Deciding between LaCrosse BC-900 and Maha MH-C9000

[Handlobraesing]

I no longer have my BC-900 as it's been replaced with a Maha MH-C9000

After having some experience with both, I'm comparing the two.



MH-C9000:
Four bays, AA & AAA
Charge up to 2A, discharge up to 1A, any config
Current setting is adjustable in 0.1A increments.

Functions
Charge only
Discharge only
Break-in
test (program in cell capacity in mAh, then it would test the capacity, takes about two days)
Cycles: repeat a routine you program in 1-15(12?) times.


one section display that rotates through each bay.
Backlit

When a cell is inserted, it would start as "1A charge". To do anything else, the user must manually define the function and parameters, every time, for each bay.

BC-900:
Charge up to 1A w/ 3 or 4 bays used. 1.8A with 1 or 2 bays used. discharge 0.5A

Available(charge): 0.2A,0.5A,0.7A,1A, 1.5A, 1.8A
discharge: 0.1A, 0.25A, 0.35A and 0.5A,

You can't change the charge and discharge independently. The charge and discharge ratio is always 2:1.

four section display that shows the selected value of all four bays at once.
Unlit

Functions:
Charge only
Refresh (discharge-charge-discharge-charge-discharge-charge)
Test: charge-discharge-charge


When a cell is inserted it would start at 0.2A charge. When multiple cells are inserted at the same time, changing setting affects globally. It is possible to set each bay to do a different function, but it is tricky as if you don't follow the procedure (which isn't in the manual), you'll affect the rest of the bays.

 

[macdude22]

I think it's important to note that the build quality of the C9000 is much higher. The buttons on the Bc900 are absolute garbage.

 

[NA8]

Does Lacrosse actually have research and design capabilities, or do they just market various products that they obtain the rights to ? It seems as if someone thought up a nice design, but it appears to be a one hit wonder. They don't seem to be able to produce an improved version of the initial production design even when people email them the specs Maha on the other hand appears to have the capability to initiate design improvements in an ongoing series of models.

 

[coppertrail]

FWIW, I haven't used the BC-900 since my C9000 arrived . . . I agree, the buttons on the BC-900 are difficult, I have to press the buttons pretty hard to get them to work. The charger has worked fine, I just find the C9000 to be a better overall charger.

 

[HarveyRich]

Originally Posted by NA8: Does Lacrosse actually have research and design capabilities, or do they just market various products that they obtain the rights to ? It seems as if someone thought up a nice design, but it appears to be a one hit wonder. They don't seem to be able to produce an improved version of the initial production design even when people email them the specs...

That's a good question. However, they have improved the software, which appears to have been responsible for some meltdowns in the original version, under some circumstances. They've been through three or four software upgrades. BTW, I don't find the buttons particularly hard to use on the BC-900 and it's easy to set individual channel controls too, once you know how to do it. The channels are pretty close together, though, which makes it somewhat difficult to get one battery out when you want to leave another in--a minor problem, IMHO. I suspect the Maha is a better charger (I don't own one), but the price is some $25 more expensive too. Well, it was when I purchased the BC-900. Life is full of trade-offs.

Harvey

 

[Handlobraesing]

That's a good question. However, they have improved the software, which appears to have been responsible for some meltdowns in the original version, under some circumstances. They've been through three or four software upgrades. BTW, I don't find the buttons particularly hard to use on the BC-900 and it's easy to set individual channel controls too, once you know how to do it. The channels are pretty close together, though, which makes it somewhat difficult to get one battery out when you want to leave another in--a minor problem, IMHO. I suspect the Maha is a better charger (I don't own one), but the price is some $25 more expensive too. Well, it was when I purchased the BC-900. Life is full of trade-offs.

Harvey

The LCDs allocated to one of the bays screwed up on mine. I sold it on eBay...

 

[HarveyRich]

Originally Posted by Handlobraesing: The LCDs allocated to one of the bays screwed up on mine. I sold it on eBay...

I guess we should take this to mean "caveat emptor" when buying merchandise, especially second hand merchandise, on ebay?

Harvey

 

[Handlobraesing]

I guess we should take this to mean "caveat emptor" when buying merchandise, especially second hand merchandise, on ebay?

Harvey

No. You should take this as "read the description, don't bid after reading just the title and ask questions before bidding". It was "cripped" and I didn't want it anymore. It was listed as such and someone bought it. If someone wants it, there's no reason not to sell it.

Most second hand goods have no warranty be it automobiles, computers, electronics, etc.

 

[wptski]

No. You should take this as "read the description, don't bid after reading just the title and ask questions before bidding". It was "cripped" and I didn't want it anymore. It was listed as such and someone bought it. If someone wants it, there's no reason not to sell it.

Most second hand goods have no warranty be it automobiles, computers, electronics, etc.

Even "new" products don't have a warranty when resold on eBay! MS doesn't backup anything sold on eBay. Fluke doesn't unless it's a Authorized Fluke Dealer but there are a few on eBay though!