Cost-benefit ratio of AA rechargeables?
Just wondering.My little camera speedlight uses four AA batteries and gives me about
160 or so flashes before they need to be replaced. They're not
expensive, but I don't always have a fresh set available, and I don't
always remember to stop and buy some before I go out with my camera. So, I've been thinking about getting four rechargeable NiMH batteries
for about $2.50 each, and a charger. Sony and others offer a
charger-battery combo for about $30. I'm wondering how long these NiMH batteries "hold" their charge if they
are freshly charged? If it is several weeks between camera use, would I
be wanting to recharge them prior to taking the camera out to use? Any experience? Thanks. |
Harry
Oct 11
2005
|
| Kevin,
It was a joke. You are making yourself look silly when you miss the humor.
; ) <atl_man2@yahoo.com> wrote in message |
Starbucker
Oct 11
|
| Get them - use them. They are great. |
Shortwave
Oct 11
|
| For some reason, I don't have problems with them like others seem to.
I'll admit that they have some minor flaws and can discharge, but when
fuly charged, they last a while. I have several battery operated
devices with them and they work for me. Having said that, I always take along several packs of alkaline
batteries - just in case. You never know. |
Shortwave
Oct 11
|
| For lots of stuff, they're working fine. But, my Raytheon handheld VHF
thinks it's smarter than the batteries. It shuts itself off, and if I
measure the batteries later, they're still above 1.3 v. Same with my Sony
portable CD thing. The GPS unit is OK with them, as are a couple of really
bright flashlights. I'm still using less disposable batteries, which is a
step in the right direction. |
Doug
Oct 11
|
| What? Oh, the idiot thought I was saying our gasoline was refined in China? Kee-rist. |
Harry
Oct 11
|
| Harry,
Thanks for taking the bait. ; ) "Harry Krause" <harry.krause@gmail.com> wrote in message |
Starbucker
Oct 11
|
| Even if Canadian currency was two to one, it's still a ripoff. --
John H "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan |
PocoLoco
Oct 11
|
| No, they're the duracell alkaline. The AAA I have are duracell ultras, but
they're still just alkaline batteries. I mispoke though, they're 39 cents each,
not 33. At Home Depot they're 42 cents each. Here's a place you can save some bucks: http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=MX1500AA&Category_Code=bt --
John H "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan |
PocoLoco
Oct 11
|
| Harry,
I am glad I could help. "Harry Krause" <harry.krause@gmail.com> wrote in message |
Starbucker
Oct 11
|
| What I think is funny, is that this is coming from a clown who claims he is
wealthy, but complains about the costs of cheap batteries! He did the same thing about a year ago...came on here, and complained about
the price of a $7.00 gas can.
|
Netsock
Oct 11
|
| THe same reason he took his vacation at the extreme off season. |
P
Oct 11
|
| My local Costco sells Duracell AA's for 33 cents each. You are getting ripped
off. --
John H "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so." Ronald Reagan |
PocoLoco
Oct 11
|
| Hell, I buy the off brand at both Costco and BJ's (Toshiba or Kirkland) for
about half that.....and they work just as good at the national brands like
Duracell. |
Oct 11
|
| I suspect he's talking about Canadian currency. Even my local supermarket
sells an 8 pack of Duracells for under six bucks. |
Doug
Oct 11
|
| It's probably like gasoline...they're all made in the same plant in the
PRC... The answer seems to be to use the lithium disposable AA's. |
Harry
Oct 11
|
| Don't you know that lots of wealthy people are very thrifty?
Ask hotel/restaurant employees who rely on tips. |
Don
Oct 11
|
| Apparently netslut can't read. It wasn't the price that concerned
me...it was the shelf life. |
Harry
Oct 11
|
| the 'Ultras' are more expensive than the regular Duracell batteries.
Sure you're not buying the 40 pack of Kirkland brand batteries?
(I may be quoting you the price for AAA size Ultras). |
Don
Oct 11
|
| Thanks everybody for this useful thread. I have been wondering since
the rechargeables dies on my VHF handheld which route to take for the
long run. Since I don't really use the radio very much, I think that
buying regular batteries and keeping them on there, with a spare set on
board, will be more cost-effective. richforman |
rforman61
Oct 11
|
| Harry,
Gasoline is not made in a plant in the PRC. "Harry Krause" <harry.krause@gmail.com> wrote in message |
Starbucker
Oct 11
|
|
Bingo. rechargeable are great for hi-use applications - my wife used them
for years in her portable CD players (now replaced with an ipod). Just
carry a spare set, with a 3rd on the charger. But in occasional-use,
high-priority applications, go for good disposables. The economics depend
on your frequency of use - if you change them more than every month or two,
disposables are far cheaper, and you are already in the habit of swapping
them out. I haven't yet got into the habit of using rechargeable in my LED
flashlights - AAA's last about 40 hours there, so it would probably make
sense. And ditto to the comments on Costco brand AA's, as well as Costco
battery/charger packages. Sal's Dad |
Sal's
Oct 11
|
| Please learn to read and comprehend what you've read. You're making
yourself look silly. |
atl_man2
Oct 11
|
| Harry,
If you did not have me filtered (big grin), you would be able to read my
response. I have found the rechargeable batteries do not hold their charge as long as
conventional batteries. I have also found you can not leave the
rechargeable batteries in the charger and just change out the batteries as
needed. If the rechargeable are kept in the charger they will overcharge
and leak. Ruining the battery and the charger. I found you can buy a lot
of conventional batteries for the cost of the recharger. "Harry Krause" <harry.krause@gmail.com> wrote in message |
Starbucker
Oct 11
|
| Based on Tom Francis' recommendation, I bought Panasonic's batteries and
charger. Fine for some uses, but not for others. Some "smart" devices think
the batteries are low even if you put in freshly charged ones, and won't
function nearly as long as with alkalines. And, the NiMH batteries lose
charge just sitting in a box unused. So, you need to pay attention to those,
or they won't be the backups you think they are. |
Doug
Oct 11
|
| Thanks. I have noticed that alkalines these days bear labels that
indicate they have a pretty long shelf life if kept packaged and unused.
I suppose I could keep a small supply on hand, but when I grab my
camera, I usually do not like to take along the camera bag. I stuff the
speedlight in my pocket and use it if and when I need it. Someone told me that disposable lithium batteries are more suited for
speedlight use than disposable alkalines. I probably should buy a set of
these and keep notes! |
Harry
Oct 11
|
| I intend to keep track of how much they lose in storage, but there are 395
other things on my list of crap to do. |
Doug
Oct 11
|
| Yep
Used them camping & on our boat for a while, but IMHO they don't hold a
charge when stored very well, and they cost a lot more. The main benefit is if you're going to be away from stores to buy fresh
batteries, but you are going to have access to 120VAC for the charger...
a tough scenario to imagine. Now we just keep a pack of spare batteries in a drawer on the boat, I
make it a point to only buy stuff that takes AA or D size, so we don't
have to have some of everything. It should also be a point to recycle
the dead batteries. Fresh Breezes- Doug King |
DSK
Oct 11
|
| I've gone that route in the past...but unless you use the camera flash
often, the NiMH batteries might be a pain.
I get my AA's from Costco. I get the package of 16 for around $ 20.00
(Duracell 'Ultra' brand). Every once in a while 'Consumer Reports'
does a report on batteries. I'll check my back issues to see what they say. |
Don
Oct 11
|
| Yeah, I'm concluding I'll just stick with the disposables. |
Harry
Oct 11
|
