Trouble deciding on a charger for AA's

I have been doing research and reading everything I can on chargers for AA batteries, and have narrowed the possibilities down to two:

1. La Crosse BC-900
or
2. Maha PowerEx C9000

I have read that both charge pretty much any NiMH battery very well, but the BC-900 had a few problems years ago.
Thomas Distributing currently has a sale on the BC-900 for $57.97 , and it comes with:
Eight Sanyo Eneloop AA 2000 mAh batteries
Four La Crosse 2600mA AA Rechargeable Batteries(NiMH 1.2V)
Four La Crosse 1000mAh AAA Rechargeable Batteries(NiMH 1.2V)
Four C Size Battery Adapters
(Uses any AA battery with adapter to power electronics requiring C size batteries)
Four D Size Rechargeable Battery Adapters
The sale ends 10/31/08.

The C9000 is $59.97 for just the charger.

My question: Is the C9000 that much better than the BC-900? The price on the BC-900 seems like a really good deal to pass up.

Thanks for the help.

The PowerEx C9000 is a fine charger. I own two of them. They have served my needs well. I don't own a La Crosse BC-900 but I have read a few good comments about it on this Forum. Try the Forum's search function for each charger. I am confident you will find numerous posts.

The list of extras with the La Cross might be the deal maker.

Take a look at this one..

http://www.bestbuy.com …=product&id=113​8084368834

I just bought it last night and it's great so far. 4 batteries charged at around 10-15 mins. I tested them on my flash and it's great.

Bushplane Ken wrote in post #6580746
The PowerEx C9000 is a fine charger. I own two of them. They have served my needs well. I don't own a La Crosse BC-900 but I have read a few good comments about it on this Forum. Try the Forum's search function for each charger. I am confident you will find numerous posts.

The list of extras with the La Cross might be the deal maker.

Yes, the C9000 looks very nice. I did another search while I was waiting and found MANY posts about each charger. One of the only bad things I found about the BC-900 was a overheating or shorting problem on the earlier version of this model. I'm guessing it has been corrected since I didn't see any other complaints after a certain date.

tamtanium wrote in post #6580818
Take a look at this one..

http://www.bestbuy.com …&st=battery+cha​rger&type= product&id=11380843688​34

I just bought it last night and it's great so far. 4 batteries charged at around 10-15 mins. I tested them on my flash and it's great.

I currently have a couple sets of Energizer rechargables w/quick charger and it works great but, they don't seem to hold their charge for very long. That charger will work well for when I need to have a charge quick, but I was looking for something that could cycle batteries and test them to make sure everything is up to par.


Thanks

tamtanium wrote in post #6580818
Take a look at this one..

http://www.bestbuy.com …=product&id=113​8084368834

I just bought it last night and it's great so far. 4 batteries charged at around 10-15 mins. I tested them on my flash and it's great.

15 minute charge times is very hard on a rechargeable battery...the heat build up is harsh! it is far better to charge at a slower rate, and reserve the 15 min. for only emergency needs

Wilt wrote in post #6584254
15 minute charge times is very hard on a rechargeable battery...the heat build up is harsh! it is far better to charge at a slower rate, and reserve the 15 min. for only emergency needs

That's also the same thoughts i had. I know that slow charge is the best way to keep the batteries good for a long time. But when I checked out at the register at Best Buy. The cashier guy goes

cashier guy: Great product! I use this everyday for my P&S camera
me: how long have you had it for?
cashier guy: hmmmm...4-5 years now and it's still good.
me: wow...

Just wanted to throw it out there haha.

tamtanium wrote in post #6585078
That's also the same thoughts i had. I know that slow charge is the best way to keep the batteries good for a long time. But when I checked out at the register at Best Buy. The cashier guy goes

cashier guy: Great product! I use this everyday for my P&S camera
me: how long have you had it for?
cashier guy: hmmmm...4-5 years now and it's still good.
me: wow...

Just wanted to throw it out there haha.

He had the charger for 4-5 years, but what about the batteries? how much usage is a charge still good for?!

