Testing The Ostation 2 Pro Made My Gaming Life Feel Greener

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When I used to be contacted by Olight to check the corporate’s battery charging gadget, the Ostation 2 Pro, I used to be instantly excited to get my fingers on the machine. As a retro gamer, I am going by plenty of batteries, so way back I switched from normal alkaline batteries to rechargeable ones. If you recognize something about rechargeable batteries, you are conscious of how they do not maintain a cost for very lengthy, requiring swapping them out for some within the charger, solely to have to take action once more briefly order.

It’s one thing of a ache, however I made my peace with it way back. The course of continues to be irritating, and I’ve gone by a exceptional variety of rechargeable batteries over time, which is not unusual. Needless to say, I had plenty of curiosity in a charging station that streamlines the method. The Ostation 2 Pro is Olight’s latest transfer on this planet of rechargeable batteries, and it is a literal sport changer … no less than, should you’re like me and also you undergo loads of batteries whereas enjoying video games.

Jonathan H. Kantor/SlashGear

It’s not only a charger; the Ostation 2 Pro is a 3-in-1 machine, which retails for $140, and combines charging, battery checking, and battery storage right into a single machine. 

While the Olight Ostation 2 Pro is a 3-in-1 machine that has a number of features, it’s, before everything, a battery charger. That trait alone is why most individuals would buy one thing like this, as a battery checker and battery storage system prices far much less, and there are a mess of choices. Most normal battery rechargers I’ve used accommodate AA and AAA batteries, although you are sometimes restricted to charging 4 batteries at any given time.

The Ostation 2 Pro can cost 24*. That’s one thing of a misnomer, although, as a result of the system *does not cost all 24 batteries directly. Instead, it makes use of gravity to maneuver batteries which might be charged into its two output drawers: one for AAA and one other for AA. Two absolutely charged batteries drop each time there’s house within the drawer, whereas the remainder proceed charging or ready to be charged. A most of 4 batteries are charged concurrently, accommodating two AA and two AAA. 

Jonathan H. Kantor/SlashGear

Once you take away a pair from the drawer, the 2 which might be charged fall into place whereas two extra from every compartment start their cost. The system can deal with all Ni-MH batteries, although it is restricted to Olight’s lithium-ion batteries*, and also you obtain 12 AA and 12 AAA with the Ostation 2 Pro.

*As steered by Olight, that’s to say.

Olight might be finest identified for its line of on a regular basis carry (EDC) flashlights, like the corporate’s 3-in-1 Arkfeld Ultra. This charger has a kind of hidden performance with regards to the model’s prolonged portfolio of units — open the aspect and it acts as a dock charger for 2 Olight EDC flashlights.

The Ostation 2 Pro is not only a battery charger, and its means to test every battery earlier than charging is definitely considered one of its finest options. Batteries loaded into the machine are every slotted into impartial contacts that mechanically detect which finish is constructive. A switching circuit then diverts energy to the correct cells, so you may load them in both path with out fear. Before it begins to cost, every battery is checked for compatibility and harm. 

If it finds that the cell is protected to cost, it should cost it. If not, it routes the dangerous battery into the invalid battery bin so you may take away it. I examined this out in a number of methods, and was stunned to search out that one of many AA lithium-ion batteries that got here within the bundle was dangerous. The Ostation 2 Pro rejected it, so I discharged the battery, and the system accepted and charged it. 

I additionally tried different branded batteries, a non-rechargeable lithium-ion AA battery, and an AA and AAA alkaline battery to see what would occur. The alkaline batteries have been rejected, which wasn’t shocking within the least. 

Jonathan H. Kantor/SlashGear

After all, that is what’s presupposed to occur, however I used to be stunned to see that different Ni-MH batteries not made by Olight have been accepted and charged. To cost a battery, the Ostation 2 Pro makes use of a layered system that stops overcharging, overheating, quick circuits, overcurrent, tip-over auto shutoff, and overvoltage. It adjusts charging to forestall every of those points, testing the temperature and present all through the recharging course of. This further layer of safety retains your batteries operating longer and optimized to be used.

