Hitec RDX2 Pro High Power Dual Port AC/DC Charger Review
While Hitec is best known for their high-end servos, they are also one of the leading manufacturers of battery chargers in the rc industry. One of their latest battery chargers is the RDX2 Pro, which promises big power, fast charges, while being super easy to use. Our crack pot test crew has spent the last couple of weeks using the Hitec like we stole it. What are out thoughts? Did it work well? Is it worth the cash? You know the drill, scroll down to get our thoughts on the Hitec RDX2 Pro battery charger.
From: Hitec
Direct Link: RDX2 Pro Battery Charger
Review By: Cubby
Specifications:
* Input Voltage- AC 100-240V/DC 11-18V
* Charge Current Range- 0.1 to 14 amps x 2
* Discharge Current Range- 0.1 to 2 amps x 2
* Current Drain for Balancing Port- Max. 500mA/cell
* Cell Type Supported- LiPo, LiFe, Lilon, LiHV, NiMH, NiCd, Pb
* Maximum LiPo Cell Count- 6S
* Dimensions- 6.1″ x 5.9″ x 2.7″
* Net Weight: 2.13 lbs.
* 10 Battery Memories
* Modes- Balance, standard, fast and storage
* Smart Ventilation Fan
* 5V/2.1A USB port
* Micro USB Socket for optional Bluetooth Dongle & Firmware Upgrades
What’s In The Box: Inside the box you get the charger, its AC power cord, a DC power cord, a balance board, a receiver pack charge cord, a manual, and a pair of XT60 to Deans adaptors.
Build Quality: Everything on our test unit looked on point. The charger was in perfect condition, as was all the supplied wiring.
Set-up Notes: We used the Hitec to charge a very wide variety of different battery chemistries, as well as many different cell counts and capacity ratings. From a small 2S MaxAmps crawler LiPo, to a giant 6S LiPo for an X-Maxx, to a smaller NiMH pack used for crawling, we charged a bunch of packs on the Hitec for the review.
Ease Of Use: Hitec chargers are well know for being easy to use, but the RDX2 Pro might be their easiest yet. We really liked the large dial and push buttons on the Hitec, which made changes, and pack charges, very easy to do. We had three of our test crew members come in “cold” and charge a typical pack on the Hitec, and none of our crack testers had to resort to the manual to figure anything out. We think most hobbyist will spend about 2 minutes figuring things out, then be good to go for the duration.
But wait, there’s more! Hitec also sent us an optional RDX2 Pro Bluetooth Dongle (#44305) that we used to make charging even easier from a smart device. The dongle allowed us to control and monitor the charger via our smartphone, thus making an easy job, even easier!
Power: Ok, this is where the Hitec really stands out to us. The RDX2 Pro puts out a beefy 14 amps per channel, which is great for charging packs faster than 1C. On a MaxAmps 2S 5250 LiPo we were able to charge at 14 amps, with is nearly a 3C charge rate, which was very impressive! This extra power allows for fast charging on most smaller packs, with plenty of power for those big packs too (6000mAh plus). All this power is great for saving time, allowing us to get in more driving, with less downtime.
Final Verdict: Our Hitec RDX2 Pro worked flawlessly and was a pleasure to have around the office. Pretty much anyone can walk right up and be fast charging nearly any pack, in a minimal amount of time. We do wish the Hitec would have come with two balance boards, but were super impressed with it overall. Should you cut the check? Absolutely, if you are looking for an easy to use high power charger, the RDX2 Pro is one of the best on the market.
