charge rate (it will drop off later stages of charging) that might give you an idea of the cell capacity. I use the Foxnovo F4S charger/tester for capacity testing it's quite accurate but has an annoying "beep" when it's finished. I am hoping to get around to a review on that charger maybe in a week or so. I use it mostly for that. Hope that helps a bit
Only the Foxnovo would to that properly I'm not too impressed with the loud beeper so I struggle to recommend it as a primary charger. The Xtar might suit you better as it will give you more idea of the capacity. I hope both makers update these two chargers to include a test option it would be quite useful
Yes and no they are chargers but not testers it's not always needed the testing function. But I would like it to be included, sometimes you get obvious signs a battery is poor. Useful to have but if they add it likely to bump up the price we shall see both could be due an update shortly
Hy ! Great review ! Y recently purchased a Nitecore D4 charger & would bother you with a question ! ? On a flashlight witch uses 3x AAA batteries in an adaptor (size - 61mm long) ! can y use a 18650 li-ion battery without protection (they are smaller 65mm ) The ones with protection are longer 68.9~mm & wont fit in the body ! Will the D4 safely charge de battery without protection , Or do y have to manually select the peak value ? Thx !
Another great review Mr. Baz. At 10:50 you show a charger that does has test functions built into it. In fact you refer to and show this charger in several of your videos but you never show the name or model of the charger. Since you keep using it as your standard I'm most interested in knowing what it is. Thanks in advance.
There are other chargers I have reviewed that do (ie test the internal resistant and others that have a full discharge and capacity test). The VC4 counts the mAh put into the cell which might be of some use if the battery is flat, if it's not then you won't get an accurate "real capacity" The other charger is the Foxnovo and there is a video review here of that model: ua-cam.com/video/ztTxY2aUiXA/v-deo.html That does a full discharge and test on batteries ie you have the real capacity, but there are downsides too Playlist for chargers and batteries some other ones have test functions (the newer Miboxer ones) ua-cam.com/play/PLPDCN48jxW_vualtWC8IuQCVTKFbBVmBR.html Hope that helps
It's similar but that model also supports Li-ion cells some just do AA/AAA. I have more chargers coming in for review so I'll get around to those eventually
@Mr Baz reviews-- can you tell me how you got to low on the D4 and how you adjust/choose the mAh/amps. Because I tho k 750mAh is far too high to be charging a 14500 in, and I don't wanna ruin that battery
The problem with the VC4 is it doesn't charge all 4 cells at .500 ma instead it charges at .250 for each. It is super slow, so I used a usb meter to check the amps and voltage it draws and it was under 1 amp charging 4 batteries through USB, so I used a 5 volt 2 amp transformer and it was faster, but USB is slow. I used a usb adapter that is capable of two amps output as well. I wished I had purchased the Nitecore instead. It plugs into the wall, so it must be better than the VC4.
I've not found that problem I use a smart USB charger and it's capable of providing over 2.0 amps output so with 4 cells you can get 0.5 amp per channel. The D4 is the slower charger real world though both are quite good for what they offer
Nitecore has a new charger that I may get, It gives you up to a three amp charge, for those times when you just can't wait, but in reality that is too much current. My go to charger is still my 6 bay Efest charger that can fast charge two of the cells at 2 amps each or it does all at 1amp or .500. I love it, but it gets hot, so you have to keep an eye on it. I don't understand why they didn't put a fan in it. I may add a small one eventually.
I've been looking at the Liitokala chargers because they can show both the internal resistance and the capacity of the battery cell on the display. Yet even their largest model Lii-500 can hold only two 26650 batteries at a time. Ideally, a good charger would have these qualities (capacity and resistance on display, among other things) and enough place to charge four 26650 battery cells at the same time. This would allow us to leave them charging over night at 10% charging rate (500mA for the 5000mA cells) so that we could use them next morning during diving. You've made some awesome reviews, did you consider the idea of making a video test of the best 26650 5000mAh to 5500mAh battery cells available in UK/EU at the moment? This is the battery test I often use to shop for 26650 batteries: lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common26650IndividualTest%20UK.html
Well I'm working through the batteries slowly I sometimes buy some in to test got a few sent, over time it will build up. I test the capacity and internal resistance and add anything else I have to say if applicable. It would be very time consuming to do detailed tests so I'll leave that to the site you mentioned. Only other option is to get 2 x smaller chargers say the VC2 plus which can handle 2 26650 cells at a time (and can charge 0.5/1.0 amp). Why not charge at 1.0 amp? It won't degrade the battery performance in any way, you can charge 18650's at 1.5amps without hurting the recycle performance
Well, I'm old school and we were taught that the lower the rate (8% to 12%) - the longer the duration of the batteries (less capacity percentage drop). It does not have to be that way with newer LiPO cells with advanced BMS but I guess old habits never die. I did notice that SOME LiPO and LiFePO4 cells capacity drops drastically if charged at a higher rate. But that could be up to the quality of the manufacturer. More than five years ago some A123 cells were extraordinary compared to the rest, but today there are many manufacturers who have caught up with the LiPO and LiFePO4 demand. This was noticeable on largers cells (which we were buying), but smaller cells would have a very abrupt capacity and power drop. Thank you for your fast replies, it's a good idea to get two chargers. I'll definitely buy a Lii-500 cause it has a neat resistance and capacity check on display and a reserve unit with only two 26650 cells.
Hey, I'm a broadcast electronic engineer, 20 years+ exp. Out of all these videos I've spent so much time watching I've yet to see anyone actually test these with a current dvm hooked up. Well I just checked my brand new no record d4 and my results are puzzling enough that I'm compelled to comment. I need much more time testing b4 I go into it, but did anyone know that every time it shows the voltage measurement it's charging current goes to zero? That is essentially pulsing at .3 hrs, (once every three seconds) in many cases the current read out was only telling me what was supposed to be happening as opposed to, you know, MEASURING THE CURRENT. I guess I need to visit an engineering forum next. It seemed all these capabilities were too good to be true, because it was, Is........
If you want a more technical review you can go here: lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Xtar%20VC4%20UK.html Most folks just want to know if the charge termination is good and on both chargers it's consistent, I test what I can real world
Hi Mr Baz ; I will charge both low ( 1000 mah exp.18650 battery) batteries. Which one is healthier for you? D4? OR VC4? and which one better revives the battery showing 0 voltage? D4 or VC4. I will choose and buy one according to the information from you. Please answer. Thank you . .....a very successful review....
@@MrBazReviews There is no zanflare c4 in the country where I am. Does vc4 provide suitable current for low batteries (700-1000 mah)? I know it gives at least 500 volts. Isn't D4 better, which gives 0.375 volts for low batteries in this case?
@@ibrahimylmaz4197 500mA is fine for most cells AAA or 16340 Li-ion. It is up to you both are decent the D4 can't take 20/21700 cells if you use those. Either will do the job well enough
Hi, wish to ask, I am aware of charging with low current Ampere is better for extending battery lifetime As we only charge two battery with Xtar VC4, will 1A too high for a new battery so we should always prioritized using inner two 0.5A slot or it is okay to use the 1A slot? Will the trade-off be significant for charging time and battery lifespan?
I use 1A for 18650 or larger, for smaller cells Li-ion CR123A/16340 or 14500 0.5A is better AA I charge at 1.0A and AAA at 0.5A It is true high current will wear cells out faster, but those speeds are pretty safe for those battery sizes. If you fast charge a 16340 at 1.0A is will wear it out quicker. Most 18650's will take a slight hit at 2.0A (not much), but higher charging will increase wear on them.
Thank you very much, well understood, this is a real good review and very informative. Ordered VC4 and couple of Xtar 18650 3500mAh after watching your video, do you think it is a good practice to charge them at 1A?
