Xtar VC2 battery charger review.

The review I did earlier here of the Xtar H1 flashlight showed that it used a 3.7 volt rechargeable battery, the 14500, as well as std AA batteries. To recharge the 3.7 volts you need a charger that will cope with the lithium ion battery obviously.
Xtar as well as making quality flashlights also make excellent smart chargers.

I was sent a VC2 charger FOC with the flashlight to review as an end user. The latest smart charger.

What’s in the box.

The VC2, takes two batteries simultaneously but the smart thing is that it reads each battery channel seperately and has a unique dash board type gauges to keep you informed of what's happening to each cell. There are no switches, knobs, sliders etc, its all very neat and tidy. Just an LCD display.

The power is supplied by a USB - micro USB cable.

There is no mains plug socket supplied, probably due to the many configurations of pins around the world and to keep costs down. I suspect we have all got a few usb power sockets lying around anyway but ensure that the one you use is compatible.

The charger has a sliding negative position to allow the charging of numerous lithium ion battery sizes.
It will charge the following types without the need for any spacing. Battery lengths can vary from 30mm - 71mm and also includes the flat top type as well as button top.

Battery compatibility Li-ion.

• 26650
• 25550
• 22650
• 18700
• 18650
• 18500
• 18490
• 18350
• 17670
• 17500
• 16340
• 14650
• 14500
• 10440
• Compatible with IMR lithium and small capacity batteries.

Power.
The maximum charge per channel is 0.5A. This is non adjustable by the user. The charge times will vary for each battery type from 0 charge.

The smart thing about this charger is that it can bring life back to those batteries that have over discharged or “sleeping” lithium ion batteries. In some other chargers this facility is missing and therefore the batteries get discarded as useless.
Screen. LCD digital display.
When in charge mode the last digit in the capacity display flashes.
Will charge with 2.4mA from 0 volts and the display will show ERR.
At 0.2V it will start charging at 340mA and display will show mAh.
At 2.9V the regular charge current will apply.
The chance is that when charging 2 batteries they will not charge at the same rate.
When charging is complete it drops to 0.3mA.
Charging will re-start if voltage drops to 3.9V
Charge will restart after power loss or a battery insertion.
If batteries are left in the charger but no connected to mains then a discharge drain of 0.1mA will occur.
If USB voltage drops too much then current will step down and visa versa if one battery finishes charging before the other then voltage will step up.
mAh display flashes FULL when the battery is charged and the background lights will flash.
In the event of an incompatible battery being inserted then NULL will be displayed.
It has reverse polarity and short circuit protection.
Shell material is fireproof.

Conclusion.

A very smart well made and well thought out charger. I think the 0.5mAh charge per channel is about right considering the variety of USB/mains chargers on the market. 1.0mAh would seem a better option for the larger batteries but some batteries may not take such a high rate. As this charger is not controllable by the customer i think 0.5mAh is the right decision.

The LCD screen is clear and precise and its great to see just what is happening per battery rather than just a red light to say its charging and a green light to say its full.

The 0 voltage recovery is fantastic feature and could save the cost of the charger itself.

Cost in the Uk is a very keen £12.80 here. with free shipping.

Thanks to Xtar for allowing me to review their product.

Xtar H1 Commander torch review

Boundaries of the review.
My review of the Xtar H1 flashlight is an enduser, customer review.
It is not my intention to test or prove one way or the other the specifications and data which is provided by Xtar themselves. I will provide a link at the end which anyone who is interested in that type of review can go to for further information and testing results.

I have been kindly supplied the head torch free of charge by Xtar for the purpose of this review. No restrictions or limitations have been put on my post writing whatsoever although i have been asked if i would provide a graphic of the company card with its media connections.
I think that is a reasonable request.

What’s in the box.

As purchased the torch comes in a clear plastic case. 
Included are:-

• The H1 torch
• Silicone headband that is wide and adjustable along with the torch mount.
• Lanyard
• Stainless steel pocket clip
• Instruction sheet
• Warranty card
• Spare ‘O’ ring.

• NO BATTERIES ARE SUPPLIED.
• The unit can be used as a stand alone hand held torch or as a head torch.

First Impressions.

It is much lighter in weight than it looks.
After assembling the torch to the headband i did expect it to be somewhat unbalanced with the torch being a tube type and not the usual shape for hiking head torches, normally round or oval. This was not the case, it is well balanced in the holder.
The switch position which is in the LED end of the tube is simple to use when the torch is in situ. Much easier than my Petzl E light for example.
The silicone head band is good quality and the torch is nicely finished.

Xtar H1 Commander with head band.

Basics

Weights:- 

• Torch (Body only) 53 grams
• Head band with mount 33 grams
• Battery 20 grams.

