Armytek Handy C2 Pro Charger Powerbank Review
Armytek Handy C2 Pro Charger Powerbank⌗
- Specifications
- Introduction
- Size and comparison
- Battery compatibility
- User interface
- Charger in use
- Tests
- Power supply
- Conclusion
- Product page
Specifications⌗
| Brand/model | Armytek Handy C2 Pro |
|---|---|
| Channels | 2 |
| Input | Micro USB 5V/2A |
| Output voltage | 4.2V / 1.5V |
| Output current | 2x1A, 2x0.5A |
| Battery types | IMR/Li-ion, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd |
| Powerbank | USB-A 5V/2.5A |
| Operating Temperature | -10 to 40℃ |
| Review date | August 2024 |
Introduction⌗
The Armytek Handy C2 Pro is a two channel charger and powerbank for IMR/Li-ion, Ni-MH and Ni-Cd batteries. It can charge each channel at 1A or 0.5A. The powerbank can output 5V/2.5A through the USB-A port. It has a 5V/2A micro USB port for input.
I recently reviewed the Armytek Predator Pro Warm hunting light.
This charger/powerbank is a perfect companion to keep spare batteries charged. It can also function as a temporary battery holder in a pinch due to the design where it can hold on tightly to 18650 cells.
Armytek kindly sent this charger for review. I have not been paid for this review nor have I held back my opinions of this charger.
Packaging⌗
The Armytek Handy C2 Pro comes in some really nice retail packaging. There is a picture of the charger on the box and there are heaps of details about the charging and powerbank functions.
The following was included in the box:
- Armytek Handy C2 Pro
- USB-A to micro USB cable
- User manual
Dimensions and size comparison⌗
Dimensions⌗
I took the following measurements using a digital caliper.
| Measurement | Unit (mm) |
|---|---|
| Charger height | 31.3 |
| Charger width | 55.35 |
| Charger length | 95.12 |
| Shortest cell length | 32 |
| Longest cell length | 71 |
Weight⌗
I took the following measurements using a digital scale.
| Weight | Unit (g) |
|---|---|
| Armytek Handy C2 Pro | 68.74 |
Size comparison with its competition⌗
Here are a few single cell chargers with micro USB ports to compare with.
From left to right: Armytek Handy C2 Pro, Nitecore F1, XTAR ANT MC1 Plus
The Armytek Handy C2 Pro is the largest.
The Nitecore F1 (discontinued) is a great compact single cell charger and powerbank.
The XTAR ANT MC1 Plus does not have a powerbank feature but it is a good single cell charger. It is worth noting that XTAR have released chargers with USB-C.
From left to right: Armytek Handy C2 Pro, Nitecore F1
Battery compatibility⌗
Battery types: IMR/Li-ion, Ni-MH and Ni-Cd.
Battery sizes: 8 to 19mm diameter, 30 to 70mm length.
Example sizes: AA, AAA, AAAA, 10440, 14500, 16340, 18350, 18650, 18700.
1.2V Ni-MH, 3.6V Li-ion are two good examples.
The positive and negative terminals have notches to allow flat top cells and cells with slightly recessed tops to work.
The largest cell that I could fit is a button top protected Acebeam ARC18650H-310A 3.6V Li-ion 3100mAh with built-in USB-C charging.
The smallest cell that I tried was a button top XTAR 16340 3.6V Li-ion 850mAh. I was able to use the charging and powerbank functions with this cell.
The charger may change from 1A to 0.5A if it detects a small cell.
User interface⌗
The charger is simple to use. There are no buttons.
Charging mode⌗
Insert one or two cells into the charger. Follow the +/- symbols.
Each LED will blink green to indicate that a charging current of 0.5A will be used.
Each LED will blink red to indicate that a charging current of 1A will be used.
The indicator LEDs will then remain as a constant green to show the capacity.
| LED | Charging stage |
|---|---|
| 1st blinking green | > 0% |
| 2nd blinking green | > 25% |
| 3rd blinking green | > 50% |
| 4th blinking green | > 75% |
| 4 solid green | Finished |
Powerbank mode⌗
Insert one or two Li-ion cells into the charger. Follow the +/- symbols.
The indicator LEDs will turn orange and show the remaining capacity. The LEDs will eventually turn off if nothing is connected to the USB-A port.
| LED | Remaining capacity |
|---|---|
| 4 solid orange | > 75% |
| 3 solid orange | > 50% |
| 2 solid orange | > 25% |
| 1 solid orange | > 3% |
| 1st blinking orange | > 0% |
Charger in use⌗
The sliders can be pushed down easily while inserting a cell. They slide smoothly.
There is an outline of a battery with +/- symbols in each channel to indicate which direct a battery should be inserted.
Two springs are visible behind the Armytek logo due to the semi-transparent case.
The positive and negative terminals both have notches to allow flat top cells and cells with slightly recessed tops to work.