Nitecore have not updated the D4 (it's still good but can't take 21700 cells), Xtar changed the port to a type C on the newer model, but it's the same charger. I didn't think it was worth making a new video just for that. If Nitecore do a new D4 I would make a new video. They're both still good chargers, just depends on the battery type you are using and if you want a mains or USB charger
@@MrBazReviews Thanks for the reply! I'm charging 18650B batteries. I bought the Nitecore i2 before watching your videos. From the manual instructions, I think I'm ok using the automatic detection, but am not 100% sure. I'm not super happy that when you tested the batteries using the i2, they weren't at full capacity. I'm thinking about returning it and getting something else and wondered if either of these would be better.
They can both charge 2 x cells at 1.0 amp max so not much difference. Display is down to taste if you only need to charge 2 batteries I'd go with the VC2 Plus smaller and more compact also has USB output so you can use it as a power bank
We need a charger, where you can adjust the charging voltage threshold. If you charge li-ion cells only to 4.1v instead of 4.2v, they will survive significantly more charge cycles = much more economical.
There are very few chargers that can do that, this is one... bit.ly/2hIg4tf Two ways of looking at it you can see which chargers terminate a bit less than 4.2V, or just don't let the cells run down charge them at say 20% levels rather than the lowest point.
D4 Does not have the 0v activation / repair which is a shame as I just ordered one. Nevermind it seems it does from your video, although the specs don't mention it.
D4 does have an activation feature, but it's quite short as seen in the video with a Ni-MH cell. Thus I had to re-insert it again to charge. It's not that long about 5 seconds, the Xtar has a much longer activation time thus it's more effective
You can test how much charge the cells takes on the VC4 in mAh, if the cell is flat. It should give you a decent idea of the capacity, though it's not as accurate as the discharge test that some chargers have (ie Dragon/Opus etc)
Hey! I am a user which just want to charge 18560 batteries mainly for my flashlight. I do not know much about chargers so my question would be shouls i go VC4 or new nitecore SC4? I get VC4 almost half a price of SC4.
i have smok gx350 vape mod and it takes 4 18650 batteries and i use the lghb6 batteries which are 1500mAh with nominal voltage of 3.6 and discharge of 30A. What type of battery charger do you recommend for charging 4 of these types of batteries at the same time???????
Both will do the VC4 is faster, also there are quicker chargers if you need it but at 1500mAh you can't charge as fast as higher capacity cells. MC4 is also worth a look cheaper and same charge rate as the VC4 (single LED though) half amp for 4 slots or 1 amp for 2 slots.
3:35 that is your output (MAX) at the bottom so work out the capacity of the cell and the charge rate for an estimation (all cells slow down later stages of charging) it's a rough guess
I have bought a 1000mah rechargeable batteries and charged it using xtar vc4 upon reaching 500 mah, it displays "FULL".. Is the battery fake? or defective.
Make sure it's fully discharged/run down is it Ni-MH? Usually they are empty at about 1.0V, charge it and count the display it shouldn't be far off, unless they are low grade cells
Hi Richard well there should have been a scratch off panel on the box hard to say on this one the transformer is inside the unit no way that should "smoke". The MC3000 looks interesting that can test cells I believe might try to get hold of one to review at some point let me know how you find it would appreciate that. All the best
I’ve noticed with my VC4 that it will show a higher volt reading than my multimeter. I can check a li-ion battery for voltage and if my meter shows 3.8 the VC4 will show 4.0 when I put it in. Have you ever noticed that?
Pretty much they all do say for example 4.20V and be 4.17V or near there they tend to read higher than actual voltage. Main thing is, they terminate charging and the VC4 is accurate on that tends to charge a little more than Nitecore chargers
All batteries have a skin affect. Once taken off a charger. As the voltage will drop. It's caused from heat transfer. After being taken out. They cool off. All Batteries have this issue. Even Cell Tower Backup batteries.. There just more robust in holding a charge...
Hi Ken my take is...I would go with the D4 if I were charging a lot of Ni-MH cells and sometimes lithium. The VC4 is probably the way to go if you charge more lithium cells or need the two bigger bays for wider batteries. Both are equally good at charging (no signs of over charging or premature termination on either).
I would tend to agree for bigger 26650 cells the faster charge rate might be a factor and you can charge 2 at the same time. I use this type only sometimes so single charging is fine for me. Now if Nitecore offered a D4+ with a choice of charging rates a little higher maybe even a test function that would appeal to me. I use AAA's quite a bit so the lower charge rate is useful to me. Not that I've had a problem with the VC4 for any cell types.
So I am buying two Sony VTC4 batteries but I would like a 4 bay because I will get more batteries at some point, what ports should I put the batteries in when only charging two? The first two ports or the two in the middle or does it not matter. Also Sony VTC4 are li ion correct so the xtar would be better for those than d4?
@@spotlight761 Then there would be no way to offer 1.0A charging. It isn't a problem for a simple charger IMO you just use the middle slots for the slower charging speeds, 3 or more cells are 0.5A too so you can get satisfactory results for AAA cells. The only other way of doing it is with slot contacts so shorter cells charge at half and amp, but Xtar have lost their mojo recently the VC4s and VC2s are plain not good chargers
VC4 charges at 0.5 amp for 3/4 cells D4 0.375 so the VC4 is faster. Neither are what I would call fast chargers you can charge 2 cells at 1.0 amp on the VC4 or 0.75amp on the D4. If you are using 26650's a lot (ie more than one charging) the VC4 is the better bet it can fit two cells, D4 one if it's button top (flat top might fit 2). If you want faster charging speeds ie 1.0 amp on all four bays you'll need to look at a different model.
Hi i have 6 aa battery and 4 18650 and using i4 from nitecore. It gets really hot when charged 4 aa battery at the same time. I'm thinking about changing my i4 to another charger, which one do you recommend? D4 or vc4 or vc4s? And is there any differences between vc4 and vc4s?
Are those charger are producing a lot of heat for the battery while charging? When i charge 4 cell of aa battery on my i4 at the same time, it gets really hot and i worried about battery lifespan if it's get hot too often.
Nitecore chargers are absolute trash. I've bought two within the last year and both ended up literally burning out on me. Both chargers were charging then suddenly stopped charging and smelled like burning electronics. I will NEVER buy a Nitecore charger ever again. I just bought the XTAR VC4H and currently using it right now. We'll see how well it works. I do have a smaller XTAR charger which has a cover for the batteries and doubles as a power bank. I used that for going on about 6 months now and it works great. I just needed a charger with 4 slots instead of 2. I do wish the VC4H had an indicator that showed the current charge of the battery when it is put into the charger, like the smaller 2 slot xtar charger has.
If you buy something and it breaks you should claim the warranty on the product. Some might find experiences different with various makers. I was hoping Nitecore would update their range. on the other hand Xtar were disappointing with some I used (VC4S)
What do u think is better for 18650 battery d2 or vc4 I don't care about more slots or to one charges all the way to 4.2 v.please answer soon I'm in need of new charger my zanflare c2 is acting up.thanks.also is the d2 and d4 the same besides slots and amps?
@@MrBazReviews I was going to get the I-4 2016 Edition but in the comments it seems like it was overheating problems with the LED screen too much BS I guess if people are really concerned about safety you're going to have to spend money and get a great smart charger which might cost up to $75 but at least you have a piece of mind compared to saving a couple of dollars being in trouble people have money for whatever they're buying the batteries to charge for why be cheap on a charger which is the most important part
@@methodman5201 I found the i4 ran hot mainly a problem for Ni-MH AA's and small cells so I'm not comfortable with that, I don't know if they changed the design of it since I looked at it, I only report back what I find. It's OK for Li-ion cells ie 18650's they are bigger and the heat isn't a problem on those. But I think there are better chargers the UM4 is also worth a look I did a review on that recently. D4 is solid, but getting on a bit now, VC4 is reliable if you can live with the barrel connector. I would expect a few updated chargers this year but those ones I mention are good.
