Yet another battery thread

[AirbusA380]

So, I'm about to order my Sigma DG 530 SUPER flash, and need some batteries. I've searched, honestly, and found that eneloops are the ones that get recommended most of the time. As I'm just starting out, I wonder if I really should invest in a charger. Sanyo has a bundle with its MQN04 (http://www.eneloop.info/products/chargers.html) charger. Would this do for someone just starting out?

What are the key differences between this charger and a La Crosse BC-700, for example? I'm not sure if I really need those fancy options..

This (http://www.amazon.de/Batterieladeger%C3%A4t-Microprozessor-Steuerung-IPC-1-IPC1-Modell/dp/B000WILI42/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=ce-de&qid=1236603211&sr=1-38) looks like a La Crosse BC-700 charger a lot, from what I can see. Is it, in fact, the same but rebranded?

[SYS]

In my humble opinion, Eneloops + La Crosse BC900 is the perfect combination. I just started using this combo, and I can't be happier. In Eneloops you have the hybrid technology of rechargeable + great shelf life (low low self discharge rate of the standard alkalines). Then you have in BC900 a user-friendly charger that can refresh/condition your old batteries as well as charging the batteries at various heat.

I did consider getting the popular Maha charger, but the BC900 is definitely a better economical option, especially considering that you can get this for only $38 free shipping from Amazon. Here's the BC900 link:

http://www.amazon.de/TechnoLine-BC-900-Batterieladegeraet-Microprozessor-Steuerung/dp/B000WIHXLY/ref=pd_cp_ce_3/279-1062405-4015740?pf_rd_m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_r=01QPYC7ZF7X597A261JM&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=213564491&pf_rd_i=B000WILI42

And yes, your own link to Amazon is that of the BC700...

[LostShootingStar]

Eneloops hands down, there is nothing better out right now http://m08o1124znfu179.imageshacknow.info/img/2465/o09a0208gstn/POTNsmile.gif
http://m08o1124znfu179.imageshacknow.info/img/3218/n08d1214eybr/1by1.gif
http://m08o1124znfu179.imageshacknow.info/img/3200/n08d1214eybr/1by1.gif

[40Dude6aedyk]

Maybe I'm a heretic, but you don't need to spend big bucks on batteries and a charger ... yet. Just go to Wal-Mart and buy a set of NiMH AA batteries with charger for about $12. The Eneloops have a lower capacity than just about any NiMH battery out there. Sure, the higher capacity batteries lose charge slowly, but even if they lose charge, their remaining charge will be higher than that of fully charged Eneloops.

If you are like me where you charge your batteries the day before using them, then it won't matter what batteries you get. If you use your speedlite infrequently and leave the batteries for weeks or months in the speedlite, then by all means get Eneloops.

And eventually you can get a nicer charger as well.

[GerBee]

Eneloops are probably the most dependable product in their class. They might be a tad low powered, but make up for that by being consistent and the auxiliary set in the bag will be charged up and ready to go, even months after charging.

A bad or cheap charger is a simple charge for a set time/Amp/ratio and it never varies. You really do need to invest in your charger ~ OK anything will do to get started but if may be killing your batteries.

A good charger analyses each cell and charges them automatically, thus one cell may get more charge whilst another, needing less, gets less. With a cheap non intelligent charger, all cells get the same charge. In practice this means that some cells are not recharged properly and some are overcharged ~ not good for a long life and in extreme cases damage may happen quite soon

[AirbusA380]

Thanks, everyone. Would the Sanyo, bundled, charger (see link in the OP) be a 'non intelligent' charger? Would it be that bad?

Oh, 40Dude6aedyk, I wish we had a Walmart here :D. Everything is so overpriced here. I'd rather purchase eneloops online for the same price I get no-name batteries in a brick 'n mortar store..

[tvphotog]

Eneloops are probably the most dependable product in their class. They might be a tad low powered, but make up for that by being consistent and the auxiliary set in the bag will be charged up and ready to go, even months after charging.

A bad or cheap charger is a simple charge for a set time/Amp/ratio and it never varies. You really do need to invest in your charger ~ OK anything will do to get started but if may be killing your batteries.

A good charger analyses each cell and charges them automatically, thus one cell may get more charge whilst another, needing less, gets less. With a cheap non intelligent charger, all cells get the same charge. In practice this means that some cells are not recharged properly and some are overcharged ~ not good for a long life and in extreme cases damage may happen quite soon

Interesting information. I wondered why others had not recommended the simple battery rechargers. I think I'll get this for use in my office as well, where we use a lot of rechargable batteries. Thank you.

[SYS]

I'm currently helping my 4th Grade boy on his school's science fair project competition. The topic? You guessed it... battery tests and results!! :D

One of the tests, among other things, that we're conducting is the shelf life, and let me give you an initial result of the shelf life of a well respected brand, "Energizer Rechargeable 2500mAh." Even after being fully refreshed or conditioned over 3 days, its shelf life is so pathetic that I'm thinking about just throwing them out. It went from 100% capacity to 80% in mere three days of sitting on the shelf in 63-72F room temperature, and it went down to 60% in only a couple more days.

So, uh uh, I wouldn't recommend ANY rechargeable batteries that are not Eneloop/hybrid kind that uses the technology of a long shelf life of alkalines...

As for the rest of our project, we'll share the info once completed some time in April when the science fair is over with.

[AirbusA380]

Wow, SYS. That is, in fact, pretty pathetic performance for a resepected brand.

Decided on the Eneloops, now I wonder what charger (standard Sanyo or BC-700/900).

[SYS]

For the reasons GerBee stated above, it's worth getting one of the "intelligent" chargers as it'd pay for itself in the long run. My recommendation is La Crosse BC900 as it's quite user-friendly and much cheaper than another popular charger around here, Maha C9000. For $38 free shipping from Amazon.com, I'm actually thinking about getting another BC900...

[Mocows]

I agree with SYS, I have 2 sets of 4 AA Energizer 2500mAh batteries that I used in my old Fuji s5100 and they are horrible. Charges last about 2-3 days and after minimal use, they're done. I can't be bothered charging batteries every day just to use them plus it really hurts when traveling.

[fireplug]

I have Eneloop batteries for my Pentax k100d, and my flashes...they are really nice. Haven't had any real issues with them.

[ben_r_]

Sanyo Eneloop batteries and a Maha C9000 charger is the best combo IMO.