PL6 from the US

[Sharpedge]

I was looking for another charger, small and less expensive than the PL8 (already have one) to use at my work location during the week. I need to charge 2x6S packs so the Cellpro 10 is not going to cut it. I’ve decided to go with the PL6 as it offers all the advantages of the PL8 but with less power. I have not found one in the UK yet but they are listed on the Opitfuel website for £199.99.


I went to the international store on the Revolectrix site and found the PL6 for $164.95. I used the import and vat calculator using the following:


US to UK
Product description: electronics
Product category: Chargers for Other Accumulator Batteries
Product value: US$165.00
Shipping costs: US$38.00
Total customs value: £131.05
- Duty: £0.00
- VAT: £26.21
Total import duty & taxes due: £26.21
Total landed cost:£157.26

With the outrageous customs handling fee of aprox £15 this works out at a total of £172.26 and a saving of £27. I will ping them an email to see if they have stock, if they do I going to go for it unless someone can find a flaw in my plan.

[Mark_T]

Not a flaw, but products from their International store generally ship from Singapore, not USA, which reduces the chances of it being assessed for VAT on the way through.

Generally they show 'out of stock' messages on items they don't have so you should be OK.

[raptorheli2]

why would you want to risk warranty on something that is under a lot of stress for 25 quid?

i'm all for a bargain but 25 quid ain't worth doing it for imo.

cheers

[Mark_T]

why would you want to risk warranty on something that is under a lot of stress for 25 quid?

I imagine the lack of any UK stock is the main motivator ...

[Geek]

Don't forget the lack of Warrenty so if it goes wrong you could have to ship it back.

[Sharpedge]

Will the UK agent Optifuel not honor the warranty?

[Sharpedge]

I have just noticed that the PL6 on the Optifuel site is the combo pack to charge 2 6s packs at once, it also appears to have the computer interface included. This is starting to look loads better that I first thought. Time to start badgering Optifuel for stock

[JoeBailey]

Would you honour it if you hadn't sold it?

[Sharpedge]

I've had an email back from Andy at Optifuel who reports that the PL6s are on their way and should be in the country in aprox 10 days. It will be interesting to see the prices that online stores are going to use compared to the recommended prices on the Optifuel site. I'm real happy with my pl8 so I will be picking up a pl6 to use with my 600pro in Glasgow, now I just need to rip apart another old computer psu...

[Sharpedge]

Just ordered the PL6 combo from Radiocontrolshop in IE as I have just waited 55 min for my 50w charger to charge a 6s 3000 from 3.86v per cell at its max of 2.1A. They have a special on these charges but it is mostly absorbed by the 20 Euro p&p (48hr delivery) as it's the only delivery option.

[sacko]

Still cheaper. Works out at £160 delivered on my credit cart currency rate.

[Andy from Sandy]

I imported my PL8 from the international website.

After a couple of months the LCD display went faulty. I contacted FMA Direct and they sent me a new panel FOC.

So that is how the warranty was sorted out for me.

[erisaman]

Still cheaper. Works out at £160 delivered on my credit cart currency rate.

Resurrecting an old thread but still relevant - I've just bought a PL6 MPA, comprising of Paraboard and MPA ribbon plus charger, from Radiocontrolshop Ireland, for £202 delivered to the UK. Priced in Euros the exchange rate dipped in favour of sterling and, with the RC shop discount, made it a worthwhile purchase.