Now that Nikon no longer includes chargers with their bodies I wanted to buy another Nitecore UNK2 - the existing one lives inside the Bronco. However the UNK2 seems to be OOS most places except eBay and AliExpress.
Is there a new model coming? What are other good dual-battery chargers that can run off both 110V and USB, preferably USBC. The MH34 is too extravagantly priced for what it is.
From my communications with Nitecore, they were planning for a new model, though were unable to provide a timeline. They seemed to hint that it would be USB-C compatible (I suspect due to EU rules?). The one SJMS posted seems like a decent alternative, albeit not as compact.
this is about the closest i could find. that just about checks the boxes you requested. the closest negative i could possibly see it its overall size.
i might work with it myself
Looks very promising. Possibly hold batteries more secure than the UNK2 - which was my one and only complaint about it, albeit one that a rubber band solves. One of the 3 star reviews on B&H points out that the way it acts as a power bank is to use the camera batteries themselves. I actually prefer that to the it having its own powerbank.
Will order together with my Kirk Z6iii bracket, the SmallRig one is too flimsy and wobbles on the L side. Last time I buy anything other than Kirk.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Looks very promising. Possibly hold batteries more secure than the UNK2 - which was my one and only complaint about it, albeit one that a rubber band solves. One of the 3 star reviews on B&H points out that the way it acts as a power bank is to use the camera batteries themselves. I actually prefer that to the it having its own powerbank.
Will order together with my Kirk Z6iii bracket, the SmallRig one is too flimsy and wobbles on the L side. Last time I buy anything other than Kirk.
Interesting as it is unfortunate. My SmallRig bracket for the Z8 is rock solid and I have no complaints. Maybe something has changed at SR?
GroovyGeek wrote:
Looks very promising. Possibly hold batteries more secure than the UNK2 - which was my one and only complaint about it, albeit one that a rubber band solves. One of the 3 star reviews on B&H points out that the way it acts as a power bank is to use the camera batteries themselves. I actually prefer that to the it having its own powerbank.
Will order together with my Kirk Z6iii bracket, the SmallRig one is too flimsy and wobbles on the L side. Last time I buy anything other than Kirk.
Interesting. I have gone from Kirk and RRS to the Smallrig on my Z6II and Z7II. I don't have a bracket for the Z8 yet.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Looks very promising. Possibly hold batteries more secure than the UNK2 - which was my one and only complaint about it, albeit one that a rubber band solves. One of the 3 star reviews on B&H points out that the way it acts as a power bank is to use the camera batteries themselves. I actually prefer that to the it having its own powerbank.
Will order together with my Kirk Z6iii bracket, the SmallRig one is too flimsy and wobbles on the L side. Last time I buy anything other than Kirk.
holds pretty good with the internal magnet doing its thing:
NIKON Z 6NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens26mm1/125s5600 ISO
NIKON Z 6NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens52mm1/60s25600 ISO
There is an internal magnet on the UNK2? Never noticed it before will have to look now. It always felt like the only thing holding the batteries in place is friction. If there is a magnet it must be a weak one. My main difficulty is car charging where the vibrations seem to dislodge the batteries quite readily.
yes, it is a not a death grip magnet. just something to keep them in place reasonably. i have had no issue charging in my car going down a gravel roads sitting in my cupholder. now if you are off roading and its just hanging there you might see that it can be an issue bouncing around. so adding an elastic band covers that very minor issue
NIKON Z 6NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens24mm1/125s4000 ISO
I have an UNK2, but I also have a Patona dual charger that supports USB-C power delivery. Makes it charge faster from PD powerbanks. I like it a lot more than the UNK2.
I would think the number one priority would be to buy things with USB-C support if you’re spending money on new items. The more you standardize on that, the easier everything becomes in the field.
Jochenb wrote:
I have an UNK2, but I also have a Patona dual charger that supports USB-C power delivery. Makes it charge faster from PD powerbanks. I like it a lot more than the UNK2.
RoamingScott wrote:
I would think the number one priority would be to buy things with USB-C support if you’re spending money on new items. The more you standardize on that, the easier everything becomes in the field.
at this point in time going forward yes buy the new stuff if you have no working current items. but i too am still working with easily to adapt current components that i already own like the UNK 1/2. i see no reason to replace what works until required. that not going to happen though. of course if you feel a need to fill landfills more quickly with usable product go for it.
there are quite a few mini adapters that work too for cables.
i don't tend to buy new unless its truly necessary (old things that are broken/nonfunctional)
I have the RRS bracket for the Z8 and I would probably recommend the Kirk instead. RRS have replaced the hex key magnets with these terrible little plastic clips, probably to save costs, but they don’t work well at all.
Don't know if the design for the Z6iii is inherently compromised by the cutout needed to accommodate the flippy contraption but even when clamped down on the L side there is NOTABLE motion. You can also push against the L with your finger and see it yield. Price is great but the performance isn't.
