Nitecore Intellicharger i4

I have 2 older versions of the Nitecore I been using for a few years without any problems. I didn't even know there was another new version. I pretty much put them in and forget it. I remove the batteries when fully charged, many times this happens overnight. I use it for my AA's and 18650's. This new version looks like the 18650 fit a little better, the one I have 18650 fit tight, it's a pain at times to get them in. There are more features in this new version, with that comes more confusion IMO. My units have no buttons or charging choices. I try not to mix battery types when I charge but that's just me.

I found this video but there's all kinds of reviews and info if you search a little. IMO the charger works fine for guys in hunting situations, if you're a flashlight geek and that's your hobby you're going to be disappointed cause their are better options out there.


https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=nit...C&FORM=VIRE

 
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Thanks Pmack. I may have made a mistake in purchasing the i4. It seems a bit complicated, and then doesn't fully charge each battery to the same level.

What option do you consider better for a good charger? I mainly use the 18650 batteries, but would be good to have a charger that would do other batteries as well, such as the CR123 etc.
 
I'm happy with my Nitecores, my reference of "better chargers out there" was fueled by the reviews I've read and watched and not my actual beliefs or findings. I think you can drive yourself crazy listening to a lot of that stuff. I think once you become familiar with your Nitecore you'll be fine. The features (other than the bigger slots) added to the new Nitecore wouldn't entice me to upgrade. If I was going to upgrade I'd just search and watch youtube for what's new and important to me.

The Nitecore may be slow and slightly undercharge batteries but I can live with those deficiencies, and without reading about those deficiencies I would have never known they existed. I bought the Nitecore based on capacity, price, and recommendations on other forums at the time. It was an upgrade from the cheap 2 slot plug in chargers I was getting on ebay and from China. I also started buying better name brand batteries and got away from the false mAh capacity traps on ebay.

I only recharge my AA's and 18650's the Nitecore does that well. I use those in my caller, lights, NV and trail cams, high use high volume applications. I believe it dos AAA-C or D. I don't use those sizes at a volume that would warrant rechargeable's IMO.

FYI...rechargeable CR123 have about half the capacity of a primary CR123 cell. 600mAh vs 1400mAh is what I found on a quick search.

 
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I'm using a Xtar VP2 and I like it. Just set the switch to the rate that you prefer to charge at and forget it. It displays voltage in each battery until it automatically shuts off at max volts.
It will charge 18650 as well as 16340.
 

Thanks guys.

trkyhntr, the Xtar looks simple enough. When you say "you set the switch to the rate....", I assume you mean you set it to 3.7 volts? I found the charger on Ebay for just under $20.
 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
Thanks guys.

trkyhntr, the Xtar looks simple enough. When you say "you set the switch to the rate....", I assume you mean you set it to 3.7 volts? I found the charger on Ebay for just under $20.



Mine has 3 positions, 3.2, 3.6, and 3.8V. I set it to charge at 3.6V. It charges 18650's to 4.20V then automatically shuts off to stand-by mode. When I was researching chargers I went to the Vape sites. Some of those guys seem to know a lot about 18650 batteries and chargers.
I don't use rechargeable CR123's but I do use 16340's, which are pretty close to the same size but are a higher voltage, 3.7V vs 3.0V.
 
Im with 1trkyhntr. Im using the Xtar SV2 and like it a lot! Dont think you can go wrong with the Xtar's.
 
David you did have to open pandoras box.......

It had been a while since I looked at chargers and had been recommending the I4 for those that have asked and have been using them for 5 years or more. I searched and found enough stuff to keep my head spinning for a while. I first found this in a thread from 2015 on another site. It compares the I4 VP2 and the Opus which I never heard of. Also the Xtar VP2 will only charges LI-ON and won't charge NIMH.

If you want any and all of your li-ions charged right, go with the VP2
If you want your batteries to be analyzed, combined with a decent charger for both li-ion and nimh, go with the C3100
If you want a charger that just works, or are on a budget, and want to charge both li-ion and nimh, go with the nitecore I4 or I2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Opus-BT-C3100-V2...S-/232339823449

Like 1trkyhntr said lots of info on the vaping sites, I think that's the driving factor in chargers today, there is so many more choices. Here's links to Nitecore and Xtar

http://www.xtar.cc/products_list/pmcId=24.html

http://charger.nitecore.com/

This is the older version I4 I've been using, no buttons for choices just load batteries, indicator lights just show charging status.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nitecore-i4-4-Sl...2267568065?hash

I'm not sure what I'd get today, but I'd want it to charge both LI-ION and NIMH batteries with a 4 battery capacity.







 
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I have the older models and the new ones too. They are solid chargers and I read plenty before buying them.

I've been more then happy with the 4 I have and constantly use for aaa, aa and 18650 batteries.
 
I've been using the Nite Core D4 model for about 2 years and it works fine for 18650's, AA, AAA, and C as well as 16340.
 

OK, I am more interested in charging 18650 batteries than anything else, 4 at a time would be nice, so which charger will accomplish that best?

Also, with the i4 charger, when you insert 18650 batteries into the slots and it begins flashing, is that all I need to do or do I need to adjust voltage etc.? I like it simple, but want all batteries to charge well and not one get more than another.



 
Yes sir, set your 18650's in and it automatically charges them up. No buttons to push.

I like mine, the nightcore battery's are a little more money but seem to be worth it.
 
Originally Posted By: 6mm06
Also, with the i4 charger, when you insert 18650 batteries into the slots and it begins flashing, is that all I need to do or do I need to adjust voltage etc.? I like it simple, but want all batteries to charge well and not one get more than another.


They should all be charged to the same voltage when done.

Originally Posted By: HuffrangerYes sir, set your 18650's in and it automatically charges them up. No buttons to push.



I'm assuming he's using an older I4 like mine, you just load batteries and when lights stop flashing they are charged there are no choices in charging rate. Both the I4 and D4 analyze and select the appropriate charging rate. You can by pass that and charge faster if you choose based on what I've read.



FYI......most of the new info I find pertains to vaping. Vaping seems to use IMR batteries which are better for high drain applications.

https://spinfuel.com/new-nitecore-i4-charger-review/

https://vapingcheap.com/nitecore-d4-digicharger-review/
 
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6, on my D4 each cell charges individually and cuts off as each cell is fully charged. It will charge 4 18650's at the time but off course they don't charge as fast as just charging one battery.

Mine doesn't have lights. It has an LCD screen and little bars that flash. It also automatically cycles through the amount of voltage in the battery, charge rate, and charging time.
 
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