Lipo charger: Buy a checkpoint or upgrade my t35gfx?

[aconsola]

I'd like to have the option to go lipo as that seems to be the better technology. I currently have 2 tekin 112 series chargers, and one CE turbo35 Gfx. (of course I have a few boat anchors/old school chargers too)
The GFX is a blue screen version without lipo software.
I figure it will cost about $70 to get it upgraded to lipo software once I pay for the update and shipping.
A checkpoint can be had for 160ish after discounts at tower, which is probably about what I could sell the gfx for, so a close to free swap.

Aside from the bling factor of having a CE charger , Is there anything an upgraded gfx can do that the checkpoint cannot, or a reason to pick it over the checkpoint?

[bearrickster]

I have the Checkpoint it works great

[Doc J33P]

Hyperion 606I will charge any battery you throw at it. Includes balance adapter and is only $130.00. You will never need another charger.

[scr8p]

i'd upgrade the gfx. as for a reason why going that route over buying a checkpoint, i don't have one.

[MOmo]

I picked up this little guy for about what it would cost to upgrade yours and it works great! It charges up to 12 cells (Nicd, NiMH) as well as lipo. auto cutoff. It is DC powerd, so a power supply is required. Mine has banana plugs, so i just plug into my power supply.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSY1

4-5/8" x 3-5/16" x 1-1/8". Rugged aluminum case, will safely charge and discharge Lithium, NiCad, NiMH and Lead-Acid battery packs and cells. Easy to read. Illuminated digital LCD screen displays battery type, charge/discharge, mAh, voltage and charging time. Charges at up to 5 amps and discharges at up to 1 amp. Battery conditioning of Nicad and NiMh cells thru repeated charge/discharge cycles, is programmable for up to 5 cycles. To insure proper use, the LCD screen will also display error messages for out-of-range input voltage, incorrect connection or reversed polarity, poor battery condition and internal errors. Easy to use 4 button control panel and logical menus.


MOmo

[clinehobbies]

I am also trying to decide to upgrade my GFX or to buy a new smaller charger that fits into my tool box better than the GFX does. I don't need the GFX's features anymore with the brushless motors. ( at least I don't need thme untill I don't have them anymore)
I was looking at the Checkpoint also. For me it will come down to the size of the charger.

Bill

[59burst]

Hyperion and checkpoint chargers are made by same company named SJ. also the duratrax ice. no differece for the Lipo.
we don't need to discharge the Li-po batteries. only need a charger that hase "built-in balancer" to charge fast and safe. and, recent Lipo batteries can be charged by 2C. that's why you need to choose 10A charger when you buy new one.
Turbo35 GFX is really great. it's best for the legacy batteries. LRP's DC/DC converting + Linear charging was started from them. I do believe T35GFX with Lipo upgrade would be great also. actullay Lipo chargers are much more simple than the legacy battery chargers

[stulec52]

I have the older turbo 35 Stealth, and got it upgraded to do li-po.

It turned out to be a little more $$ than I thought it would, but it keeps it current I guess.
but as you know it's a huge box, + power supply too.
I dod look at a couple of new chargers this week - the Oynx, which is about $50 and small, and has built in power supply! be ok as a secondary unit maybe?
Also the new Much More silent charger, about $140, again built in power, + a temp probe, which the checkpoint only has as a $10 option. I think temp probe would be a great safety backup!

all that said, you can't go wrong with having your GFX brought up to date!

[JK Racing]

but as you know it's a huge box, + power supply too.

I've seen many people open the case and take the Radio Shack 15 amp power supply (also removed from its case) and mount it inside...really slick deal. I've thought about picking one up myself just to do this conversion. But what would I do with my 2 orion chargers....LOL.