Eneloop AA batteries...again

[Matt. K]

After having used these batteries on a number of heavy duty occasions, and talking to others who also use them, I can confidently say they are the best thing to happen to photographers for a long time. THEY ROCK! They last and last and keep on lasting and they hold their charge as claimed. Charge them up and forget about them until they are needed. No more late night mass charging sessions before an important shoot. No more loading batteries into the SB-800 only to find they have run down so much whilst in storage that they don't have enough punch to light up the ready light. Just one less problem to worry about. I'm happy to recommend them.

[sirhc55]

Me too

[the foto fanatic]

Me three.

The way they hold their charge is fantastic.

[Alpha_7]

Sounds like I should get some...

can you use a standard charger with them ?

[phillipb]

I'm a convert as well. I use them in my cordless mouse as well, they go for at least 2 weeks of daily use before I need to recharge them. Could go longer but I use the mouse about 1 metre away from the receiver.

[michael_]

links matt/chris/trevor/philip? i need some AA rechargables and was going to pay $22 for 4x2500m energizer

[losfp]

Another vote for the mighty Eneloops!!

I just picked up 2 more sets of 8

[Glen]

I would echo (bloody repetitive echo) recommendations.

I was going to post under the battery test we had a while back, but here would be a good place, I just received one of those fancy chargers which tells you the battery capacity. I just have put all my AA batteries through, results were interesting.


Of 4 2000mah Eneloops, 3 were between 1915mah and 1970mah, one was 1816.

Of 4 2300mah Energisers, all 4 were in the 2200mah range.

Of 14 2500 mah Prolink (the ones from Thanh) 10 were between 1500 - 1700 mah range, 4 were in the 1800mah range

of 8 2300 Powertech (Jaycar), all 8 ranged from 1200 -1500mah.

The Eneloops were probably a year old, the energisers and Thanhs were two years old and Powertechs 3 years.

Of course the Eneloops have the very low self discharge rate as well.

[Glen]

Craig, a standard charger works with them. Michael, you buy them at places like Dick Smith or similar.

[Geoff]

I'm yet to buy some but keen.
Battery World is also a supplier.

[digitor]

'kin marvellous cells. I've now got 28 - about the only AA powered device I don't use them in is a couple of wall clocks.

I'm keeping a fairly detailed spreadsheet on their performance (I know, I'm a nerd... ) and I can report that the lowest capacity on test using standard IEC conditions I've had (tested with a Maha C-9000) is 99.45% of their rated capacity.

Normal usage reflects these results - they retain their charge as advertised, and have a very low internal impedance, which means very fast recycling times with flashguns. The only cells I've found with better characteristics in this respect are the specialist Titaniums, which are purpose-built for high discharge applications. I'm not sure that flashguns can take advantage of this small difference - although you may see a difference with R/C models.

Cheers

[Trieu]

Yeap I got two sets.... never failed on me, constant performer

[Grev]

Very nice indeed, what is the highest capacity right now for them anyway?

[Glen]

Grev, 2000mah was the last I saw, they may be more by now. One thing is that whilst rated lower than the others, the Eneloops are my second highest capacity battery, only 10% behind the Energisers. I think I must have a rogue cell to get one low rate after Digitors test of 28.

[michael_]

battery world at tempe have pks of 8 for $35, im off to get some.

[Greg B]

How long do the Eneloops take to recharge from fully discharged?

[Glen]

Depends on the charger Greg. My last charger a couple of hours, not sure on the new as I have been doing refresh which is discharge/recharge. Nowhere near as fast as your Varta

[Greg B]

Thanks Glen. The Eneloops are obviously good gear.

One day my dozen or so Vartas and the charger will die and I will be looking at replacements. The Eneloops (or their successor) will be a strong contender

So far, I have been very pleased with the Varta. The 15 minute charge is very handy indeed, and the batteries
(which I think are only 1600 or 1800 mha or whatever it is) seem to hang in there. One benefit of
the rapid charge is that you can top them all off in quick time (maybe just a few minutes) before
heading out if you have a big day planned.

[moz]

battery world at tempe have pks of 8 for $35, im off to get some.

As in Battery World for all your motor vehicle battery requirements?

I bike past there several times a week, I will have to go in and have a look. It's amazing how my view of that part of the world doesn't match theirs... to me that area is the intersection of the Cooks River Cycleway and the Airport/Alexandria Canal Cycleway. I had to check with google maps to make sure it was the same place.

[michael_]

thats the one moz, i was surprised to as i bought a trickle charger for my car from there a few years back

[Steffen]

I'm a fan too. Sanyo reinvented the rechargeable AA.

That said, they have a strategic disadvantage. If you carry fresh and flat eneloops in your bag for a few weeks you may forget which ones are which, and that can be a pain in the butt. With normal NiMHs this couldn't happen. They'd all be flat...

Cheers
Steffen.

[Grev]

Glen, that is great to hear, so convenient and among the strongest in actual terms. I like my energisers but convenience from the sanyos cannot be denied or overlooked.