I have the La Crosse BC-900 and i'm totally satisfied with it.. it has all the good functions such as 'refresh/charge' , test mode, discharge and charge. It came with 4 AA and 4 AAA batteries and other accessories. LED screens for each slot which is very usuable.

Wilt wrote in post #6585393
He had the charger for 4-5 years, but what about the batteries? how much usage is a charge still good for?!

The charger come with 4 batteries and yes 4 original batteries last for 4-5 years. I asked to make sure.

I've used both the BC900 and C9000, and I'd take the C9000 any day. It's just easier to set up and access all the functions. Both do an excellent job of charging, discharging, analyzing, refreshing, break-in, and cycling but I find the Maha to be simpler and faster to use.

One thing though, is the C9000 is a lot bigger than the BC900. The C9000 screen is also very bright. Like super bright, you have to see to understand. Definitely easier to read for people who like larger text and stuff.

Thanks for all of the replies. Lots of good information here.

I ended up buying the BC-900 on sale for $57.97 from Thomas Distributing.

http://thomasdistribut​ing.com …a807glnle3kv0ru​lfa1a07vj6

I just couldn't pass up the good deal.

Just so other people don't get scared, it's $38.97 including 4 AA batteries and 4 AAAs, a little more if you add Eneloops. I've found that the batteries that come with it work great with my flash if I keep them topped off. Their rated at 2400mah and while most battery manufacturers are way optimistic on mah ratings, these are conservative. I was having an issue with one of mine which wouldn't go above 1800mah, but after a discharge refresh cycle in the La Crosse, I'm now getting 2900mah, 2700mah, 2200mah and 2420mah. I brought some old rechargeables back from the dead as well.

I like the Eneloops too and keep a charged set in my bag as backups, but if you get into the habit of regularly charging before a big flash session, the higher capacity batteries seem to work better.

You'll love the La Crosse - I didn't think such a seemingly simple product could give such satisfaction.

vince_ross wrote in post #6590082
Thanks for all of the replies. Lots of good information here.

I ended up buying the BC-900 on sale for $57.97 from Thomas Distributing.

http://thomasdistribut​ing.com …a807glnle3kv0ru​lfa1a07vj6

I just couldn't pass up the good deal.

Either one is a great charger and Im sure youll be happy with your decision!

Hi Lloyd - appreciate your comments on the chargers.

The SAMS Club rig I got a several years back is starting to lose it's staying power so I'm now reviewing the choices available at Thomas Distributing. I was curious if you had any additional experiences or recommendations since your post last year. Thanks in advance. - Stu

picturecrazy wrote in post #6586091
I've used both the BC900 and C9000, and I'd take the C9000 any day. It's just easier to set up and access all the functions. Both do an excellent job of charging, discharging, analyzing, refreshing, break-in, and cycling but I find the Maha to be simpler and faster to use.

One thing though, is the C9000 is a lot bigger than the BC900. The C9000 screen is also very bright. Like super bright, you have to see to understand. Definitely easier to read for people who like larger text and stuff.

vince_ross wrote in post #6579968
I have been doing research and reading everything I can on chargers for AA batteries, and have narrowed the possibilities down to two:

1. La Crosse BC-900
or
2. Maha PowerEx C9000

I have read that both charge pretty much any NiMH battery very well, but the BC-900 had a few problems years ago.
Thomas Distributing currently has a sale on the BC-900 for $57.97 , and it comes with:
Eight Sanyo Eneloop AA 2000 mAh batteries
Four La Crosse 2600mA AA Rechargeable Batteries(NiMH 1.2V)
Four La Crosse 1000mAh AAA Rechargeable Batteries(NiMH 1.2V)
Four C Size Battery Adapters
(Uses any AA battery with adapter to power electronics requiring C size batteries)
Four D Size Rechargeable Battery Adapters
The sale ends 10/31/08.

The C9000 is $59.97 for just the charger.

My question: Is the C9000 that much better than the BC-900? The price on the BC-900 seems like a really good deal to pass up.

Thanks for the help.

It's a toss up. I have both. The Lacrosse is smaller and more portable. The MaHa has more functionality. Both are great. that's a good deal on the 9000. Wouldn't hesitate to jump on it.

J.