This review is exactly why I keep watching. Sometimes these reviews can get pretty tedious. I don't really need to see another knife review or flashlight review or bag review unless it is something really special (quite rare). But this gadget is the first 18650 charger I have seen which takes a USB input such that it can be charged from a solar panel. And I have been looking for something line this for months! I just purchased one. Thanks!
ATTENTION ALL Nitecore UM20 this charger is NOT for AA or AAA batteries . this is 4.2V + - 1% (though i managed to charge a 3.7v ) and as some of you might know AAA / AA needs 1.2v charger.
he um20 looks promising, although I've burned through plenty of the i2 & i4 chargers like it ain't nothing. right now I'm on my second nitecore d2 charger which isn't a bad product by all means. I would just like to see them step their game up a bit and make newer better versions of their chargers. all in all though sir, another great review and a big thumbs up....
That Nitecore UM20 is one sweet setup. I wish I had known about this a while ago .. would have saved me buying a charger for the aaa's, aa's and my 18650's .. my 18650 charger can't charge the cr123'a either. Great review! This UM20 is on my list for sure! Thanks for sharing.
hey ben, i have the um20 as well. have you ever experienced a charge error message on the um20 when there are clouds passing overhead. i watched another youtube video on um10 model where you have to unplug and replug charger to clear error message. dont have time to babysit the charging system
Hey Ben. I ordered the D2 4x battery charger and the 2 USB versions (single and double battery) along with the USB rechargeable torch you reviewed. Think I'm covered now for battery charging options ;-) thinking about getting the XDragon 20w solar panel charger to go with this lot.what do think ?
great review and I like how you show multiple options to charge. Also i like the jacket looks like grid fleece? what is it (if its an upcoming review my bad)
what's the difference between the um20 and the d2 ??? I bought the um20 for indoor use to charge my 18350 batteries not sure if I made the correct buy . The um20 charges slower the the d2?
I enjoyed review, but I'm confused on the selector button. Do I have to change from battery to usb if I'm charging more than one item such as you showed on vide(your cellphone.
I recently got the UM10 and was very impressed. I love the LCD, but I have ran into a few different batteries that wouldn't charge (stuck at 0% and 4%) in it at all. My I2 charged them fine though, then the UM10 seemed to work with them. Have you had anything like that happen?
Great vid Ben and nice device since it can charge almost anything. I wonder if the 10 sec wait time has to do with detecting the appropriate voltage etc i.e a slow chip to keep it affordable. My only gripe is the on the go factor for mainly AA and AAA: since there is quite a bit of movement in the compartment, and say you were charging from a solar panel on your pack or powerbank and traversing terrain of any kind, a bump or jolt (innevitable) could fairly easily dislodge the batteries. For the price I can't really see a more practical solution other than seperate chargers. Cheers.
EarlyMist For AAA and AA I use the goalzero guide10 and it keeps the AAA and AA securely in there and can charge them via solar panel. I use the UM20 for the 18650 and RCR123.
Living Survival so I guess my vague concerns are correct...these chargers may or may not hold AA or AAA intact for out and about actual trekking purposes. No criticism.....just that it may be a bonus that they can charge aa and aaa on the run...as long as we check the positioning of those lesser (my greater...18650 and cr123 are rare and special order round here) batteries. Good review!
EarlyMist And may I add..the price is right. For that outlay...for any trekker..or even home user...very good. Great recommendation. I already have a 4 x AA / aaa unit but for someone who wants a new 'universal' unit this seems hard to beat...after re-checking the price on Australian ebay.
What a great item. I just have dedicated 18650 or 14500, etc. I need that. Think I should invest in the higher quality nightcore or other (white wrap with blue lettering that's very popular) rechargeable batteries? I have cheapy chinese ones for flashlights and so. Thx for the help.
+Living Survival is there a charger like this that does? it would be extremely useful to be able to wack in batteries from a charged torch or something to then charge a cell phone in an emergency
I' m a proud owner of a Nitecore UM20 charger and I have a doubt. What wall charger can I use with UM20? Is it safe to use any 5V with 500mA? Or 1000mA? Or another value in between?! I'm asking this, because, when I travel, sometimes I don't have any usb port to use and / or this charging method is than wall chargin (I think...) Thank you in advance.