Dimensions:-

• Length 97mm
• Diameter (Max) 23mm

Lighting:-

• Main light. Cree LED XP-G2 R5. Lifespan 50,000 hours.
• Secondary. Red night light with auto flash SOS. Cree 5mm dia. Signal light.
• Luminous ring around the reflector top when not in use.

Power:-

This H1 takes the standard AA 1.5volt non rechargeable battery, the rechargeable AA size 1.2 volt batteries and the powerful 14500 3.7 volt rechargeable Lithium ion battery.

The H1 recognises which battery is in place and alters the output and features to suit. The user doesn’t have to change anything which ensures at all times that you are getting best efficiency of battery life.

Very neat feature.

Torch Material.

Anodised aircraft grade Aluminium alloy 6N01, with Type III hard anodised anti abrasive finish.
Ultra - clear tempered glass with an anti -reflective coating that allows 98.5% transmittance. (Normal glass gives 89 - 92%)
Deep orange peel reflector around the main LED.
The battery spring is gold plated to resist corrosion.

Waterproof.
To IPX8 std. Specified as Protected against water submersion and continuous submersion down to 2 metres.

Using the torch.

As i mentioned earlier, depending on what battery you have installed alters the features and the outputs.

Starting with the easily obtainable Non rechargeable 1.5v battery. ( This section also covers the features for the 1.2v rechargeable battery too). The torch has 3 main light settings as well as the red night light and the SOS.

With torch switched off. 

1. Press the end click switch once to enable the minimum or Low output level to illuminate. This gives a 3 lumens output which is suitable for use around and in the tent and for general close contact for example porch cooking and reading. This setting gives 95 hours of use.
2. Press end click switch again to enable Mid level illumination. This gives a 60 lumens output which is suitable to most flat ground night walking and has a usage time of  4 hours.
3. Press end click switch again to achieve the Maximum illumination with this battery type.
4. This gives an extremely bright light which is only really necessary to be used when walking in difficult terrain for short periods. It gives 120 lumens for 2.1 hours.
5. The maximum beam throw is 65 metres with the AA batteries.
6. To turn the torch off from any position hold in the switch in for around 2 seconds.
7. To turn on the red night light double click the switch and again double click to get the red flashing SOS.

Moving onto the large 3.7v lithium ion rechargeable battery.

1. All 3 levels give the same lumens outputs as for the AA battery but the longevity increases to the following:- Low 180 hours, Mid 6.0hrs, high 1.5 hours*
2. With this 14500 battery you get an extra Turbo power level with 330 lumens. This has a run time of 1.2 hours. Unless you were in search and rescue or similar i doubt that any hiker would need this 
3. The red night light and the SOS function is the same.
4. Maximum beam throw is increased to 106 metres.

Features during use.

• When using the fully charged Lithium Ion battery in Turbo mode the H1 will automatically change to High mode after 5 minutes to save power and to reduce heat. It can be switched back to Turbo as required.
• When changing batteries in the dark the H1 has reverse polarity protection just in case the battery is fitted wrong way round.
• Waterproof down to 2 metres.
• Shock proof from 1.5 metres.
• To help maintain a light as long as possible, if the battery voltage (Lithium) drops below 3 volts  it will revert to Low Mode.
• If the voltage drops below 2.5 volts then the torch will switch off. (Over discharge protection)

The light beam and Luminescence.

Pic1 
With setting on lowest 3 lumens. Distance to building from head torch 20 metres.
Beam hardly noticeable.

 Pic 2. 
Settings on Mid level  60 Lumens. Good spread and beam length.

 Pic 3. 
Setting on high level 120 Lumens. Much brighter and good beam and spread.

 Pic 4. 

Turbo setting 330 lumens. 

Conclusion

Well made, head torch and useable hand torch with sturdy headband that supports the torch well. Lower end beam is better suited to reading or in tent use or wherever a low level light is required.
The Turbo setting has limited use. Otherwise output is pretty good.
The red SOS is always a must have feature for any mountaineer and hill walker and works very well as well as the steady red light..
Nothing much wrong with it as you would expect from a quality light.

Likes

Weight.

Rugged design.

The ability to use 3.7v batteries as well as everyday 1.2v batteries.
The stability of the light.

Dislikes
The luminescence ring around the reflector is not good enough. It doesn't make it easy to find in the dark. I need something better than this.

Suggestions
For my own use as a hiker i would much prefer that there was an extra setting between the 3 lumens and the 60 lumens. I would easily give up the Turbo setting as it is so limited in battery time that i think it would rarely get used. I would consciously not use it to ensure i save power on longer walking trips.

Other torches of interest.
Xtar H2 Commander

Link to test data for those more interested in a technical review.

* I have queried this time with Xtar and am waiting confirmation.

The charger i have for the 3.7 volt Lithium-ion batteries was supplied by Xtar and is the VC2. I will review this separately.

