KingPin!
In my defence, I was left unsupervised ^^
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 4 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reviewer
Hello Folks,
One of the first things I noticed when I took up vaping was the switch from panicking id lost my lighter to worrying about whether I had spare/topped up batteries to keep me going. Regardless of whether my regulated mods have balanced charging or certain features, other than testing for reviews I’ve always opted for external charging, I just prefer to use a product that’s dedicated to the job rather than a bolt on feature.
XTAR sent me through the VC4 to review but rather than review on its own, I wanted to see how it stacked up against my Nitecore D4. I want to provide an upfront caveat here; this review will be based on my end user experience.
What do you get?
NiteCore D4: The charger, a wall plug (EU 3 pin for me), Instruction book, Warranty card
XTAR VC4: The charger, a travel bag, a USB cable, Instruction book, Warranty card
Travel bag aside as these chargers are pretty big for travelling, the main difference at this early stage is the way these devices plug into a power source. The VC4 can be plugged into any USB power source (less than 5V, 2.1A) i.e. laptop, Car USB jack, USB wall plug. Whilst it will suffer with a reduction in its output charge rate, depending on what it’s plugged into (0.35A in the car for instance versus 1A using mains AC), that versatility is really handy so it does get one up on the D4 in my book.
The downside here is XTAR don’t actually provide you with a wall plug as part of the kit. I find it a little disappointing considering most of the time a 4 slot charger is going to remain stationary. The D4 is mains powered only, does mean it’s less versatile but is ready to go straight out of the box gaining one over the VC4.
Finally just drawing initial impressions to a close I would have preferred XTAR used a common USB input connector like its siblings the VC2 and MC1, rather than the round pin version it uses. It will be harder to source and replace if it gets damaged.
Section Pro’s
Compatibility
The VC4 box says it’s compatible with
Li-ion (supports IMR, INR, and ICR Chemistry)
Sizes: 32650, 26650, 25500, 22650, 21700, 20700, 18700, 18650, 18500, 18490, 18350, 17670, 17500, 17335, 16340,14650,14500,10440
Ni-MH and Ni-CD
Sizes: A, AA, AAA, AAAA, SC, C, D)
The D4 box says it’s compatible with
Li-ion (Optimised for IMR Chemistry, Also Compatible with ICR and IFR Chemistry with manual voltage selection)
Sizes: 26650, 22650, 18650, 18490, 18350, 17670, 17500, 14500, 10440, 16340 (RCR123)
Ni-MH and Ni-Cd
Sizes: AA, AAA, AAAA, C)
Key:
IMR = (LiMn2O4) Lithium manganese oxide (LG HE2 & HE4)
INR = (LiNiMnCoO2) Lithium manganese nickel (Samsung 25R & 30Q, LG HG2, IJoy 20700, Sony uses NMC – cobalt in the mix as well I believe in its VTC range)
ICR = (LiCoO2) Lithium cobalt oxide
IFR = (LiFePO4) Lithium iron phosphate
Ni-MH = Nickel-metal hydride
Ni-Cd = nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium
I’ve been caught out by this before, although the D4 box and instruction manual doesn’t mention supporting the range of batteries the VC4 does, I’d say it supports all the ranges between 26650 – 16340 same as the VC4 supports, but best to check with the manufacturer yourself, My reasoning behind this is it’s not so much about how the D4 approaches charging those batteries, rather it has more to do with are the bays long enough and wide enough to house the cells, also whether or not these were all popular sizes at the time of going to market (my D4 is over a year old after all!).
Regardless the VC4 charger does offer a wider range of compatibility for the larger cells (making use of the larger battery slots). The D4 does have a couple of areas going for it over the VC4 1) it can support IFR battery chemistries making use of low charging 2) this also helps with cells like the 3V RCR123 batteries.
It could be argued here that it really doesn’t matter for vapers since “nearly” all external batteries we will be using are in the IMR, INR 18650, 20700, 21700 categories. I noticed that the D4 doesn’t state it supports INR hybrid chemistries, again though this maybe a time to market thing, although it does state it’s optimised for IMR. I’ve been charging my INR/NMC cells on it fine for a good 6 months and haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary to report.
I will end here in saying it would have been nice to see the inclusion of a USB output port on both chargers so I don’t have to worry about finding an external wall plug for my internal battery mods.
