Which Powerex charger?

I've been stocking up on Eneloops for my flashes recently, and I think it's got to the point where I should really have a decent charger to replace the cheap 15 minute speed charger that came with my first set of batteries.

From what I gather, the Powerex MH-C9000 is pretty much the best you can get (along with the similar Lacrosse BC-900). I was all set to order one of these, when I came across the 8 AA chargers Powerex manufactures, like the MH-C801D. They don't have the crazy analysis and charging features of the C9000, but they have what you want in a battery charger: individual circuits, slow/trickle charging, and conditioning.

I've shot a couple of weddings, and I usually end up taking three sets of batteries for my 430EX II (12 in total). This is certainly doable with a 4 battery charger, but I also have several flashes for off-camera use, and the idea of charging 32 batteries four at a time isn't too appealing. On the other hand, I rarely use these flashes, and I'm also using low self-discharge NiMH batteries exclusively, so I would only be topping them up.

What say you, POTN? Are the C9000's extra features worth the hassle of only being able to charge four batteries at once, or should the average person just get a high quality normal charger? I have read opinions on both sides of the issue, and I'm eager to see what people here have to say.

I am admittedly a flashaholic in addition to a shutterbug and reading threads at Candlepower Forums indicates that a Maha charger seems to be the charger of choice for eneloops as it charges/discharges and recharges them to max capacity. I intend to acquire a Maha charger shortly to give my eneloops the best potential charge. I found one thread that claimed that one of the radio shack chargers is actually made by Maha.

I have both of the Powerex chargers you mentioned and they are both very good chargers. I find I use the 8-cell one the most, as it not only charges twice as many cells at once, but it requires much less "fiddling" to get it started for a normal charge. With that charger, you select the charge-mode for the first battery inserted, and then all of the others are treated to the same cycle type.

I use the C9000 when I have problem batteries which I am trying to salvage. Although I used it often when I was using regular NiMH batteries, I haven't had a need for it with the Eneloops which I use exclusively now (I gave all my old batteries away). The Eneloops work great in my flashes which sit around more than they get used, but are always ready to go to work when I need them, no matter how long they have sat around unused.

If you are using Eneloops now, I would just get the C801D and enjoy it. If you are going on a photo assignment, you can "top-off" your flash battery set and the backup spare set at the same time. I have mine marked to keep them in 4-cell sets so they all get equal usage and don't get mixed together.

I get my chargers from Thomas Distributing and have done business with them for years.
http://www.thomasdistr​ibuting.com …dium=PPC&utm_ca​mpaign=PPC

You might search around and find a discount coupon code for them as well.

-howard

I use the Maha/PowerEx C-204W.

I purchased it from here:

http://www.thomasdistr​ibuting.com …pasjf0su5c21pq0​0tkmmj0ci5

http://****/adwxST (shortened if the above crapfest of a URL doesn't work)

Even though I have the MHC-9000, you'll never use all the features if you use good quality batteries.

+1 I would recommend the MHC-204 as it also has the battery conditioning features and it's more compact.

+1 to what hfgarris says:
me too:
-have both Powerex MH-C9000 and MH-C801D charger.
-mostly use the 801 because I have too many batteries.
-only use 9000 when I have problem batteries which I am trying to salvage.
-i have mine marked to keep them in 4-cell sets so they all get equal usage and don't get mixed together.

If I have to do it all over again, maybe Im just gonna get one or two 801D charger and not the 9000, since I dont have time anymore to analyze individual battery, refresh, fix, etc, etc (1 day job, 1 part time job, family, etc).
Update: actually just picked up one more 801D, got a good deal, so now I have 1-9000 and 2-801.

Hope that helps.

I think I'm going to go with the 8 battery charger. I noticed the 4 battery models only charge in pairs (other than the 100 minute/trickle version). Not a huge deal, but I have enough batteries I may as well just get the 8 battery model.

Bob_McBob wrote in post #10285272
I think I'm going to go with the 8 battery charger. I noticed the 4 battery models only charge in pairs (other than the 100 minute/trickle version). Not a huge deal, but I have enough batteries I may as well just get the 8 battery model.

The LaCrosse BC700 or BC900 holds up to 4 cells, but individually charges cells rather than only pairs.

The LaCrosse chargers are nice, but they aren't as set it and forget easy to use.

Each time you use it, you need to specify what mAh you want to charge at on the first battery, and then the following 3 charge at the same rate.

but the LaCrosse ones are very good for conditioning the batteries vs just charging/slow charging.

I got the Powerex MH-C9000 yesterday. I use to do remote control car stuff a while ago, so I like to play with all the settings and such.

I don't mind it being just a 4 cell charger, I charge my cells over time and have them marked in batches. So it's cool for me.

I've got ReCyko's from GP BTW, which are made in the same factory as eneloops (they're the same thing essentially). GP is a Hong Kong company though, so I support them.

I also have some old GP NiMh batteries that need some TLC so the MH-C9000 will do that job nicely.

The C801D is so convenient when your charging batteries for the CP-e4. 8 battery charger is very convenient.

ThinkGeek.com has the La Crosse BC-9009 (comes with 4 AA, 4 AAA, 4 size C and D adapters, and carrying bag) for $39.99, get $10 off using code "GEEKPUZZLER". Comes to $36.58 after shipping.

http://www.thinkgeek.c​om/gadgets/travelpower​/b7fd/

I ordered mine the other day and saved additional 3% via MrRebates.com, got $1.20 cashback since the purchase shows listed as amount before coupon.