Novak Millennium VS Tekin BC112C

[Hairball]

Ok, I want to get a new charger. My trusty Tekin BC-67 is really cool, but it doesnt charge NiMH batterys, and I'm not sure if its up to standards anymore...
A friend of mine has a Tekin BC112C and I really like it, and the Power Flex Tech really seems to have improved his NiCad packs. I was thinking of buying one too, but I have this strange feeling that Tekin has gone out of business, and I don't want to buy a product with no kind of service. Can anyone confirm this?

Then there is the Novak Millennium. It seems to be the charger to get, but is a bit pricey, and requires an external power supply as well. Is this charger of chargers? Is it really worthy the money? I like the idea of buying a N-Power supply, and them having two Millennium chargers (or even the new Pro version) on top of it, so I can cycle two pack at once.

What do you guys use? And if money wasnt any issue, what would you use?

thanks

-=Hairball=-

[Grizzbob]

Well, I do happen to have both a Tekin BC112a(the DC only version of that charger) & a Millenium, both powered by an N-Power. Really, I like both a lot, but each has a little drawback. With the Tekin, I love it's cold start mode(it disables peak detection for a few minutes to prevent false peaks), but you can't adjust it's voltage peak threshold(the amount of voltage drop it allows before it shuts off, it simply has a few preset thresholds to select from, that's why you see a P, P1, P2, & each one is less sensitive than the previous). The Millenium, on the other hand, does give you complete control over the voltage threshold(which makes it perfect for any cells, especially NiMh's), but it's drawback is that it doesn't have a cold start mode(however, that's really the only notable problem). Then of course, there will be the Millenuim Pro, which will have everything the basic one has plus a new charge mode specifically for NiMh's(the NiMh2 mode), some memory to store charge settings(so you don't have to readjust it every time you want to charge a different kind of pack) & also a built in Pit Wizard, to program their Cyclone series & Atom ESC's. And, the big kicker for the Millenium Pro is that its street price will only be about $5 over the price of the original Millenium. If you can afford to wait a few weeks, then I'd get a Millenium Pro..... :)

[ChumsGum]

If you're charging NiMHs I'd go with the Millenium, if you're charging NiCDs I'd go with the 112.

One advantage the 112 has over the Millenium is its ability to charge up to 12 cells, which technically means you can charge 2 6-cell packs at once. So if you've got an Emaxx, definately go with the 112.

Then again, there's that issue of Tekin on its death bed.

[broken_parts]

As long as u an get ahold of a tekin chrager go for it, theirs this company express tech, that repairs tekin products, i already sent my rebel in and they do a good job.
B_P

[InspGadgt]

I have the AC version of the Tekin 112...I was a loyal Tekin person for a long time until recently. I still do like my 112 alot though. It's very simple and easy to use and with the current software up date does a good job on NiMh batteries. However...I also have Cyclone and Atom ESCs and am currently useing the laptop link for programming them. I'm strongly considering converting to the Millenium Pro when it comes out.

[Railman]

If money weren't an isue, a CE Turbo 35. They can do so many things, in a top notch way. You can charge, discharge, cycle, get discharge numbers, & do elementary dyno testing all in one package. The only thing is it'l still only charge one pack at a time. Virtually all the top racers use Turbo 35's. We have 4 Tekins, 2 112c, & 2 112a, along with a 350 discharger, which all get hooked up in a daisy chain fashion. It's not a tubo 35, but it will charge 4 packs at once, & will do 1 to 12 cells at .01 to 10 amps. I don't know of another charger that's as flexible as far as what it'll charge. How many cells will a Milenium charge? Just curious. I do think that the new Milenium model will be a smash hit with the pit wizzard being built in, but if you can find a used 112c for a good price, I'd be tempted to go for that. If you run the Cyclone type Novak speed controls, & don't have a Pit Wizard, it's a no brainer. I wouldn't be surprised if somewone picks up the ball on the Tekin product line though. There are an awfull lot of satisfied loyal Tekin customers out there...me included.

It would be cool if someone came out with an after market relay that was activated by a thermal sensor, that would interupt the charge current to a nmh pack. That way you could use any charger to charge the nmh packs. Anyone?? :cool:
Joe