W&W IMPRES Battery Reader

[W6WAW]

I don't know how long this has been on the market, but someone has come up with a stand alone IMPRES battery reader with a self-contained display.

http://www.ww-manufacturing.com/impresdatareader.asp

While reviews of W&W products have varied, they might have found an interesting niche with this reader. At $300 I don't think that they will sell many to people who already have the display gang charger or the Motorola IMPRES reader. However, for those that have the non-display gang charger, it might be a reasonable alternative.

[tvsjr]

For $300? I don't think so.

If you have a non-display gang charger, you can add displays at around $150 per slot. You can add just one if you want.
If you have single chargers, you can use the mod that Batdude developed to add a ~$150 display to a single charger.
If you want a reader, Moto sells one to interface to a computer for $250. Granted, it takes a computer, but it tells you far more about the battery than even the display-enabled gang chargers will.

[Tom in D.C.]

Based on my personal experience with W&W over the years I wouldn't go near this device at any price. Their HT batteries seem to fail all too soon after purchase, and their follow-up and response to warranty claims is worse than bad -- it's non-existent. From me, and some of the local hams in my area, W&W has earned a solid "F" rating. They do support and appear at hamfests but what good is that if your product and service are not worth much?

If you can solder three wires to the board of your 4114AR Impres charger for an outboard LCD reader you'll have something that works well, with the only hassle being the mounting of the display which can be done with a Radio Shack plastic box, hand tools, and a piece of double-stick tape.

[W6WAW]

They clearly don't expect to sell it to batlabs folks given the wording of the description. I wouldn't buy it but I could see a small operation going for it.

I did have a W&W battery once and once was enough!

[fineshot1]

Based on my personal experience with W&W over the years I wouldn't go near this device at any price. Their HT batteries seem to fail all too soon after purchase, and their follow-up and response to warranty claims is worse than bad -- it's non-existent. From me, and some of the local hams in my area, W&W has earned a solid "F" rating. They do support and appear at hamfests but what good is that if your product and service are not worth much?

If you can solder three wires to the board of your 4114AR Impres charger for an outboard LCD reader you'll have something that works well, with the only hassle being the mounting of the display which can be done with a Radio Shack plastic box, hand tools, and a piece of double-stick tape.

I could not agree with Tom more. Very bad track record with the batteries I have purchased from them.

[escomm]

W&W stands for Wiggly & Wobbly IMHO

[n7maq]

Based on my personal experience with W&W over the years I wouldn't go near this device at any price. Their HT batteries seem to fail all too soon after purchase, and their follow-up and response to warranty claims is worse than bad -- it's non-existent. From me, and some of the local hams in my area, W&W has earned a solid "F" rating. They do support and appear at hamfests but what good is that if your product and service are not worth much?

If you can solder three wires to the board of your 4114AR Impres charger for an outboard LCD reader you'll have something that works well, with the only hassle being the mounting of the display which can be done with a Radio Shack plastic box, hand tools, and a piece of double-stick tape.

Tom is dead on!!! W&W = BIG POS

[KE7JFF]

I have some W&W batteries; they are not the worst; they are not the best but I can get by with them.

My only real complaint is on the XTS battery I have from them it doesn't exactly fit. It locks in, but just the plastic edge isn't quite flush like with other batteries. I don't think W&W actually tests radios with their products...

[4n6inv]

W&W is definitely not my first pick! At any price.

[MRFLASHPORT]

W&W Batteries are garbage! The trash can is to good a place for them.

Their batteries don't last long,bad contacts, I can go on and on.....

If you really hate someone,Send them a W&W battery for Christmas.

They will remember you!

[KE7JFF]

W&W just resells batteries from a wholesaler in China; if you know where to look you can get the same battery that W&W sells for less; I have a few of these batteries as backups myself. Heck, there is even DOMESTIC people reselling W&W batteries for less!

Honestly, I think W&W could be a great product if they actually tested their products and stood by them like other aftermarket battery outfits...