Apparently the Sony 18650 batteries on the market are fake. Sony never made 18650s for individual sale and only used them for battery packs for laptops. Not sure how true this is as I read it on a thread from a deposit Sony employee.
Those nitecore batteries are crap, nitecore doesn't manufacture batteries so those are rewraps, not a safe battery. Very prone to failure- venting and possibly even thermal Runaway
This review is exactly why I keep watching. Sometimes these reviews can get pretty tedious. I don't really need to see another knife review or flashlight review or bag review unless it is something really special (quite rare). But this gadget is the first 18650 charger I have seen which takes a USB input such that it can be charged from a solar panel. And I have been looking for something line this for months! I just purchased one. Thanks!
Tracy Reed Great, thanks for watching.
That was a very thorough review Ben! You answered all my questions before I had them. Well done.
Feral Woodcraft thanks!
That is badass that it can charge multiple types of batteries! Really love that it can be used to charge via solar panel. Fantastic!
Armed Rogue thanks for watching.
ATTENTION ALL Nitecore UM20 this charger is NOT for AA or AAA batteries .
this is 4.2V + - 1% (though i managed to charge a 3.7v )
and as some of you might know AAA / AA needs 1.2v charger.
+sha har True. He did address that in the video. You will need the i2 for nimh batteries. The UM20 will do the new IMR batteries though.
Exactly the information I have been looking for! Thank you very much! Subscribed!
he um20 looks promising, although I've burned through plenty of the i2 & i4 chargers like it ain't nothing. right now I'm on my second nitecore d2 charger which isn't a bad product by all means. I would just like to see them step their game up a bit and make newer better versions of their chargers. all in all though sir, another great review and a big thumbs up....
yes! I am interested in the UM20. Thank you for this review bro
That Nitecore UM20 is one sweet setup. I wish I had known about this a while ago .. would have saved me buying a charger for the aaa's, aa's and my 18650's .. my 18650 charger can't charge the cr123'a either.
Great review! This UM20 is on my list for sure!
Thanks for sharing.
P701 Preparedness & Outdoors the i2 is the one that can charge all. the usb um20 can only do 18650/RCR123.
ahh .. ok . thanks sir.
Lots of versatility . Good review. ATB - Stan
Deep South Experience thanks for stopping by stan.
Nice review! I like the versatility! Thanks for sharing!
hey ben, i have the um20 as well. have you ever experienced a charge error message on the um20 when there are clouds passing overhead. i watched another youtube video on um10 model where you have to unplug and replug charger to clear error message. dont have time to babysit the charging system
Hey Ben. I ordered the D2 4x battery charger and the 2 USB versions (single and double battery) along with the USB rechargeable torch you reviewed. Think I'm covered now for battery charging options ;-) thinking about getting the XDragon 20w solar panel charger to go with this lot.what do think ?
+Daddy Dave Never heard of the XDragon but probably pretty good setup there.
great review and I like how you show multiple options to charge. Also i like the jacket looks like grid fleece? what is it (if its an upcoming review my bad)
PatientZR0 It is just a northface pullover.
Nice review. These look fantastic for sure
SouthPaw Bushcraft Thanks for checking it out.
what's the difference between the um20 and the d2 ??? I bought the um20 for indoor use to charge my 18350 batteries not sure if I made the correct buy . The um20 charges slower the the d2?
I enjoyed review, but I'm confused on the selector button. Do I have to change from battery to usb if I'm charging more than one item such as you showed on vide(your cellphone.
Albert Corales No, it just gives priority when there isn't enough power coming in to charge both simultaneously (solar panel for example).
I recently got the UM10 and was very impressed. I love the LCD, but I have ran into a few different batteries that wouldn't charge (stuck at 0% and 4%) in it at all. My I2 charged them fine though, then the UM10 seemed to work with them. Have you had anything like that happen?
Logic Bob i haven't.
