HOBBYMATE D6 Elite review: More than a drone charger

In the previous, chargers had been very fundamental digital units. I do not forget that ones I attempted to restore one and I discovered inside solely couple of resistors and diodes. Compared to these previous costs, the  HobbyMate D6 Elite is a really versatile hi-tech gear. In addition that enables to cost virtually any sort of rechargeable batteries (multi-chemistry) it may be used as servo tester as nicely. Moreover, because of the XT60 enter it may be used as emergency power-bank.While a lot of the drones include their very own devoted charger, they aren’t mandatory the most suitable choice. For instance, the FiMI A3 is full of a fundamental charger, which not permits to totally cost the LIPO. Using the HobbyMate D6Elite charger I obtained 4 minutes of additional flight time.Sponosored ADHobbyMate D6 Elite core featuresCharging, Discharging, Storage charging, Cell checker and Servo tester;PWM, PPM and SBUS Input/Output receiver & flight management tester;Multi-chemistry (LiPo 1-8S, LiHV 1-8S, LiFe 1-8S，NiMh 1-20S annd PB 1-12S);Can cost as much as 8 cell Li-Po batteries;Wide vary of DC enter ( 7~30V@MAX 16A) – XT60 plug;Integrated 2.2 inch (132*64 Pixel) black and white LCD;Intelligent twin cooling system (variable pace);USB [email protected] output for cell units.HOBBYMATE D6 Elite charger reviewDisclosure: I obtained this pocket drone charger as a part of a product assessment collaboration with HobbyCool. Although the product was provided freed from cost, all opinions on this assessment stay my very own and I used to be by no means influenced by the sponsor.I obtained the package deal in about 3 weeks with normal free transport. The field may be very small and consists of apart from the charger solely a USB Type A cable and a tiny consumer handbook. No battery adapters nor AC/DC adapter included.At a lookThe HOBBYMATE D6 Elite, is among the smallest 8s steadiness charger that I had my in hand. Anyway, regardless of its small measurement seems to be fairly good. On entrance panel there’s a 2.2″ monochrome LCD display, a dial-knob (with heart “OK” button) and “Exit” button. On left facet you’ll find the USB port ([email protected]) and the Servo socket (-,+,sign) which makes this charger fairly distinctive. Battery plugs (XT60 and 1-8S steadiness socket) are discovered on the fitting facet of the charger. Yes, it’s succesful to cost as much as 8 cell LIPOs, not simply 6 ones like different interest chargers.While its twin brother, the HobbyMate D6 Duo comes with built-in AC/DC adapter, the D6Elite requires exterior energy supply. As I beforehand talked about, for this function you’ve solely a XT60 plug. If you wish to cost one battery with one other one, it’s positive, however belief me this is not going to work endlessly. As energy supply you should use any DC adapter with 7-30 volts in addition to a 2-7S LI-PO battery. If you’ll use a LIPO battery to energy the charger I counsel you, to accurately set the enter restrict (3V/cell). For instance, in case of a 6S LIPo, you need to set 18V.On each side of the XT60 enter plug, there’s a tiny cooling fan. They begin to spin solely because it getting sizzling contained in the charger.User interface (fundamental menu)Powering on the charger, it enters robotically into fundamental menu the place you’ve 4 choices:  Charger, Output, Measurer and Settings. Navigating inside menus may be completed simply utilizing the dial knob, OK and Exit button.1. Charger – menuBy default, it comes with just one predefined battery sort (LIPO). The consumer can freely add/take away and customise its charging packages (battery sort, max cell voltage, cost present and discharge present). You can change charging present even on the fly (whereas the battery is charged). If you choose LIPO, LiHV or LiFe battery sort you can begin 3 completely different packages: Storage, Discharge and Charge. BTW, the variety of cells are robotically detected, which is fairly cool.2. Output modePWM – 1 channel – it permits to regulate/take a look at motors from a gimbal;PWR – 8 channels – it permits to check inputs of a flight controller (simulate a receiver);sBUS -16 channels – it permits to check inputs of a flight controller (simulate a receiver);PWR – Surely, this perform shall be