Xtar H1 Commander Multifunctional head torch

A few weeks ago i was contacted by a lady from the Shenzhen xtar company in China asking me if i would be interested in reviewing one of their “Professional” flashlights. 

As it happened my forthcoming itinerary included a hike this coming weekend as part of a large group where a torch would be a necessity.

A number of emails went back and forth between us and i was very wisely sent the Xtar H1 Multifunctional Head torch. It came today along with a really smart VC2 charging unit but alas no batteries. The unit takes the 14500 type of battery as well as the std AA battery we are all used to.

What better a time to put it through its paces.

However, in typical fashion i have hurt my knee and the likelihood of me being able to walk this weekend is looking slimmer by the day. I am still hopeful and fingers crossed that the swelling around the knee joint will subside and the pain disappear. I am doing all i can to make it happen.

I plan to do an end user review of the H1 and the charger as soon as possible and so i won’t bore you with spec’s etc here. Anyway, anyone who is interested can have a glimpse at this address. Its a nice piece of kit that’s for sure and i can’t wait to try it out.

Black Diamond Orbit lantern.

On the recent camping weekend when we tried out the Scarp 2, our old tent light packed up.
I therefore had the opportunity to have a look what was available and buy a new one.
We both have Petzl elites and use them a lot. Personally i think these are the best for a light weight backpacker. I wear mine on my wrist almost permanently when i am walking, it’s light and unobtrusive and can become a talking point in the bar when you get asked what’s that or why do you wear 2 watches etc. It also makes it easy to find when in the tent.
However during those dark extended times in the tent you need something a little more extensive than the 16 Lumens of bright white light provided by the elite.

I scanned the web and what i finally decided to buy was the Black Diamond Orbit Lantern.
When i first came across it, i thought, too big, too heavy and it’s a lantern, something i don’t usually go for. But when i delved a little deeper and to my surprise found it only weighed 85gr and 132 gr with the 4 AAA batteries. So i ordered it.

Reading the enclosed paperwork i noticed that the stated Lumens was 32. I had been expecting 45 as per  the ratings stated on a number of web sites.

I sent emails out and it seems that Black Diamond have 2 generations of this lantern in the market place but for some reason they seemed to have forgotten to tell the retailers.

So you can get the same lantern with both 32 and 45 Lumens output depending on the luck of the draw and yes, they are the same price.

2 web based retailers i contacted did some checking and confirmed the above. They checked their stocks and one found a mixture of both generations and the other only had the first generation 32 Lumens version.

Both were pleased that i had raised this issue with them and amendments to the web pages followed.

The company that had the 45 Lumens lantern offered to swop mine for the G2 version. Extremely kind of them. Thank you for that offer.

The other only had the 32 Lumens but did offer me a 10% discount on my next purchase before the end of the year. (that was if i was going to make one of course).

I have decided not to name these 2 retailers as numerous others sites have made the same mistake and it wouldn’t be fair to single these 2 out.

The lantern packs away quite nicely when not in use. In closed position (as above) the height is 102mm (4”). (and below) in open position it measures 140mm (5.5”) The diameter at the widest point is 57mm (2.25”)

The globe is frosted and this reduces the glare and that sharp white light effect that LED’s produce. Within the extending globe there are 2 light reflectors that enhance the 1 watt light and maximise the output.

The switch is excellent and not just on/off but also dimming to save battery life when full power is not needed.

The lantern always turns on at the brightest power setting and by holding down the switch you get the dimmer working. 

When either the lower or highest light setting is reached the light flashes.

On high setting the 32 Lumens will last for 10hrs and on the lowest setting it will last 24 hrs. The emitted light radius is 2metres. (6.5ft approx).

The lantern has a split loop at the head so that you can hang the lantern or it has 3 legs attached to the base to give firm support.
It can also be used outside and is stormproof although not submersible.


Black Diamond also supply the NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Kit (with Battery Power Indicator) but it’s a very expensive bit of kit and i doubt that many people would opt for it.

It is also warrantied by Black Diamond for 3 years which is excellent. It’s a well made piece of kit, robust and well thought out and is nicely balanced. I like it very much.

Petzl E+Lite

I was reading the January edition of TGO magazine and was very surprised to see the reviews of head lighting did not include the Petzl E+Lite. For some reason better known to Chris he has omitted what i consider to be one of my best pieces of functional lightweight backpacking gear. Maybe he reviewed it in 2007 i don't know or maybe because its not brand new. However it should be compared because its so good.
The E+Lite is so small and light but perfectly formed. It weighs in at 28gr and has 45 hour battery life. It is waterproof down to 1m. It packs away in its own case, nice and tidy and you can keep spare batteries here as well.
It costs £21 generally, but you can get it cheaper if you search the web.
For me this head torch is one that all backpackers should have and we never leave home without it.