Good day to everyone, XTAR has sent me their new charger, the VX4. They asked me to look it over and test some of it's features, and to share my thoughts with anyone who may be looking for a new charger and find it suitable for their needs. They also sent me some of their newly released cells and asked me my thoughts on them. They sent me this stuff free of charge, but did not ask me to say anything in particular or give any direction. So the usual caveats, these are my personal thoughts and are no way colored by XTAR. On to the review.
Here is the website link to the device with all the pertinent information, https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-visible-mixer-vx4-charger.html. But I'll try to summarize all the pertinent points.
- It's universal, this thing will charge any modern chemistry. As they say, jaw dropping compatibility
- Besides LifePO4, it automatically detects chemistry and selects the appropriate charging algorithm
- Seems to be a pretty accurate capacity tester, including 1.5v lithium ions
- Nice screen shows all the important information.
- Charges every cell size
- And like their other chargers, it has a low voltage recovery mode to gently charge over-discharged cells.
It comes in a pretty standard white retail package with charger, 20W USB-C PD wall power supply, 2 1/2' USB-C-C cable, and the retail unit will come with a manual.
It's sturdily built, and I was unable to find a cell size that did not fit perfectly, from a AAA to a button top 21700 and protected 26650.
Basic operation is as follows.
- Besides LifePO4, all you have to do is insert any cell, in any slot, and it will detect and then start charging. Current selection is done by clicking the C/V button, whether there is a cell inserted or not. Unfortunately, you cannot select per bay, charge rate is universal. For lithium ion and LifePO4, charging rate is 3.0Ax1, 2.0Ax2, 1.0Ax4, 0.5Ax4, 0.25Ax4. And both 1.5v lithium ion and NIMH is 0.5Ax4.
- Holding the C/V button for a few seconds switches the charger to LifePO4 mode, in this mode it will still charge 1.5v lithium ion and NIMH.
- Pressing the mode button switches between showing charging current and how many mah has gone into the cell. Holding the mode button switches between charging and capacity testing mode. Capacity test fully charges the cell, discharges down to 2.5v, and fully charging again. It's nice to have a charger that can discharge all the way down to 2.5v, as that is what most spec sheets rate cells at.
-The MWH/MAH button switches between showing either when a capacity test is done. Holding the button turns the display backlight on and off.
Overall, I'm quite happy with it and it will replace the MiBoxer C4 as my everyday charger. Only suggestion I would have to make it better is being able to control individual bays in relation to charging current.
As an addition, they sent me some of their new cells for me to take a look at. I've honestly been a bit impressed with their new cells. Most I won't have much use for as most of my devices work much better with non-protected cells. And these are all protected. But still quality cells. I don't have the experience or equipment to test things like HJK or Mooch, but I can share my findings.
They sent me a new 3500mah, and 4000mah 18650 cells. Both are rated at 10A discharge, and the 3500mah cell is even rated at 800 cycles. I was particularly impressed with the 4000mah cell, as it provided a really nice discharge curve, with most of its capacity above 3.5V. This is rare among high capacity 18650s, which have a majority of their capacity down around 3.2v and below. Useless for our flashlights without boostdrivers. The 3500mah cell also had a nice discharge curve, but the 4000mah cell is even more impressive given its capacity. Look at that, 4096mah! From an 18650. https://www.xtardirect.com/products...650-4000mah-10a-protected-lithium-ion-battery
Another cell I really liked is their 850mah 16340. Measured a full 896mah. And it's protected. And, it's the same size as a primary cr123a, which is rare for this capacity and protection. They fit in a Surefire A2 aviator, am E2E executive, and the mb20 holder of an M6 Guardian. I need to find how to get more of these! https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-16340-850mah-2.5a-battery.html
I also received a 6000mah 26650. I measured 6235mah and also exhibited the excellent high voltage holding discharge. It can also be seen in the above picture. https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-26650-6000mah-10a-battery.html
Here is the website link to the device with all the pertinent information, https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-visible-mixer-vx4-charger.html. But I'll try to summarize all the pertinent points.
- It's universal, this thing will charge any modern chemistry. As they say, jaw dropping compatibility
- Besides LifePO4, it automatically detects chemistry and selects the appropriate charging algorithm
- Seems to be a pretty accurate capacity tester, including 1.5v lithium ions
- Nice screen shows all the important information.
- Charges every cell size
- And like their other chargers, it has a low voltage recovery mode to gently charge over-discharged cells.
It comes in a pretty standard white retail package with charger, 20W USB-C PD wall power supply, 2 1/2' USB-C-C cable, and the retail unit will come with a manual.
It's sturdily built, and I was unable to find a cell size that did not fit perfectly, from a AAA to a button top 21700 and protected 26650.
Basic operation is as follows.
- Besides LifePO4, all you have to do is insert any cell, in any slot, and it will detect and then start charging. Current selection is done by clicking the C/V button, whether there is a cell inserted or not. Unfortunately, you cannot select per bay, charge rate is universal. For lithium ion and LifePO4, charging rate is 3.0Ax1, 2.0Ax2, 1.0Ax4, 0.5Ax4, 0.25Ax4. And both 1.5v lithium ion and NIMH is 0.5Ax4.
- Holding the C/V button for a few seconds switches the charger to LifePO4 mode, in this mode it will still charge 1.5v lithium ion and NIMH.
- Pressing the mode button switches between showing charging current and how many mah has gone into the cell. Holding the mode button switches between charging and capacity testing mode. Capacity test fully charges the cell, discharges down to 2.5v, and fully charging again. It's nice to have a charger that can discharge all the way down to 2.5v, as that is what most spec sheets rate cells at.
-The MWH/MAH button switches between showing either when a capacity test is done. Holding the button turns the display backlight on and off.
Overall, I'm quite happy with it and it will replace the MiBoxer C4 as my everyday charger. Only suggestion I would have to make it better is being able to control individual bays in relation to charging current.
As an addition, they sent me some of their new cells for me to take a look at. I've honestly been a bit impressed with their new cells. Most I won't have much use for as most of my devices work much better with non-protected cells. And these are all protected. But still quality cells. I don't have the experience or equipment to test things like HJK or Mooch, but I can share my findings.
They sent me a new 3500mah, and 4000mah 18650 cells. Both are rated at 10A discharge, and the 3500mah cell is even rated at 800 cycles. I was particularly impressed with the 4000mah cell, as it provided a really nice discharge curve, with most of its capacity above 3.5V. This is rare among high capacity 18650s, which have a majority of their capacity down around 3.2v and below. Useless for our flashlights without boostdrivers. The 3500mah cell also had a nice discharge curve, but the 4000mah cell is even more impressive given its capacity. Look at that, 4096mah! From an 18650. https://www.xtardirect.com/products...650-4000mah-10a-protected-lithium-ion-battery
Another cell I really liked is their 850mah 16340. Measured a full 896mah. And it's protected. And, it's the same size as a primary cr123a, which is rare for this capacity and protection. They fit in a Surefire A2 aviator, am E2E executive, and the mb20 holder of an M6 Guardian. I need to find how to get more of these! https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-16340-850mah-2.5a-battery.html
I also received a 6000mah 26650. I measured 6235mah and also exhibited the excellent high voltage holding discharge. It can also be seen in the above picture. https://www.xtar.cc/product/xtar-26650-6000mah-10a-battery.html
