For those of you who missed the $29 sale last time. This is a good chance to spend $10 more to get it before X'mas. Go to the link below to see product feature & detail. It should be the new version this time.
too bad there's no way to know if Amazon's shipping units with the new firmware version 33, which corrected a number of problems version 32 units had...
UPDATE: Good news. According to a customer review dated 11/27, Amazon is shipping the new units.
the biggest problems that people were posting about appeared to be power issues, possibly fixed with the v33 units? doesn't Amazon have a free return ship on items that are defective? send the v32 back?
This is the latest customer review on Amazon, it is the V33.
Now version 33, November 27, 2006 Reviewer: Y. Han (Long Island) - See all my reviews
Just received it today. I'm testing it right now, not much information. But one thing that I want you guys know is, now Amazon is shipping version 33. So, feel free to order from Amazon.
bjohns
Thrifty Member
posted: Nov. 30, 2006 @ 11:58a
I ordered one yesterday. It shipped today, and has an estimated delivery date of December 11-18 via Airborne. That's cutting it close for a Christmas gift, but it should get here.
yukun8388 said: This is the latest customer review on Amazon, it is the V33.
Now version 33, November 27, 2006 Reviewer: Y. Han (Long Island) - See all my reviews
Just received it today. I'm testing it right now, not much information. But one thing that I want you guys know is, now Amazon is shipping version 33. So, feel free to order from Amazon.I read a message somewhere (that sounded authoritative) and said that firmware 33 was identical with 32; the renumber was some kind of administrative thing. In any case 33 indicates later manufacture date which is surely a good thing in this case - LaCrosse's lawyers would have made sure they fixed the self-immolation problems whether they were hardware or firmware.
I bought 2 of these almost a year ago (can't recall the firmware on them right now).
This is the PERFECT charger for me because I've got a TON of AA and AAA batteries, of differing brands and capacities (for all my remotes, RC Cars, Sons' toys, etc...).
This thing is like having 4 mini peak chargers in a single unit (or 8, in my case ). Mix-n-match AAs and AAAs, charge just 1 or 3 at a time...This thing is VERY versatile! Add the fact that it's got a digital, numerical display (for EACH battery bay) to give you volt/mA/time status, really makes this thing top notch.
I'm really surprised that PowerEx/Maha hasn't caught on and come out with their own version of a numerical digital display like this!
Namuna said: I'm really surprised that PowerEx/Maha hasn't caught on and come out with their own version of a numerical digital display like this!They have.
Version 32 comes in a blister package. Version 33 comes in a box. If you get one in a blister package, you have the crappy version 32 model. I don't know about now, but previously most/all of Amazon's stock was version 32...
Kwad
kylerf
Member
posted: Nov. 30, 2006 @ 1:33p
I got one of these charger. I have revived some of my old 900mah AA batteries. I was so happy when I got back 85%+ charge capability. However, second time around those batteries won't charge at all. They are dead !!! So I don't know whether I should blame on the charger or my batteries are just too OLD.
I've had a BC-900 for a little over a year. I love its capabilities. It was a 5 star until now. I don't know what version it is, it is not shown on the unit itself. Two weeks ago it completely fried a set of 4 AA NiMH. They were bubbling hot. The BC-900 is melted in the center section. Scary. Seemed close to being on fire or exploding the batteries. I'd like to get another one but the fire hazard is scaring me away. BTW, I called LaCrosse Tech Support and the woman I talked with said she was not aware of any such problems with it. Huh???
You might check the accumanage accupower 20, it is about $53 shipped, can't post a link because I am typing this from a POS hotel room wireless keyboard I feel like a prisoner trying to scratch a message on the wall, if I went to hotels for business more than once a year I would get a laptop. I paid $5.99 to use this torture device they pretend is a keyboard, but the accupower 20 is great
clearanceman said: You might check the accumanage accupower 20, it is about $53 shipped, can't post a link because I am typing this from a POS hotel room wireless keyboard I feel like a prisoner trying to scratch a message on the wall, if I went to hotels for business more than once a year I would get a laptop. I paid $5.99 to use this torture device they pretend is a keyboard, but the accupower 20 is great
Great 2-in-1 review!
tjphoton
Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2006 @ 5:14p
esoterica said: Anyone know what mAh batteries it comes with these days?
I ordered this two weeks ago, at that time it's $49.99. It comes with 800 mAh AAA batteries, and 2400 mAh AA batteries.
I bought one of these from Thomas Distributing for $48.97, since I was afraid of getting a version 32 from Amazon. I should have just waited. Anyway it's a great charger. Kind of offtopic, but can anyone tell me if I can replace 800mAh Ni-Cd batteries in my outdoor solar lights with 2500mAh NiMH batteries?
xpguy said: I bought one of these from Thomas Distributing for $48.97, since I was afraid of getting a version 32 from Amazon. I should have just waited. Anyway it's a great charger. Kind of offtopic, but can anyone tell me if I can replace 800mAh Ni-Cd batteries in my outdoor solar lights with 2500mAh NiMH batteries?
