Chargers? Good and bad

[Quintusson]

Hi,

When lockdown's over I am looking at getting a new charger, but the question is which? Golisi, Efest, Tesiyi or Nitecore? Are there any others? Preferably a 4 bay (or larger) charger.

What are the good and the bad of each - and this is more aimed at those people who've had some of these chargers for 9 months or longer as by that time if a charger gave issues one would have known about it.

Added a poll for curious sake, but if you want me to expand on it, let me know, e.g. should I break down the Nitecore chargers in D vs Q vs I ranges.

Thanking you for your comments ahead of time.

 

[Christos]

I swear by Xtar and would recommend the brand. At the end of the day it’s up to you and your budget but I like to see a visual or a voltage indicator when I put my batteries in the charger.

I’m currently using the xtar queen ant and have an i8 but the i8 I use for AA rechargeables.

 

[M.Adhir]

I've been using two D4's for over 2 years, no issue so far and they fit 20/21700 well enough.
Also have an i8 which i tend to use for newer batteries only, limitation being that its 18650 or smaller so i use it for 18650 as well as my rechargeable AA and AAA batts.
Voltage indicator is a good thing to be able to see (i at least am able to notice when my batteries are degenerating/ starting to lose more power than they were losing a month ago, and taking longer to charge).
Was looking at getting a bigger xtar but havent been able to find the right one locally yet.

 

[Stranger]

I have the Nitecore i2. Had it for a few years now and it is in daily use for my 18650's and 20700. It also gets duty for the X box controller AA rechargeable and the 18650 torch batteries.
Reliable as anything and never a problem (touch wood) I would be lost without it.
Features I like are the indicators and the 1 amp priority charge and as I am a camper, very importantly that it can run off 12 V. It also will refuse to charge some of the 18650's that come with the China made torches so I avoid using these at all.

 

[Quintusson]

I swear by Xtar and would recommend the brand. At the end of the day it’s up to you and your budget but I like to see a visual or a voltage indicator when I put my batteries in the charger.

I’m currently using the xtar queen ant and have an i8 but the i8 I use for AA rechargeables.

Thanks, I have added Xtar to the list. Any idea who sells them or if they are even available locally?

 

[BumbleBee]

Brand wise I’d pick Nitecore every time, just pick the one with the features you need. I’ve pretty much used all their models but favour the Q4 because the springs aren’t as stiff as the others so getting batteries (especially 21700) in and out is a breeze so I don’t have to rewrap my batteries every time I charge them.... looking at you Efest

 

[CashKat88]

Thanks, I have added Xtar to the list. Any idea who sells them or if they are even available locally?

I would love an Xtar too but no idea where to find them, i have a Nitecore i4 and a golisi i2, they both great , i4 get daily use for 18650's and 21700's, golisi does my AA batts so much better then nitecore and works like a dream when i travel(Comes with travel pouch), golisi also has screen that displays percentage and volts which i really like, wish the nitecore had that too

 

[Rob Fisher]

I have had more than a few chargers... I loved my Golisi because its display was brilliant... but it went faulty. FAIL! I have had my Fest 6 SLot Bluetooth charger for a long time and it fits all the batteries and has performed well... but it only has lights to indicate the charge and you need to use the app on your phone to see the details which is a bit of a pain.

I have an Xtar VC8 Smart Charger in my Amazon basket waiting for the lockdown to finish... and it appears to be all things to all people!

 

[Christos]

I have had more than a few chargers... I loved my Golisi because its display was brilliant... but it went faulty. FAIL! I have had my Fest 6 SLot Bluetooth charger for a long time and it fits all the batteries and has performed well... but it only has lights to indicate the charge and you need to use the app on your phone to see the details which is a bit of a pain.

I have an Xtar VC8 Smart Charger in my Amazon basket waiting for the lockdown to finish... and it appears to be all things to all people!

View attachment 194130

I need this!

 

[Christos]

Thanks, I have added Xtar to the list. Any idea who sells them or if they are even available locally?

https://eciggies.co.za/index.php?_route_=Xtar-D4-4-slot-Quick-Charger-with-LED-Screen

 

[Rob Fisher]

I need this!

Shall I add one to the basket for you @Christos?

