Review: XTAR VN2 4-In-1 Intelligent Visible Camera Battery Charger
Overview: The VN2 has a magazine head and a removable card. By replacing the charger plate, it becomes compatible with many camera batteries. The VN2 currently has four removable drives (sold separately) and supports four camera batteries: Canon LP-E6 / E6N / E6NH, Canon LP-E17, Canon LP-E8 and Sony NP-FW50.
Features:
- 4 in 1 smart charger for LCD screen
- Removable charging plates for 4 types of batteries:
- Canon LP-E6 / E6N / E6NH
- Canon LP-E17
- Canon LP-E8
- Sony NP-FW50
- 2 chargers, 2x0.5A, 1x1A
- The digital display shows the actual charging status.
- USB Type-C port with a maximum input voltage of 5 V, 2.1 A
- Automatically shuts off after fully charged
- 0V activation function animates camera battery
- Multi-protection against overload, overload, overheating and soft start
- Compact size, easy to carry.
Quality/Availability: We reached out to XTAR to see if they were interested in reviewing their new charger for the VN2 4-in-1 camera. We had never heard of them before, but after looking through their website and online reviews, they were very interested in bapo products such as portable batteries, chargers such as 18650 and similar batteries.
The VN2 reminds us of the Nitecore UCN1 USB charger we tested earlier. The UCN1 has an LP-E6/E6N battery on one side and an LP-E8 on the other. On the other hand, the VN2 has different boards for different batteries and charges two identical batteries at the same time. So, let's move on and take a closer look.
XTAR VN2 is sold in several packages. You can buy headphones with a single battery, such as the LP-E6 / N, as shown on the left, with the seller, charger, USB-C cable and user manual.
XTAR VN2 is sold in several packages. You can buy headphones with a single battery, such as the LP-E6 / N, as shown on the left, with the seller, charger, USB-C cable and user manual.
You can also purchase additional utensils separately or purchase the complete set with four charging plates.
The device can determine the number of batteries inserted and distribute the power evenly. When the battery is inserted, it outputs up to 1A. If two batteries are connected, this 1 A is divided between two batteries of 0.5 A each. The download will therefore take a little longer.
XTAR says the charger will also revive discharged batteries that have not been used for a long time. However, we don't have a dead battery, so we can't confirm that.
Note . A tile with a green screen is just a screensaver that we never removed.
At the top of the device is a USB-C port to insert a charging cable. You can charge the batteries of the portable battery using the USB adapter from the mains socket, from the USB port of the laptop / computer or even on the go. When shooting an event, you can recharge your batteries in a pelican or backpack and move around. You no longer need to be near the store.
On the left is a switch that allows you to remove the plate and, if necessary, replace it with another battery plate.
Each battery plate has protrusions/brackets at each corner which are used to secure it in place. In all, there are six small pins in the center that connect to the six points in the middle of each plate (as seen on the right). Each plate also has notches that will be included in the protrusions.
To attach the charger head and battery plate, simply slide the insert in and slide the head to the left, holding the plate in place. The box will slam.
To remove, slide the lock button up and slide your head to the right, holding the plate in place.
Canon LP-E6 / E6N / E6NH
- Canon EOS 5D Mark II / III / IV, EOS 60D, EOS 60Da, EOS 6D, EOS 6D Mark II, EOS 70D, EOS 80D, EOS 7D, EOS 7D Mark II, EOS R, EOS R5, EOS R6
The XTAR VN2 LP-E6 / E6N / E6NH magazine is the same size as the original Canon magazine, but not as thick. Needless to say, an OEM charger can only charge one battery and a VN2 can charge two batteries at once.
I tested the OEM VN2 with the Canon LP-E6N, the new LP-E6NH that came with my Canon EOS R6, and the SterlingTek LP-E6 without a battery. All three batteries were charged on VN2 without any problems.
You can charge one battery in the front and charge the other battery when you flip it over. With two batteries, it is slightly thicker than a standard charger.
CANAN LP-E17
- Canon EOS M3, EOS M5, EOS M6 / M6 Mark II, EOS 750D, EOS 760D, EOS 800D, EOS 850D, EOS 77D, EOS 200D / 250D, EOS RP
We then changed the base to LP-E17. Because the LP-E17 batteries were smaller, they changed the plate to fit both batteries.
The figure on the right shows a comparison between the VN2 LP-E17 and the original Canon charger. VN2 is slightly smaller in thickness and length. But again, you can charge two batteries in VN2 at the same time instead of one regular battery.
The image on the left is an enlarged view of the LCD screen. The battery fits in the top slot.
The image on the right shows the battery in the slot that is always charging, regardless of the slot the battery is in. Like the LP-E6/N/NH batteries, the VN2 recharges my LP-E17 batteries without any problem.
CANAN LP-E8
- Canon EOS 550D, 600D, 650D, 700D
The third album offered by XTAR is designed for the LP-E8. Unfortunately I don't have this battery so I don't have the option to compare a standard charger or test the battery.
As with the LP-E6 battery board, you can also charge the second battery from the other side.
Sony NP-FW50
The latest album is Sony NP-FW50. As with the LP-E8, I don't have a device that uses this battery, so I can't compare it to an OEM charger. However, XTAR sent me their NP-FW50 battery. It is configured similarly to the LP-E17, where it has two battery slots.
- DSC-RX10, DSC-RX10 Mark II/III/IV
- SLT-A33, SLT-A37, SLT-A55
- NEX-3, NEX 5, NEX 6, NEX 7
- a3000, a5000, a6000, a6300, a6400, a6500
- a7, a7 note II, a7R, a7R note II, a7S, a7S note II
The latest album is Sony NP-FW50. As with the LP-E8, I don't have a device that uses this battery, so I can't compare it to an OEM charger. However, XTAR sent me their NP-FW50 battery. It is configured similarly to the LP-E17, where it has two battery slots.
You can also watch our cancellation and review video below:
Conclusion: Overall, the XTAR VN2 4-in-1 Smart Screen Camera Battery Charger is a great way to charge batteries and charge multiple batteries at the same time. Because it comes with a USB-C port, you can move around while charging the batteries and walk freely in your backpack or Pelican bag.
Conclusion: Overall, the XTAR VN2 4-in-1 Smart Screen Camera Battery Charger is a great way to charge batteries and charge multiple batteries at the same time. Because it comes with a USB-C port, you can move around while charging the batteries and walk freely in your backpack or Pelican bag.
As I have a Canon EOS R6 and a Canon EOS RP, I can carry a VN2 head and two chargers to recharge the batteries. This reduces the battery charge and I need two sockets to connect the chargers. I can just charge one set of batteries, replace and start charging with another set of batteries.
Although it's all plastic, it felt a bit thin, especially if you attached and released the battery plate. I would like the locking mechanism that locks the plate in place to be metal, not plastic. However, if it's locked in place, it's in safe mode.
It is the ideal camera charger for travel due to its versatility and small size.