Section Pros
Both chargers have 4 bays so are fairly big as a result. The VTC4 is slightly longer and wider than the D4, but has a very slightly shorter profile.
VC4 Dimensions: 149 x 115 x 35 (mm); Weight: 210 grams
D4 Dimensions: 143 x 9 x 36 (mm); Weight: 239g (without batteries and power cord)
They share similar venting at the back and both stay cool during their charge cycles. They are made of similarly tough plastic and the screen size is pretty much equal by the time the displays come on.
With the similarities stated there are some areas that separate them;
The negative contact posts on the D4 are slightly thinner than the VC4 which leaves the posts more susceptible to bending over time (at least mine have a little).
The additional size of the VC4 accounts for the fact it can handle the larger battery cells types. Using the two outer bays I’m able to fit two large C size cells at once as well as two18650 in the middle, something I’m unable to do on the D4. (These C cells are for demo only)
Both support button and flat-top batteries. The button tops tend to slip off the positive terminal when I’m inserting them on VC4 (especially using the outer bays) although stay in place once I centre them. On the flip side the positive terminals on the D4 are a little too short to comfortably seat my C button top batteries.
When using smaller batteries and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd on the VC4 its best stick to using the middle two charge bays unless you are charging 4 batteries at once. This is neither a pro nor a con just an observation as to how they charger expects you to use it.
I’d say of the two I found it easier to take batteries out of the D4 after a charge cycle, I found it especially difficult to remove batteries from the inner bays on the VC4. In terms of inserting batteries I prefer the VC4 as the spring offers a little less resistance than the D4.
Section Pros
One of the first things I noticed when I took up vaping was the switch from panicking id lost my lighter to worrying about whether I had spare/topped up batteries to keep me going. Regardless of whether my regulated mods have balanced charging or certain features, other than testing for reviews I’ve always opted for external charging, I just prefer to use a product that’s dedicated to the job rather than a bolt on feature.
XTAR sent me through the VC4 to review but rather than review on its own, I wanted to see how it stacked up against my Nitecore D4. I want to provide an upfront caveat here; this review will be based on my end user experience.
What do you get?
NiteCore D4: The charger, a wall plug (EU 3 pin for me), Instruction book, Warranty card
XTAR VC4: The charger, a travel bag, a USB cable, Instruction book, Warranty card
Travel bag aside as these chargers are pretty big for travelling, the main difference at this early stage is the way these devices plug into a power source. The VC4 can be plugged into any USB power source (less than 5V, 2.1A) i.e. laptop, Car USB jack, USB wall plug. Whilst it will suffer with a reduction in its output charge rate, depending on what it’s plugged into (0.35A in the car for instance versus 1A using mains AC), that versatility is really handy so it does get one up on the D4 in my book.
The downside here is XTAR don’t actually provide you with a wall plug as part of the kit. I find it a little disappointing considering most of the time a 4 slot charger is going to remain stationary. The D4 is mains powered only, does mean it’s less versatile but is ready to go straight out of the box gaining one over the VC4.
Finally just drawing initial impressions to a close I would have preferred XTAR used a common USB input connector like its siblings the VC2 and MC1, rather than the round pin version it uses. It will be harder to source and replace if it gets damaged.
Section Pro’s
- VC4 has greater versatility as to where you can charge.
- Get a travel bag with the VC4.
- D4 comes ready to go out of the box assuming you have a plug socket to use!
- Lack of an external plug included for the VC4
- Would have preferred the VC4 has a common USB input connector rather than the round one it’s easier to replace if it gets lost or damaged
Compatibility
The VC4 box says it’s compatible with
Li-ion (supports IMR, INR, and ICR Chemistry)
Sizes: 32650, 26650, 25500, 22650, 21700, 20700, 18700, 18650, 18500, 18490, 18350, 17670, 17500, 17335, 16340,14650,14500,10440
Ni-MH and Ni-CD
Sizes: A, AA, AAA, AAAA, SC, C, D)
The D4 box says it’s compatible with
Li-ion (Optimised for IMR Chemistry, Also Compatible with ICR and IFR Chemistry with manual voltage selection)
Sizes: 26650, 22650, 18650, 18490, 18350, 17670, 17500, 14500, 10440, 16340 (RCR123)
Ni-MH and Ni-Cd
Sizes: AA, AAA, AAAA, C)
Key:
IMR = (LiMn2O4) Lithium manganese oxide (LG HE2 & HE4)
INR = (LiNiMnCoO2) Lithium manganese nickel (Samsung 25R & 30Q, LG HG2, IJoy 20700, Sony uses NMC – cobalt in the mix as well I believe in its VTC range)
ICR = (LiCoO2) Lithium cobalt oxide
IFR = (LiFePO4) Lithium iron phosphate
Ni-MH = Nickel-metal hydride
Ni-Cd = nickel oxide hydroxide and metallic cadmium
I’ve been caught out by this before, although the D4 box and instruction manual doesn’t mention supporting the range of batteries the VC4 does, I’d say it supports all the ranges between 26650 – 16340 same as the VC4 supports, but best to check with the manufacturer yourself, My reasoning behind this is it’s not so much about how the D4 approaches charging those batteries, rather it has more to do with are the bays long enough and wide enough to house the cells, also whether or not these were all popular sizes at the time of going to market (my D4 is over a year old after all!).
