Doublepow DP-K11 4 Slots Ni-MH/NI-CD Intelligent Rapid Batteries Charger

 

Brand Name: DOUBLEPOW
Model Number: DP-K11 

Compatible: AA & AAA Ni-MH/Ni-CR batteries
Input: AC 220V 50/60Hz

Output: DC 1.2V 500mA AA

               DC 1.2V 300mA AAA
Casing: Plastic
LED Indicator: Red when charging, Green when done.

I've previous bought and used Doublepow's batteries before and I find them quite good for my level of usage. However, I was lacking a "2nd second set" to be used when my first was charging. Also, I need more charging slots.

Hence, this is an upgrade from the previous one. I got this charger and it comes together with 4x1100mAh AAA rechargeable batteries for SG$13 including shipping. 

On the side of the packaging, there is a formula given to calculate the charging time, which is (Battery Capacity * 1.25)/charging current.


So for a 1100mAh AAA battery, the charging time would be (1100*1.25)/300 = 4.583 hrs (about 4hrs 35mins).

There are also a few reminders:

Do not store the batteries in high temperature,
Do not using together with batteries with different capacity, type or model.
Do not try to charge damaged batteries (like leaking or dented one)
Do not dismantle, hit or place charger near to heat sources.
Do not try to charge non-chargeable batteries!

The charger came with a QC certificate to prove that it's a qualified product. Apparently, this product is produced in July 2018. Not that I really care.

The design of the charger is rather simple and plain. Nothing fanciful nor attractive. There is also no colour choices as it only comes in white. Bleh. And to be honest, I think it looks a little cheap.

As you can see from the photo, there will be a slope when charging AAA batteries due to the slot design. This doesn't happen with AA batteries. But rest assure that it charges both batteries.

The LED indicator worked as describe and I get to know when the charging is completed. I don't know how much juice were left in the batteries before charging but the charging took about 40 minutes. The charger was quite hot to touch and had a slight smell to it. It's the same smell with the Remax Youth Edition Multiple Ports (5 Ports) USB Charging Hub when I first use it. I believe it would go away with usage.

The batteries stayed warm to touch after charging.

Pros:

- LED Indicator
- Able to charge both AA and AAA batteries
- Quite light, portable
- Faster charging as compared to DP-U21 (500 and 300mA vs 180mA)
- 4 charging slots
- Price

Cons:

- Gets hot after a while
- Slight smell
- Not USB charger, so needs a plug
- Design can be better or maybe more colour choices.
- Looks a little cheap

Overall Score: 3.5/5

Children's Day Gifts Ideas

Children's day is round the corner and my sister, who works in a school is in need of some gifts for the students. She has a budget and it's very low - each gift shouldn't be higher than SG$2 (She prefers it to be below $1 actually).

I think it's not hard to imagine, there are very limited range of "cute" stationery that fits into this budget. So I once again turn to the vast online shopping world.

My sister need around 20-30 gifts. So, here are my orders:

12 x Stone design correction tapes. (~SG$6 for 12)

 

I love the design of this one and the surface is smooth. Tried one of them and the tape comes out smoothly. 

I'd give it a 4.5/5.

7 boxes of "matchsticks" pens (each with 3 pens and 3 refills) (~SG$1.10 each box)

 

I actually only ordered and paid for 6, so I guess I got one for free. I'd admit that they look cuter on the photos but nevertheless, these are still pretty cute and I've tried a few of the pens. They're surprisingly good to hold and smooth to write with.                                                                                                        

I'd give it a 4/5.


6 x Candy design correction tapes (~SG$3 for 6)

I tried one of them and they're working as intended and tape comings out smoothly. However, I do find that the quality can be a little better. For example, the plastic wrapper of the candy is slightly off-aliment with the cap. But it's not too obvious that it spoils the whole look of it.


I'd give it a 3.5/5.


I've also gotten a few pens for myself which I'll not include in here. But I'd say their stationery are of reasonable quality and their pens writes really smoothly. I'd also like to mention that the seller added extra protection for my parcel when I told him that these will be sent overseas. Thumbs up for customer service!

Total amount spent on all of the above (correction tapes and matchstick pens) plus shipment = SG$24.

PingAn International Express (Taobao forwarder) Review

I've ordered some rechargeable batteries again from Taobao recently. And batteries are considered sensitive goods so I couldn't ship via the Taobao official forwarder.

I had to engage a "private" forwarder and I turn to PingAn International Express which price is very reasonable and one of the cheapest. This isn't the first time I used them, I've previous experience with them which is pretty good.


Price List for Air Shipment to Singapore (4/5)

They provide deliver to other countries too like Taiwan, Malaysia and Hong Kong. They also provide sea shipment which I did not include here.

Customer Service (4.5/5)

Their customer service is also very responsive and helpful. They actually have a website whereby   you can consolidate and then ship the items yourself when they arrived at their warehouse. However, it's kind of confusing for me so I always contact their CS to help me with it (so not going through the website) and they're always willing to help me with it.

They have their own site for tracking and you need to contact them for it (esp if you didn't go through the website).


Speed of Delivery (3.5/5)

The speed of delivery varies greatly - they usually delivers within a week or 2. However there was once there was a huge delay and I have to wait for almost a month before receiving my items. That was during the end of year sales season.

This is the timeline of my recent delivery in August.

I received the parcel on 2018-08-17


Condition of Parcels (3.5/5)

The parcels usually came quite well protected but still with some dents and squashing. But I don't know when the squashing occurs - on the way to the warehouse or on the way to Singapore. (We all know about the "violent treatment" to the parcels by the China local deliveryman.) But so far, I've no much complain with their service except maybe when shipping potato chips, but I know I can't blame them because chips are so fragile.