There are two bits of plastic on each side of each channel to help prevent a battery from falling out. These fit snugly around an 18650 cell. This is a nice alternative to using a silicone strap.
That said, a 16340 cell might fall out.
The charger has an interesting design. The sides add more grip. Handy!
The USB-A port is used for the 5V/2.5A powerbank and the micro USB port is used for 5V/2A input while charging.
Tests⌗
Room temperature: 12 C
I have measured the voltage, current and temperature of various 1.2V Ni-MH and 3.6V Li-ion cells while using the charging and powerbank functions of the Armytek Handy C2 Pro.
The voltage was measured with a Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
The temperature was measured with a Type K thermocouple.
The current was measured by measuring the voltage across a shunt with another Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
An Atorch DL24 was used as an electronic load to test the powerbank function.
I have not calibrated my equipment so the accuracy could be slightly off.
| Mode | Chemistry | Cell | Top | Tested? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charge | 3.6V Li-ion | Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh | Flat | Results |
| Charge | 3.6V Li-ion | NEXTORCH 16340 3.6V Li-ion 800mAh | Button | Results |
| Charge | 1.2V Ni-MH | LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh | Button | Results |
| Powerbank | 3.6V Li-ion | Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh | Flat | Results |
| Powerbank | 3.6V Li-ion | Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh | Flat | Results |
Charge CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 | CH2 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 3.760 | |
| Finish Voltage | 4.165 |
The 18650 cell charged at a rate of 1A for the first hour. The charger then reduced the charging current and it finished charging just before two and a half hours.
Charge CH1 3.6V Li-ion #2⌗
CH1: NEXTORCH 16340 3.6V Li-ion 800mAh (button top)
| Measurement | CH1 | CH2 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 3.188 | |
| Finish Voltage | 4.128 |
The 16340 cell charged at a rate of 500mA for the first hour. The charger then reduced the charging current and it finished charging shortly after three hours.
Charge CH1 1.2V Ni-MH #1⌗
CH1: LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh (button top)
| Measurement | CH1 | CH2 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 1.166 | |
| Finish Voltage | 1.382 |
The Ni-MH cell charged at a rate 500mA for four hours and ten minutes.
Powerbank CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 | CH2 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.194 | |
| Finish Voltage | 3.740 | |
| Capacity (mAh) | 992 |
I connected the Armytek Handy C2 Pro to an Atorch DL24 DC Electronic Load using the included micro USB cable.
The load was set to 5V 2.5A with a 2.6V cutoff.
The indicator lights turned orange to show the remaining capacity while using the powerbank feature.
The powerbank is supposed to support a maximum of 5V 2.5A out but the voltage dropped to 4.5V.
The terminals reached about 30 C while the room was 12 C.
The Atorch DL24 stopped after 23 minutes 50 seconds.
The powerbank feature seems to work. It switched off when the voltage dropped to 3.4V.
Powerbank (phone)⌗
USB Meter: AVHzY CT-3
CH1: Armytek 3.6V Li-ion 18650 3500mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 | CH2 |
|---|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.204 | |
| Finish Voltage | 3.421 |
I charged a phone from 48% to 100% at a rate of 5V 1.5A by connecting the phone with a USB-A to USB-C cable (not included). The charger came with a USB-A to micro USB cable.
Standby drain⌗
I measured the standby current with a NI-T UT139C Digital Multimeter while power was disconnected from the Armytek Handy C2 Pro.
| Cell | Standby current |
|---|---|
| Ni-MH | 15 µA |
| 3.6V Li-ion | ? mA |
I measured 26 mA with a 3.6V Li-ion cell while four orange LEDs were on. When the orange LEDs turned off, the current dropped below 0.1 mA.
Power supply⌗
I checked compatibility with the following power supplies:
| Power supply | USB Type | Protocol | Does it charge? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PinePower Desktop | USB-A | Yes |
Conclusion⌗
The Armytek Handy C2 Pro is a decent two channel charger and powerbank.
It it handy for charging 1.2V Ni-MH AA and 3.6V Li-ion 18650 cells.
The powerbank is ok for topping up my phone. I would probably recommend a thin powerbank with USB-C if you want something to keep a phone charged.
It would be nice to see USB-C used instead of micro USB. USB-C is much more common these days.
I would recommend this charger/powerbank to go alongside a hunting light like the Armytek Predator Pro Warm. It can be handy to have a few spare 18650 cells while hunting.
Pros:⌗
- Good build quality.
- Supports 16340 to 18700 battery sizes.
- Supports IMR/Li-ion, Ni-MH and Ni-Cd battery types.
- Indicator LEDs for current, charging status and capacity.
- USB-A 5V/2.5A powerbank function.
- 18650 cells fit snugly.
Cons:⌗
- Micro USB input.
Price⌗
The Armytek Handy C2 Pro is US$15 at armytek.com