ZTS Mini Battery Tester - ZTS MINI-MBT
by ZTS
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Our Price: $32.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of ZTS Mini Battery Tester - ZTS MINI-MBT
Customer Review: Made in USA
Summary: 5 Stars
When I showed this unit to my wife, she took it around the house and checked all of the batteries that seem to end up in our drawers.
As others have stated, you need to test the batteries more than once. But the instructions recommend this due to various factors.
Since this device tests the battery under load, it should provide a more accurate test than simply using a voltmeter.
There are a few issues though - albeit minor ones.
First, the battery box is a bit difficult to open. Not a big deal, but it could have been a bit easier to open.
Next, the instructions do not state to depress the button on the side of the unit to turn it on. And you cannot turn the tester off - it turns itself off after a minute or two of non-use.
Lastly, the tester is a bit harder to use for left-handers because the negative test lead exits the right side of the battery, favoring the use of the right hand to hold the lead. Left-handers would naturally hold the lead in the left hand. When you do this, you have to almost turn the tester upside down and read the display at the bottom.
It would have been better to have the lead coming out of the top or bottom so it would be easy to use with either hand. Most folks would not notice this, but left-handed people (like me) immediately notice it.
I still gave the tester 5 stars as all of these things are minor, and I like that it is made in the USA. I'd gladly pay a few dollars more for something made in the US these days.
Customer Review: Used this to test 9-volt in wireless mikes, saved the play!
Summary: 5 Stars
We have 10 wireless microphones in our play, and during practices we try to use up the half-used batteries and save brand new ones for the performances. I had purchased a cheap $10 tester at my local hardware store, and it failed in a week. Besides it only measured voltage, so I had batteries going out in the middle of a scene. I finally decided that you get what you pay for and ordered this little jewel. Reading the directions, you should test the battery several times. I was able to manage my battery supply and not have to guess which of the 9-volts would not make it to the end of the play. On one evening before a performance, I was putting new 9-volt batteries in all my microphones straight out of the package. I decided to test each one first. Sure enough one of the batteries came back really weak. If I had put that battery in the lead actress microphone and it failed during the 1st scene, I would have never heard the end of it. Saved the play. The only design improvement I see is when you put both contacts for a 9-volt on the tester, you can't just put the 9-volt on it standing straight up and expect it to run a test. You kind of have to sneak up on the side of the terminals with the 9-volt and then it works just fine. So far I have been very careful with the single probe and stowing it carefully, but I can see that this may be the weak link of the tester.Customer Review: True Load Testing Makes This One of the Best
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the problems with most (less-expensive) battery testers is that they only check for voltage remaining in a battery. Even an 80% used battery can show nearly full rated voltage, and it is only when a load is placed on the battery that a true assessment is possible. Our college AV department goes through lots of batteries for DVD remotes, wireless mics, etc., and the other cheaper testers were not providing accurate results. This unit (and its big brother model) use an electronic circuit to test the battery for approximately two seconds under an electrical load. While doing this, the LED's light back and forth, and then the tested capacity is displayed. I highly recommend this unit for consumers and professionals alike. it is easy to use and very accurate. If you use a lot of button cell batteries, or lithium batteries (either AA or specialized camera/camcorder lithium ion batteries), you should probably purchase the larger ZTS MBT-1. The MBT-1 costs over twice as much and is larger in size, but consider that model for most versatility.Customer Review: Load testing Mini Multi is the ONLY way to go!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this tester on Feb. 3, 2010 and received it on the 6th. How's that for expediency in shipping?? I have nothing negative to say about this tester. I've tried a number of old and new batteries on it and have always come up with an accurate reading. But, for God's sake people, read the instructions first. They state more than once that you should test EACH battery 2-3 times for the most accurate readings. Batteries often play possum (especially older, seldom used batteries) by giving out a first reading which is actually higher than the true capacity, and vice versa. Under the 2 second load produced by the tester, your batteries will show their true capacitance, provided you follow instructions and test MORE THAN ONCE. In the 12 hours I've owned it, I've tested several dozen batteries of various types. I tested each 3 times. I just can't find any negative features about this item. PERIOD!!!!Customer Review: Excellent Product!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
As stated in several other reviews, the ZTS Mini Multi-Battery Tester is a "load" tester which gives much better readings than non-load testers. I also have the cheaper Delkin Aa/aaa Battery Tester and both testers are pretty much in sync with battery readings 90% of the time with the ZTS occasionally reading one bar higher. I have a bit more confidence using both testers.
After going through the almost 40 supposedly "dead" batteries my kids have accumulated, I found about 12 with still 80% life; another 9 with 40-60% life; and another 5 or so with still 20% life which will work fine in TV remotes. So these testers will pay for themselves in no time and in the long run save me money.