Great vid Ben and nice device since it can charge almost anything. I wonder if the 10 sec wait time has to do with detecting the appropriate voltage etc i.e a slow chip to keep it affordable. My only gripe is the on the go factor for mainly AA and AAA: since there is quite a bit of movement in the compartment, and say you were charging from a solar panel on your pack or powerbank and traversing terrain of any kind, a bump or jolt (innevitable) could fairly easily dislodge the batteries. For the price I can't really see a more practical solution other than seperate chargers. Cheers.
EarlyMist For AAA and AA I use the goalzero guide10 and it keeps the AAA and AA securely in there and can charge them via solar panel. I use the UM20 for the 18650 and RCR123.
Living Survival so I guess my vague concerns are correct...these chargers may or may not hold AA or AAA intact for out and about actual trekking purposes. No criticism.....just that it may be a bonus that they can charge aa and aaa on the run...as long as we check the positioning of those lesser (my greater...18650 and cr123 are rare and special order round here) batteries. Good review!
EarlyMist And may I add..the price is right. For that outlay...for any trekker..or even home user...very good. Great recommendation. I already have a 4 x AA / aaa unit but for someone who wants a new 'universal' unit this seems hard to beat...after re-checking the price on Australian ebay.
EarlyMist Well the UM20 (the usb one) will only do 18650 and RCR123 and holds those well. The I2 is what does the AAA and AA and that is 12 volt.
Did this come with the usb cable? What size and kind of AA and AAA batteries can I use? Thank You!
What a great item. I just have dedicated 18650 or 14500, etc. I need that. Think I should invest in the higher quality nightcore or other (white wrap with blue lettering that's very popular) rechargeable batteries? I have cheapy chinese ones for flashlights and so. Thx for the help.
Lellobeetle I only get nitecore, fenix or olight. Anything fire is cheapo.
can you use it with an adapter on the wall socket with 220 V?
Can you use the UM20 as a power bank using 18650 batteries
Mp0wer you mean to output to other devices? yes.
Living Survival the power output to other devices uses the USB power source. It does not work as a powerbank or Charge USING the 18650 batteries.
Yuxuan Lee right, better clarification. thanks.
+Living Survival is there a charger like this that does? it would be extremely useful to be able to wack in batteries from a charged torch or something to then charge a cell phone in an emergency
you can do it with the goal zero.
is there any different for um20 and um10? I just need charger for my headlamp thanks
I've a Nitecore um20 , Its heating a lot, what must I do to fix it?
I' m a proud owner of a Nitecore UM20 charger and I have a doubt.
What wall charger can I use with UM20?
Is it safe to use any 5V with 500mA? Or 1000mA? Or another value in between?!
I'm asking this, because, when I travel, sometimes I don't have any usb port to use and / or this charging method is than wall chargin (I think...)
Thank you in advance.
Can i charge two cell phones at once and what's the best portable solar chargers like this give me the names of them ?
www.anker.com/products/variant/PowerPort-Solar-2-Ports/A2421011
Apparently the Sony 18650 batteries on the market are fake. Sony never made 18650s for individual sale and only used them for battery packs for laptops. Not sure how true this is as I read it on a thread from a deposit Sony employee.
TheGWood89 not sure either, they are all re-wrapped and different brands it seems.
Very good video.
better buck beagles michigan thank you.
so how long does it take to charge on the solar panel??
***** haven't tested that one, I just go as long as I can. I will test taht soon.
Cool
I want to use the um20 to charge my phone and other items that only charge via mini usb.....how do I do that?
is there a dummy battery with a mini usb cord coming out of it I can plug right into my phone or 2600mah vape?
I just subscribed to your channel :)
Pople BackyardFarm thank you very much.
excellent review
+winston didit thanks.
do you got a discount code for gearbest Ben?
Kristyanna Virgona yes, listed on the forum in the link.
Great video! :)
Too much on the IL2. Just giving feedback.:)
My LCD Backlight went rogue....... 😤😤 after just first 4 hours of usage.........
ياكبر ام وجهك ,, تقول قدر ضغط
Those nitecore batteries are crap, nitecore doesn't manufacture batteries so those are rewraps, not a safe battery. Very prone to failure- venting and possibly even thermal Runaway