Wii Energizer Flat Panel 2x Induction Charger Review

Of the various Wii Remote charging solutions I’ve encountered, this is easily one of the more elegant and effective.
The charger, itself, is very sleek and attractive — heavily influenced, it would seem, by Apple’s minimalist design aesthetic.
Set-up is a breeze: replace the Wii Remote’s alkaline batteries with the included combination battery cover/battery pack, plug in the AC adapter, connect the adapter to the charger, and place the Wii Remote (with or without a Wii Remote Jacket or Wii MotionPlus module) on the panel.
LED indicators glow red when charging is in progress and green when charging is complete. In my experience, depleted batteries will reach full charge within three to four hours, and a full charge will power a Wii Remote for at least six to eight hours of game play, depending on use.
There are a lot of things to like about this charger, but, for me, three stand out:
(1) This charger is fully compatible with Wii Remote Jackets and Wii MotionPlus modules, so, if you use either of these, there’s no need to remove them for charging with this system. Not all of the charging systems out there work with these accessories attached; the fact that this one does really ups its convenience factor.
(2) This system features regulated “trickle charging,” which eliminates concerns about overcharging the batteries; you can leave the Wii Remotes on the charger whenever they’re not in use, even for extended periods of time, without risking damage to the batteries. This means your remotes are always ready to go whenever you’re ready to play.
(3) This system’s horizontal flat-panel design allows for placement of the charger in confined spaces, unlike some of the cradle-style charging systems on the market, which take up a fair amount of vertical space.
There’s not much to criticize about this charger save for two small issues:
(1) This charger can accommodate only two Wii Remotes at a time; if you have three or four remotes, this might not be the right charger for you. Energizer makes a 4X flat-panel induction charger for Wii Remotes, but it costs considerably more, and it has a much wider footprint, meaning it might not fit as neatly in cramped spaces
(2) If the remotes aren’t precisely positioned on the panel, they won’t charge. Built-in magnets help hold naked remotes in place during charging, but, if your remotes are wearing silicone jackets, the magnets won’t help, and you’ll have to be extra careful about getting the alignment just right and making sure the charging indicators are lit.
These are very minor concerns, though, about an otherwise outstanding product. Highly recommended!
Wii Energizer Flat Panel 2x Induction Charger Feature
Wii Energizer Flat Panel 2x Induction Charger Overview
The Flat Panel 2x Induction Charging System includes an induction charging stand and 2 rechargeable battery packs. It features magnetic cradling for optimal remote placement. Compatible with Nintendo’s Silicone Jacket and Wii Motion Plus.
Wii Energizer Flat Panel 2x Induction Charger Specifications
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 18, 2009 06:23:24