DigiPower Charger Powers 'Cost-Effective' Li-ion Cells

By Staff On May 3 2004 - 6:00am

In an effort to reduce operating costs of digital cameras and camcorders, DigiPower is offering its Ultra Fast Rapid Charger, a unit said to combine speed and versatility with convenience and low price.

The Ultra Fast allows users to take advantage of cost-effective lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable batteries, without the long wait typically required for recharging.

The Ultra Fast's universal folding-plug design also adapts to outlets in most countries worldwide, enabling globe trotters to forego use of cumbersome and antiquated wall plug adapter kits, said the company.

Users simply flip up the foldaway plug, and the charger fits into outlets requiring rounded prongs. The standard prongs also rotate to fit angled outlets, while folding all plugs down enables the unit to be packed easily into a suitcase. The charger handles currents from 90 to 240 volts.

DigiPower claims Li-ion rechargeable batteries will last 12 times longer than most standard disposables and can be used over and over without gaining a memory. Recharging takes about one hour or less.

The Ultra Fast is available in four models and can accommodate 14 different kinds of rechargeable battery packs, including styles from most camera manufacturers, as well as DigiPower's own offerings. The company claims support for over 80 percent of all digital cameras on the market today, including models from Canon, Casio, Fuji, Kodak, Minolta, Nikon, Panasonic, Pentax, Ricoh, Sony and Toshiba.

The charger, which will begin shipping in mid-June, carries a suggested retail of $39.99.