 

[Chickenstrip]

I'm using an old i4 nitecore from around 2012-2013 and it's going swimmingly.

 

[Christos]

Shall I add one to the basket for you @Christos?

Thank you!

 

[M.Adhir]

I have had more than a few chargers... I loved my Golisi because its display was brilliant... but it went faulty. FAIL! I have had my Fest 6 SLot Bluetooth charger for a long time and it fits all the batteries and has performed well... but it only has lights to indicate the charge and you need to use the app on your phone to see the details which is a bit of a pain.

I have an Xtar VC8 Smart Charger in my Amazon basket waiting for the lockdown to finish... and it appears to be all things to all people!

View attachment 194130

Can i be allowed to want one too

 

[Asterix]

Running an Xtar VC4 (about 12 months and my favorite. It comfortably takes my 21700’s) and a Nitecore D4 (for my 18650’s) which is still running well after 2 and half years.

I have also had two Nitecore i2’s in this period and both didn’t last very long.

 

[Quintusson]

Running an Xtar VC4 (about 12 months and my favorite. It comfortably takes my 21700’s) and a Nitecore D4 (for my 18650’s) which is still running well after 2 and half years.

I have also had two Nitecore i2’s in this period and both didn’t last very long.

That's the thing. I also have a Nitecore I2, my second one in fact, and this one is also giving me hassles now. Thought the first one was just dumb luck but seems not to be. Also, looking for 4 bay or more since my wife is now vaping as well and thus there is a almost constant stream of batteries that need charging.

 

[Raindance]

Not going to make claims which is best for I lack experience with many makes.

This little Nitecore has been charging all day every day for almost four and a half years without missing a beat so it must be a pretty good choice.

Regards

 

[Quintusson]

Quick Google search brought me here:
https://shop.genuinebatteries.co.za/chargers-18650

 

[Quintusson]

Not going to make claims which is best for I lack experience with many makes.
View attachment 194168
This little Nitecore has been charging all day every day for almost four and a half years without missing a beat so it must be a pretty good choice.

Regards

That's a D2. @Asterix mentioned he has a D4 which has been running for 2 & 1/2 years now without fail, but same as me, his I2's gave him issues. Will look into the D-series then as well.

 

[Alex]

I also have an O-Light charger that's been working reliably going on 5+ years now.

 

[Timwis]

I swear by Xtar and would recommend the brand. At the end of the day it’s up to you and your budget but I like to see a visual or a voltage indicator when I put my batteries in the charger.

I’m currently using the xtar queen ant and have an i8 but the i8 I use for AA rechargeables.

It's funny how peoples experience is different, i have or had xtar, Nitecore and Golishi chargers and only one has failed and had a problem with the spring mechanism snapping just pushing a 21700 in place which actually rather than just that bay stopped the bay next to it also charging essentially turning the D4 into a D2 on my D4 charger. Both chargers i have had issues with have been xtar chargers while Nitecore have been so reliable but am also impressed with the Golishi charger i am mainly using now!

 

[Jean claude Vaaldamme]

My Golisi has been running for 1.5 years non stop without a problem. Even forgotten batteries in it for 3+ days. I like that it shows the percentage of charge on every battery when inserted and you can check percentage till its 100%
Also great that it uses a usb, so for camping and loadshedding I can still use it. Only problem is I stuffed 2 cellphone chargers with it as it draws to many amps when more than 1 battery is being charged, so had to get one of these charge stations with multi usb that gives something like 7 or 9 amps. But this charge station is great and all usb devices now get charged from it and not all these chargers everywhere.

 

[Timwis]

Running an Xtar VC4 (about 12 months and my favorite. It comfortably takes my 21700’s) and a Nitecore D4 (for my 18650’s) which is still running well after 2 and half years.

I have also had two Nitecore i2’s in this period and both didn’t last very long.

My VC4S lasted 2 months unfortunately.

 

[Resistance]

the only charger had for +/- 2years. It might not be the best, but for me it is, it can also be used as a charger in an emergency(power bank) and takes different sizes including AAA.

 

[Quintusson]

I'm using an old i4 nitecore from around 2012-2013 and it's going swimmingly.

Missed this for some reason. Seems to be then only the I2's which are not up to scratch.