Which AA batteries should i run in my NEW pocket Wizards?

I bit the bullet and bought 5 pocket wizards... ugh my wallet is hurting ANYWHO!!! Im just curious which rechargeable AAs are the best. do i need high mah 2700's? or will they drain to much? Should i use the low drain AA rechargeables? whats the best option? or is it not that big of a deal stick in some batteries and start shootin!!

Definately Nimh, probably eneloop or similar if you don't want to have to charge them that often. Eneloops aren't as highly rated MAH wise, so they don't last as long continuously shooting as some that are available, but the advantage they have, is that they'll keep their charge when they're not being used.


So, if you're going to drain the batteries anyway over the course of a couple of weeks, then batteries with a high MAH rating are the best. But for most people, these batteries discharge themselves too quickly, and constantly recharging them is a pain.

I don't bother with rechargeables in my Pocket Wizards. I use standard Duracell alkaline batteries and carry spares. Between popping the PW's from the Sekonic meter and from the camera I still get well over 1000 pops without a problem. I found that I don't get as many pops with rechargeables and I have to switch them more often.

I'm a big fan of using rechargeable batteries but I don't find them to be the better choice in Pocket Wizards.

Stinger wrote in post #5674345
Definately Nimh, probably eneloop or similar if you don't want to have to charge them that often. Eneloops aren't as highly rated MAH wise, so they don't last as long continuously shooting as some that are available, but the advantage they have, is that they'll keep their charge when they're not being used.


So, if you're going to drain the batteries anyway over the course of a couple of weeks, then batteries with a high MAH rating are the best. But for most people, these batteries discharge themselves too quickly, and constantly recharging them is a pain.

Yea i was doing research on low drain vs high drain.. i ordered a couple setsof Sanyo 2700's just because i need some new ones for my strobes and those seem to be rated the best... but im wondering.. since bascially the pocket wizard is just sending a signal will the lower longer rated ones work just as fine? because the battery isn't taking a big drain hit like it is when they are in a strobe... or will the higher rated mah batteries allow me to shoot faster? ( of course i have to take into account the batteries in the strobes recycling ) but if i have strobes plugged into a wall i could shoot quickly ( although not recommended too much because u can fry out your strobes )

P.S. i think im thinking WAY too much about this lol but humor me pls all you battery testing tech heads out there

TMR Design wrote in post #5674373
I don't bother with rechargeables in my Pocket Wizards. I use standard Duracell alkaline batteries and carry spares. Between popping the PW's from the Sekonic meter and from the camera I still get well over 1000 pops without a problem. I found that I don't get as many pops with rechargeables and I have to switch them more often.

I'm a big fan of using rechargeable batteries but I don't find them to be the better choice in Pocket Wizards.

Hey there thanks for giving me your feedback... i still am digging those barn door mods u showed us how to do for the AB's nice work

bocaj wrote in post #5674379
Yea i was doing research on low drain vs high drain.. i ordered a couple setsof Sanyo 2700's just because i need some new ones for my strobes and those seem to be rated the best... but im wondering.. since bascially the pocket wizard is just sending a signal will the lower longer rated ones work just as fine? because the battery isn't taking a big drain hit like it is when they are in a strobe... or will the higher rated mah batteries allow me to shoot faster? ( of course i have to take into account the batteries in the strobes recycling ) but if i have strobes plugged into a wall i could shoot quickly ( although not recommended too much because u can fry out your strobes )

P.S. i think im thinking WAY too much about this lol but humor me pls all you battery testing tech heads out there

I doubt the higher rated mah ones will let you shoot faster, in fact I've found the opposite (don't have PW's yet, just using in flash) I gather that the voltage drop is a little less as the power is being drained, because of better internal resistance on the eneloops compared to my other highly rated mahs that self drain.

TMR Design wrote in post #5674373
I don't bother with rechargeables in my Pocket Wizards. I use standard Duracell alkaline batteries and carry spares. Between popping the PW's from the Sekonic meter and from the camera I still get well over 1000 pops without a problem. I found that I don't get as many pops with rechargeables and I have to switch them more often.

I'm a big fan of using rechargeable batteries but I don't find them to be the better choice in Pocket Wizards.

Same here. I don't bother with rechargeables either. Just about any brand name alkaline batteries will work fine and last in the PW units.

I just use regular alkaline batteries in my PWs. They last so long as it is and Id rather save the eneloops for the flashes.

I go through maybe a set of batteries every 2-3 months; so I don't even bother with rechargables.