Since I've been using balancers I've noticed that new packs can very quickly start to go significantly out of balance. It depends on each individual pack but an out of balance pack WILL be permenently damaged in just a few cycles not to mention the progressively poorer performance from your batts. Factor in the safety aspect and, yes, they are essentially necessary.(I personally think it was irresponsible for manufacturers to ever sell multicell packs with no provision to balance them!) Best of the season, Cheers!