Great review.

The only thing to add would be to the Misses: Pricing

At over twice the price of the same unit except for differences in cables I would not be looking at this model for my next charger purchase.

I guess it depends on how much one values the quality, service and or warranty over the overseas vendor.

Originally Posted by freechip

Great review.

I guess it depends on how much one values the quality, service and or warranty over the overseas vendor.

I get it - in life we all get a choice. The service of Horizon is really second to none. They have taken care of me over the years without question. That is worth a great deal to me.

Components, hardware and manufacture frequently differ as well.

Total cost of ownership is a factor I always consider. My cheapo motors/LiPo's and ESC's have all proven, well cheap.

Some areas of the hobby I don't skimp. Chargers, Receivers and Transmitters are three.

Mike

Agree with you, I too value HH service but not in this case. Components may differ greatly to ensure a great problem free product for many years but money don't grow on tree here so I must be wise with my RC investments. Shame they did not compete more with the rest of the market for a almost identical product.

My comments are in no way shape or form going against the great review work you did. Very informative and detailed.

Nice job on that.

The minute I started reading your review I was sold and was getting reading to order but then $$$$ got me. For what it actualy is and does, there are others better priced out there.

Thats a sleek looking unit and the AC input is nice but...

Wow does everyones charger use the same logic chip?

Freechip does your charger deliver on the 80 watts also?

I am in the hobby about a year moving from micro heli's to UM planes to parkflyers. I needed to get something but didnt want to have to spend forever learning how to use it. I ordered a different mfr popular model but found it way to difficult to use. I returned it and bought this unit. Works great - very simple. I charge at home mostly so the AC feature was a requirement. I have had too many life lessons with saving a few bucks and regretting it on the service and support end. Decided I couldnt go wrong with HH in that regard. I give it a thumbs up - it's been working great for me the past few weeks I have had it. Realize the purchase $ are more, but agree with PDA4you - total cost of ownership is how I measure it.

This charger at this time is hard to justify at the price compared to the competition. I honestly think it is worth maybe $80.00. And targeted at people using small packs such as for UMs and small foamies. Who charges a 6s battery pack with 80watts or at 1C these days.

At $140 one should get a charger with more than the measly 80watts. The integrated power supply only works if as I stated it is meant only for small packs. The price of a power supply these days with all the information and assistance available on the web and in particular RCGroups is miniscule.

Great review Mike!

Agree with others on price point. Price point for me to consider would be under $80.

I got this charger as I liked the all-in-one design. I don't like having a ton of stuff laying around in my small apartment. But I wish I could find the backlight adjust screen that the manual claims is in the unit. I've flipped through the menus but don't see. Does anyone else with this charger know how to access it?

Originally Posted by NCC1701D

I got this charger as I liked the all-in-one design. I don't like having a ton of stuff laying around in my small apartment. But I wish I could find the backlight adjust screen that the manual claims is in the unit. I've flipped through the menus but don't see. Does anyone else with this charger know how to access it?

Per the flow chart in the manual it should be the last item under the "User Set Program" menu. If it's not there suggest calling Horizon support.

Originally Posted by grimbeaver

Per the flow chart in the manual it should be the last item under the "User Set Program" menu. If it's not there suggest calling Horizon support.

Yeah, it's not there. It goes straight from Input Power Low Cut-Off back to the Battery type/V type screen.

Horizon wasn't terribly helpful. This is the response I got from them:


Thank you for contacting Horizon Hobby's Product Support Department.
*Please do not respond to this email* This email address is not monitored. Please use our inquiry form for any further correspondence.

I apologize for the inconvenience, this is a misprint in the manual, the original programming had been changed with the back light adjustment left off, I apologize for the inconvenience.

To reply to this e-mail or to place another Horizon Hobby Support Inquiry, please visit our inquiry form.


So basically, for some odd reason, they decided to disable the backlight adjustment. And that's that.

I honestly found it kind of odd that they would have it in there to begin with. My guess they ran out of programming space on the chip or something.

Originally Posted by grimbeaver

I honestly found it kind of odd that they would have it in there to begin with. My guess they ran out of programming space on the chip or something.

I find it odd that they programmed the backlight to stay on 100% of the time. I thought it would be on a timer or something. There's no power switch so the only way to turn off the light is to unplug the charger. Not a major thing, I suppose, but still I wish I could just leave the charger plugged into the wall.

I am thinking about buying one of these as an entry into the world of digital chargers. I like the all in one design and that's its rated at 80 watts unlike most that are 50watts.I mostly fly with 2200mah lipos. So this should allow me to charge them at 2c.

Is there any reason I shouldn't go for this? I like the idea of the bigger chargers and parallel charging. I just don't want to spend that kind of money at this time. At $100 this seems to fit my needs and has to be better then the stock chargers that come with my BNF's.