As I say they are close on charging performance, the Xtar is USB Powered which could be a con or a pro (if solar charging etc). Xtar faster, the D4 has the option to reduce charging current making it a better choice for smaller lithium cells. I'm not sure what batteries you are using if it's 18650's and 26650's the VC4 is a bit faster, if you are more mixed use the D4 might be a better bet
I have not used that charger I can't really say it seems to do faster charging but that doesn't always mean better charging I know the Xtar and Nitecore chargers are solid enough I'd stick to ones that are better known myself
They stop charging automatically the VC4 has a top off for Ni-MH but ceases charging once completed so they are both safe to leave on. Li-ion charging stops completely on both chargers most decent ones will
Depends what cells you are charging if it's high capacity Li-ion the Xtar is faster, if you use a mix and smaller cells then the D4 might suit better. Neither are hard to use, the Xtar adjusts current based on the slots you use so middle ones 0.5A, outer 1.0A..or more than 2 it's 0.5A. The Nitecore is 750mA unless you adjust it down for 2 slots so you will want to us the Low mode for CR123A/16340 or AAA cells
I have the VC4 and totally hate it, bought it like a year ago... The input we touch it and it makes the charger change the output power to even 0mah or make the screen flicker and I never forced the input, the cable is garbage and the socket too, also the reported mah are way off... I have Samsung 18650 3000mah and they always charge around 2300mah reported on the screen no matter if it's at 500mah or 1A charge. When I charge the same batteries on my old IMAX B6 they actually report around 3000mah like it was supposed to...
the usb cable alone beats nitecore by a mile. being a usb cable charger it can be plugged into power bank, or portablr power pack and even solar panel.
Those are reasonable points to make for the USB connection. I'd prefer if they included a charger for the USB output rather than an add on item. Solar charging is an option though would require a fairly high output panel to get decent rates on all four slots. I tend to use single or dual slot chargers for solar panels
Depends on your needs I use NiMH cells quite a lot as well as lithium so I find the D4 better (I can set it to a lower charge for AAA's for example). If you use a lot of lithium cells the VC4 has some advantages (faster charging) Other consideration is USB power or mains the VC4 needs a decent 2.1amp USB port to work at the highest charging speeds, the transformer is built into the D4. Pros and cons for both models there isn't a lot to pick between them in charging performance (both terminate correctly and don't under or over charge). Hope that helps a bit
D4 in this case. the VC4 looks good and has nice features, but being forced to find a strong USB charger to work with it is retarded. if they gave to a mains AC option like the Nitecore does, it would be a coin-toss decision. but they don't, so i'd quickly vote D4.
It depends if it's button top or not that's the problem the button cells can slip off the contacts. You can just about get 2 flat top ones in there sort of
Do you have a link to the charger? if it's a reputable make I'd not be overly concerned. I have seen some of the Apple looking clones cheap ones and they're not good at all most of them.
Do you want USB charging or mains? That would be my main decision. VC4 is a bit faster for charging both are spot on for the charging quality nothing to pick between them in that regard. For home use I prefer the D4 if you travel around a bit the VC4 might be better for you.
Hi that type of cell is longer I'm trying to get hold of a few to test and try with chargers. I expect most won't allow charging as they are designed for 18650 length batteries (26650's are the same length just much larger girth)
I got mine to fit but its a tight fit not very easy being how thin they are trying to hold it strait but will get easier as you do it more I have a older luc v4 charger and looking for a new charger with more room and will accept double a
I have SMOK GX350 vape mod and it takes 4 18650 batteries and i use LG HG2 18650 20A (flat top) 3000 mAh batteries which are normal voltage of 3.6. Can I charge my batteries with the Nitecore D4?
Of course both chargers will charge any 3.6/3.7V 18650 Li-ion it just depends on if speed is important the D4 is a bit slower, the VC4 is faster but I've also looked at other fast chargers if you need quicker charging (ie 1.0amp on 4 slots etc)
Quite a while all 4 slots 375mA so divide capacity by that, VC4 500mA (all 4 again). They're OK for 2 batteries 750mA and 1.0 amp but a lot slower for 3 or more just bear that in mind. I did look at some 4/6 slot chargers the 6 slot one is pretty quick I think it's aimed more at vapers using quite a few batteries it can do all 6 slots at 1.0amp or 3 at 2.0amp one of the faster ones I've looked at. ua-cam.com/video/K_mAK7OsLhU/v-deo.html
I have SMOK GX350 KIT with all original parts and all that. V8-T8 Octuple Coil Head (0.15ohm) And V8-Q4 Quadruple Coil Head (0.15ohm) witch type of Liquid should I use? Then I mean VG and PG.
Stick with the high VG (say 80%) it's smoother if you vape at high power levels, if it's lower you can go for 50/50 but it varies on quality. If you use nicotine use only low levels it will tear you up I don't vape at big power so 50/50 is alright for me Dekang is OK for budget juice
Xtar VC4 cable is not that big a deal. You can make one. If for some reason you ruin it... The best one for the money. VC4 just because it's portable. You can make a USB C cable to fit it. Which gives you 100 watts output...Then use a USB brick charger with a USB C port... And being $12.00 US. it's the better deal..
@@MrBazReviews I've got xtar 4 years ago after you review I guess. Still going strong, one green LED indicator is long gone though, hopefully it'll last at least another 4 years. I don't charge batteries too often, mostly after Christmas 8)
VC4 Amazon USA - amzn.to/39FKkKU UK - amzn.to/39SVtZb
D4 USA - amzn.to/2wOsXsG UK - amzn.to/33aiO63
I ordered the newer D4 EU model (2016) from Amazon UK (supplied by Amazon) but they sent the older D4 (2014 non-EU). Is it worth trying them again or should I use another seller?
Hi Leigh was it from Amazon directly or fulfilled by Amazon? I'm not exactly sure what the changes are with the EU version if any over the previous one.
It was Amazon direct. I paid slightly more as I thought direct would be a safer bet. I am also not sure if there are any real differences or if it is just cosmetic to distance themselves from the clones. Was your EU edition from Amazon direct? Great review by the way. On balance, I prefer the Nitecore for the extra battery support, clearer display and mains power connection. Just a shame it doesn't have the charge rate and LED indicators of the Xtar. How would you score these two? Would be interesting to know how you rank them vs the other chargers you have reviewed.
I emailed Nitecore about D4 vs D4 EU. They said there are no differences, it is just different packaging for a different production run.
Fair enough thanks for letting me know
There are at least six typo's on the back of the Nitecore package. Sorry, the natural proofreader in me, can't help it, LOL.
Thank you for the reviews! I'm in the market for a new charger.
Well spotted yes a common problem on some China goods, though they are improving just have to hire English speaking people that's all ;-) Some makers just don't want to spend the money!
Despite that it's a good charger in most ways I like the design and performance.
"....six typo's"? Don't you mean six typos? No apostrophe is required before the suffixed 's' that indicates the plural. As a natural proofreader you should know this. I hope you're enjoying your new charger ; )
I have both chargers, the D4 slider guides internally are very flimsy and had cracked after changing cells several times a week. Disappointing, had to repair with hot glue to fix. Worked fine otherwise, for around the same price the D4 has an internal supply while the VC4 requires an external source.
