Is this 2AA/AAA Sony Compact Charger BCG-34HS2K smart or dumb?

[Sugarboy]

BCG-34HS2K

Charger for Cycle Energy Ni-MH Batteries
Compact Charger with 2 X AA size Cycle Energy Blue rechargeable batteries. Having an ultra small and lightweight design with direct plug-in, it is also able to charge AA or AAA Ni-MH batteries in approximately 9 hours.
• Ultra small and light weight with sophisticated design
• Includes 2 X AA size Cycle Energy Blue rechargeable batteries
• Charges 1 to 2 AA or AAA Ni-MH batteries in approximately 9 hours
• Direct plug-in
• Worldwide Voltage
• Safety features include primary battery detection and safety timer

General
Mains Input Voltage AC 100 - 240V
Input Frequency 50/60 Hz
Charging Output DC 1.2V, AA: 280mA x 2, AAA: 110mA x 2
Operating Temperature 0 ~ 35 degrees celsius
Size (W/L/H) 100 x 180 x 82mm
Weight 160 g

http://www.sony-asia.com/product/bcg-34hs2k

i got it off the street for a mere 60HKD (~7-8USD only!) as a cheap gift for my dad, which comes with 2 Sony Cycle Energy 2,000mah typical LSD AA (Made in China).

it claims it can charge 1-2 AA/AAA cells at a time (2 independent channels?) i was wondering if it is a smart or a dumb charger?

i don't hv any battery tester. my primary charger is Powerex-Maha C801D which i'm pretty much very satisfied with (other than its bulkiness & non-chic design ).

 

[PeAK]

...i was wondering if it is a smart or a dumb charger?
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The links to specs can be found at the sony support page.
According to the PDF, this is a timer based charger that should be used on fully discharged batteries. I took a shot of the relevant page(s):

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[Sugarboy]

i guess i'll only let this charger touch my older/cheaper LSD cells then~~ :green:

i think it's still a good bang for the money assuming those LSD cells can only be charged for 50-100 times, as caused by the presumpted damage by stupid chargers ??

 

[PeAK]

...LSD cells can only be charged for 50-100 times, as caused by the presumpted damage by stupid chargers ??

The main benefit of smart chargers is the convenience of shorter waits between charges. There are a lot of smart chargers that behave "dumb" and the consequences are similar to when you elect a president that you "expect to be smart": unexpected PROBLEMS. There are advantages to a timed charger over a smart charger provided you run down the batteries before charging. Due to inefficiencies in not all of the charge being converted, the duration of charger for your Sony Charger might be perfect for LSD cells. I think the larger capacity 2700 cells would be undercharged.