Recommended NiMh Charger (fast, small, cool, etc.)?

i just came from BB and bought a pack of 4 2500s energizers, as well as the compact charger which came w/ another pair of 4 2500s. i dont want to open it yet, cause i heard it takes a long time to charge. i spent an hour debating to either get the 15-minute charger (which is only $3 more, but really bulky and heavy), or the compact which i got (heard it takes 8+ hours). any suggestions that combines the best parts of these chargers into one? (compact, fast, efficient, cool, etc...)

TIA

http://www.thomasdistr​ibuting.com/

which model # tim have you had experience w/? details pls...

tim wrote:
http://www.thomasdistr​ibuting.com/

I haven't had any experience with them, but they're the dealer everyone recommends. MAHA have a great reputation, get one of those. They make good bats too.

I am wondering if an 8-hour-charge might not be easier on the batteries than the ultra 15-minutes or 1-hour-charge.

Once you have a lot of batteries, it doesn't really hurt if one is charged for 8 hours (actually, it's more 12-16 hours on a set of 2500 batteries )

I have 2 chargers and 20+ batteries for all kinds of photographic and household appliances... a speed charger and an Ansmann slow charger with 'refresh' (full discharge) function and I try to cycle the batteries between the 2 ... use the slow charger, if possible, and after every 4 or so charges, fully discharge to keep the full power a bit longer.

This could be utter BS, so if someone knows better...

Best regards,
Andy

tim--yah which MAHA? lol

andy--yah, thats interesting, i'd like to know too... cause i have the BIG energizer charger that handles all rechargeable battery sizes (A-D,9v)

Andythaler wrote:
I am wondering if an 8-hour-charge might not be easier on the batteries than the ultra 15-minutes or 1-hour-charge.

Once you have a lot of batteries, it doesn't really hurt if one is charged for 8 hours (actually, it's more 12-16 hours on a set of 2500 batteries )

I have 2 chargers and 20+ batteries for all kinds of photographic and household appliances... a speed charger and an Ansmann slow charger with 'refresh' (full discharge) function and I try to cycle the batteries between the 2 ... use the slow charger, if possible, and after every 4 or so charges, fully discharge to keep the full power a bit longer.

This could be utter BS, so if someone knows better...

Best regards,
Andy

Refreshing LiIon batteries isn't meant to be good for them. Have a read around here, and the rest of the site.

No idea, read what they say about them, all will do pretty well.

tim wrote:
Refreshing LiIon batteries isn't meant to be good for them. Have a read around here, and the rest of the site.

Well, thank goodness I did it only on my NiMH batteries, so far

Best regards,
Andy

I'll do the same. I have a fast charger for 2/4 batteries (but I always use it for sets of four because those are what I need) that is what I use while on travel, is compact and fast and that suites the need.

At home, I use a bulky - but permanetly installed - 12 pieces charger that can go to full discharge before charge if needed. Takes 12/16 hrs to charge all 12 pieces. When at home, I tend to use that.

Overall, I have 8x4 pieces 2500 Mah NI-MH sets and I try to keep them numbered and sticked together, so I always charge (but it seems to me that Ni-MH does NOT need discharge, anybody can confirm this ?) a single set at the same time, not mixing the batteries. What you achieve in this manner is that you always recharge batteries that have the same level - being used in the same appliance - of charge. It makes sense to me. But I may be wrong.

From what I understand, high speed chargers are harder on the batteries and will shorten their useful life. I normally use my overnight (6 hr) charger, but also have a 1hr charger for short-notice jobs or high volume work.

I've been using the same Maha CF203 charger from thomasdistributing on the same batteries for 3 years! This is the 'old' 3 hour quick charger, and still the 'old' 1800 AAs. I rotate 3 sets for my 580EX. I almost never use more than 1 set in a full day, and I use my flash a LOT. I think new sets of 4 are less than $10 for 2500s. Gee, they may 'only' last me another 3 years using the fast charger. Convenience certainly outweighs battery life. Even if it knocked off 30% of the current battery life, I'd still get at least 2 years out of a set with heavy use. Still a great trade-off.