wii controller batteries

[amheck]

Getting a little sick of buying batteries for the controllers, so I'm ready to go onto the next level. I had pretty much decided to get one of the $30 charging stations, but then I was walking thru the grocery store the other day, and say a charger and 4 AA's for $9.99.

Are the rechargable batteries a cheap way out? Is the charging station just the better all around way to go? I guess that way, you just put the remotes on the station everynite and you're always good to go?

 

[Baked]

Sanyo Eneloop 4 pack AA + charger. But you're probably looking for something like the Nyko Charge Station.

 

[amheck]

Yeah, those are the two items I'm considering (or something very similar). Any pro's and con's of either?

 

[Blayze]

I've been using the Nyko Charge Station since May. The only problems I have with the charge station are the grip battery covers. They make it hard to fit the Wii Remote in the Wii Wheel or the Zapper.

It seems to keep a good charge.

 

[spidey07]

I use nothing but alkalines in my controllers. 48 pack for 9 bucks last forever.

 

[randomlinh]

charging stations are more convenient, but with an army of eneloops it's far easier to double duty the AA's, heh. Also, I keep my controllers in a box hidden away. I have 4 full sets, I have no desire to have them all displayed for charging. So it's just simpler that way.

In addition to that, I have the Wii Remote condoms, and actually like them, especially when you have to hold the remote like a traditional controller. Therefore, rendering a charging station useless for me.

So either way works really, but if you go rechargeable, definitely get eneloops (or any low discharge NiMH). Costco, if you have a membership or know someone who does, usually has 8AA's+2AAA's+charger for $25-$30.

edit: spidey07, that's odd, I did the same... and mine just disappeared pretty quickly =(

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
charging stations are more convenient, but with an army of eneloops it's far easier to double duty the AA's, heh. Also, I keep my controllers in a box hidden away. I have 4 full sets, I have no desire to have them all displayed for charging. So it's just simpler that way.

In addition to that, I have the Wii Remote condoms, and actually like them, especially when you have to hold the remote like a traditional controller. Therefore, rendering a charging station useless for me.

So either way works really, but if you go rechargeable, definitely get eneloops (or any low discharge NiMH). Costco, if you have a membership or know someone who does, usually has 8AA's+2AAA's+charger for $25-$30.

edit: spidey07, that's odd, I did the same... and mine just disappeared pretty quickly =(

This is basically they way it works at my house as well. I have no complaints with it.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: amheck
Yeah, those are the two items I'm considering (or something very similar). Any pro's and con's of either?

Personally I would get the Sanyo charger + eneloop combo. The battery is higher quality, gives you more juice and holds charge longer, and is compatible with other electronic devices you have. I don't really like the dedicated charger 'cause the battery in it is older tech, it takes up more space. I mean it's really up to you on whether you don't mind changing the batteries on the Wiimote now and then, or want to have your Wiimote charged at all times.

Ps. Good point by randomlinh, you can't use the charging station w/ the newer Wiimote 'cause it comes w/ the sleeve.

 

[frostedflakes]

I'd get an NiMH charger and some LSD batteries, because you'll be able to use them in many different devices. Especially with high draw devices (game controllers, cameras, etc.), they pay for themselves pretty quickly. The LSD cells are even well suited for low draw devices such as TV remotes.

 

[amheck]

Thanks for all of the input guys. I'll try some of the eneloops. We did buy a big 20-pack of AA's, but seem to be changing them out more often than not.

I kinda thought everyone was going to say to get the charging station 100%, and that I was being cheap for going for the re-chargable AA's.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I run an army of 2100mh rechargeables.

 

[StageLeft]

screw a charge station, go with rechargeable batteries. Eneloops or rayovac or duracell "pre charged" all are super-slow discharging NiMH and very suitable for a controller.

I run an army of 2100mh rechargeables.

Me, too. I've seen Rayovac non-hybrid (i.e. non slow discharge) at 4 for $6. I like the slow discharge bats, though.

 

[Xavier434]

The problem with device/console specific charge stations is that they are device specific lol. It is a much wiser investment to get a standard AA/AAA battery charger and the chargeable batteries. Otherwise, your place will be filled with these chargers which only charge batteries for a specific device.

The La Crosse BC-900 plus the Sanyo batteries are highly recommended by most that I have spoken to about this subject.

Battery Charger

 

[eelw]

I'm also using Eneloops in my Wiimote, wireless nunchuk and balance board.

 

[Baked]

The Nunchuk doesn't use battery, it sucks juice from the Wiimote.

 

[frostedflakes]

He said *wireless* nunchuck.

 

[Rage187]

I'd get http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=4848&seq=1&format=2

 

[lupi]

I bought the 2 controller one from mono when they had it on sale for like $12. Works great for me.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: lupi
I bought the 2 controller one from mono when they had it on sale for like $12. Works great for me.

Ditto.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: amheck
Yeah, those are the two items I'm considering (or something very similar). Any pro's and con's of either?

I have the Nyko and its a turd.

first off, you can't have wimote skins on and use it which absolutely sucks. Its a pita taking the skins on and off.

2nd. I couldn't use it with my cords. The controllers dont fit tight in the cradle and the cords are in the way, no matter if i tried to pull them to the side or underneath, so everytime I have to put the controller back in the charger, I have to remove the wimote skin and cord.

Its quite the hassle. They need a good cheap induction type charger that works through the skins.

 

[SunnyD]

I have about 40 or so rechargable NiMH batteries, even the non-LSD ones seem to last months in the Wiimotes.

 

[Kabob]

Picked up some Eneloop's for the new Wii the other day off of Amazon. Definately more expensive than other rechargable batteries. seem to do the trick pretty well though.

Question, I bought some cheaper Powerizer batteries after someone suggested them to me a while ago and the charger broke, I believe they are the same type of battery though, will it hurt anything charging them with the Eneloop charger? Really if it hurts the batteries that's alright, I can't charge 'em as they are now anyways, but I don't want to damage the Eneloop charger.

 

[Yreka]

Eneloops (Or similar rechargeable) get my vote. I use them in all my peripherals for quite a while now ( well except the PS3 of course)..

Do you ever plan on getting any other controllers ? Fit board, plastic rockband / GH instruments etc, then you will really want to go with the rechargeable AA's

 

[mxyzptlk]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I use nothing but alkalines in my controllers. 48 pack for 9 bucks last forever.

LOL, no they don't.

I know that was hyperbole but c'mon man..

Maybe you'd like to do some sort of cost/lifetime comparison between a 48 pack @ 9bucks vs the 4 pack + charger that Baked posted for 10bucks.. rechargeables don't last forever either but you can certainly get more than 24 charges out of them.. so four rechargeables should last longer in two wiimotes than your 48 pack for about the same price.

Plus you're not throwing out batteries left and right, so the environment will thank you.

 

[Pepsei]

i have some cheap charger from dealextreme.... the drawback is, i have to pull the remote skin 1/2 way back to stick the remote in the charger....

and the usb charger only works if the wii is on. maybe i'll plug that usb charger somewhere else.