Regardless the VC4 charger does offer a wider range of compatibility for the larger cells (making use of the larger battery slots). The D4 does have a couple of areas going for it over the VC4 1) it can support IFR battery chemistries making use of low charging 2) this also helps with cells like the 3V RCR123 batteries.
It could be argued here that it really doesn’t matter for vapers since “nearly” all external batteries we will be using are in the IMR, INR 18650, 20700, 21700 categories. I noticed that the D4 doesn’t state it supports INR hybrid chemistries, again though this maybe a time to market thing, although it does state it’s optimised for IMR. I’ve been charging my INR/NMC cells on it fine for a good 6 months and haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary to report.
I will end here in saying it would have been nice to see the inclusion of a USB output port on both chargers so I don’t have to worry about finding an external wall plug for my internal battery mods.
Section Pros
- VC4 supports wider range of batteries sizes.
- D4 offers support for low charging IFR & CR123 Li-Ion battery chemistries
- Neither charger offers USB output charging for periphery devices / USB internal battery products. I would like to have seen this feature on these.
- Not sure if the D4 fully supports INR hybrid chemistry it doesn’t say anything in the book manual although I’ve been charging my INR batteries on it for months!
Both chargers have 4 bays so are fairly big as a result. The VTC4 is slightly longer and wider than the D4, but has a very slightly shorter profile.
VC4 Dimensions: 149 x 115 x 35 (mm); Weight: 210 grams
D4 Dimensions: 143 x 9 x 36 (mm); Weight: 239g (without batteries and power cord)
They share similar venting at the back and both stay cool during their charge cycles. They are made of similarly tough plastic and the screen size is pretty much equal by the time the displays come on.
With the similarities stated there are some areas that separate them;
The negative contact posts on the D4 are slightly thinner than the VC4 which leaves the posts more susceptible to bending over time (at least mine have a little).
The additional size of the VC4 accounts for the fact it can handle the larger battery cells types. Using the two outer bays I’m able to fit two large C size cells at once as well as two18650 in the middle, something I’m unable to do on the D4. (These C cells are for demo only)
Both support button and flat-top batteries. The button tops tend to slip off the positive terminal when I’m inserting them on VC4 (especially using the outer bays) although stay in place once I centre them. On the flip side the positive terminals on the D4 are a little too short to comfortably seat my C button top batteries.
When using smaller batteries and Ni-MH/Ni-Cd on the VC4 its best stick to using the middle two charge bays unless you are charging 4 batteries at once. This is neither a pro nor a con just an observation as to how they charger expects you to use it.
I’d say of the two I found it easier to take batteries out of the D4 after a charge cycle, I found it especially difficult to remove batteries from the inner bays on the VC4. In terms of inserting batteries I prefer the VC4 as the spring offers a little less resistance than the D4.
Section Pros
- Both have adequate venting
- Both have decent screen sizes
- VC4 can handle 2 large cells at once (over the D4 which can only handle 1)
- The negative terminals on the VC4 are slightly thicker and less susceptible to bending
- I find the D4 easier remove batteries from, batteries sit pretty deep in the VC4
- I find the VC4 easier to insert batteries as there is less resistance from the spring.
- Positive terminal on the D4 needs to be a bit taller to comfortably contact larger button top batteries
- Button top batteries tend to slip on the VC4 positive terminals when inserting them
- Difficult to easily remove 18650 batteries from the centre bays on the VC4
- D4 negative posts may bend over time more so than the VC4.
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