Review: Sony BCG-34HRMF4 BCG-34HRMF with LCD monitor

[itsme000]

The Sony BCG-34HRMF4 is a combo pack of 4 2700mAh Sony branded cells with a BCG-34HRMF charger.

The BCG-34HRM(n) is a 100-240v capable charger with "refresh" function and a LCD status indicator. The channels are individual, so anything from 1-4 cells maybe charged. n = D,E,F depending on the mAh of the cells bundled with.

Here's a link to Amazon listing
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-BCG-34HRM.../dp/B0002IOIMQ

It is sold for around $30-50 with 4 cells.

When it is loaded with 1-2 cells, it operates in quick charge mode and charges twice as fast as 3-4 cells.

The instruction says to load the cells first, then plug in and charging is complete when "CHARGE" disappears from the LCD. Following the instruction, I charged the included 2,700mAh batteries and they only charged to about 2,000mAh after two cycles. Further testing is in progress, but it is not looking good.

The refresh function simply "drains" then charges the battery. The LCD is no more useful than a status indicator LED and based on what I've observed so far, this charger sucks.

[coppertrail]

Before saying that this charger sucks, have you run other cells, such as eneloop, through this charger and then taken an mAh reading? I would believe it safe to say that the cells that come with this charger are garbage, but not the charger itself.

I do own one of these and it's good for a travel charger. When I'm @ home, I use the MH-C9000.

[itsme000]

eneloop is only 2,000mAh, but a charger that will fully charge a 2,700mAh is hard to come by, because many shut off on safety timer before getting to that point.

[itsme000]

Also, this charger offers two charging speeds. It will charge at double rate for 1 to 2 cells or normal rate for 3 to 4 cells.

The time weighed rate is simply adjusted by duty cycle allocation. For 1 to 2 cell, each cell is allocated 50% cycle. For 3 to 4, each cell gets 25%.

The double rate charging does not charge the cells as well as single rate.

Using tested 2650mAh batteries that discharge at ~2600mAh @500mA after a 270mA x 16 hour charge, the same batteries discharged only 2150mAh after charging on this Sony charger in four cell configuration.