@@mikestudmuffin4549 also for safety as well. Having it internally is really just another point of failure and a variable
thank you for put the resume of the test in the end of video
Great details and so well put together with superb annotations! I am so grateful for your work and it was the reason I purchased a D4. Cheers, mate
Thanks Jason I just tried to show what might be important for viewers so you can make up your own mind which charger might suit best. Appreciate the comment more charger reviews coming!
Got the xtar today. I'm impressed. I had the night core that packed in after 8 months.
It is quite good
I have both, vc4 is a major win.
Yes in some ways it is the better charger (faster speeds, genuine 4 channel not split), D4 is still quite a solid choice for some users lower charge for smaller Li-ion cells I'd like to see a new VC4 with a few extra choices on charging speed
Hey I have D4 for about 1 year...but I'm gonna get VC4 mainly for USB fun and I will still use both...I have have crazy many torch and USB fan with 18650 battery. 18650 batteries are really popular now 🤗
For 18650 with 3,600mah ....what charger do you use sir ?
I about to get my vc4 shipped.
This vid convinced me to go with xtar
It is OK
Thank you for the reviews and the tests you have done. You sure have helped many people. Take care and best wishes.
Thanks appreciate the comment
I have had a Nitecore D4 running(24-7) non stop for the past 2 years, i have been using it nearly exclusively to charge some high end 18650's. Now my d4 died like 10 days ago and i will get a new one and will be getting a new Efest Luc Blu6 Oled. Now this is my personal opinion the Nitecore D4 is one of the best all round charger out there now a days, oh and remember its not because you can charge AA and AAA bats on this type of charger that it means its a good idea to do it.
Interesting stress test! I suspect new models are due from both makers next year though I find the D4 to charge better than their newer i series chargers I hope Nitecore do a better job on a new D4 than their other models both the new i2 and i4 tend to undercharge a bit particularly NiMH cells.. I'll try to get some 2 bay Xtar chargers to test too. Due to the lower charge output the D4 is probably a better bet if you regularly use AAA or AA cells. Would be nice to have a 0.5 amp across the 4 as an option. The VC4 has the advantage there if it's a factor.
Hi, Is it safe to charge CR123A batteries here? the olight or the surefire rechargable cr123a's? thanks
Of course it is safe I charge at half an amp or lower usually
Baz, as a new subscriber i love your channel ! i just bought the xstar VC4L Charger 2021 after watching your review of the VC4!
i used the VC4L to charge some 18650 batteries but noticed the display on the
I've not used that one I believe it's similar but with the type C connector. Last part of the comment was cut off!
@@MrBazReviews its same as vc4, when i charged 18650 one battery was charging at 4.2v is that safe?
@@GrandslamTim1 4.2V is the termination for normal 3.6/3.7V Li-ion cells so it's safe most chargers show 4.2V and are a bit under
Been looking at Xtar charger utube have brought us together. Funnily enough I've recently subbed to your channel them super computers are bloody clever. 🇬🇧👍
VC4 is quite good they can be hit and miss Xtar
Great video! I charge only 18650 lithium ion batteries and I want to know if you can charge 4 18650 at the same time in these chargers?
You deserve gain more subscriber sir, salute
I appreciate that! Yes you are right
I totally agree. 🇬🇧👍
I have my nitecore gave up after 3 years of use.. Will try now the xtar..
Good video tape review.
On these chargers been watching those videos of Europeans in America and I have not come across a comparison video of two simple chargers to do simple things.
Big up from South London...
Yes I saw nobody had done a comparison, so decided to do one myself. Though it's one of my older videos I hope it was of some use
Appreciate the comment. I am from Greenwich so South London too ;-D
@@MrBazReviews
Lewisham Borough 😊
Really great review. Thanks for doing this review :)
Hi Lex no problem I like doing charger reviews more to come shortly! Thanks for the comment
Fantastic review, extremely useful....thank you !
Hi Victor thanks for the comment I've tried to show both chargers in detail both are good as far as charging is concerned (have not seen issues on either charger)
Thnank you for this great review! Keep it up! :)
Thanks will do should get a few new chargers in for testing soon
I have the Nitecore D4, just like in this video. I also have the older Nitecore Intellicharger I4. In the newer Nitecore D4, If I charge an 18650 to full charge, remove it and replace it back in again, it continues to charge more. so it will not charge to 4.2 volts. On my older Nitecore I4, I charge to full and take it out and replace it again it will not charge anymore. If I then put it into the Nitecore D4, it says 4.2 volts and will not charge anymore either. My conclusion is the older I4 does charge batteries to the full 4.2 volts where the D4 doesn't charge batteries to their full 4.2 capacity. Did you test the batteries in the D4 to see if they actually reached the full 4.2 volts or was it less on your unit?
If that's true, then the new charger is a lot better. Battery lifetime drastically improve if you don't charge them to 4.2 volt. I wish there was a charger, where you could actually set the voltage threshold. so it wouldn't charge the cells above 4.1 volt.
I've also experienced that to. When the AA batteries is fully charged in nitecore D4, I remove and replace it again but still charging. Is that an issue ?
zoltan87 There are chargers that the user can set the terminating voltage, but you have to move to hobby grade chargers designed for the RC Hobby. Charger cost also goes up along with the need to actually set the charger for each type of battery and the charge rate. Look at iCharger and Powerlab chargers as well as ISDT chargers. Look up ProgressiveRC to find all of these. Like I said be aware that you won't find these type chargers for the low prices of the Nitecore and Xtar plug and play chargers. Also, the hobby grade chargers can discharge the batteries and monitor the mah taken out so you can find the actual capacity of any cell. I use and love the Nitecore D4 for 18650's, but I wouldn't trade my hobby chargers for anything. Plus I charge large high capacity Lipo cell regularly so they re a requirement.
The same problem in my nitecore um10.
I thought all 18650 batteries were 3.7 volts??
Thanks for reviewing this!
No problem thought it would be useful to see both compared side by side. Thanks for the comment
Thanks for the efforts you putting in to make these Videos for others. Will the D4 allows you to check the true capacity of these 18650 batteries?
Hi Mamadou thanks for the comment. Neither can test the true capacity of the batteries the VC4 can tell you how much charge you have put in (that will only be useful if the cells are fully discharged and it's not as accurate as a proper tester which discharges the cell and measures how much current is taken out not put in). D4 has a timer not a mAh meter. The VC4 might be more useful for a basic idea, but if you look at the timer on the D4 and the approx. charge rate (it will drop off later stages of charging) that might give you an idea of the cell capacity.
I use the Foxnovo F4S charger/tester for capacity testing it's quite accurate but has an annoying "beep" when it's finished. I am hoping to get around to a review on that charger maybe in a week or so. I use it mostly for that. Hope that helps a bit
which one would you recommend to check 18650 true capacity.
Only the Foxnovo would to that properly I'm not too impressed with the loud beeper so I struggle to recommend it as a primary charger. The Xtar might suit you better as it will give you more idea of the capacity. I hope both makers update these two chargers to include a test option it would be quite useful
Both are effectively obsolete because they lack this core ability of a smart charger, unacceptable in 2017.
Yes and no they are chargers but not testers it's not always needed the testing function. But I would like it to be included, sometimes you get obvious signs a battery is poor. Useful to have but if they add it likely to bump up the price we shall see both could be due an update shortly
I have both charger and also the Liitokala 500 engineer. In my opinion , Liitokala is much better than nitecore or xtar.
So they say
Hy ! Great review ! Y recently purchased a Nitecore D4 charger & would bother you with a question ! ? On a flashlight witch uses 3x AAA batteries in an adaptor (size - 61mm long) ! can y use a 18650 li-ion battery without protection (they are smaller 65mm ) The ones with protection are longer 68.9~mm & wont fit in the body ! Will the D4 safely charge de battery without protection , Or do y have to manually select the peak value ? Thx !
