meeker
Established
I was looking for a smaller travel charger for my M8 batteries and came across the "NITECORE ULM9 USB Travel Charger for Leica 14464" on B&H. It's not in stock and I wonder if it's vaporware. Seems ideal for travel since I would be carrying a USB charger for my phone. Anyone had experience with it?
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
I saw this too, but it says "discontinued" for the M240 version (ULM240).
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Can you tell us more about this charger? What makes it attractive?
Clearly M240 batteries are not the same as M8/M9/ME batteries........ what's up with that???
Clearly M240 batteries are not the same as M8/M9/ME batteries........ what's up with that???
meeker
Established
Here's the blurb from B&H:
The sophisticated ULM9 contains a smart charging management system, which monitors battery types, capacities, and initial internal resistance, then automatically applies the most appropriate charging current based on this data. The device also provides battery condition monitoring, carrying out a health inspection based on resistance at the time of installation. A cell's health bar will appear on the LCD display, which also shows capacity, voltage, and percentage of charge completed. When a battery's health has declined to the lower limit, the bar will start flashing to alert you that it should be replaced.
The ULM9 offers a mechanical reverse polarity protection mechanism that prevents charging from occurring if an incompatible or incorrectly installed battery is present. Additionally, the error message "EE" will appear on the LCD to notify you in the event that a short-circuited battery is detected. Yet another helpful feature is the battery recovery mode that restores dormant cells to active duty.
Built for durability, the ULM9 is made from polycarbonate and ABS plastics that are corrosion-resistant and fire-retardant. When this toughness is coupled with the convenient compactness and considerable versatility of the ULM9, the result is a charger that's ideal for travel, camping, and almost any other adventure in your life.
I like to travel light. I never check a bag and can go two weeks with a small duffle bag (see onebag.com) Any weight saving I can do is a bonus. I do carry a USB charger for my phone and use that to charge my Fuji X100T. Also many airlines are putting USB jacks on the back of seats rather then 120V. It just makes sense to double up.
The sophisticated ULM9 contains a smart charging management system, which monitors battery types, capacities, and initial internal resistance, then automatically applies the most appropriate charging current based on this data. The device also provides battery condition monitoring, carrying out a health inspection based on resistance at the time of installation. A cell's health bar will appear on the LCD display, which also shows capacity, voltage, and percentage of charge completed. When a battery's health has declined to the lower limit, the bar will start flashing to alert you that it should be replaced.
The ULM9 offers a mechanical reverse polarity protection mechanism that prevents charging from occurring if an incompatible or incorrectly installed battery is present. Additionally, the error message "EE" will appear on the LCD to notify you in the event that a short-circuited battery is detected. Yet another helpful feature is the battery recovery mode that restores dormant cells to active duty.
Built for durability, the ULM9 is made from polycarbonate and ABS plastics that are corrosion-resistant and fire-retardant. When this toughness is coupled with the convenient compactness and considerable versatility of the ULM9, the result is a charger that's ideal for travel, camping, and almost any other adventure in your life.
I like to travel light. I never check a bag and can go two weeks with a small duffle bag (see onebag.com) Any weight saving I can do is a bonus. I do carry a USB charger for my phone and use that to charge my Fuji X100T. Also many airlines are putting USB jacks on the back of seats rather then 120V. It just makes sense to double up.
Dante_Stella
Rex canum cattorumque
P3tr
Only MacHan in CE
Have you seen this?
Have you seen this?
Battery compatibility: Leica’s BP-SCL2 Compatible models: M（Typ262), M(Typ 246), M10, M(Typ240), M-P, M240P
Source:
http://charger.nitecore.com/product/ulm240
Have you seen this?
Battery compatibility: Leica’s BP-SCL2 Compatible models: M（Typ262), M(Typ 246), M10, M(Typ240), M-P, M240P
Source:
http://charger.nitecore.com/product/ulm240
meeker
Established
If anyone has successfully used a compact M battery charger apart from the $210 Leica 14470 Compact Charger do let me know which one it was. Until then, I'll be watching to see if this one becomes available.
majid
Fazal Majid
I had ordered the Nitecore M240 BP-SCL2 charger, but got an email from B&H stating it was discontinued. A pity, as it's the only USB-powered battery charger for Leica batteries.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
I also tried to order the ULM9 (for M9) charger from B+H and they put me on a waiting list.
I then emailed Nitecore asking where I can purchase one of these.
The response I received:
Thanks so much for your interest in NITECORE products.
I'm sorry to tell you that the M9 charger is still on the production.…
So helpful, and so ambiguous.
I then emailed Nitecore asking where I can purchase one of these.
The response I received:
Thanks so much for your interest in NITECORE products.
I'm sorry to tell you that the M9 charger is still on the production.…
So helpful, and so ambiguous.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
A few months later and ..... I got one of these! I placed a backorder with B+H and figured maybe someday..... otherwise it wasn't meant to be...
Well, a box showed up on the doorstep yesterday and it was this little guy (the Nitecore ULM9 charger). I put some of my aftermarket batteries in the charger that were not playing nice with my Leica charger -- wouldn't be recognized and charged by the Leica charger. Well, the Nitecore recognized them and charged them right up and they are seen by my M9 (the one that hasn't had any corrosion yet, and might not develop corrosion until AFTER Leica stops replacing the defective sensor.... Sorry, I might be a tad bitter about that).