This is my recent delivery from them, for you to judge on your own.

For me, other than the last item (at the bottom) was squashed, others are in pretty good condition. The item in all the boxes are in good condition.



Local Courier/Partners (4/5)

The local courier that they partner with seems to be mainly Dragon link who seems to have a bad reputation. However, I do not have much problem with them. They would sms to notify you that your delivery will be here, and call before delivery and then inform you roughly what time slot they would arrive and ask if anyone will be home. If the delivery fail, you can rearrange for them to redeliver for free.


I'm a happy user of PingAn International Express, however most of their websites and CS are in Chinese. There might be a language barrier for some.


Overall score: 3.5/5

Doublepow Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries and Charger Review

 

I've mentioned about how my Wiimotes are "eating up" batteries like a hungry monster and that I've got the Gosh! JouleCell Rechargeable Batteries(click for review) in attempt to save some money be more environmental friendly. But the JouleCell batteries proved to be not so efficient in solving the problem.

So I went and got some rechargeable batteries online and I found Doublepow. I ordered:

4x1100mAh AAA (size 7) batteries (Model：DP-AAA1100mAh)

4x2700mAh AA (size 5) batteries (Model: DP-AA2700mAh)

Translation same as the picture above. Except for the model.

  
2x1000mAh (size 5) batteries (comes free with charger) (Model: DP-AA1000mAh)

 1x2 slots USB powered charger (Model: DP-U21)

These items cost me about RMB85, which is about SG$17-18. This is of course excluding the shipment. (Shipment is about SG$7).

 

According to the description, these batteries should be able to last at least a 1000 charges. But we'll never know.

My experience:

I've actually used the batteries (AAA) for more than 3 months now and that's about how long these AAA batteries last on a "smart" digital alarm clock that runs on 3 batteries before I need to charge them again. I've since replaced the batteries with non-rechargeable batteries and I'll update about how long they last.


The AA batteries are hardly used because I've to keep my Wii away when my block was selected for compulsory upgrading. Now it's rotting in my storeroom. But I did use them on a handheld "sewing" machine which runs on 4 AA batteries and they drive the machine powerfully. I also used the 1000mAh ones on my TV remote and they are still running strong after 2 weeks.

The charger, however, was a slight disappointment. The LED indication is faulty and it doesn't cut off when the batteries are fully charged. It'll just shows a red light and there is no way I could tell if the charging is complete. I've also find out that there are others with similar problem. The cable and "connection point" also feels flimsy, I fear how long it can last.

Pros:

Batteries
- Rechargeable
- Price is rather cheap
- High capacity
- Last for 1000 charges (but I doubt so)

Charger
- Light weight, portable
- USB charger so no need for plug and can charge on computer
- Charges both AA and AAA batteries

Cons:

Batteries
- Slightly heavier than normal batteries of same size.

Charger
- No clear indication of charging status
- Looks cheap
- Feels flimsy (especially the cable)  
- Slow charging (It'll take over 9 hours to fully charge a 1100mAh AAA battery and over 20 hours for a 2700mAh AA battery)


 Overall score: 3/5.

Restoran Nyonya Makko Review

My family just came back from Melaka and we went to try Nyonya food in Restoran Nyonya Makko. It is located near the Hatten Hotel, which is near to the Jonker Walk and  Historical site, "Red Houses".

When we got there, there was already a short queue. We're fourth or fifth on the waiting list. The restaurant is pretty small and packed with both people and tables. There is hardly any space for you to stand, not to mention the busy (and frustrated waitress) walking around so we were all chased out rudely to wait outside in the hot sun.

We were told to wait for at least 45 minutes. There are nothing much to shop around so we just stand outside the restaurant and waited. (We got there around 6pm and by the time we were called in, there is a crowd at the door)

When we were called in, we were served a plate of keropok, which is not too tasty in my opinion. The waitress who took our order had better attitude and did her part in recommending dishes to us. However, further asking made her a little inpatient.

We didn't order all their "famous" dishes because we only had 4 people and my sister and I couldn't take spiciness well. We ordered only 5 dishes.

Food were served very fast but out of these dishes, we only love the Rendang and the rest were just mediocre to bad.


The Fish (Tastiness: 2/5)

I think this is the WORST dish from them! The sauce not only taste bad but is also too spicy! We were gasping for water after just one mouth of the sauce!


The Kangkong (Tastiness: 3/5)

The Kangkong taste ok, but nothing special. Just like any Kangkong I had before.

Sambal Udang petai (Tastiness: 3.5/5)

 

This one is really tasty but the portion is very little and the Petai, small and countable with both hands.


Turmeric Squid (Tastiness: 3/5)

I thought it taste bad but my father and sister thought its Ok. I didn't like it because the calamari feels soggy and not crispy nor chewy. The taste is quite ok though, reminds me a little of Curry flavoured Twisties snack.


The Rendang Chicken (Tastiness: 4.5/5)

The Rendang is really delicious and the chicken is smooth and tender. The only thing bad about it is that the portion is really small. The 4 of us only get one piece each.

The above plus 4 rice and 4 drinks adds up to over RM$160.

I actually wouldn't recommend this restaurant because well, it's not very cheap (for the portion) as compared to other places we ate in. Also the food wasn't that good. I feel it's slightly overrated and their service wasn't too great.

Overall Score: 3/5