I was thinking about getting some rechargeable batteries for my digital camera. Any good suggestions? I would go pickup one of them from Wal-Mart but if I can find something maybe better online for about the same price I'd rather do that.
Rechargeable Batteries
- Thread starter Sniper82
- Start date
I would have to drive 80-150 miles in order to do that
. Its Wal-Mart,Kmart or Office Depot(do they even sell them)? Do they make a charger or something that will test a batteries condition? That would tell you if the battery needs to be throwed out?
xanis
Lifer
- Sep 11, 2005
- 17,571
- 8
- 0
Originally posted by: Sniper82
I would have to drive 80-150 miles in order to do that
You live out in the boonies or something?
just don't buy the ones made by sony....
j/k. have some made by sony. rock solid. i like the ones that are made in japan.
j/k. have some made by sony. rock solid. i like the ones that are made in japan.
Jeff7
Lifer
- Jan 4, 2001
- 41,596
- 20
- 81
For all your battery needs
Or most of them, anyway.
I got a Rayovac 4-AA/AAA charger from Walmart for my sister, which cost $10. It killed 2 AA's within a college semester. I suspect that it had 1, maybe 2 charging circuits, and thus treated any inserted batteries as being identical - this means if you put in one dead battery and one that's hardly been discharged at all, both are charged exactly the same, which could nuke the nearly-charged one. I'm not sure though if that was the cause, but in either case, 2 batteries died during its watch.
I've now got her this charger with one of their combo kits, which is no longer available. It was the 2500mAH version, which has apparently been replaced with a 2700mAH combo kit. 4 independently controlled charging circuits, with a 100 minute fast charge and a 5 hour slow charge. Even the fast charge is still kind of long, but that's because the faster you charge a battery, the shorter its overall life will be. Part of me says that that's why you see 15 minute super-fast chargers available now - kill rechargables quicker, and people will buy more expensive batteries sooner.
Also - the charger I linked to will determine if a battery is bad. The LED's on each channel will do different things to indicate different states:
Red: charging
Green: charging complete
Flashing red: bad battery
For charging any common rechargeable battery, I use this charger. If you want to charge a LOT of things at once, check out this craziness.
Or most of them, anyway.
I got a Rayovac 4-AA/AAA charger from Walmart for my sister, which cost $10. It killed 2 AA's within a college semester. I suspect that it had 1, maybe 2 charging circuits, and thus treated any inserted batteries as being identical - this means if you put in one dead battery and one that's hardly been discharged at all, both are charged exactly the same, which could nuke the nearly-charged one. I'm not sure though if that was the cause, but in either case, 2 batteries died during its watch.
I've now got her this charger with one of their combo kits, which is no longer available. It was the 2500mAH version, which has apparently been replaced with a 2700mAH combo kit. 4 independently controlled charging circuits, with a 100 minute fast charge and a 5 hour slow charge. Even the fast charge is still kind of long, but that's because the faster you charge a battery, the shorter its overall life will be. Part of me says that that's why you see 15 minute super-fast chargers available now - kill rechargables quicker, and people will buy more expensive batteries sooner.
Also - the charger I linked to will determine if a battery is bad. The LED's on each channel will do different things to indicate different states:
Red: charging
Green: charging complete
Flashing red: bad battery
For charging any common rechargeable battery, I use this charger. If you want to charge a LOT of things at once, check out this craziness.
DrPizza
Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
I just finally started using rechargeables in our digital camera...
I keep asking myself "wtf didn't I do this sooner???" They last FAR longer than regular batteries, and for hardly any more money up front (except the charger).
I keep asking myself "wtf didn't I do this sooner???" They last FAR longer than regular batteries, and for hardly any more money up front (except the charger).
I found it or one that looks like it on newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817108010
Looks good but only 2000mah batteries. I wonder if it will be ok to charge 2500mah of a different brand in it? Def considering buying one. But before I order can it be beat by something in the same price range? Anyone?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817108010
Looks good but only 2000mah batteries. I wonder if it will be ok to charge 2500mah of a different brand in it? Def considering buying one. But before I order can it be beat by something in the same price range? Anyone?