So for those of you with good sensors in your M9/MM/ME, I can recommend this little charger. Its quick and small and works with problem batteries. And its not expensive at all -- about $25 or so. Enjoy your new sensors, er, I mean cameras.
Well, a box showed up on the doorstep yesterday and it was this little guy (the Nitecore ULM9 charger). I put some of my aftermarket batteries in the charger that were not playing nice with my Leica charger -- wouldn't be recognized and charged by the Leica charger. Well, the Nitecore recognized them and charged them right up and they are seen by my M9 (the one that hasn't had any corrosion yet, and might not develop corrosion until AFTER Leica stops replacing the defective sensor.... Sorry, I might be a tad bitter about that).
So for those of you with good sensors in your M9/MM/ME, I can recommend this little charger. Its quick and small and works with problem batteries. And its not expensive at all -- about $25 or so. Enjoy your new sensors, er, I mean cameras.
ymc226
Well-known
I just got my Nitecore USB charger for my M9-P and MM from B&H (unfortunately I just dropped off my MM at Leica NJ for a sensor change hopefully for a spot of corrosion).
B&H sent me an email that the Nitecore charger was in stock and I ordered right away as I had a feeling that it would sell out fast.
I emailed Nitecore directly and they told me they are in direct negotiations with B&H and Adorama for their other Leica camera chargers.
Specifically I inquired as to the chargers for the M240, Q and SL (as I have these cameras) and they are ready to sell them given an agreement with a distributor.
I haven't tested the charger yet but given the exorbitant price for the Leica branded chargers, my plan is to get 2 chargers for each battery type given they are so inexpensive.
B&H sent me an email that the Nitecore charger was in stock and I ordered right away as I had a feeling that it would sell out fast.
I emailed Nitecore directly and they told me they are in direct negotiations with B&H and Adorama for their other Leica camera chargers.
Specifically I inquired as to the chargers for the M240, Q and SL (as I have these cameras) and they are ready to sell them given an agreement with a distributor.
I haven't tested the charger yet but given the exorbitant price for the Leica branded chargers, my plan is to get 2 chargers for each battery type given they are so inexpensive.
majid
Fazal Majid
Thanks for the update. Nitecore is a good company. I guess I'll keep my eyes peeled for the M240 charger.
ymc226
Well-known
The USA distributor for Nitecore on their webstore has available their USB chargers for the M8/9, M240, SL and Q. Just ordered 2 of each as their respective Leica chargers can fail unexpectedly and are very expensive.
http://www.nitecorestore.com/Camera-Accessories-s/1929.htm
http://www.nitecorestore.com/Camera-Accessories-s/1929.htm
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Oh! I got the M9/M8 charger and I love it. I've been wanting the M240 charger now, but they won't offer it. Is it available now??? Need to head over to the "store" and see if I can get one. Thanks.
For those who don't have a Nitecore charger yet, you might want to look into them. They are probably (almost certainly) better than the OEM chargers. My M9 charger has dealt with batteries the Leica charger simply refuses to work with. Excellent charger that will give you a good idea of the health of your battery, and revive batteries that were mistreated or sat idle too long.
For those who don't have a Nitecore charger yet, you might want to look into them. They are probably (almost certainly) better than the OEM chargers. My M9 charger has dealt with batteries the Leica charger simply refuses to work with. Excellent charger that will give you a good idea of the health of your battery, and revive batteries that were mistreated or sat idle too long.
Corran
Well-known
I bought one but haven't tried it out yet...since my M9 is in the shop. I have worked in areas where I couldn't get power so I have a portable 30k mAh battery/charger - the M9 batteries say they are 1800 mAh so I should be able to charge them quite a number of times while "off the grid." Nice to have - I don't think there was any USB-compatible charger on the market for Leica batteries before.
halfaninchawater
Established
Ordered the Nitecore ULM240 from Longhorn Tactical via Newegg.com. Arrived today and is now charging my M262's battery from an Anker A1211 USB battery pack (5200mAh). The charger seems to be working fine. First impression is good! Will know more when the charging is completed.
halfaninchawater
Established
The Nitecore ULM240 charged the M262's battery completely. The Anker battery pack seemed to run out of power after the 80% mark. Could be because it is a smaller USB battery pack. Plugged in the charger to a USB 110 volt charger and finished charging. Worked well. As a test I placed the battery on the Leica charger and it indicated the battery was at full charge. The Nitecore ULM240 will be good for traveling. I like the fact that is is light weight and it has more information as to what is going on with the battery while it is being charged. Two thumbs up...
halfaninchawater
Established
After some additional experimentation, it seems that the Nitecore works on a 2 amp power supply. I tried the Nitecore with my iPhone charger which is only 1 amp. Again, same issue. The Leica battery charged to 75-80%. Plugged the Nitecore into a 2 amp charger and it finished charging as it should. I also noted that the side of the Nitecore charger says "Input: 2 amps." So the next charge for the Leica battery I used a 2 amp Anker battery pack and the Nitecore worked great, charging the Leica battery to 100%.