ZTS Multi Battery Tester - ZTS MBT-1
by ZTS
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List Price: Our Price: $69.95 You Save: $5.05 (7%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of ZTS Multi Battery Tester - ZTS MBT-1
Customer Review: comparison of mini and full-size battery testers
Summary: 5 Stars
I first bought a ZTS Mini Multi-Battery Tester (MINI-MBT), but later decided that it would be useful to have the larger and more expensive ZTS Multi-Battery Tester (MBT-1). This review might help if you're trying to decide which one to get.
Both testers are excellent at performing their jobs. The reason that I eventually found the mini-tester inadequate is that I have quite a few devices whose batteries can't be tested by this device (but can be tested by the larger MBT-1):
- 3v lithium coin (2016, 2032, etc.)
- 1.5v button cell (S76, A76, 357, LR44, etc.)
The mini-tester works on four classes of batteries, while the full-size tester works on ten classes (several of which I've never seen). The full-size version handles every battery-operated device I have except for a few devices that use oddball tiny button cells (392=SR41, 386=SR43, 389=SR54) -- for instance, a meat thermometer and a fever thermometer.
Other than the set of batteries that can be handled, there are a few small differences between the two testers. The mini-tester has an "on" switch and auto-off; the large tester has no switch at all. Both testers have a row of LEDs that indicate the battery state -- five on the mini and six on the full-size (with an additional LED for 10% battery life). The full-size tester has a self-test to tell you whether you need to replace the 4 AA batteries that power it. The mini-tester uses 4 AAA batteries, and does not have a self-test.
The most obvious difference between the two is sheer size -- the mini-tester similar to a pack of cards, the full-size tester more like a hefty book with narrow pages.
Customer Review: Excellent Tester
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read the other reviews and don't disagree with the large size, size of contacts, etc. But I don't find any of those really bothersome.
Something that hasn't been mentioned much though is the quality of technical support. I use a variety of battery types and have several ZTS testers. I've written to ZTS multiple times with various questions and I always get answers back from Dave within 1-2 days. On this particular tester, I asked if it would be OK to use NiMH batteries IN the tester. His answer was no, because those batteries run at a somewhat lower voltage than alkalines and would give you a low battery warning much sooner. Also, many NiMH cells are not the low self discharge type and would lose capacity just sitting on the shelf.
I will probably still use the NiMH but with the proviso that I would only put freshly charged LSD ones in there while I was doing testing. I try to avoid storing ANY electronic gear with alkaline batteries, knowing that leakage and corrosion is likely.
I do like that the ZTS testers put a significant load on the batteries under test for a very brief time. That means you are really working the batteries but only draining a minuscule amount.
I've used the various ZTS testers on everything from car batteries to button cells. I've never had a tester malfunction and the tech support is great. Definitely worth five stars!
Customer Review: Excellent Product - This is how it works
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a battery load tester. It places a load on the battery you are testing and reports as to it's charge state. That's why it requires 4 AA batteries.
Here's how it works. You choose the type of battery you want to test - lithium or ni-cad, alkaline in a large number of various types - AA, AAA, C, D, CR123, etc. There are no switches on this unit. You simply hold the positive end of the battery against the appropriate small metal contact(s) on the face of the unit, next you touch the tip of one foot long a lead wire to the negative end of the battery. The lead is conveniently stored in the side of the unit which is why you can't see it in the photo of the product. After a few seconds of testing (and flashing), the LED load meter displays the strength of the battery (10%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% or full). It's simple to use and accurate. Yeah it's expensive but so are all the still good batteries you probably are now tossing in the trash. We all use tons of batteries these days and this thing is built to last a lifetime so it will provide a good return on investment.
Customer Review: Best Battery Checker Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, this thing is expensive, but nowadays you get what you pay for. I check all my batteries, and with this unit I wound up throwing away several that I thought were good. They were just sitting in the battery tray. I tested a box of new batteries and came up with two or three that were completely dead from the get go.
What I like about it is that if you have 3 or 4 rechargeable batteries in a device, you can take them out when they go dead and check them. There might be one that is completely dead, found by using this machine. You can take the dead one and do a break-in cycle on a MaHa or PowereEX charger.
I thought having to put the positive end of the battery on the checker contact and using the probe on the negative end would be a pain in the A-- but it is not. The contact surface for the positive end is plenty good, and you don't have to deal with two wire when checking each battery.
I would use regular alkaline batteries to power the unit so you get accurate readings.
Highly recommended.
Customer Review: You got to get one of these
Summary: 5 Stars
Had this for over a year, extremely accurate. Initially expense, but it will save you money by not tossing out the baby w/ the bathwater, that one or two good battery in a component that is acting up w/ 2 out of 4 batteries bad. 10 different testing spots, so a bit tricky to find the proper place to test a battery, but if you can read, not a problem.
A bit large, but I place it in a tupperware box w/ all my batteries. I use this often, and it has proven accurate. And here is the spooky thing, it is actually made in the USA, I hope they did not outsource the production since I bought it.
Best part about it, It can spot those rechargeable batteries that are done (no longer can accept a charge).
Probably a good learning tool for kids as well.
Glad I bought it, and people ask me to bring it into the office.