D4 can like most charge unprotected 18650's so no worries on that it auto shuts off entirely when it reaches the charge voltage.
Another great review Mr. Baz. At 10:50 you show a charger that does has test functions built into it. In fact you refer to and show this charger in several of your videos but you never show the name or model of the charger. Since you keep using it as your standard I'm most interested in knowing what it is. Thanks in advance.
There are other chargers I have reviewed that do (ie test the internal resistant and others that have a full discharge and capacity test). The VC4 counts the mAh put into the cell which might be of some use if the battery is flat, if it's not then you won't get an accurate "real capacity"
The other charger is the Foxnovo and there is a video review here of that model:
ua-cam.com/video/ztTxY2aUiXA/v-deo.html
That does a full discharge and test on batteries ie you have the real capacity, but there are downsides too
Playlist for chargers and batteries some other ones have test functions (the newer Miboxer ones)
ua-cam.com/play/PLPDCN48jxW_vualtWC8IuQCVTKFbBVmBR.html
Hope that helps
Thanks for the quick response! But the Foxnovo doesn't look like the unit that you use as your reference device,,,, so the mystery continues,,,, :-)
The Foxnovo is the device I use for battery testing so no mystery at all reason is all 4 slots can test cells
it looks similar to this charger here.
www.sistech.com/products-9663-0/swisscharger_g6
I hope that helps.
It's similar but that model also supports Li-ion cells some just do AA/AAA. I have more chargers coming in for review so I'll get around to those eventually
@Mr Baz reviews-- can you tell me how you got to low on the D4 and how you adjust/choose the mAh/amps. Because I tho k 750mAh is far too high to be charging a 14500 in, and I don't wanna ruin that battery
Hold mode button 1 second
Nitecores website seems to be down,not sure im trying to verify my nitecore and its not working...
The problem with the VC4 is it doesn't charge all 4 cells at .500 ma instead it charges at .250 for each. It is super slow, so I used a usb meter to check the amps and voltage it draws and it was under 1 amp charging 4 batteries through USB, so I used a 5 volt 2 amp transformer and it was faster, but USB is slow. I used a usb adapter that is capable of two amps output as well. I wished I had purchased the Nitecore instead. It plugs into the wall, so it must be better than the VC4.
I've not found that problem I use a smart USB charger and it's capable of providing over 2.0 amps output so with 4 cells you can get 0.5 amp per channel. The D4 is the slower charger real world though both are quite good for what they offer
Nitecore has a new charger that I may get, It gives you up to a three amp charge, for those times when you just can't wait, but in reality that is too much current. My go to charger is still my 6 bay Efest charger that can fast charge two of the cells at 2 amps each or it does all at 1amp or .500. I love it, but it gets hot, so you have to keep an eye on it. I don't understand why they didn't put a fan in it. I may add a small one eventually.
Mr Baz, your reviews are excellent. Do you know if there are any good smart chargers which can charge four 26650 protected batteries side-by-side?
Hi I have not used any myself that charge 4 26650's at the same time I'll have a look around to see if there are ones available
I've been looking at the Liitokala chargers because they can show both the internal resistance and the capacity of the battery cell on the display. Yet even their largest model Lii-500 can hold only two 26650 batteries at a time.
Ideally, a good charger would have these qualities (capacity and resistance on display, among other things) and enough place to charge four 26650 battery cells at the same time. This would allow us to leave them charging over night at 10% charging rate (500mA for the 5000mA cells) so that we could use them next morning during diving.
You've made some awesome reviews, did you consider the idea of making a video test of the best 26650 5000mAh to 5500mAh battery cells available in UK/EU at the moment?
This is the battery test I often use to shop for 26650 batteries:
lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common26650IndividualTest%20UK.html
Well I'm working through the batteries slowly I sometimes buy some in to test got a few sent, over time it will build up. I test the capacity and internal resistance and add anything else I have to say if applicable. It would be very time consuming to do detailed tests so I'll leave that to the site you mentioned. Only other option is to get 2 x smaller chargers say the VC2 plus which can handle 2 26650 cells at a time (and can charge 0.5/1.0 amp). Why not charge at 1.0 amp? It won't degrade the battery performance in any way, you can charge 18650's at 1.5amps without hurting the recycle performance
Well, I'm old school and we were taught that the lower the rate (8% to 12%) - the longer the duration of the batteries (less capacity percentage drop). It does not have to be that way with newer LiPO cells with advanced BMS but I guess old habits never die.
I did notice that SOME LiPO and LiFePO4 cells capacity drops drastically if charged at a higher rate. But that could be up to the quality of the manufacturer. More than five years ago some A123 cells were extraordinary compared to the rest, but today there are many manufacturers who have caught up with the LiPO and LiFePO4 demand.
This was noticeable on largers cells (which we were buying), but smaller cells would have a very abrupt capacity and power drop.
Thank you for your fast replies, it's a good idea to get two chargers. I'll definitely buy a Lii-500 cause it has a neat resistance and capacity check on display and a reserve unit with only two 26650 cells.
Hey, I'm a broadcast electronic engineer, 20 years+ exp. Out of all these videos I've spent so much time watching I've yet to see anyone actually test these with a current dvm hooked up. Well I just checked my brand new no record d4 and my results are puzzling enough that I'm compelled to comment. I need much more time testing b4 I go into it, but did anyone know that every time it shows the voltage measurement it's charging current goes to zero? That is essentially pulsing at .3 hrs, (once every three seconds) in many cases the current read out was only telling me what was supposed to be happening as opposed to, you know, MEASURING THE CURRENT. I guess I need to visit an engineering forum next. It seemed all these capabilities were too good to be true, because it was, Is........
If you want a more technical review you can go here:
lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Xtar%20VC4%20UK.html
Most folks just want to know if the charge termination is good and on both chargers it's consistent, I test what I can real world
Hi Mr Baz ; I will charge both low ( 1000 mah exp.18650 battery) batteries. Which one is healthier for you? D4? OR VC4? and which one better revives the battery showing 0 voltage? D4 or VC4. I will choose and buy one according to the information from you. Please answer. Thank you . .....a very successful review....
D4 can't do 1.0amp it's 750mA so maybe the VC4 is the best option for you. Also consider Zanflare C4 quite decent for the price.
@@MrBazReviews There is no zanflare c4 in the country where I am. Does vc4 provide suitable current for low batteries (700-1000 mah)? I know it gives at least 500 volts. Isn't D4 better, which gives 0.375 volts for low batteries in this case?
@@MrBazReviews low voltage isn't better for low batteries? In this case D4 is a better choice for low batteries?
@@ibrahimylmaz4197 500mA is fine for most cells AAA or 16340 Li-ion. It is up to you both are decent the D4 can't take 20/21700 cells if you use those. Either will do the job well enough
@@MrBazReviews Thanks. Which device better charges the battery showing 0 voltage ?
Bought the Nightcore from Amazon, it was DOA. Going to get an XTAR.
Strange to get a DOA oh well hope the Xtar works out for you
Thanks for the great review!
Thanks appreciate the comment
Wich one has a automatic discharge option when the battery alteary full?
Neither has this function you might find the Opus or Dragon worth considering they can test cells
Hi, wish to ask, I am aware of charging with low current Ampere is better for extending battery lifetime
As we only charge two battery with Xtar VC4, will 1A too high for a new battery so we should always prioritized using inner two 0.5A slot or it is okay to use the 1A slot? Will the trade-off be significant for charging time and battery lifespan?
