The Best Sony Battery Charger (2021) ISDT

[@vojtanethio]

thanks! I was really struggling to choose a charger for my a7 IV batteries.

[@CTOLARSSON]

Oh man you’ve made an update too! That’s the one I’m getting. Thank you!!

[@GoodGuysMedia]

Wes- your videos are always easy to get into i love the tech you choose to review. I've taken some time away from your channel, to go out and actually USE all the gear you recommended. But when i need new insight or a gear review, i come back to check in on your channel. Thanks for the great work!

[@occamsrazor000]

Having used both the Nitecore USN4 and ISDT NP2 chargers: - Do you still prefer the ISDT? - What is the quickest charging time to charge two FZ100 batteries from flat on the highest charging setting on both? I can't make my mind up. The ISDT seems like it should be faster based on specs, and is nicely featured, and USB-C is a plus, but I can't seem to get clear figures from any of the reviews (many of whom didn't notice the fast charging setting). But the Nitecore appears a bit more compact which is relevant for me. Thanks.

[@WesPerry]

The information readout on the ISDT makes it a clear winner for me. Just the ability to know feasibly accurately how much power is left/how much time I have to charge a battery is a big win. The tiny bars on the Nitecore just don’t compare. Plus with the ability to choose between fast and slow charge (because you don’t always want to fast charge), also a big win.

[@occamsrazor000]

@@WesPerry Thanks I appreciate the reply. Is fast charge with two batteries actually faster on the ISDT than the Nitecore? The wattage specs would say so, but I can't seem to find any real-world figures....

[@WesPerry]

Yes, it is within a margin of error the same speed as the Nitecore.

[@KollideMedia]

Thanks, you just saved me much time of research. Bought the new one. Thanks for the recommendation

[@EvanWisheropp]

Thanks so much for the video, so much work went into this. I have one question to clarify, when you buy this from the link, do you need to buy the fast charging brick extra? If so, do you have a link to what you would suggest?

[@WesPerry]

I’d have to look for another. Pretty sure the one I was using back then was discontinued Long ago…

[@EvanWisheropp]

@@WesPerry Wow, you really are always in the comments! Thanks for the reply. I watched the video again and caught some of the specifics you said about the brick and I think I can find something similar. Thanks so much for the video

[@WesPerry]

Cool cool cool 😏

[@EvanWisheropp]

I have a follow up. I just got the charger in the mail. I bought a power brick that claimed some high numbers, but when plugged in the charger would just turn off and one repeatedly, about every 2 seconds (and beeping when it does so). I tested all the power bricks in the house and found another one (DJI brand) with the exact same specs that works flawlessly and is charging very fast. I’m now using the power brick that didn’t work with this charger to successfully charge other devices. Weird. So for people looking to plug this charger into the wall, I would recommend buying a more expensive name brand power brick!! The charger is very sensitive to the power break. Really, they should include one in the package!

[@WesPerry]

Certainly sounds like that power brick wasn’t successfully negotiating a usb c handshake. Unfortunate, but way too common.

[@jeffrey3205]

Watson, from b&h, had it for ages works great

[@WesPerry]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, it can't be powered via USB, and doesn't provide battery health metrics (and also doesn't have a cool colour screen! haha). Additionally it appears to be based on the charging circuitry of the generic "dual LCD charger" from my previous video, which tops out around 15-16W total charge, not the full charge rate supported by the batteries (the rate at which the actual Sony charger that comes in the box charges at). It also requires swapping battery plates to charge different types of batteries. That variety of charger was my favourite for a long time, so I have nothing against it, it just doesn't have nearly the same level of functionality as this one.

[@Mepjc]

My RAVPower FW50 charger just died (super quick full refund from RAVPower, so can't complain too much) and this looks exactly like what I'm after - why can't I get this in the UK!?

[@WesPerry]

Not sure why. Really only has good availability in the states and China for some reason. Regularly totally goes out of stock as well

[@Mepjc]

@@WesPerry Thanks Wes, and thanks for bringing this charger to my attention. I have the stock FW50 Sony charger so will try stick with that for a bit and keep an eye out for the NP2. I'm sure I'll upgrade to something with the larger batteries eventually so would be nice to have a quality charger all ready to go! Otherwise it will be the Nitecore.

[@WesPerry]

The nice thing about this one is it takes all sorts of Sony batteries. I still use my a7ii and a6000 from time to time and it’s nice to have the versatility

[@LuiginoCisalpino]

Can you suggest a battery charger for NP FV(NP FV 50 or 70 or 100) batterymodels too

[@WesPerry]

Hmm. Doesn’t look like there are a lot of options there!

[@mathewvanbebber135]

said but ISDT NP-BX1 no longer available

[@WesPerry]

Yeah, they’re currently working on a new model that will be out soon(ish), so unfortunately this one is discontinued 😕

[@ClimbingColo]

@@WesPerry do you know when the new one will be out?

