Charging whilst on the go… The UNK2 in action whilst I was shooting sunset in the Dolomites
Nitecore has taken the photography industry by storm in the last couple of years. They make all sorts of batteries, flashlights, powerbanks, chargers and USB power hubs. They became popular with their chargers for pencil batteries (AA and AAA), but then ventured into making lightweight and portable chargers for most camera batteries.
I bought my Nitecore UNK2 charger over 24 months ago, and have been using it ever since. It has been everywhere with me, including 3 trips to the Dolomites, 2 trips to Tuscany, a trip to Rome, a trip to Wales and 2 trips to Iceland.
The UNK2 can charge 2 ENEL-15 Batteries simultaneously
Before we start, let’s take a look at some of the features of the UNK2 charger:
Capable of charging 2 Nikon EN-EL15 batteries (Including EN-EL15A and EN-EL15B) simultaneously
USB connection means it can be used on the go with a powerbank
Built in cable (No need to carry lose cables and risk losing them)
Bright and easy to read LCD screen
Certified by both RoHS and CE
Holds batteries magnetically
Indicates battery voltage, current, battery temperature and battery condition
Reverse polarity and short circuit protection
Just 2 hours to fully charge a Nikon EN-EL15 battery
Specifications:
Input: DC 5V 2A
Output Voltage: 8.4V (+/= 1%) for each slot
Output Current: 1000mA (Max)
Dimensions: 85mm × 50mm × 25.5mm (3.35″ x 1.97″ x 1″)
Weight: 66g (2.33oz)
The UNK2 can be charged from a powerbank, car charger or any other USB hub
QUALITY
The UNK2 is really well built, it is solid and super lightweight (Just 66 grams!). I was immediately impressed with the quality of the product, everything from the built in USB cable, to the battery trays, and bright LCD screen are top notch. LCD screen on the UNK2 is bright and easy to read, even when out in bright sunshine.
PERFORMANCE
The UNK2 has performed flawlessly for the past 18 months, whether it is connected to a USB mains adaptor at home, a cigarette lighter USB adaptor whilst on the road or my powerbank when off the grid, it has always charged my batteries quickly and to full capacity. The UNK2 fully chargers a Nikon EN-EL15 battery in under 2 hours!
The UNK2 built in USB Cable tucks away neatly when not being used
Pros
Charging cable is high quality, and plugs fit securely into an outlet
While batteries were being charged, they stayed cool to the touch
Lightweight
Overcharge protection
Super quiet
Almost half the size of the original Nikon MH-25 charger
LCD screen which is easy to read
Can charge 2 batteries simultaneously
Cons
If built-in cable fail, the charger will need to be replaced (Its not possible to just replace the cable)
A bit on the pricey side
Size comparison between the UNK2 and the Nikon MH-25
Conclusion
Even though the Nitecore UNK2 charger is slightly more expensive than other USB chargers, I think it’s worth every penny! It has some advanced features such as the bright LCD screen and stats relating to your batteries which make it a fantastic tool for the travelling photographer. Apart from charging 2 batteries simultaneously, it is small and lightweight and can be carried anywhere.
Charging on location
Other Nitecore Products
At the time of writing this review, Nitecore’s line of chargers covers most major camera manufacturers. Visit https://nitecore.com/ to see their full range.
Nitecore products are available from Photo Images Malta