I use 1A for 18650 or larger, for smaller cells Li-ion CR123A/16340 or 14500 0.5A is better
AA I charge at 1.0A and AAA at 0.5A
It is true high current will wear cells out faster, but those speeds are pretty safe for those battery sizes. If you fast charge a 16340 at 1.0A is will wear it out quicker. Most 18650's will take a slight hit at 2.0A (not much), but higher charging will increase wear on them.
Thank you very much, well understood, this is a real good review and very informative.
Ordered VC4 and couple of Xtar 18650 3500mAh after watching your video, do you think it is a good practice to charge them at 1A?
Have you ever use GP rechargeable batteries. I have about 12 years ago found them very good quality. Just wondering if the are still a good make . 🇬🇧
I've used GP pretty good for rechargeable and I've used their small lithium cells also no issues to report
Do you have an updated video on chargers or do you still feel these are both good options?
Nitecore have not updated the D4 (it's still good but can't take 21700 cells), Xtar changed the port to a type C on the newer model, but it's the same charger. I didn't think it was worth making a new video just for that. If Nitecore do a new D4 I would make a new video.
They're both still good chargers, just depends on the battery type you are using and if you want a mains or USB charger
@@MrBazReviews Thanks for the reply! I'm charging 18650B batteries. I bought the Nitecore i2 before watching your videos. From the manual instructions, I think I'm ok using the automatic detection, but am not 100% sure. I'm not super happy that when you tested the batteries using the i2, they weren't at full capacity. I'm thinking about returning it and getting something else and wondered if either of these would be better.
@@BuskerLia The D4 is better with charging accuracy on Li-ion and Ni-MH, the i2 is passable but tends to charge a little lower
@@MrBazReviews thank you!
I've charged 2 26650s at a time in the D4. One in slot 1, one in slot 3
Only if they're flat top it's not properly designed to take and 26650, the connection isn't great
How much you will rate for the vc4? Compare to vc2 plus which one is better for ecig battery
They can both charge 2 x cells at 1.0 amp max so not much difference. Display is down to taste if you only need to charge 2 batteries I'd go with the VC2 Plus smaller and more compact also has USB output so you can use it as a power bank
We need a charger, where you can adjust the charging voltage threshold. If you charge li-ion cells only to 4.1v instead of 4.2v, they will survive significantly more charge cycles = much more economical.
There are very few chargers that can do that, this is one...
bit.ly/2hIg4tf
Two ways of looking at it you can see which chargers terminate a bit less than 4.2V, or just don't let the cells run down charge them at say 20% levels rather than the lowest point.
Isn't the D4 an annalyzer as well, while the VC4 is just a charger?
Nope neither can analyse a battery in any way. The VC4 counts the charge put in but that's it, the D4 the time charging.
Have you tried the 12v DC input with slightly higher/lower voltages for extended loads and times to see if it had wiggle room?
I've not tried it just mains power on the D4
@@MrBazReviews ok, thanks
D4 Does not have the 0v activation / repair which is a shame as I just ordered one. Nevermind it seems it does from your video, although the specs don't mention it.
D4 does have an activation feature, but it's quite short as seen in the video with a Ni-MH cell. Thus I had to re-insert it again to charge. It's not that long about 5 seconds, the Xtar has a much longer activation time thus it's more effective
Can you use this to test the mah capacity of the Lithium-Ion batteries, since the ratings on so many are lies?
You can test how much charge the cells takes on the VC4 in mAh, if the cell is flat. It should give you a decent idea of the capacity, though it's not as accurate as the discharge test that some chargers have (ie Dragon/Opus etc)
Confused between nitecore d4, i4. Xtar x4, vc4. Liitokala lii 500. Can you help?tnx
I have not used the 500, this video compares in detail the Nitecore and Xtar, should be enough to see which of those 2 suits best
@@MrBazReviews what do you currently use, Xtar vc4 or nitecore d4?
@@maich3lbio Mostly the SKYRC one. I was hoping Nitecore would update the D4 to take the larger 21700 cells, but they have not so far
Hey! I am a user which just want to charge 18560 batteries mainly for my flashlight. I do not know much about chargers so my question would be shouls i go VC4 or new nitecore SC4? I get VC4 almost half a price of SC4.
SC4 is faster for charging and has some extra features..however the VC4 is probably good enough for most dual 1.0 amp charging is fine for 18650's
i have smok gx350 vape mod and it takes 4 18650 batteries and i use the lghb6 batteries which are 1500mAh with nominal voltage of 3.6 and discharge of 30A. What type of battery charger do you recommend for charging 4 of these types of batteries at the same time???????
Both will do the VC4 is faster, also there are quicker chargers if you need it but at 1500mAh you can't charge as fast as higher capacity cells. MC4 is also worth a look cheaper and same charge rate as the VC4 (single LED though) half amp for 4 slots or 1 amp for 2 slots.
I have the Nitecore, how long the batteries usually take to charge?
3:35 that is your output (MAX) at the bottom so work out the capacity of the cell and the charge rate for an estimation (all cells slow down later stages of charging) it's a rough guess
I have bought a 1000mah rechargeable batteries and charged it using xtar vc4 upon reaching 500 mah, it displays "FULL"..
Is the battery fake? or defective.
Make sure it's fully discharged/run down is it Ni-MH? Usually they are empty at about 1.0V, charge it and count the display it shouldn't be far off, unless they are low grade cells
Used my D4 for charging NiHM and LIIon and it literally smoked after using 10 - 12 times.
Hi Richard is it a genuine one? Not had any issues with this one so far
Mr Baz Reviews I don't know how to tell. I pitched it now. have a SkyRC MC3000 on the way.
Hi Richard well there should have been a scratch off panel on the box hard to say on this one the transformer is inside the unit no way that should "smoke". The MC3000 looks interesting that can test cells I believe might try to get hold of one to review at some point let me know how you find it would appreciate that. All the best
I’ve noticed with my VC4 that it will show a higher volt reading than my multimeter. I can check a li-ion battery for voltage and if my meter shows 3.8 the VC4 will show 4.0 when I put it in. Have you ever noticed that?
Pretty much they all do say for example 4.20V and be 4.17V or near there they tend to read higher than actual voltage. Main thing is, they terminate charging and the VC4 is accurate on that tends to charge a little more than Nitecore chargers
All batteries have a skin affect. Once taken off a charger. As the voltage will drop. It's caused from heat transfer. After being taken out. They cool off. All Batteries have this issue. Even Cell Tower Backup batteries.. There just more robust in holding a charge...
so VC4 or D4 ?
Hi Ken my take is...I would go with the D4 if I were charging a lot of Ni-MH cells and sometimes lithium. The VC4 is probably the way to go if you charge more lithium cells or need the two bigger bays for wider batteries. Both are equally good at charging (no signs of over charging or premature termination on either).
I would tend to agree for bigger 26650 cells the faster charge rate might be a factor and you can charge 2 at the same time. I use this type only sometimes so single charging is fine for me. Now if Nitecore offered a D4+ with a choice of charging rates a little higher maybe even a test function that would appeal to me.
I use AAA's quite a bit so the lower charge rate is useful to me. Not that I've had a problem with the VC4 for any cell types.
for me xtar is higher quality. ive owned both nightcore and xtar.
VC4 is an amazing charger
So I am buying two Sony VTC4 batteries but I would like a 4 bay because I will get more batteries at some point, what ports should I put the batteries in when only charging two? The first two ports or the two in the middle or does it not matter. Also Sony VTC4 are li ion correct so the xtar would be better for those than d4?
And for XTAR VC4 if you want to charge 2 AAA batteries at 500mA, you can only use slots and 2 and 3, not any of the 4.
