Lots more to say; some first impressions. Draw your own conclusions
The field by power/price :
Hyperion Duo 3 ; 500Wx500W - $249.95 + shipping (OSE)
TP 820 CD ; 400Wx400W - $269.95 + shipping (Horizon)
*Hitec X-2 ; 400Wx400W - $172.95 + shipping (Ebay)
*Turnigy Mega 400WX2 - 400Wx400W - 124.80 + shipping (HK Int'l Warehouse)
*SkyRC Ultimate Duo 400W x 2 - 400Wx400W - HobbyPartz $115.70 - FREE SHIPPING
* Reason to believe these are the SAME CHARGERS - I downloaded the manuals for all three and they are absolutely identical - minor variation in cases/graphics
Charging modes :
Charge (no balancing)
Balance (charges at .1C at end of cycle) -
Fast Charge(charges at .5C at end of cycle)(can be configured for any higher "C" you desire)
Storage(user configureable - will charge up or discharge down to any pre-set value)
Discharge
Programming
Seems clumsy to me; manual gets you to @80%-have to use intuition and large quantities of chilled malt beverage to 'git 'er done. Once accomplished choosing one of the ten available memory settings should be easy once you get used to it.
Info Screen(s) **
Basic charging info on initial screen - Battery type,Charging Current, Real Time Battery Voltage,Charge Mode,Elapsed Time, Mah put in
Toggle to second screen down - individual cell voltage
Nice to have a screen for both batteries while dual charging.
** Here's where my three Hyperions are "WAY MORE BETTER" in this category: The SkyRC & it's clones, and also the Thunderpower 820CD have no readout telling at what percent of final/full charge you're at in the cycle. The Hyperions have this essential data readout. Here's an example : You're racing several classes. Ten minutes 'till tape-up/get on the stand. With the Hyperion you look at the charger and can see how close (or not) you are to a finish charge. Or you're fun running with a friend; He's at the water's edge ready to play & calls out to you "Lets Go". Without knowing whether you're fully charged you'd be best to wait 'till the "finish charge beep" happens, and without the % readout you have no idea when that'll happen. ( The volt readout gives you a decent idea, but...)
Minor gripe : Battery leads are 12GA ; kind of wimpy & power cord is rather short. Gave in & bought one of these, needed one anyway: http://www.hobbypartz.com/26p-powerstrip.html
FWIW I'm glad I bought the SkyRC. For the $$ it can't be beat. Gives me an excuse to crank up the tunes to blank out the rather loud (but I'm glad it's doing it's job) fan. Time will tell how long it functions properly until it hits the smelly air freshener graveyard
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Remember : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOMTnLHDWRA
Tony
South Bay Home For Terminally Bewildered FE Racers
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