NiMh AA batteries - Advantages and Disadvantages

[brianch]

I've read that it is bad to use NiMh batteries in flash units because they overheat, over bad recycle times, and leak. Is this generally true for NimH batteries? I use 6 of them in a camera as well as my flash units. How are lithium batteries better then NimH? And how do regular alkaline batteries compare? Do 6 NiMh batteries offer more juice for a camera or do two Lithium packs offer more?

[bohdank]

I've been using rechargeables in everything when they were still NiCd ;-)

Never had a problem with a leaking battery, overheating or any other problem. I use NiMh in my 580 EXII without issues.

[Wilt]

They don't leak (unlike alkalines), they don't take as long to recycle the flash (unlike alkalines), you can overheat the flash unit with NiMH (but you can, too, with alkalines! -- you merely have to exceed the consecutive flash count cautions of the flash manufacture. )
About the only downside is the initial higher purchase price -- but the lifetime cost is lower than running down alkalines and replacing them all the time!

Lithium batteries are only 'better' because lithiums have a 10 year shelf life, whereas NiMH (the conventional type, not the long lasting ones) self discharge in about 90 days, but lithiums are not rechargable and cost a lot more than alkalines. (Lithiums are great for emergency batteries because of the long shelf life.)
Note: 'lithium' (1.5v) is not the same as 'lithium ion' (which do not come in 1.5v version)

[ben_r_]

They are awesome in flashes! Thats really all I use them for. I bought a ton of Sanyo Eneloops.

[Stinger]

NiMh were made for applications like a flash - the only applications where other technologies are superior - is where there is more limited space (Lithium Ion is better, power to space ratio) or where the current draw is really high iike in a high power cordless drill.

[thebishopp]

Powerex 2700 for me :-)

[Jim G]

I think everyone I've ever met with decent camera flashes has used NIMH batteries, usually good rechargeables like the Powerex 2700mahs, Eneloops or Imedions.

[msowsun]

I've read that it is bad to use NiMh batteries in flash units because they overheat, over bad recycle times, and leak. Is this generally true for NimH batteries?

Do you remember where you read that? It doesn't make sense.

[Stinger]

Do you remember where you read that? It doesn't make sense.

Probably by a company that only makes Alkalines :p

Especially with the range of NiMh's you can get now. I use the eneloop type ones for devices that I don't use that often, and the powerex 2700's when I need max battery life (but I have charge them on the day of day before).

[ctranter]

Get eneloop's or similar

[LowriderS10]

I have Energizer NiMHs for EVERYTHING from my flashes to my voice recorder and down to my noise-cancelling headphones...very happy with their price/performance.