Outer slots are 1.0amp charging, insides ones 0.5amp, but if you use 3 or more they are all 0.5amp
@@MrBazReviews It should have the possibility to charge one or 2 AAA batteries at 500mA in any of the 4 slots, not just 2 and 3.
@@spotlight761 Then there would be no way to offer 1.0A charging. It isn't a problem for a simple charger IMO you just use the middle slots for the slower charging speeds, 3 or more cells are 0.5A too so you can get satisfactory results for AAA cells. The only other way of doing it is with slot contacts so shorter cells charge at half and amp, but Xtar have lost their mojo recently the VC4s and VC2s are plain not good chargers
i want to charge four 18650/26650 3.7 volt batteries. which one would be better for fast charging?
VC4 charges at 0.5 amp for 3/4 cells D4 0.375 so the VC4 is faster. Neither are what I would call fast chargers you can charge 2 cells at 1.0 amp on the VC4 or 0.75amp on the D4. If you are using 26650's a lot (ie more than one charging) the VC4 is the better bet it can fit two cells, D4 one if it's button top (flat top might fit 2). If you want faster charging speeds ie 1.0 amp on all four bays you'll need to look at a different model.
Thanks for the vid!
No problem Nad glad you found it useful
Can you use a power bank with the VC4?
Yes you can works fine though you want a 2.1 amp output or higher for max speed you can run it on less
Does it offer a discharge capacity feature?
Hi neither charger can test the capacity on discharge. The VC4 does count the mAh charged into a cell but that's not a proper test as such
20700 bat ?
VC4. D4 does not fit the length of most 20700's
Can someone confirm me which one is the best for sanyo ncr20700b and Ampking 20700 batteries?
Oh and thanks for this review. 🇬🇧👍
No problem 👍
Great review Thanks. do you know if the Xtar VC4 does a discharge feature ? thanks
Neither charger has a discharge feature some models do such as this one (ie testing capability)
ua-cam.com/video/ztTxY2aUiXA/v-deo.html
Hi i have 6 aa battery and 4 18650 and using i4 from nitecore. It gets really hot when charged 4 aa battery at the same time. I'm thinking about changing my i4 to another charger, which one do you recommend? D4 or vc4 or vc4s? And is there any differences between vc4 and vc4s?
VC4 is fine don't like VC4S, D4 is OK but can't charge 21700 or 20700 cells if you ever need to do that
Are those charger are producing a lot of heat for the battery while charging?
When i charge 4 cell of aa battery on my i4 at the same time, it gets really hot and i worried about battery lifespan if it's get hot too often.
@@smithversman They don't get hot the i4 does as mentioned in the review
Are either of these chargers compatible with the 20700 battery? Having problems finding a charger for those cells.
I have some 20700 cells coming in shortly for testing so I'll be able to know fairly soon. Not exactly sure when could be a few weeks at most.
Idontmind I can confirm that my VC4 doesn't accept 20700s, despite many people and indeed XTAR's website claiming otherwise.
The d4 can
im using 21700 batt.. which one do you recommend sir?
D4 Cannot fit 21700 cells so the VC4 is the one to go for in this case
Nitecore chargers are absolute trash. I've bought two within the last year and both ended up literally burning out on me. Both chargers were charging then suddenly stopped charging and smelled like burning electronics. I will NEVER buy a Nitecore charger ever again. I just bought the XTAR VC4H and currently using it right now. We'll see how well it works. I do have a smaller XTAR charger which has a cover for the batteries and doubles as a power bank. I used that for going on about 6 months now and it works great. I just needed a charger with 4 slots instead of 2. I do wish the VC4H had an indicator that showed the current charge of the battery when it is put into the charger, like the smaller 2 slot xtar charger has.
If you buy something and it breaks you should claim the warranty on the product. Some might find experiences different with various makers. I was hoping Nitecore would update their range. on the other hand Xtar were disappointing with some I used (VC4S)
hi, my Opus BT-C3100 fialed and im looking theese 2, onluy chargin 18650 and nimh cells d4 better for me i think, thank you.
Glad I could help also check on Zanflare C4 worth a look
I'm buying a alien mini .and need some 18650s and a battery charger what u recommended thx
Either will work fine for you what about the dual slot chargers? VC2 Plus is pretty decent and portable
Thanks!
do this will test a discharge cycle?
No neither do that, Zanflare C4 is an OK alternative for an affordable tester
@@MrBazReviews thanks, will check that out!
From the Zanflare C4, liitokala Lii-500 and Opus Bt-C3400 which one would you buy?
What do u think is better for 18650 battery d2 or vc4 I don't care about more slots or to one charges all the way to 4.2 v.please answer soon I'm in need of new charger my zanflare c2 is acting up.thanks.also is the d2 and d4 the same besides slots and amps?
D2 is fine but slower charging the VC4 is quicker depends if that matters to you
@@MrBazReviews I was going to get the I-4 2016 Edition but in the comments it seems like it was overheating problems with the LED screen too much BS I guess if people are really concerned about safety you're going to have to spend money and get a great smart charger which might cost up to $75 but at least you have a piece of mind compared to saving a couple of dollars being in trouble people have money for whatever they're buying the batteries to charge for why be cheap on a charger which is the most important part
@@methodman5201 I found the i4 ran hot mainly a problem for Ni-MH AA's and small cells so I'm not comfortable with that, I don't know if they changed the design of it since I looked at it, I only report back what I find. It's OK for Li-ion cells ie 18650's they are bigger and the heat isn't a problem on those. But I think there are better chargers the UM4 is also worth a look I did a review on that recently. D4 is solid, but getting on a bit now, VC4 is reliable if you can live with the barrel connector. I would expect a few updated chargers this year but those ones I mention are good.
@@MrBazReviews thanks I had some Chargers in mind and your opinions reassured what I already thought so now I know I'm good thanks
I couldn't clearly understand, which one do you recommend for the vtc4-s?
As I say they are close on charging performance, the Xtar is USB Powered which could be a con or a pro (if solar charging etc). Xtar faster, the D4 has the option to reduce charging current making it a better choice for smaller lithium cells. I'm not sure what batteries you are using if it's 18650's and 26650's the VC4 is a bit faster, if you are more mixed use the D4 might be a better bet
Thank you so much! Then I think I will go with the xtar since I only use 18650 vtc4-s. Earned a sub man. Keep up the quality contant! :D
No problem let me know how you find it. Thanks appreciate all the support will be doing some giveaways soon so stay tuned!
Sir Braz have you reviewed the enook x4 becauSe they offer me enook x4 which is better xtar vc4 or enook x4 please help me thanks
I have not used that charger I can't really say it seems to do faster charging but that doesn't always mean better charging I know the Xtar and Nitecore chargers are solid enough I'd stick to ones that are better known myself
Mr Baz Reviews hi Sir i would like to ask how many hours do you charge a almost drain battery 3% its vtc6 thanks
Can the vc4 do a discharge test?
No it can't do that nor can the D4
Is it good for mini 4wd sir?
D4 is mains powered
Can a D4 tell how much mAh they put in the battery when charging?
No it's doesn't have that function just the charging rate and a timer
@@MrBazReviews i need a charger that has the function i told you before, what is your opinion?
I’m looking at buying one of these do they automatically stop charging so I can sleep and leave them or do they need to tended to??
They stop charging automatically the VC4 has a top off for Ni-MH but ceases charging once completed so they are both safe to leave on. Li-ion charging stops completely on both chargers most decent ones will
Mr Baz Reviews ohh okay should I get the nitecore because it looks more user friendly?
