Smart Charger Question
 

The pros of the smart chargers are that they automatically shut off current to the battery when they are fully charged, but is that all they do? What others pros do they have compared to the normal wall charger?

I was thinking of getting a timer like this http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en, calculating the charge time needed for the battery and putting it on the timer.

Wouldn't this be the same as getting a smart charger, but $30 cheaper?

if you get a PROPER smart charger (not a blue/black box of death)

it can be set to apply the proper 1C charge rate (amperage = to MAH /1000) it's healthier for your battery and will make everything last much longer.

The plug and forget ones are garbage, same with the blue box of death.

That's almost the entire point and why they are billions of times better than wall chargers.

But like Amos said they also have features like setting the charge rate, etc.

Would the basic wall charger be able to charge both NIMH and NiCD batteries, or just the type of battery that came with the charger?

Also, would the charger on airsoftparts.ca be decent? I've read mixed reviews about the charger. Another option I was considering was getting a BOL charger.

Can someone help answer my previous questions? (sorry for DP btw)

Yes. Power is still power but they should be rated for the right battery chemistry.

The DuraTrax ICE Charger is pricey but oh so worth it IMO and should pay for itself (by saving money on replacing batteries as often) in a year or two if you play semi regularly. Go to an RC shop and ask them what smart charger they'd suggest for you on whatever budget you're on, they're probably a lot more versed in chargers and batteries than I am. (RC chargers charge the exact same batteries as we use in airsoft. Hell, they're the exact same batteries and operate the exact same way)

As well, you CAN charge at 1.5-2C (30-45 min charge time) but ideally you'd charge at 1C (1 hour charge time).

Note: 1C of charge like Amos said is the amperage applied to the battery against the amperage your battery can hold. ie. 1.8 Amps on an 1800 mAh battery or 2.4 Amps on a 2400 mAh battery will both yield charge times of 1 hour and is the best charging "rate" for your batteries.