"balancers are just a money grab"

[redshift]

linc: "Buying a decent charger is one of those things that should be federally mandated"

After spending most of a year with my 0610i I fully agree. AS much as I don't want gov't messing in my RC, this literally should be controlled.

I want to add also I think it's critical to use ONLY a balance charger at anything over a 1C rate. I have charged my Hyperion 20C 2S 4000 packs at 2.5C (10 amps) but normally charge at 2C, absolutely zero issues. These are packs rated for 1C charge, and I have no less than 80 cycles on the four packs I own. They have always been charged with at least 2C. If extreme out-of-balance conditions arise due to an internal or external short or broken circuit, the good chargers will let you know.

Again I would not charge over 1C with anything other than a balance charger. Like linc said, spend the $ on the charger, it's even more important when you are using lesser-name packs.