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(More customer reviews)Just in case you were looking for the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger: please be advised that ths is NOT the same charger.
Except for the color, the BC700 looks exactly the same as the better-known BC900. However, it is actually a "handicapped" version of the old charger. Its charging current can only go up to 700mA in three steps (200/500/700). The BC900, on the other hand, can go up to 1000mA for 4 cells, or 1800mA for 2 cells. Also the BC900 package includes eight NiMH rechargeable cells (4 AA and 4 AAA), eight C/D cell adaptors, and a carrying case. The BC700 does not come with any bonus items.
This is not to say that the BC700 is a bad product. Quite the contrary, it is better than any other NiMH AA chargers in the market except for BC900 and Maha MH-C9000. If you can find it at a substantial saving (like maybe 30% off from the price of BC900), it is still a good buy. But as it is right now, I recommend getting its older brother instead.
[update on June 13, 2008]
Recently the price of BC700 has settled to a level much lower than that of BC900 (partially because the price of BC900 has gone up), so it is now an excellent buy - especially if you intend to buy some low-self-discharge NiMH cells separately. In light of this, the criticism in my original review now seems unnecessarily harsh. Too bad I'm not allowed to change the star-rating for this product.
[Update on April 7, 2010]
I hope my overly critical review above did not discourage anyone from buying the BC-700. As of this moment, it is the best value if you are looking for an advanced battery charger/analyzer. This is because:
- The BC-9009 has been recalled recently due to excessive overheating/meltdown incidents.
- The Powerex WizardOne Battery Charger-Analyzer is more powerful, but costs twice as much as the BC-700.
- The newest La Crosse BC500 has severely limited functions compared to the BC-700 (see my review for details), yet it costs more.
Click Here to see more reviews about: La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger
Reduce the amount of batteries purchased and discarded in the waste bin with this multitasking battery charger from La Crosse. Designed for use exclusively with rechargeable NiCad and NiMH batteries, the 100 to 240-volt charger accommodates up to four AA or AAA batteries. Each battery charges in its own compartment, so the user can charge an AA NiCad battery and three AAA NiMH batteries, or any other combination, at once.
For each compartment, the user selects one of the charger\'s four modes: charge; discharge; refresh; and test. Different modes can be engaged concurrently in each battery compartment for flexibility. In the discharge mode, the charger removes all charge from the battery to reduce the memory effect and then recharges the battery to reach a more advantageous capacity. The refresh mode is ideal for older rechargeable batteries, cycling between discharging and charging the battery until obtaining optimal capacity. To measure a battery\'s capacity in the test mode, the battery is fully charged and then discharged. The charger offers three charging rates: 200 mA, 500 mA, and 700 mA. While the 700 mA rate charges an AA battery in approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes, charging the battery at the 200 mA rate, with its estimated 13-hour charge time, is recommended for prolonging the battery\'s life. Each compartment features its own LCD display indicating the selected mode and rate, elapsed charging time, the battery\'s full capacity and voltage, and when charging is complete. To ensure safety, the charger stops charging when it senses an overheated battery, and it won\'t charge defective batteries. Unplug when not in use and remove any batteries. A limited one-year warranty covers this item. The charger measures 3 inches wide by 5 inches long by 3 inches wide by 1-1/2 inches high.
Click here for more information about La Crosse Technology BC-700 Alpha Power Battery Charger
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