Yes I did that with mine 3 years ago (1800 mah NIMH at the time) still going strong..
Cheezeboy
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2006 @ 5:34p
I've been running version 32 for 6 or so months. I haven't had any problems but I'll admit, every time I charge, I wonder if the batteries will fry.. So yea, get v33 if you can! Other than that, it's a great accurate charger.
clearanceman said: xpguy said: ...Kind of offtopic, but can anyone tell me if I can replace 800mAh Ni-Cd batteries in my outdoor solar lights with 2500mAh NiMH batteries?Yes I did that with mine 3 years ago (1800 mah NIMH at the time) still going strong..As long as we're already a little bit OT, how do these Solar Lights prevent OVERCHARGING the batteries?
Are they limited to 1/10th of the "original" battery's capacity? [Cheap method - 80ma "forever"]
Do they detect the "Fully Charged" condition and switch from MAX ma to TRICKLE ma? [Expensive method - I'd doubt it]
Do they charge with *OVER* 1/10th ( >80ma) "and let the chips fall where they may"? [Cheap "dumb" method]
Off Topic on Solar Light Charging. The two different types I have don't have anything to prevent overcharging, the little solar cells don't generate much current so they accept battery deterioration from overcharging as the price for building and selling something inexpensively.
bjohns
Thrifty Member
posted: Dec. 5, 2006 @ 2:50p
yukun8388 said: This is the latest customer review on Amazon, it is the V33.
Now version 33, November 27, 2006 Reviewer: Y. Han (Long Island) - See all my reviews
Just received it today. I'm testing it right now, not much information. But one thing that I want you guys know is, now Amazon is shipping version 33. So, feel free to order from Amazon.
I received my charger today. It has firmware version 33. Everything appears to work. The batteries are 2400 mAh (AA) and 800 mAh (AAA).
SH94
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Dec. 5, 2006 @ 2:57p
bjohns said: yukun8388 said: This is the latest customer review on Amazon, it is the V33.
Now version 33, November 27, 2006 Reviewer: Y. Han (Long Island) - See all my reviews
Just received it today. I'm testing it right now, not much information. But one thing that I want you guys know is, now Amazon is shipping version 33. So, feel free to order from Amazon.
I received my charger today. It has firmware version 33. Everything appears to work. The batteries are 2400 mAh (AA) and 800 mAh (AAA). I will receive mine today, but I'd like to know how to recognize if it is a version 33? Thanks
If the price drops to 29.99 within 30 days(?), will Amazon refund the difference? I like this charger but I am hoping that during Xmas, price may drop.
abominable
Addicted Member
posted: Dec. 6, 2006 @ 9:12p
ComeOnNow said: If the price drops to 29.99 within 30 days(?), will Amazon refund the difference? I like this charger but I am hoping that during Xmas, price may drop.
Yes, Amazon will give you a refund if their price drops within 30 days. I've done this many times without hassle.
Just received mine! V33. I LOVE IT!!! The perfect nerd gift. for me.
Trikat
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Dec. 6, 2006 @ 10:36p
kylerf said: I got one of these charger. I have revived some of my old 900mah AA batteries. I was so happy when I got back 85%+ charge capability. However, second time around those batteries won't charge at all. They are dead !!! So I don't know whether I should blame on the charger or my batteries are just too OLD.
Put your batteries in an old charger for a few minutes. After that the LaCrosse should recognize it and start charging it. Dunno why the LaCrosse can't detect near dead batteries, but o well.
On another note, the LaCrosse charger I have is kind of a pain in the butt when I want to charge 4 batteries with a higher setting. It just keeps on wanting to change the settings of the batteries that I have not selected. It is very frustrating and horrible programming on LaCrosse's part. Other than that annoying situation and the lack of a small fan this charger is pretty awsome. As for rechargeable batteries, most of the ones out there are a bit larger than regular alkaline batteries so rechargeables might be too big for some devices. I bought some Tenergy rechargeables and they are quite a pain for Xbox 360 controllers.
alesmith56
Tired Member
posted: Dec. 6, 2006 @ 11:21p
I ordered one from them in march or so. The one that I ended up with was the 33 version, in the box so I was happy. Well it did not work well, kept resetting itself if you put batts in to charge while others were charging. Returned it The replacement was the 32, they went the wrong way on me. Well the v32 has worked like a charm while being used reguarly.
I think that they have problems with QC on this product, the v33 probably fixed some issues but it is also the luck of the draw.
Well either way it is worth getting
mychen66
Happy Member
posted: Dec. 7, 2006 @ 2:01a
abominable said: mychen66 said: Got mine. Thanks for the great deal.
I got a version 32 from Thompson several months ago. I use it often and it is pretty consistent. It will, about every 5th time or so,not allow me to see the MAH reading of batteries that are charging. Annoying, but otherwise I like it.
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