appreciated by any electronics hobbyist. In this mode, the charger behaves as an step-up/step-down voltage/present regulator. You can alter output voltage even on the fly. Here are additionally some predefined settings for: Mavic2 – 17.6V, Mavic S – 13.0V, Phantom S – 17.4V and Inspire S – 26.1V.3. Measure modePWM – permits to measure receiver outputs (one channel on the time);PPM – permits to measure receiver outputs (as much as 8 channels on the time);sBUS – permits to measure receiver outputs (as much as 16 channels on the time);BATT – permits to watch every cell voltage, complete voltage and state of cost (SOC).ESC – Can simulate the throttle stick of the transmitter whereas measures the facility which is absorbed by the motor by means of the ESC.4. Settings MenuLowest enter (min 7.0V);Input energy (max 350W);Safe Temp. (by default 70° C);Safe CHG time (by default 120 minutes);DisCHG mode (Internal or Recycle);sBus worth (Original or Width);Back-light stage (1-10);Contrast (1-10);Buzzer (1-7);Idle beep (by default 5 minutes);Hub help (Off/On);Language (English/Chinese);Factory defaults;ID and firmware variations.What options I personally take a look at it?First factor I did, it was to make a 12V DC (feminine 2.1mm) to XT60 adapter cable. As I beforehand point out you’ll be able to’t cost batteries with one other battery for too lengthy. Even if it’s the dream of mankind :D.In addition to the usual stuff (charging, storage charging and discharging) I examined the PWR perform, the Servo tester and sBUS monitor. Practically a little bit of every thing 🙂 All additional options labored nice and they’re very helpful.During discharge, the charger grow to be fairly sizzling even the cooling followers labored at full pace. For discharge, you’ve two choices: inside and recycling. The second mode is fairly superior, virtually you switch the capability from one LI-PO to a different one.Through the USB port you’ll be able to cost normal USB units (smartphones, tables and toy drones). Yes, one other bonus! along with a LIPO battery, it may be used as power-bank for cell units.One other thing, when you join the battery to the output (each cables), the charger begins robotically in cell checker mode. Will present you the steadiness state (voltage of every cell), complete battery voltage and SOC (State Of Charge) in %.An the very last thing, you’ll be able to enter into calibration mode, by holding the middle button whereas heart button.Price & AvailabilityThis compact, however fully-featured LIPO charger may be discovered right here for under $39.90. If you’ve an Amazon account, you too can order it from there.Editor’s scores Price/efficiency ratio Design and construct high quality Battery compatibility Cell compatibilityVerdictWhether if you’re within the state of designing, testing, charging or troubleshooting your drone, the D6 Elite is your finest mate :). It permits to measure the facility utilization in an effort to calculate the ESC ranking. You can restrict the output energy within the testing section. Moreover it may be used as servo tester and cell checker. It permits to test the connection between the receiver and transmitter. Last however not least, it permits to cost virtually any sort of drone battery.Just like in case of the opposite two reviewed HobbyMate chargers, my solely complain is relating to the dearth of included battery adapters. You are restricted to XT60 plug, in case that you simply don’t buy moreover some battery conversion cables.What I likedExtremely reasonably priced;Many options (chargingdischarging, cells checker and servo tester);Multi-chemistry (many varieties of batteries are supported);You can change charging present whereas program is began (on the fly);Internal and Recycling discharging;Charger detects robotically variety of cells;Easy to make use of interface;Can work as voltage/present regulator.What I didn’t appreciatedOnly XT60 enter;No inside AC/DC adapter;Lack of included battery adapters.Photo galleryAlternativesFrankly, it is vitally arduous to discover a such versatile charger just like the HobbyMate D6Elite. Especially so low-cost and compact. IMHO, it’s a fairly distinctive product in its price ticket. It combines the functionalists of no less than 3 separate units (charger, servo tester and battery meter).Banggood AD