Depends what cells you are charging if it's high capacity Li-ion the Xtar is faster, if you use a mix and smaller cells then the D4 might suit better. Neither are hard to use, the Xtar adjusts current based on the slots you use so middle ones 0.5A, outer 1.0A..or more than 2 it's 0.5A. The Nitecore is 750mA unless you adjust it down for 2 slots so you will want to us the Low mode for CR123A/16340 or AAA cells
Mr Baz Reviews I’m using 18650 for vaping
Then it's down to charging speed if that's important to you and how many cells you are charging
Nitecore d4 Eu are quick charge bro?
No mains powered so not quick charge. Charging speed are shown for both
@@MrBazReviews thank u bro for the information👍😁
@@eliaman7777 No problem
I have the VC4 and totally hate it, bought it like a year ago... The input we touch it and it makes the charger change the output power to even 0mah or make the screen flicker and I never forced the input, the cable is garbage and the socket too, also the reported mah are way off... I have Samsung 18650 3000mah and they always charge around 2300mah reported on the screen no matter if it's at 500mah or 1A charge.
When I charge the same batteries on my old IMAX B6 they actually report around 3000mah like it was supposed to...
Pros and cons to both
Can i charge xtar vc4 by 18w or 20w mobile phone charger?
You can it will work you are looking for 2A+ output on the charger for best speed
@@MrBazReviews Thank you sir...
the usb cable alone beats nitecore by a mile. being a usb cable charger it can be plugged into power bank, or portablr power pack and even solar panel.
Those are reasonable points to make for the USB connection. I'd prefer if they included a charger for the USB output rather than an add on item. Solar charging is an option though would require a fairly high output panel to get decent rates on all four slots. I tend to use single or dual slot chargers for solar panels
which one is better ?
Depends on your needs I use NiMH cells quite a lot as well as lithium so I find the D4 better (I can set it to a lower charge for AAA's for example). If you use a lot of lithium cells the VC4 has some advantages (faster charging)
Other consideration is USB power or mains the VC4 needs a decent 2.1amp USB port to work at the highest charging speeds, the transformer is built into the D4. Pros and cons for both models there isn't a lot to pick between them in charging performance (both terminate correctly and don't under or over charge). Hope that helps a bit
D4 in this case. the VC4 looks good and has nice features, but being forced to find a strong USB charger to work with it is retarded. if they gave to a mains AC option like the Nitecore does, it would be a coin-toss decision. but they don't, so i'd quickly vote D4.
Does anybody know of a charger that allows measurement of discharge of batteries i.e. testing used 18650's
Here is a list: lygte-info.dk/info/roundCellChargerIndex%20Analyzer%20UK.html
According to Nitecore the D4 can charge more then 1 26650 at a time.
It depends if it's button top or not that's the problem the button cells can slip off the contacts. You can just about get 2 flat top ones in there sort of
What about 20700 batteries!?
Unprotected ones fit both of these and other chargers, the protected ones are longer and don't fit
I'm I better with the 2 one instead of the 4 .and what batteries would u recommended thx for getting back to me going to order tonight thx dave
Hello brother! My wall adaptor that use 2.1a 5v gets hot when im charging my vc4. Is that okay? Thanks for the reply.
Hi Neo what make is it? Might get warm they shouldn't really get "hot" during use
I actually dont know what's the benchmark for being warm or hot. But i can hold it in my hand but it's very warm.
Do you have a link to the charger? if it's a reputable make I'd not be overly concerned. I have seen some of the Apple looking clones cheap ones and they're not good at all most of them.
Is your receptacle loose?
i only need a charger for 18650 and AA batteries what would you recommend
Do you want USB charging or mains? That would be my main decision. VC4 is a bit faster for charging both are spot on for the charging quality nothing to pick between them in that regard. For home use I prefer the D4 if you travel around a bit the VC4 might be better for you.
it would only be used at home so charger doesn't matter
get the D4. the VC4 looks nice but its reliance of a strong USB charger is absolutely idiotic.
It would have made more sense to include the USB mains adapter for the VC4 rather then making it an "add on"
I have an Anker Power Port 40W (5 Ports) charger - does that qualify? Sorry, electronics n00b here...
VC4 can charge flat tops?
Both can wouldn't be much use if they couldn't!
Mr Baz Reviews I guess so, never used flat tops before and considering buying a Zebralight which does. Thanks for taking the time to reply.
how do i charge my 20700's? n chargers seem to allow for charging of 20700's
Hi that type of cell is longer I'm trying to get hold of a few to test and try with chargers. I expect most won't allow charging as they are designed for 18650 length batteries (26650's are the same length just much larger girth)
I got mine to fit but its a tight fit not very easy being how thin they are trying to hold it strait but will get easier as you do it more I have a older luc v4 charger and looking for a new charger with more room and will accept double a
I have SMOK GX350 vape mod and it takes 4 18650 batteries and i use LG HG2 18650 20A (flat top) 3000 mAh batteries which are normal voltage of 3.6.
Can I charge my batteries with the Nitecore D4?
Of course both chargers will charge any 3.6/3.7V 18650 Li-ion it just depends on if speed is important the D4 is a bit slower, the VC4 is faster but I've also looked at other fast chargers if you need quicker charging (ie 1.0amp on 4 slots etc)
@@MrBazReviews how slow is the D4? If I charge all 4 18650 batteries how long would it take? 1h? 2?
Quite a while all 4 slots 375mA so divide capacity by that, VC4 500mA (all 4 again). They're OK for 2 batteries 750mA and 1.0 amp but a lot slower for 3 or more just bear that in mind.
I did look at some 4/6 slot chargers the 6 slot one is pretty quick I think it's aimed more at vapers using quite a few batteries it can do all 6 slots at 1.0amp or 3 at 2.0amp one of the faster ones I've looked at.
ua-cam.com/video/K_mAK7OsLhU/v-deo.html
I have SMOK GX350 KIT with all original parts and all that.
V8-T8 Octuple Coil Head (0.15ohm) And V8-Q4 Quadruple Coil Head (0.15ohm)
witch type of Liquid should I use? Then I mean VG and PG.
Stick with the high VG (say 80%) it's smoother if you vape at high power levels, if it's lower you can go for 50/50 but it varies on quality. If you use nicotine use only low levels it will tear you up I don't vape at big power so 50/50 is alright for me Dekang is OK for budget juice
Vc4 fit 20700?
Unprotected yes VC4 fits, D4 does not
Xtar is way better because it tells you the capacity of thd battery. Nitecore doesnt have that...
yes it does.... -_- ffs people like you need to fuck off and stop causing problems.
Xtar VC4 cable is not that big a deal. You can make one. If for some reason you ruin it... The best one for the money. VC4 just because it's portable. You can make a USB C cable to fit it. Which gives you 100 watts output...Then use a USB brick charger with a USB C port...
And being $12.00 US. it's the better deal..
Xtar used to be good, not so much these days
"China's Got Quality" Right on front. Comedy always helps.
It's a bit suspect I think in Xtar's case
I have or more likely had nitecore older generation charger with LED indicators, gave up the ghost after 4 years of light use. Not impressed!
I gave some away some lasted OK some not so much
@@MrBazReviews I've got xtar 4 years ago after you review I guess. Still going strong, one green LED indicator is long gone though, hopefully it'll last at least another 4 years. I don't charge batteries too often, mostly after Christmas 8)
@@killbasa2000 I gave up on Xtar a while back but as with any products it's hard to judge reliability.
Too bad the Nitecore D4 can't display mAh, only volt.
It is a shame I am surprised Nitecore have not updated this charger it has been very popular
I really hate the Xtar requires a usb power brick.
It is an oversight
7hrs+ for 3x18650.
That's Annoyingly long.
Neither are particularly fast for charging speeds, there are faster ones out there