After receiving the Ostation 2 Pro, I rapidly set it up and threw all 24 of Olight’s proprietary batteries into it. Setup is extremely straightforward, as all you could do is plug it in and cargo batteries. There’s extra to it than that, because of Olight’s app, which you should use to watch and management the Ostation 2 Pro, which I discovered helpful. You can see two screenshots from the app surrounding the Ostation 2 Pro’s touchscreen show beneath.

After turning it on, I let the Ostation 2 Pro do its factor, and it took just a little over 5 hours to cycle by and cost all the AA and AAA batteries. The charging course of is steady, so the system will maintain charging as long as it has batteries inside. That stated, it will not overcharge, so it should solely start charging batteries that had beforehand been charged however not eliminated as soon as it detects that it is protected to take action. The Ni-HM AAA batteries charged a lot sooner than the AA lithium-ion, which is sensible, as AA batteries have the next power capability than the smaller AAA batteries.

Jonathan H. Kantor/SlashGear

One facet of battery charging that I needed to get used to was the sound the system makes when batteries drop from the charging space into the bin. It feels like my ice maker in my fridge, however being on my desk, it took a while earlier than I realized to disregard it. That’s not a criticism of the Ostation 2 Pro’s dealing with of batteries and extra a reality of gravity-fed motion, so I would not name it an actual destructive characteristic.

One facet of the Ostation 2 Pro that may flip away some individuals who have already got a big inventory of rechargeable batteries is that it’s designed to cost Olight’s branded batteries. If you drop one thing into the hopper that has a distinct chemistry than what Olight produces, it should most frequently discover its method into the battery rejection bin. This is as a result of Olight makes use of proprietary lithium-ion cells that the corporate designed for its merchandise.

That does not imply you may’t use a few Olight AA batteries in your Xbox controller, however it does imply that the Ostation 2 Pro will not cost one other model’s batteries … for probably the most half. There are exceptions, and whereas my inventory of batteries is considerably restricted by model and chemistry, I loaded the Ostation 2 Pro with as many as I might. I positioned 4 Amazon Basics AA and AAA rechargeable batteries, an AA and AAA alkaline, non-rechargeable battery, and a non-rechargeable Energizer AA lithium-ion battery to check out the system’s rejection and testing perform.

After the Ostation 2 Pro checked the Amazon Basics batteries, it proceeded to cost them as in the event that they have been made by Olight. Charging did not take any longer or much less time than Olight’s Ni-MH batteries, so the chemistry was comparable. Unsurprisingly, the system rapidly examined and rejected the alkaline batteries in addition to the non-chargeable lithium-ion battery. Unfortunately, I did not have one other model of rechargeable lithium-ion battery to check, although, based on Olight, it might have been routed to the rejection bin.

For somebody who’s gone by plenty of rechargeable batteries and chargers, I’m a fan of the Ostation 2 Pro. I’ve examined and used it for over per week, and my sincere evaluation is that the Ostation 2 Pro is a must have for anybody who goes by plenty of AA and AAA batteries. 

Jonathan H. Kantor/SlashGear

I’m of the opinion that should you can go inexperienced, it’s best to, so when you have the means, get your self an Ostation 2 Pro and cease utilizing non-rechargeable batteries. I just like the system’s dimension, and as a decluttering machine, it does simply that. It weighs just below 3 lbs. (with out batteries) and measures just below 9 inches tall, is simply over 3.5 inches huge, and 6.25 inches deep. Whenever I would like a brand new battery, I open the drawer and have a totally charged one able to go. 

While I all the time search for issues and technical points when reviewing merchandise, I failed to search out something price mentioning. The solely factor that I might see that may detract somebody from shopping for an Ostation 2 Pro is that it will not cost non-Olight lithium-ion batteries. Since it prices Ni-MH AA and AAA batteries, this may not be an issue for a lot of shoppers. It definitely wasn’t a difficulty for me, as I did not have a non-Olight lithium-ion battery to check. 

You can discover the Ostation 2 Pro on Amazon for around $140 (with out the Olight batteries) or from the Olight retailer for about $140 (also without the batteries). There’s additionally a non-Pro model (with no show) for a barely cheaper value.