Xtar VX2 Pro Battery Analyzer and Charger
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- This does much more than a daily battery charger
- It has a function for batteries being put into storage and to rejuvenate outdated NiMH batteries
- The 2 charging slots can be utilized independently
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I’ve labored exhausting over the previous few years to maneuver away from disposable alkaline batteries and change them with rechargeable equivalents. In any case, there are some nice manufacturers of rechargeable AAA, AA, C, and D cell batteries out there that may final you for years.
And I’ve discovered that one of the simplest ways to care for these batteries is to cost them utilizing an honest charger. Too many chargers pile within the amps, which in flip bakes the battery and dramatically shortens its lifespan. There’s much more to charging a battery than simply pushing energy into it as quick as doable.
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In my seek for respectable and reasonably priced battery chargers, I’ve come throughout one that’s filled with superior options, making it not solely an excellent charger but in addition a precious workshop and diagnostic instrument. If you happen to’re in search of a battery charger that does all of it, the Xtar VX2 Professional is a good possibility to think about.
The VX2 Professional is a two-slot battery charger that may take all kinds of cell varieties and sizes. You may pop in AA, AAA, C, D, 18650, 21700, and extra, and the unit will routinely detect the battery’s chemistry, providing a wide selection of features that will help you get probably the most out of your battery.
The massive LCD display screen is shiny and clear, displaying all the mandatory details about the unit’s batteries. The buttons can help you flip by means of the totally different options, and I discovered that this was a kind of bits of tech the place I benefited from studying the handbook.
The charger contains a USB-C port for charging and features a 20W charger and cable. It additionally comes with a useful storage bag to maintain every little thing collectively when not in use.
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On the most elementary degree, you’ve got charging, which brings the battery to full capability within the most secure method doable. It’ll routinely detect the battery chemistry and decide the optimum energy to ship to the battery, or you possibly can override this setting to customise the cost. I discover that low-current prices — this unit does all the way down to 0.25A — are an effective way to delay battery life for those who’re not in a rush to recharge the cells.
The Xtar VX2 Professional can trickle cost batteries at 0.25A, or quick cost them at 2A.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Charging is what most individuals will probably be utilizing, however there’s much more to this unit.
Along with charging, it might probably additionally discharge the battery all the way down to its cut-off voltage, permitting you to measure the cell’s capability and full a full recharge cycle.
There’s additionally a grading mode that means that you can take a look at the battery’s capability beneath real-world charging circumstances. I discover this extraordinarily helpful for figuring out worn batteries, matching battery capacities when utilizing a number of batteries in a tool and making certain they’re balanced, and likewise for verifying producers’ battery capability claims (you would be stunned what number of make over-inflated claims).
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There’s additionally a storage mode function that prices cells to the optimum voltage for storage, lowering self-discharge, slowing growing older, and increasing battery life. That is nice when you have stuff that goes into storage for prolonged durations (issues like seasonal decorations that use batteries).
There’s additionally a refresh perform for NiMH batteries to assist remove the cost “reminiscence” they’ll develop over time, thereby regaining the flexibility to be charged totally. I’ve recovered many a battery from the recycling pile utilizing this function (for instance, I saved a number of dozen batteries that have been inside photo voltaic backyard lights).
The show is huge and clear and tells you every little thing that you must know!
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The 2 slots work independently, permitting you to have two totally different batteries present process two separate procedures, which is a pleasant function.
With quite a few rechargeable batteries out there at this time that may be charged instantly utilizing USB-C, chances are you’ll marvel concerning the utility of a standalone charger. If all you’ve got are USB-C rechargeable batteries, you in all probability do not want a standalone charger.
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Nevertheless, when you have different sorts of batteries or are a fixer who must restore them, a charger like this is useful. I’ve additionally used mine to repair a USB-C rechargeable battery that refused to cost utilizing USB-C as a result of it had gone too chilly in some unspecified time in the future.
For me, there’s a whole lot of worth in a charger just like the VX2 Professional.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Xtar VX2 Pro Battery Analyzer and Charger is likely one of the most feature-packed battery chargers I’ve used. Not solely does it excel at charging batteries, but it surely’s additionally an excellent diagnostic and restore instrument. I should have refreshed and rejuvenated a few dozen batteries over the previous few weeks, and a handful of these would not cost in my different charger.
Priced at $33, this unit could be very competitively priced, contemplating the options it presents. It is undoubtedly discovered an area on my workbench (and individuals who know me know simply how restricted that’s!).
