New recharable batteries????

[Kenski]

buying batteries for my 550ex isn't that bad but it can get expensive. I have seen other people and their flashes get pretty expensive so I went looking for recharables today. I first started at the local battery shop looking at what they had and was talking to the guy behind the counter. I haven't really messed with batteries ever since my RC days and back then most of my RC's were gas powered.... My Electric RC's that had battery packs were too damn expensive.. I put together the battery packs so I'm pretty knowledgeable about batteries and I figured I wouldn't let them snowball me when I walked in the door... BOY, was I surprised...

I figured he was going to try and sell me monsters and I was going to ask for some un-labeled batterypack AA's instead with higher MaH rattings... WOW, was I in for what came out of his mouth next... He told me for what I need, go to Walmart and look at the Rayvac, Duracell, or Energizer rechargables... 15-30 min charge time 2000-2300 MaH, Cheaper and more powerful then monster... For the purpose of the flash, This is the way to go he said... So I walked out the door and went to WalMart and couldn't belive the price on them... 4 batteries and the 15min charger, $27... Not too bad... then another 8 batteries, $18.....

Has anyone tried these yet?? The MaH #'s don't lie... Compared to Monsters they are better... Now, do they last as long? They are NiMh batteries so they are good but I can't figure out why such short charge time.. Most NiMh are 8 hour! Oh, the chargers come with a DC plug too.

BTW, I just can't afford the power pack yet and was looking for a cheap alternative and I think for $45 for 3 sets of batteries that can charge up in 15 min, I think this is the way to go...

[Kenski]

anyone?

[dtrayers]

Here's some infor on NiMH batteries:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/nimh_batteries.html

And there's the great battery shootout, but it's out of date:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/ACCS/BATTS/BATTS.HTM

IMO, get 'em at Walmart. The difference isn't significant and it's cheaper. Keep a set of new alkalines or lithium AAs in your bag just in case you forget to charge the NiMHs. They do lose their charge just sitting there. I think it's about 10% per week on avarage.

[Claytonian]

I recently bought a little point and shoot pocket camera as a secondary camera and it takes AAs, so I, too, was looking for some good rechargeables. I was originally looking at the Mahas and stuff like that that everyone recommends. Then I found info on the Rayovac 15 minute system. There was an awesome sale/rebate at Walgreens the week I was looking, so I decided to get them. I have been very happy and impressed. They are cheap, they have a high MaH, and they charge in 15 minutes...I was sold. They last a *very* long time in the little point and shoot with the LCD being used pretty much 100% of the time (and it only takes 2 batteries). The charger came with 2 and I bought 8 more besides those. So with 10 of these batteries, I never have to worry about having some charged for the camera, plus I can use them in other things around the house (and for my 420EX flash!). The charger package I bought also had an offer for a free auto adapter plug.

I can't speak for the other two brands you mentioned, but the Rayovac gets a "highly recommended" from me. Good luck!

[snibbetsj]

Kenski,

It never crossed my mind NOT to use rechargeables. I just make sure I get the NiMH and not the NiCads because the NiMH batteries don't have the "memory' effect of the Nicads.

With my 420EX, I get about 200-250 flashes on a set of 2100 MAH from Duracell. It's much cheaper in the long run because you can generally get 500 recharges from a set of batteries.

Jeff

[Kenski]

Thanks... I'm sold now... I'm going to my brother-in-laws wedding this weekend and I'm going to pick up the energizer unit I think.. higher MaH but 30 min charge instead of 15 over the rayovac... I figure if I pick up 12 batteries, and with a 2 GB card shooting in raw, I should have NO problems! If anything, I can run out to the car and drop them in the charger...


THANKS for the info!