Kodak Ni-MH 1-Hour Battery Charger K6200-PC-C+4 by Kodak
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Digital camera reviews of Kodak Ni-MH 1-Hour Battery Charger K6200-PC-C+4
Digital camera Review: A perfect combination of Smart charger and Pre-Charged cells
Summary: 5 Stars
I was looking for a travel charger to go with my backup digital camera (Canon S5). To me, the ideal charger unit should satisfy the following:
1. Smart charger that charges each cell individually
2. Accepts universal voltage of 100-240V AC
3. Compact, one-piece design (without separate AC adapter and cord)
4. Reasonable charge time (no '15-minute', no 'over-night')
Most low-cost compact chargers are dumb and have to charge cells in pairs only. The Sony BCG-34HE4 is very nice as a smart travel charger, but the four 2500mAh cells included are the traditional type (which suffer from rapid self-discharge problem). The Sanyo Eneloop Battery Charging Kit comes with four low-self-discharge cells, but the charger is slow (7 hours) and only works with 110V input.
Finally, I came across this package (KODAK K6200 Battery charger with 4x AA NiMH). The K6200 is close to an ideal travel charger according to my criteria above. The four rechargeable cells included are the new 'Kodak Pre-Charged' 2100mAh cells. I have previously tested them, and found them to be just as good as the better-known Sanyo eneloop and Rayovac Hybrid cells.
The K6200 '1-hour' charger is very fast for such a compact unit. But the actual charge time depends on the number of cells and capacity. When charging one or two AA cells, the current per cell is 2.3 Ampere. This means one hour charge time for the included 2100mAh cells (shorter time if the cells were not fully depleted). However, when charging 3-4 cells, the current per cell is reduced to half, and so the charge time is doubled.
Some minor annoyance I have with this charger:
1. There is just one status indicator light, which goes off only when all cells are fully recharged.
2. For AAA cells, you can only put in 1-2 cells. But while charging two AAA cells, you cannot charge any more AA cells (see my Customer Image for the reason). Most other chargers allow two AA and two AAA cells to be charged together.
Other than those minor issues, this charger/battery pack is just perfect for my digital camera. Considering its low price, I really cannot ask for more.
[Update on Sep 21, 2010]
The charger package I reviewed (K6200-PC) is no longer available. Appearantly, Kodak has discontinued this charger and replaced it with Kodak 1 Hr Charger K6600. But the new charger is not as good, because it can only charge in pairs. As of right now, the only way to get the old K6200 charger is to buy the package with ordinary NiMH cells.
Kodak Ni-mh 1-hour Battery Charger K6200-C Includes 4 X AA 2500 mAh Rechargeable batteries
Digital camera Review: A satisfied customer.
Summary: 5 Stars
These are good batteries. They hold their charge well and last good in my camera.Digital camera Review: Bad Product
Summary: 1 Stars
The charger blinks when I put batteries in it and try to recharge them. This means it does not accept the batteries...cannot recharge them. I put them in my old charger (not a quick charger...takes more time) and that charger charges them. I don't know what to do with this Kodak product. I thought that Kodak would not produce something with a fault like this. Now what do I do with the recharger? Throw it away?Digital camera Review: Batteries MUST be correctly positioned!
Summary: 3 Stars
When I first used this charger & batteries, the red LED flashed (error!). After repositioning the batteries several times and exchanging "other" NiMH batteries, I found I could not get the charger to "charge." I made a refund claim to Amazon and promtly was given a case # and instructions on returning & getting a refund. (Very good CS experience) However, before going through the hassle of repackaging and mailing the charger & batteries back to Amazon, I tried one last time to carefully position the batteries in the charger... Voila! The charger worked this time, ...and each time since!
NOTE: BATTERIES MUST BE POSITIONED PRECISELY TO FACILITATE PROPER CHARGING.
Digital camera Review: Battery life too short.
Summary: 2 Stars
Recently I purchased a KODAK 1 hour Battery Charger which included Kodak batteries. I was disappointed because the batteries did not work in my KODAK CX 7530 camera....After a full 1 hour charge, the batteries lasted in the camera less than 1 hour. I did not realize at the time that I should have replaced my Kodak battery "pack" with a compatible brand. At a local store I was able to purchase a replacement pack that was compatible with the orginial pack. What a difference....I have taken over 100 pictures over the last three days without recharging the battery pack.