Canon Battery Pack CP-E3 + rechargables

hey there
recently switched to canon ..bought 580 EX
i used to have nikon flashes with optional compartment for 5th battery witch was a cheapy way to improve on flash performance ....it worked well for me but during wedding i very often got cought in the process of switching batteries when least expected .... so my question is ..is canons power pack for 8 batteries good enough for you guys ....and does it do what it is described to do ..meaning full power 400 shoots!!! ...i really don't want to go for anything bigger and yes i know there are better batery packs ...and price is not that much of a factor ...rather portability and weight
so whats your opinionj and for those who use that type of power packs or just regular "on board" baterries ..what's your opinion on rechargables .... i kind of got stuck with energizer 2500 mah ..beacuse energizer is a decent baterry brand ...blah bla blah ..used some other minor brand once and was extremly disapointed but recently i heard that supposedly powerex has decent rechargables ...please let me know what's your opinion on those 2 topics

I have the 580EX and CP-E3 combo which I use for weddings and it works great. You're really running 12 batteries since 4 are in the flash. I probably take between 600 and 800 flash pictures throughout the day and have never changed batteries. I use rechargeable batteries and also no problems.

i use the quantum battery pack instead

I use the CP-3E for weddings with no problems at all. I average between 600-750 shots before I even think of changing batteries.

scorpiojo wrote in post #2644700
I use the CP-3E for weddings with no problems at all. I average between 600-750 shots before I even think of changing batteries.

How fast does the flash recycle in normal use?
And how fast after a fullpower flash?

Good luck...

Do you all normally use all 12 to recycle the flash or just the 8 in the pack?

The CP-E3 also has optional extra battery trays that can be preloaded with 8 AA cells, and then it only takes 5 seconds to switch to a new fresh battery tray. Very easy and light weight. Doesn't have the power of the Quantum Turbo, but neither the weight, size, or price.

I can shoot all day witout a battery change. Works great and is really light.

Do any of you guys know of the Canon E315 High Voltage pack? It is specifically for strobes and charges them faster than a Nicad Pack TP. On a par with Quantum I think. I bought one locally, with the replaceable cell. However I come up against a brick wall trying to find out about a suitable charger. No-one seems to know. It is not the TP charger, as the contacts differ.
Thx