[@WesPerry]

All I know is they told me “soon”. When I asked for more specifics, it was just “soon” again. Lol

[@ClimbingColo]

@@WesPerry looks like its now available again on amazon

[@geomantilla]

i can't get it to charge. The usb c just doesn't work :(

[@WesPerry]

Most likely your charger or cable. The usb standard is a disaster filled with incompatibilities. When I plug it into my Apple usb c charger, it’ll only handshake properly about 1/12 times. In my car or with a rav power usb charger it works well, though, but only with a compatible cable (not all c cables will do quick charge or power delivery).

[@GilbertTV]

not available in Europe sadly .. looks good Wes

[@WesPerry]

Yeah, it’s hard enough just to get in Canada!

[@stefan_becker]

I purchased one a few months ago at Amazon Germany. Great device, but died today (keeps rebooting over and over again) :-(

[@WesPerry]

I find that it does that with certain USB chargers, and especially does that when you try to use it with USB PD charger. I have many, many chargers, and only have two that it does that with. Seems to be a quick charge handshake issue.

[@stefan_becker]

@@WesPerry Thanks for the advice! Yes, it's definitively related to the USB charger. Strangely enough it used to work for several weeks with the exactly that charger.

[@WesPerry]

Fantastic. Glad that worked out :)

[@snellalanna]

Good video!! I like that!!

[@bobmusikk]

Hello from Montreal, do you still recommend this charger 2 years after? Thanks

[@WesPerry]

In some circumstances yeah There’s a new isdt charger out now that I Really enjoy, but it might only be for nerds (Review out soon)

[@bobmusikk]

@@WesPerry for Sony's too? I have a job this week, need one now :)

[@WesPerry]

Just need to make sure you have a usb source that will feed it properly. It can be a bit selective. (More the usb spec that’s a mess and hit or miss when it homes to higher power devices)

[@bobmusikk]

@@WesPerry I have a DJI 30w AC to USB-C for my drone

[@WesPerry]

Should be fine. But only god knows for sure 😂

[@exclude_]

do you know if it overcharges the batteries if i leave it at 100%?

[@WesPerry]

It doesn’t. If anything it has a tiny back current leak when left on the charger for too long.

[@exclude_]

@@WesPerry thanks for letting me know!

[@lisamarie8902]

Have you tried the Hahnel PROCUBE2?

[@WesPerry]

I haven’t… $140 puts it out of what I would consider a reasonable price range, tbh Trying a new and very competitive charger now that’s $20-30 … charges 3 types of batteries, has Bluetooth app control and upgradeable firmware, and selectable power output! Hahnel needs to calm down 😂

[@pitzkale]

@@WesPerry The ISDT NP2 Air?

[@WesPerry]

Yep that’s the one ;)

[@pitzkale]

@@WesPerry Well, if it's any good I'll get one :) Still not sure having an app with the battery info would be preferable to having a screen with the info on the charger itself..

[@WesPerry]

Yeah it’s definitely different. Still experimenting with the best ways of making use of it…

[@IMDABROWN]

Nope, not doing it, I’m not buying another charger just because you made the charger look so desirable.

[@WesPerry]

Hey, if you've already got one that works for you, then this video might not be for you. I mean...unless you Really want another 😂

[@Pharesm]

wireless charging wastes energy from your power bank. Also, I can't imagine that you're adding power radiation to the wifi radiation and cellular radiation your phone is already producing, within inches of your reproductive gear.... If you get deformed babies, don't say you haven't been warned... Also, I don't like your new 'favorite' charger - gratuitous stuff on it, that just adds potential failure points, right when you're out shooting in Patagonia or some place. Nitecore has a bunch of years of reputation for reliability. I don't need my charger fancy - I need it reliable. No, I don't work for them, I just did some research, since I don't really want to pay Sony's price.

[@WesPerry]

Actually ISDT has a longer reputation in charging than Nitecore, as they've been producing well regarded chargers for RC cars and other lithium ion systems for over a decade now. I also have the Nitecore charger, and while it is great for travel, and after using it for a few years, I find the need to have a QC compatible charger (and even then, sometimes they don't negotiate the Quick Charge handoff well until you've plugged and unplugged it a few times) to charge two batteries at once to be a bit of an annoyance. On many, many occasions I've found myself only charging one battery at a time when I needed to be charging both.

[@Pharesm]

@@WesPerry Much thanks for the details. I've never heard of the issue with only charging one battery - that is certainly annoying...

[@rsmith02]

@@Pharesm He recommended the Nitecore here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2aug5WimdJ8i9U As far as radiation, the inverse square law is your friend as it falls off dramatically with distance. I don't charge anything right next to me (not because I'm concerned, but because it just doesn't need to be charged there). I agree wireless charging is inefficient and don't see the point.