best batteries for 580 exII

I was using the energizer 2500 mAh and got a couple sets of eneloop and wow what a difference. straight out the pack into the strobes and wow recycle time was cut in half or better. I got them in this package. but the La crosse charger has me wondering if I should have gotten the maha charger. the instruction manual is hard to understand. From reading it it says a max charging of 1000 mAh and if you scroll through the display to show the mAh you will think that the batteries are showing full with only between 600-1200 mAh. Anyone with the La crosse read the manual and understand it??

I only own and use the Maha C-9000 (and love it), but the LaCrosse charger is well-regarded, from what I've read on some battery forums. The Maha charger is the more comprehensive unit, but I'm not sure that I'd be unhappy with the LaCrosse if I bought that first. Hopefully someone else can help you with the instructions, good luck!

I find the C-9000 pretty easy to understand. From memory It doesn't say max charging current of 1000mah, it says max charging current of 1.0C, where C is your battery capacity. This means you can charge a 2700mah cell at 2700ma, for an hour - or just over an hour after inefficiencies are taken out. The thermal limiting circuits will likely cut in before that though, unless they're well ventilated.

I have a C-9000 and a C-801S, I wish i'd gotten a 2nd 9000 now. I might get another one, and have the capacity to charge 16 batteries at a time. That could come in handy, as I sometimes do weddings two or occasionally three days in a row, and I use a lot of off camera lighting. Once I get a few more lights I might end up taking about 60 cells to each wedding - though I would likely only use a small fraction of the power from them.

thanks Rudi i do think the La Crosse is a great charger it just the instruction manual isn't written to well

Tim,

Why another C-9000 over the C-801(D?)? Do you really need the ability to monitor your batteries that closely every time you charge them? (Just curious! ).

Rudi wrote in post #6307224
Tim,

Why another C-9000 over the C-801(D?)? Do you really need the ability to monitor your batteries that closely every time you charge them?.

I have 50 cells, so making sure they all actually hold a decent charge would take weeks! Once I know they're good the 801 will be fine. Maybe i'll just stick with one C9000.

LOL, I know all too well about having many, many AA's! Part of the job and all that...

I use the Duracell "pre-charged." Same technology as the Eneloops and Rayovacs I believe. They hold their charge for a long time..

I started out with Energizer, but had batteries "fail" to charge. I got so disgusted I switched to Duracell. I have had no problems with them. When you charge them they stay charged. They are very reliable.

I use Energizer and Duracell Rechargeables all around 2700 MhA. Great so far.

I have Energizer 2500 and Duracell and another brand[coming with my wireless mouse] and found that Duracell and another brand recharging faster than my energizer even performing better than energizer [to my experience, but i could be wrong].
Now i see here some recommended brands like Sanyo and Maha, so i think i will go with each or both of necesary, but where i can buy them? I saw that Pearstone on B&H and it looks tempting, but not sure if i should get it or something else.

kgauger30 wrote in post #6301848
I know the battery pack is probably the best, but what is good when you don't get the battery pack? Should I go rechargeable AA's or what should I use to give me the best recycle time?

THX!

I just got a Sanyo Eneloop pack from a local Costco.