yifuqiao

iTrader: (13)

Hey, guys
I am pretty new to the game. But I think I improved a lot.
I was talking to my friends and they said, at the rate of my skill improvement, I will probably need a better charger to be even more competitive.
They highly recommended iCharger 406 duo, and it seems to them, nothing compares to it.
However, spending 400 on a charger and discharger is a little hard to swallow at the moment, escepecially considering that I just dropped 400 on a m12s.
I am currently using a dirty cheap skyrc charger($50 shipped on Amazon) that I bought when I started this hobby.

I think I can comfortably afford it, but I feel guilty, tbh.

If 406 duo is the only charger I should go for, then I will go ahead make the purchase, however, if there is any equal alternative out there, please let me know.
Also, do chargers age? Do they make new models every year like chassises?
Thanks for you guys help.

Edit:
I will be racing in TC 17.5 blinky and 13.5 blinky, so battery plays a big role here.

Brian Bosley

iTrader: (13)

I charged the same packs on a number of chargers getting back into electric recently, the iCharger is the best. there are a few, I am pretty sure the 306 and 406/4010 run the same software but there is a 206/8 that can still charge 20 amps and likely runs the same technology for $125ish

charging to 8.44 and 20+amps is important if the other drivers near your level are doing the same.

Toothless9

I use a power lab 8 from FMA. It's a more powerful charger (40A) and if you get the MPA board, you could parallel charge a couple of packs as long as they are the same voltage. Dual chargers are nice and compact until one side fails, then you have no charger while it's getting repaired. For $400, I'll assume you will want it repaired. If you need two chargers, get two Powerlabs 6 for $350. The dual Powerlab 8 was tempting and less than $400 but for the same reason above, I would rather have two separate units.

yifuqiao

iTrader: (13)

Thanks man, I don't mind single charge port at all. I could always use my skyrc charger for non-performance applications.
I will read more about the power lab 8

Toothless9

Oops, looks like the 406 Duo is not $400 but $300. Still, I would stick with my Powerlab 8 and the MPA board. It would be around the same price.

tsair

iTrader: (3)

Hitec is coming out with the X2-700 which can charge at 30A/channel and sells for a little bit less.

Brian Bosley

iTrader: (13)

Try to charge on some of these chargers before you make a decision. 10a on each charger may not feel the same on the track. It may also not give you any lap time improvement.

The best improvement you can make is to hard discharge, then charge hard ending 1-2 minutes before your race. Also, any charger that reads internal resistance ideally per cell is a good start.

nick31

It's already out!

I got mine from Tower for under $200.
Also picked up a PSU from lipoconnectionsolutions (24v 62A 1500w)

Still have to solder up my connections though..

ashxxx

iTrader: (137)

I charger 308 about 250 new if u buy a i charger get it from progessive rc. Only place in the us that will offer a warrenty with out having to send backbto china.