Hello, everybody! Today, I am going to warn you about the fake Nikon MH-25 chargers in the market today. Nikon repair expert David Hilos shared some images from one that he had taken apart and we will visually compare what’s different between the real deal and the fake mainland Chinese knock-off. Thanks to David for letting us share his pictures!
You can easily see what’s different between the real one and the knock-off. The real one has a slide-lock on one end but the cheap knock-off doesn’t. The shape is also different, it is also evident that the real one appears to be made from better materials. You can tell by simply looking at the LED, print and finish that the fake one is inferior.
The difference is greatest once you open it up and see what’s inside. I will not outline the differences because they obvious. It looks like you could build the fake one from scratch by using parts that you can buy from Radioshack! If you’re old enough to remember this forgotten hobby of building a transistor radio from a kit you get from the mail then you know that printing and etching your own circuit board isn’t really that difficult.
Here’s a better view of the electrical parts. Everything about the fake one looked cheap. I won’t be surprised if this doesn’t give out consistent voltage or is rated lower or higher. It is very important that this should perform to-spec.
If you’re one of those people who want to save by buying bootleg equipment and expect that it’s going to be fine just because it does something simple like charging batteries or a simple device like a battery grip then this should serve as a lesson to you. Sure, the cheap bootleg equipment will apparently be just as good, that is until it fails or fry your gear. It is also disturbing to think how these bootleggers can get away with this. The only way we can fight this is to stop buying bootleg equipment. I would rather buy a used but genuine Nikon gear than take my chances on these things. Sure, it will not make any money for Nikon but at least you are not making any money for these mainland Chinese pirates. I’m not the type who writes preachy articles but I’ll just have to say this out. Nikon makes an honest living and the bootleggers don’t so please consider this the next time you want to save money by buying pirated equipment. Thank you guys for reading this post and I am sorry if I sounded self-righteous. I just said that for our own good. Remember the saying: “The cheap man pays twice”. See you guys again next time. Ric.
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Richard Haw's Classic Nikon Repair and Review 
Feb 05, 2018 @ 23:04:51
I agree. As pirated product, it is just plain wrong in so many ways. A distinction should be made, though, with a “knock-off” (e.g. Vello) which are legit products – not built to the same quality standards as Nikon but use their own name and not being deceitful by branding it as Nikon.
Feb 06, 2018 @ 00:14:11
Yes, third party doesn’t mean knock off
Feb 06, 2018 @ 03:01:38
This is not a new development as this knockoff has been available for over 3 years. If you check the label on the knockoff back you will find a UL mark with numbers that match the real unit.
Nov 30, 2018 @ 14:02:40
Hello Richard,
I have a Nikkor 20-35 f2.8 afd that will not focus at Infinity…typical Not past 30 mtr.,..Not with AF nor Manual Focus , the Focus Ring turns to Infinity without the focusing.
Nikon will Not touch it , as it is too Old.
There are Three Lensgroups :
1) Front lens is Main Lens , and does Not move.
2) Lens in the Middle is the Focuser ..( moves when Focus ring turns )
3) Rear group Zooms ( moves with Zoom Ring )
I removed Three shims underneath the Flange but No…not better.
Would Adjusting the Lens in the Middle , turning towards sensor do the trick ?
Have You encountered such problem before ?
Hope to hear from you.
Vic.
Jan 10, 2019 @ 01:19:43
Hello, Vic.
It will depend. in some cases its the rear that needs to be calibrated. Zooms can be a pain that way. It can be very time consuming without a proper collimator. Ric.
Jan 10, 2019 @ 03:33:06
Thank you for reply Richard,..but what would you look at first ?
Jan 10, 2019 @ 06:36:17
I will make it focus properly first. The helicoid must be put back together wrong from the sound of your problem. There is an adjustment there but i can’t show you