0roo0roo
No Lifer
- Sep 21, 2002
- 64,795
- 84
- 91
oh wallmart/target sell plenty, energizer/duracell/rayovac etc.Originally posted by: Sniper82
I would have to drive 80-150 miles in order to do that
as for chargers killing batteries, the duracell/energizer ones i've seen let you charge single batteries instead of pairs, so its not going to have that problem. as for 15 minute chargers killing batteries, i doubt it matters that much. out of a thousand charges, say you loose 10%, who really cares when you calculate the cost per charge. not worth worrying about. the rayovac one did seem sorta inferior since its fan vents were too thin. plus it uses proprietary batteries, the energizer/duracell ones dont. there was a time when chargers weren't smart, but that doesn't apply to the newest models. i had one of these pos, set time for dumb charger..ugh. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000JGNB/
Chaotic42
Lifer
- Jun 15, 2001
- 34,796
- 1,980
- 126
I love the review...
-
I bought this lovely item months ago and my family and I have had several near-death experiences with it. First of all, I suggest using 4 batteries at a time because there's a possibility that someone can accidentally touch both terminals when it is on, and they'll get a little shock. It's not fatal, but could potentially be fatal if you were allergic to electricity. My wife's grandfather did this and believed that it was a sign from god, which shows how powerful the buzz is spiritually.
Secondly, the label on the backside can't be read when it's plugged in, and I think that's just bad design. It warns of batteries leaking, and I think if that's a problem, then they should make the charger waterproof and tell the user to run it above an old tin can or something, but not where the dog can reach it.
I mentioned the charger is confusing because on the label sticker there is a picture of a flame. I do not want the flames of the devil in my house or on my battery chargers, nor any sort of fire. The manufacturers should consider not having flames on the label, or possibly having a picture of Saint Barbara, who helps prevent fire.
Another confusing issue is the fact that there are two "channels" but 6 places to put batteries total (if you include the spots for 9-volt batteries). Furthermore, there's a switch for nicd and nimh. What does this even mean? The back says it was made in china, so I would appreciate if someone could give me a translation.
Also, I don't know why it has to be so heavy. With all these gizmos nowdays fitting into things as small as pocket watches, you'd think this would be lighter. I bet they added more weight to this just so that people would pay extra in shipping.
I do like that the electical plug can flip out or fold in. Jesus knows how dangerous a plug is when it's sticking out and unmonitored. Someone could otherwise step on the plug or get an eye put out, so if you buy this charger, remember to store it with the plug folded inward.
I should also mention that the color selection is rather bad. I know of no person who has a grey and dark grey color combination for their house. I painted mine white and brown in my shop, and others should do the same so it blends into their particular house colors. I gladly would have paid a dollar or two extra if I could have bought it in these colors.
All that said, I rated it 3/5 because it seems to do whatever it was supposed to do with my wife's batteries, but there's room for improvement. One possible improvement would be a bell that rings when it's done. Or it could send an e-mails to this computer, because I forget to check it, but I don't forget to check my e-mail.
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The best batteries I've found recently are "Titanium" branded batteries from here. The "Titanium Power Enduro" batteries have a lower self discharge rate which makes them an excellent choice IMO. If you want a great charger, I recommend the La Crosse BC-900 which can be found at the linked store or many other places.
BTW I recommend staying away from the Energizer 2500mAh batteries as many of them have an EXTREMELY high self discharge rate. Mine go from fully charged to dead in about 2 weeks (without any use).
BTW I recommend staying away from the Energizer 2500mAh batteries as many of them have an EXTREMELY high self discharge rate. Mine go from fully charged to dead in about 2 weeks (without any use).
The La Crosse BC-900 looks sweet. Do you use it(how long)? How are the batteries that come with it? That a reliable site to buy from?
I've had the BC-900 for a couple months and I love it. It has more features than any other charger I've used. It can charge at rates from 200-1800mA. The batteries that come with it seem fine but I haven't really used them too much yet. I've bought from them multiple times without a problem.
I noticed they have some Titanium 2700mah batteries. I am deciding between them or the 2100mah Enduro's you recommended. I like the fact that the Enduro's keep charge longer but would it be worth it to just go with the 2700mah's since they will last longer when used after a charge? ATM I just have enough to get the charge and a pack of 4 batteries of something else. I'm no battery expert but would the 2700mah batteries last a noticable amount of time over the 2100mah's?
I mostly will be using them in digital cameras but thats mostly about it.
I mostly will be using them in digital cameras but thats mostly about it.
shortylickens
No Lifer
- Jul 15, 2003
- 80,287
- 17,081
- 136
True.
Buying batteries online is only a good deal if you get a bunch of them.
For reference, I have the Radio Shack NiMH and they've lasted me 6 years. I stopped using them in my Sony camera after I got the special LiIon battery but I keep them around for cordless mice, remote controls and smaller vibrating toys that dont plug in.
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