First I thought better not mention things here, but now as I see this thread comming up again and again here are some points I have to make.
1) regarding the 1500mAh or 1600mAh or whatevermAh reading of Batteries.
None of these readings are reliable.
There is no need (up until today) for manufacturers of these to follow certain norms and standards for producing these results.
They only need to be reproducable.
1a)
Some manufacturers measure batteries with a load, that is not typical of any usage the batteries will ever encounter.
1b)
Some Batteries are measured with a constant temperature (i.e. the battery is actively kept at a certain temperature during the measurement) allthough during normal usage, batteries change their ambient temperature, sometimes extremely.
1c)
Some Labs decrease constantly the load to the battery, allthough your device would need the same energy, even if the battery is close to its exhaustion point.
1d)
Some Battery chemistries will have a larger mA reading but only for the first few charging/discharging cycles. After those, they behave pretty much like the less expensive ones.
Some use even more sophisticated LAB-tricks to squeeze the most Ah out of their Batteries, just to write some impressive numbers on them.
AND..
Because of the finer granulation of the high mAH Batteries, they are much more sensitive to high speed (high current) chargers.
All this means basically, that even if you get a 1600mAH Battery, it might very well work less longer than a sturdy 1400mAH one in your application and with your charger.
2) ...how to find THE BEST QUALITY...
The mentioned MAHA unit is based on a very primitive charging principle, which in no way reflects todays possibilities.
It simply monitores the overvoltage in steps (deltaV) and the temperature with its "..intelligent microprocessor design.."!
And for that, the MAHA charger is very expensive.
Better chargers for instance use sophisticated and specialized IC's for supervision of a continuous loading and discharging curve based on curve fitting.
Quite disturbingly is the fact that thomas-distributing suggests that "..you can finally safely rapid charge.." instead of "..tens of hours required by ordinary overnight charger.."
Allthough rapid charging is generally the most severe wear factor of a Battery operated correctly (i.e. not short cuircuited etc).
Conclusion?
Get TWO sets of the cheapest Batteries, and get a good long period charger.
As Maverick319 himself says that his suggestion is not the cheapest charger+battery set out there, you should look elswhere for good and not overpriced products.
Oh, did I mention that
I do not work for Thomas Distributing or sell these batteries myself.
?