The Universal 320 fast charger is suitable for use with Ni-CAD and Ni-MH batteries.

Will charge AAA, AA, C, D and PP3 (9V) size rechargeable batteries

Full charge in 4-8 hours

Timer controlled

Automatic switch off

Easy to use

Fitted with a safety timer device.

The biggest drawback is that you have to switch it off and then on again at the mains every time you put new batteries in it. If you have a tidy, plugless desk like mine then this is a real pain. In the end I used my Christmas tree socket remote control. Not good.

To add insult to injury, I recently purchased an updated version - blithely assuming they would have fixed that niggle. They haven't. Worse still, the moveable contacts that hold the batteries in place now have pointy bits which dig into your finger. They are spring loaded so you have to push them quite hard to get your batteries in. I can't believe they went to market with this design.

I should also mention that you have to charge the batteries in pairs, you can't use the PP9 charger if other batteries obscure it's slot and you have to manually select between NiMH and NiCd battery types. In fact on the newer version the switch says "A" and "B" which means you have to turn it upside down to see which setting applies to your batteries.

The old version was bad. The updated version is an insult.


Reliable, once you work out how to use it.   January 21, 2004
 21 out of 24 found this review helpful

This charger looks neat in the photograph but it is quite chunky - larger than I was expecting - around 25x12x5cm.

It works very well, once I worked out how to use it. I found the instructions very unhelpful and had to work out how to operate this item myself.

It is fairly straightforward to use - but I would not recommend this item for anyone who has never used rechargeable batteries before.


Bulky, but reliable (a good balance in my book)   December 19, 2003
 34 out of 36 found this review helpful

I was quite surpirsed when I bought this charger at how big it was! It looks almost pocket sized in the pictures but that is far from true.

However, what it loses in size and transportability, it gains in reliability and speed. I have two sets of 4 AA rechargable batteries for my digital camera that charge very quickly indeed (and an array of all shapes and sizes for the kids to use). You can certainly get a good 2hr camera use on 1hr charge. Or a very quick charge in 5 minutes to prevent tantrums when a favourite toy is inoperable.

The settings are simple and the led-out tells you when your batteries are charged. I only seem to be able to charge two or four at a time, but this is rarely a problem.

I also find it invaluable for charging an array of children's toys which incessantly require new batteries.

A nice tool for your kitchen shelf.